Hi all, great little community going on here, seems generally friendly and helpful! I've been lurking on the site for a few weeks now - reading and researching, watching loads of youtube content, etc.!!
I'm not completely new to camping/caravanning, we had a '90s Conway Cardinal Clubman (trailer tent with a hard-top) for several years which we loved. We sold it as the floor was getting very soft in areas (probably the reason we got it cheap!), but we also felt the family was outgrowing it and we'd always discussed getting a 'proper' caravan...
This summer will be our second without the Conway and I'm looking into getting a caravan so we can start to do more weekends/half-terms away with the kids next year as well as our main summer holiday to the continent. We are a family of 5 (including two teenagers) so I'm considering the best short and long-term purchase for us as the eldest is 5'7 and still growing!!
I will have around £10-12k to spend and seem to be able to find vans such as the Sprite Major 6, Bailey Pegasus, Swift Challenger Sport in and around this price range for 6 berths. Tow car will be a BMW 5 series and priority for us will be space/comfort, flexibility for future - I'm viewing this as a 5+ year investment - so probably outlasting the older lads interest in joining family camping trips!
But, I have a few questions to help me on my search:
- Am I best to look for a large 4 berth and use awning/bed pod for the eldest instead of a 5/6 berth
- When is generally the best time of year to purchase (bearing in mind I'd not be looking to actually use it this year - already have summer and Oct half term plans!)
- Dealer v private purchase (if I had a higher budget I'd go 'dealer') - are there highly regarded dealers I should be looking at (I'm based near Heathrow but don't mind a drive of up to 2 hrs to browse/buy)
- I'm sure brand preference is like buying a car (everyone has their own view) but am I generally in good hands looking at Swift/Baileys
Sorry, loads of info and questions for a first post, but I'm hoping to do some major groundwork to present my wife with some well thought out options before we start to go shopping!
Thanks,
Barry
I'm not completely new to camping/caravanning, we had a '90s Conway Cardinal Clubman (trailer tent with a hard-top) for several years which we loved. We sold it as the floor was getting very soft in areas (probably the reason we got it cheap!), but we also felt the family was outgrowing it and we'd always discussed getting a 'proper' caravan...
This summer will be our second without the Conway and I'm looking into getting a caravan so we can start to do more weekends/half-terms away with the kids next year as well as our main summer holiday to the continent. We are a family of 5 (including two teenagers) so I'm considering the best short and long-term purchase for us as the eldest is 5'7 and still growing!!
I will have around £10-12k to spend and seem to be able to find vans such as the Sprite Major 6, Bailey Pegasus, Swift Challenger Sport in and around this price range for 6 berths. Tow car will be a BMW 5 series and priority for us will be space/comfort, flexibility for future - I'm viewing this as a 5+ year investment - so probably outlasting the older lads interest in joining family camping trips!
But, I have a few questions to help me on my search:
- Am I best to look for a large 4 berth and use awning/bed pod for the eldest instead of a 5/6 berth
- When is generally the best time of year to purchase (bearing in mind I'd not be looking to actually use it this year - already have summer and Oct half term plans!)
- Dealer v private purchase (if I had a higher budget I'd go 'dealer') - are there highly regarded dealers I should be looking at (I'm based near Heathrow but don't mind a drive of up to 2 hrs to browse/buy)
- I'm sure brand preference is like buying a car (everyone has their own view) but am I generally in good hands looking at Swift/Baileys
Sorry, loads of info and questions for a first post, but I'm hoping to do some major groundwork to present my wife with some well thought out options before we start to go shopping!
Thanks,
Barry