New persons,need help with all aspects of caravans and towing

[MJ1]

Hi,my wife and are completly new to the world of caravans,we are so new infact that we havent even bought a van or car yet..!!! We have a limited budget and we are completly confused by weights,unbraked,towing capacities etc etc,like i said we are new to this.

I would like to know what i should be looking for in a 2nd hand caravan and what would be the best type.

Where are the best places to look for help and guidance? We are looking to travel around alot so reliability is essential for the car/4x4.

Any advice as to where to start would be greatly appreciated.

All of your posts are very factual and very entertaining.look forward to any replies.

Kind Regards

 

[Angus1]

Welcome M&J.

You don`t give any indication of your requirements (berths, etc), or budget.

Also, do you want a "crashpad" to use whilst exploring the countryside, or want a fully equipped "home from home"?

There are so many variables, the more info you supply, the more directed and relevant the responses are likely to be.

You don`t want to be spending money on something you don`t want which may sour the experience.

 

[MJ1]

Welcome M&J.

You don`t give any indication of your requirements (berths, etc), or budget.

Also, do you want a "crashpad" to use whilst exploring the countryside, or want a fully equipped "home from home"?

There are so many variables, the more info you supply, the more directed and relevant the responses are likely to be.

You don`t want to be spending money on something you don`t want which may sour the experience.

Hi

Looking for a 2 berth 4 berth max with a budget of around

 

[Lol1]

Hiya M&J, welcome to the forum and all it's little treasures. First advice I would give is don't rush. Easier said than done, I know, but take your time none the less. Visit as many local dealers as possible, and take in as much info as you can. They will be able to help with weights and measurements and are probably the best people to buy from, for your first van. Don't be afraid to look in as many caravans as you can, changing it later, because it's not the ideal one for you, can be expensive. Do your homework, insurance costs, storage and service fees. By all means, use this forum to ask questions (we love being needed) but try to make them specific unless you want a very broad range of answers.

Join the caravan club or the CCC before you buy if poss. You get a hand book which has clear understandings of the technical side of this past time, handy for referring to, in a tight spot.

Of course, you could just jump in and learn from your mistakes, most do, including us, but resist the temptation and build up your knowledge to avoid expensive mistakes. It also helps if you know an experience caravaner that will walk you round the show rooms too.

This might help, but as Top Gear isn't on tonight I have little else spoiling....

 

[MJ1]

Hi thanks for that. If i said we were living with the mother in law at the mo the phrase sooner rather than later pops into mind!!!!..But your right we will take our time as we cannot afford to make expensive mistakes,im to old to start learning from them now.!!!

I think over this coming week we shall be visiting some dealers and having a good nose.

Its all the technical stuff that worries me.

 

[Lol1]

Ah, I see your dilemma M&J! Are you thinking of full timing in it or just using it to get away for blessed relief?

Don't worry about the technical bit, everyone starts off knowing nothing, that is why I say buy your van from a dealership. Any reputable place will check that your car can tow the van legally and give you advice on weights, so as a last resort, you can leave it to them. You will also get some sort of a warranty which will be a godsend if something nasty crops up. Your biggest problem is finding the correct layout, something that suits everyone that uses that caravan. Everything else will come in time with a little experimentation and blind faith. Knock on most caravan doors and they will be only too please to help, when on site.

Bring loads of Stella though.

 

[MJ1]

Ah yes Stella can always do the trick.!!!

Thinking that we may travel around every so often but mainly use it as a base to,we dont really intend on buying a house again.We have family around if it gets to cold.!!!

Concerned that we dont a have a car at the mo anyway not sure what to buy first,its abit like the chicken and the egg saga.!!

Im hoping that we will come across a nice dealer that can certainly put us in the right direction.

For first timers would you suggest a car or 4x4? or is it just down to personal taste,if i decide to go for a car what sort of make should i be looking at to tow just a standard 2 berth caravan? Obviously i guess something like a mini isnt going to be doing much for me.!!!

 

[Lol1]

There are two births and there are two births, M&H. My thinking is that if you are going to spend a lot of time in it, the bigger the better. Certainly a caravan that has a fixed bed and end washroom would be ideal, the money you are talking about might not be enough unless you get really lucky. So a single axle with two dinning areas and hopefully a separate shower would seem the best bet. You can leave the rear dining area made up as a bed and it should leave enough space for it to not feel claustrophobic. Where your car is concerned, I'm of the opinion that bigger is better, but that's just an opinion. Your average Mondeo or Passat should be capable enough to pull such a van.

As a last thought, do the Dealer thing but don't commit to buy, this way you will get a feel for prices and layouts, but if you can find someone that knows caravans, that is willing to help, ply them with drink. Then ask them for advice on a private sale (drag this person with you, when you view) because you can get so much more in a private sale and quite often the vans come as a job lot with most of the equipment including the awning thrown in. This will save you masses, but be aware there is a risk involved.