Returning ex-caravaners!

[Gwyn1]

Hello!
We're now empty nesters, facing retirement and considering a return to caravaning after a 6-year break.
Over 25 years, we've owned 3 'vans and towed with a variety of "interesting" cars. The last 'van bought was a brand new Elddis Wisp 510 - back in 1989 I think for about £5k. The Wisp had few luxuries - it was easier to count what it HAD than what it HADN'T! It had toilet space, but no built in cassette toilet, no hot water or heating other than a Carver space-heater. Double-glazed windows ....and that's it!
So, in the intervening 20+ years, what advances have there been, and what features should be down on our list of "must-haves"?
Apart from a fixed bed, we have a blank canvas!

 

[Parksy]

Hello Gwyn and welcome to the Practical Caravan forum.
The best thing for you to do would be to compile a list or matrix with two columns,one with positives and the other with negatives so that as you look around dealers you can print one of these lists off and score each model as you see it after looking around inside and out.
Decide how your caravan will be used, are you likely to use only full facility sites for example? In that case perhaps a smaller shower cubicle would be ok but if you are likely to go rallying then onboard washing and showering becomes more important.
Are you both tall, then you might prefer an island fixed bed or perhaps a transverse island bed with a larger end washroom.
The obvious starting point is weight, find out what weight your towing vehicle is capable of towing legally and safely and take it from there.
If you ask on the General message board about 'must have' features you will receive quite a few varied replies I suspect, enjoy your quest for a caravan and if there's anything that your not sure about just ask on the forum and someone will be happy to help.

 

[Mel]

Hi. Welcome to the forum. he shopping around is the best bit. Good place to start is a large dealership that has lots of different vans on display so that you can get in and out of a load of different layouts in one place. You don't need to buy from them; it just cuts down on the travelling about. Manchester has a show in January; that may also be worth a look.
mel

 

[Gagakev]

So, in the intervening 20+ years, what advances have there been,

The wooden cart wheels have gone and have been replaced with rubber ones

Welcome to the forum, take your time and after plenty of heated discussions with your other half I'm sure you will find a compromise .
Good luck.