smaller vans

[Nimrod]

Hi all
I am coming up to 70 years old and have been caravanning for over 30 years now and at present own a sprite alpine (2013) with absolutely nothing wrong with it, unlike my last one which I got new in 2008 and everything went wrong with it, seals, front window, electrics. and on the third service showed up yes 90% damp in the rear end, so got it repaired under warranty and got rid,
Now I am finding it difficult to man handle at times as my back is not what it used to be.so I a looking for a smaller van in length and weight, my budget will be 15k, so does anyone recommend a small van, thank you,

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Do you have a mover? If not they are cheaper than a new van. We have one with electronic engagement as well. No effort needed anywhere.

 

[thosoneill]

Now I am finding it difficult to man handle at times as my back is not what it used to be.so I a looking for a smaller van in length and weight, my budget will be 15k, so does anyone recommend a small van, thank you,

Caravelair Antares 335
Eriba 320
Tab 320

 

[PHOENIXFLIER]

We spent ages looking for a good second hand small caravan, and saw all three as the last poster. Did not like any of them either due to price, size or layout. After much searching, we settled on a Lunar Venus 320 /2 which is absolutely perfect in every way for us!. Hard to find a good second hand one....but worth the effort IMHO.

 

[Martin24]

I'm certainly with Woodlands Camper on this one, if you're happy with the van and as you say, nothing wrong with it then have a self engaging mover. Lets face it the smaller the van the more tricky they can be to reverse and the Alpine is already a fairly small van anyway. If you change the van there is absolutely no guarantee that it won't have problems. A mover will have up to 5 years warranty on it.

 

[Raywood]

If manouvering the Alpine is a problem but it is what you want then I would agree with Woodlands Camper and get a mover. Having had three all different makes they are a great help but given your problems I would go for an automatic actuation model as the manual ones that use a lever are often hard work.You might however manage one that winds on but get a demonstration before you do buy one to see if it will work for you.
If you really want another van I would look at the Lunar Ariva as the smallest lightest conventional one available. The Caravalair might work for you but it is very basic and the style and layout is not for everyone.

 

[thosoneill]

There is a fantastic 2013 used lunar ariva in the Walsall area currently advertised in autotrader

 

[audiorob]

I tend to agree with other replies regarding the mover. You will find companies that will fit at home, although your dealer could probably fit for you. Then moving the van to the car for hitching, placing precisely on a pitch all done at the touch of a button. My dealer in the midlands has a couple of twin axle 'trolleys' with movers fitted, and you also see these at the shows, so you could probably arrange to have a 'play' moving it about to see if the solution met your needs.
You have had the van from new and enjoyed it, and presumably spent money on servicing etc to maintain it's condition.
I assume the Alpine might be an end bathroom, and certainly if you were looking to an end kitchen/.side bathroom shorter van, then you might miss the 'dressing room' space.
Wishing you many years more of ache-free 'vanning!

 

[ProfJohnL]

Yours is the second question about downsizing we have had recently, and coincidentally as close family friend down sized about 18 months ago - and now wishes he hadn't.

His family had all grown up and left home, and similarly due to deteriorating health he thought his 4 berth was too big. He changed for a smaller two berth, but he still found manoeuvring it was really more than he wanted to do by hand so on top of his outlay for the new caravan he then had to find the money for a mover. Plus he's had to have the van back at the dealers for faults to be repaired.

About a year later one of his sons who had just had a baby with all their additional costs wanted a UK holiday and his dad suggested the caravan. Whilst the baby was small that was OK. but what happens as the baby needs it own bed, and a little further in the future what if they want to take the grand children away themselves?

His costs for storage and insurance are much the same and there's no significant difference in the towing fuel consumption

He is now considering changing back to a 4 berth, and realises that if he'd just spent for the mover he would have been much better off long term.

 

[Martin24]

Wise words from the prof

We have a twin axle six berth and the children are rapidly reaching the ages of not wanting to come with us (I hope). We have already decided that due to my illness and disability we don't know how long we'll be caravanning for but that unless it totally falls to bits we will not change the van just because we're down to two of us. Easily manoeuvred with motor mover, we have an excellent and easy to erect solo awning and the twin axle suits us down to the ground. I suppose what I'm saying is Mrs B can manage pretty much solo then as I've already said with a MM you should be fine.

 

[RayS]

If you are happy with your present van get a mover fitted. I've had one (all Powrtouch) on every caravan I've had for approaching the last 20 years and wouldn't be without one. They also help with hitching up - you move the van to the car rather than struggling to get it right while reversing,you can use it to get one wheel up a levelling ramp, or both wheels if necessary, and if you have remote actuation or the cross link bar you can apply both at the same time from either side such that you can park very close to a wall or other obstruction.
The engineering standard is pretty high as is the reliability For less than £1000 compares very well with what you would probably have to add to a part exchange deal.

(I do understand your consideration of downsizing having been through the same process myself some years ago, But given the mobility a mover adds and the comfort of fixed bed rather than having to make it up each night stayed with medium sized caravans and indeed seriously consider buying another for my upcoming 81st birthday)

 

[Hutch]

Good on you Ray and have a Happy Birthday.
Hutch.