Weighing up pros and cons of caravanning

[annierich]

Hi we - my husband David, two rescue dogs Chrissie and Polly, and myself, Ann, are seriously considering buying a caravan so we thought we'd come and introduce ourselves and pick your brains. We have LOADS of questions to ask - please be nice to us!

 

[Joyce_5063910]

Welcome to the forum.

What caravan are you thinking of ?

There are certainly lots of experienced caravanners here to give you lots of advise.

Where abouts in Yorkshire to you live?

 

[annierich]

We are thinking of a Bailey 2 berth end bathroom and we live in Wetherby. If we were to buy a second hand one - how much do you reckon it would cost us to buy all the esentials - aquaroll, waterwaste, awning, security devices etc?

 

[Diane1]

Hello Annie we also have a rescue dog, and he loves caravaning as does his little brother. In the day they live in the awning when we are on site, but at night when its bed time, come hell or high water he claims one of the sofa,s.Cheeky monkey.

We started caravaning cos he hates being away from us and can,t take kenneling as this must remind him of being at the dogs home.

What type of van you looking for?

Regards Diane

 

[Diane1]

Annie a lot of dealers do deals for first time buyers. It is very exspensive to start from scratch. So Get your other half to haggle-you get what you pay for. When we bought our van we had a 22ft awning and softex ground sheet(its breathable and a lot of sites don,t charge if you have this), Aqua master 50ltr+whale + drainage hoses. Waste master, Alko Hitch lock, Bulldog wheel clamp, Gas Barby, Toilet chemicals and dispersable toilet rolls,Fammia door lock + 2 year warrenty chucked in for free. All this cos the hubby won't pay full price for anything. This was a saving of

 

[annierich]

Thanks for that Diane - some very useful information. My husband used to be a retailer and could sell ice to eskimos - lets hope he is as good at haggling as he was at selling!

 

[Lol1]

Look out for caravans being sold in the classifieds, Annie. Even if you don't want to buy private (because of the associated risks) many sellers who are giving up, advertise all the paraphernalia with it. You could offer a sensible amount for the equipment and get it cheap. Sellers won't mind this as this equipment doesn't increase the value of their van much and the extra income would be welcome. Pays nothing to be cheeky...

On the other hand, if you wish to buy privately look for this sort of bargain, but don't pay over the odds for the caravan or let it influence your decision to buy that particular one.