What van(s) have you owned.....?

[Chris_Hyde_Cheshire.]

Hello all, just wondered what vans we have all owned....?
We started off with a Sprite Alpine (late 80s) then we traded this in for a Bailey Mikado. We sold the Bailey when we wanted to get out of our flat and buy a house, I've always regretted getting rid of the Bailey it was a great van.
Then the kids came along and we didn't manage to get another van until 2004 when we bought a Swift Pirouette. We kept this for a season and was trading it in for a new Avondale Dart 556/6, however three days after doing the deal the salesman rang me and offered us an Avondale Mayfair 556/6 (Updated Dart), 12 months old and £1000 cheaper than the new Dart.
We wanted some blinds and fly screens for the bunk windows, and as our van was on a site near Buxton we went to Glossop caravans to measure the windows, unfortunately the van we measured them in was a new 06 model with pull out carpets, free flat screen TV etc etc. Yep you guessed it, we unded up changing, but we were in the middle of remortgaging and were about to pay off the finance on the van anyway, so the change actually only cost us £30 to do. We already had the awning etc from the 05 model so didnt need anything like that.
Mind you thinking about it, it didn't cost us anything to change as I kept the Alloy wheels and tyres, the spare wheel, the list goes on and on......

 

[MrsSorento]

hi, we are on our 2nd van having been caravanning since 2003. Our first van was a 1996 Swift Challenger 500SE which we loved but unfortunately started to get riddled with damp. On a trip to the NEC show in 2005 we went for a flyswat and a BBQ, which we bought along with, yes you guessed it, a caravan. Our 2nd van is a 2005 Swift Challenger 490 5 berth. However we have been looking for a replacement that is a bit more flexible bearing in mind 2 very young kids will be growing up very rapidly and will want their own space. Finding the right van has proven difficult but van no.3 is on order, a Swift Charisma 565 hopefully due to arrive with us in April/May. We have a dog and the triple bunk arrangement in most vans would suit her down to the ground, as she would love to have her own dedicated bed to herself, but you wouldn't catch anyone with 2 legs on the bottom bunk! I for one would probably fall out of it. So the double bunk in the 565 is ideal and the small lounge opposite is great for the kids.

 

[Martin24]

Right well I'll start at ones I've owned personally which are a 1991 Elddis Shamal, 2001 Compass Mendip magnum (dealer special) 2002 the same (free replacement due to all the problems with the 01) then a 2007 Coachman Amara 506/6 and now a 2010 Amara 640/6.
That's the easy bit now if I go back to birth it'll all get a bit sketchy for the early years A lot of the time we managed with two berths. There was something I can't remember before the Ace Diplomat. That was followed by an Elddis with a brown band. After that was an Avondale, possibly a mayfly?? after that my personal favourite ever which was a Mustang Arabian GTS. Can't tell you why it was my favourite but always has been. In 1984 that was replaced by an Elddis GTX then in 1989 a Compass Rally GTE and 1991 a Fleetwood Colchester.

So there you go a very brief history of the last 38 years, from birth to today

 

[DerekBrad]

We bought our first van in 1972, a Sprite Musketeer which before the days of VAT and carrying no Purchase Tax, cost £500. I fitted a Whale foot operated water pump for (cold only) kitchen tap. After a fortnight of pumping up and down with right foot to fill a kettle, we found ourselves doing the same motion after returning home and standing at the kitchen sink! After 9 years we traded in for a Sprite Alpine SV (SV stood for special value which meant no fridge or gas bottle locker!) We got £900 for the Musketeer which was quite pleasing and the Alpine was £2200.I fitted a fridge and locker and we kept it for 13 years.(Such economy!) Our next van in 1996 was a Sprite Excel which was pure luxury to us and we traded that in for a Swift Charisma in 2005. We then saw fixed bed vans but swore that we would not be tempted. Three years later we succumbed and bought our present Vogue 495! At 75 I rather think that we will not be changing again! What happy memories of a family growing up are evoked by thinking of our caravanning days!
I wish all fellow caravanners lots of safe journeys and happy holidays.
Regards
Derek

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

First van was a 1999 Abbey GTS Vogue 215. Traded that in for a new Abbey GTS Vogue 217 in 2004 and that went last year for a 2009 Bailey Senator Vermont.

 

[RegandPat]

36years ago we had a tent, glad I got that out of my system.
Last year I semi retired but did have a little money to spend so I said to Pat what about getting a caravan, the answer was NO way, if you think I am driving with one of them your mistaken.
2 months down the line we popped into Guildford caravan sales and fell in love with a Elldis XL, one month later and £1000 we were heading home with it on tow.
3 months we sold it for £1300, lovely old van but we are after an end bedroom.
Swindon here we come with £5000 in my pocket.
Towed home eventually my Swift challenger 490sel, haven't a clue what sel stands for, we call her Lucy.
I better add, Pat dose most of the main road driving now, then I have to prize the steering wheel from her so I can have a go.
Reg and Pat

 

[DJGB]

Here we go. Over the years we have had.....
1974 Excel 380, 1975 Boomerang Perth, 1976 ABI Ace Ambassador, 1976 Elddis Cyclone (ex-road rally caravan), 1979 Abbey Gloucester, 1982 Abbey GT 415, 1984 Elddis Shamal CT GT, 1986 Elddis Golden Crown 154, 1988 ABI Award Tristar, 1989 ABI Award Transtar (2 berth converted to 4 berth with bunks over the single beds), 1991 Elddis Typhoon GTX, 1993 ABI Award Sunstar, 1994 Elddis Jetsteam GT, 1980 ABI Ace Diplomat, 1994 Elddis Whirlwind, 1990 Elddis Mistral XL, 1997 Elddis Ebor 470/2 (dealer special), 1998 Elddis Hurricane GTX, 1971 Sprite Cadet, 1999 Elddis Whirlwind EX2000, 2002 Elddis Avante 482, 2002 Elddis Odyssey 432, 2001 Elddis Typhoon GTX, 2006 Elddis Crusader Typhoon, 2008 Coachman Pastiche 470/2.
at one time we had three caravans all at the same time, now down to the one.
cheers
djgb

 

[MrsSheila]

1 - Vango Tent 2- Cosalt Piper 3- Eldiss Mistral and Pennine Trailler Tent- 4 - Ace Award Transtar 5 - Van Royce 6 - Pemberton Monte Carlo (Static) 7 - Compass and Coachman VIP. - now at 75 have still got the Coachman but have bought a tent to get back to Basics and cheaper travel

 

[alisonmsm]

First van 1996 ABI sprinter gold 500 , well built but too basic, no hot water or blinds. Went to local dealer to buy toilet flush and bought new bailey ranger 500/5 which we still have 8 years later great wee van.

 

[Wendy-Norfolk]

Ermmmm......
Early 70's Sprite Alpine, followed by a 1977 Sprite Musketeer, then a break of about 4 years, and we then had an Abbey Oxford, can't remember how old it was! We then bought a Mustang Arabian GTS, that was a beautiful little 'van, after that a 1988 Swift Corniche 14/2, followed by a 1997 Bessacarr 500/2, then a 2002 Bessacarr 495 SL, and present day, 2006 Bessacarr 625 SL. We're thinking of changing 'vans again in the near future, but it's going to be a tough decision on what to go for next!!

 

[NigelHutson]

I have been caravanning for all of my life. It started with my Grandparents who had a very early Bessacarr, followed by an early 60's Ace Pioneer and then a Fairholme.
My parents then continued with a 1968 Sprite Major, followed by a 1970 Sprite Musketeer, 1975 Ace Courier, 1983 Ace Globetrotter, 1993 Coachman Genius 390/2, and now our "old" 1999 Abbey GTS 215.
Our first caravan was a 1971 Ace Diplomat (bought in 1986), then 1989 Abbey Oxford, 1992 Abbey Oxford GT, 1995 Abbey GTS 516, 1999 Abbey GTS 215 (now my parent's 'van), 2004 Abbey GTS 416, 2009 Lunar Lexon SE, and now a 2010 Lunar Clubman SE.

 

[Heethers]

Started with a Lunar Moonlite in1982, kept that for couple of yeras, then bought an Abbey Westminster which we had for 4 years, left caravaning until 2004, borowing the inlaws motor home a couple of times and got the bug again. We then purchased a 2002 Ace Brightstar from a collegue at work,retired in 2008 and traded the Brightstar in for new Ace Firestar,went to the Manchester show in Feb earley this year,wife fell in love with the Lunar Clubman SE, which we bought in May of this year, hope this is the last for a year or two.
Nigel H

 

[erica11]

Hi, In 1977 we bought a trailer tent a Hawley Goodhall I think it was called bought our first caravan 12 months later. A Avondale Argos Perle had that several years but sold it for a 1,000 in 1987 then kids wanted go abroad so money paid for the trip abroad. Back in 2000 we then bought a Avondale Maurader had that 12months sold that and bought a Swift Challenger had that about 3 years , next was a Avondale Grampian 1997 model. Kept that for 11yrs , now got a Swift Challenger 530 08/09 model which we love to pieces. Whether we,ll be able renew after the Swift I doubt but u never can tell. Keep on caravanning...

 

[BigAl1]

2000= 1989 Espirit Carpice.
2001= 1999 Lunar 525 Freelander.
2003= 2003 Avondale Rialto 535/5...The one with a rear bunk room.
2004= 2004 Compass Rambler 20/6.
2007= 2007 Fleetwood Heritage 640 CB.
and in 2011 a Swift Kon-Tikki 669 Hi top Motorhome was ordered at the NEC recently.
Al

 

[LMH]

Hi

We started off in 2003 with a 1989 Fleetwood Garland, then in 2005 bought an Abbey Freestyle fourth berth (can't remember the model). Then in 2007 we got our current van an Abbey Vogue 215 GTS.

We got ripped off when we bought our first van, although we loved it, it was full of damp (unbeknown to us at the time). It got written off when I was towing it back to the storage site (wheel came off). But, unbelievably, we got back exactly what we paid for it.

We love our current van and we've broken all previous records for us in regards to going away.

Lisa

 

[Steve L]

We started by borrowing the wife's sister's 10ft Sprite of early 60's vintage It was so small you could make tea while still in bed and it had single glass windows. We bought a 1978 Cavileer 14footer which I restored and then we went up market to double glazing and hot water in a 1983 Swift dannette. Then we bought a rare 1982 Link 575 twin axle van which I updated the hot water and fitted a thetford cassette electric flushing Loo. We started full time caravanning with it but found the bed making each night a pain.
So now we have a 2005 Abbey 540se Freestyle. All mod cons and a fixed bed and after 3 years of permanent use it is wearing very well.
That sums up about 28 years of caravanning from Lands end to Ullapool I can't figure the miles, all I can say is that caravanning has put smiles on faces, cured the wife's father of agraphobia and a fear of ships stemming back to war time sinkings, and kept a family of 6 caravanners together with true family values.

What started as a hobby has traversed into a lifestyle without any unsermountable problems.

 

[ww2nut]

been caravanning for decades, first van 'Royal' big heavy coach built. 2nd eccles amithys 4 birth no hot water, 3rd bailly padgent Devill 4 birth luxury! 4th Swift challenger big one, 5th and present van Bailly champagne 4 birth end bathroom, and i also have a static caravan in Fontagary Park near Barry.

 

[emmerson]

Considering that we've been caravanning over forty years, we've not had many vans.The first two years we hired, first a Sprite Alpine, then a used Bessacar (I think) Decided we liked it, and bought a 2nd hand Eccles Moonstone. Went silly after a couple of years, and bought a Commer Sunquest motor home (Shhhhh, don't tell, will you?) Back to caravans with a Cavalier which was only three years old, and the closest we've ever been to new.Two Transit M/Hs in quick succesion, then our first Royale, and 2nd Royale, and 3rd Royale, and 4th Royale, and our present Royale which we've had for 11 years now, and have no plans ever to change.
I guess you could say that we like Royale caravans.And classic Range Rovers. And Border collies, and Cairn terriers....................................! Oh, and in case you hadn't noticed, caravanning!

 

[DorisDrawers]

Started in June 2008 with a 1998 Abbey County Stafford - loved caravanning but the layout wasnt right for us so 6 weeks later changed it for a 2004 Sterling Eccles Amethyst (I modified it to make a fixed bed at the back) At the end of this month we are changing to a 2005 Bailey Pageant Series 5 Bretagne (the one with the bunks at the back) Has taken us 6 months to find, we knew we wanted a 6 berth, fixed bunks model, make not important but they are like rocking horse muck!!! Very happy to have finally found one and have spent yesterday and today emptying and cleaning the Sterling ready for the swap.

 

[Judy2]

We have had a Bailey Pagaent 1989, the a Bailey Auengene 1994 ( sp ) and now a Swift Challenger 510 2006
It has all the toys we want, a mover and ATC.

 

[Oldsalt49]

Started in 1988 with a 1988 Fleetwood Colchester 5 berth.
1989 Avondale Leda Pentland 5 berth.
1991 Fleetwood Garland 5 berth.
1994 Swift Challenger 520 SE 4 berth.
1999 Elddis Hurricane EX2000 2 berth.Sold in 2002 and then a 8 year non-caravanning gap.
Currently have a 2010 Swift Challenger 530 4 berth.

 

[Gagakev]

Borrowed uncles Europa (Thats all I can remember of the name ) for two years.
1997 bought a Mardon Mystique sold it in 2001 for £50.00 more than I paid for it.
Left the caravan world and took the teenagers abroad
Returned 2007 by buying a 1995 Abbey County Stafford, which I still own and is my pride and joy

 

[sheila_374397204]

1975 old Blacks frame tent (inherited from husband's parents), 1988 Conway Camargue Trailer Tent, 1998 Crown Regent, 2003 Elddis Avante 575, 2008 Swift Challenger 540

 

[joeby]

we have been caravanning for 15 years , our 1st van was an 1984 ABI rallyman which we bought for £800.00 which we sold for £1500.00 , next was a Craftsman miracle , then a Bailey Moselle , then a brand new Moselle ,next was a brand new Bailey Indiana ,and our present van is a Lunar Lexon 640 T/A bought brand new in 2007 , we are very happy with it and i cant see us trading it in

 

[Zafiral]

In 2006 we got an 06 Bailey Ranger 470/4 series 5. I had never towed before (or stayed in a touring caravan for that matter!!)

In 2009 we got a Pageant s7 Bretagne, but we found the layout wasn't for us.

May 2010 we picked up a Pegasus 524 after trawling round all the vans in our price range at the February show.

The furtherest north we have been is Derbyshire & the furtherest south we have been is Vendee. We are planning Switzerland for next year.