WHAT VAN TO BUY?...1ST TIMERS!

[wayne_5097681]

HELP!...we are young couple, no kids (1 hairy german shepherd).and freelander TD4 as tow vehicle. looking to purchase our first caravan, but cannot decide what to buy, which is the best quality etc.

we have looked at several and have narrowed it down to the following:

ABBEY GTS VOGUE 416

ELDDIS STORM/TYPHOON/CYCLONE/WHISP

BAILEY RANGER

we really like the 4 berth end bathroom layout with the seperate shower cubicle and our budget is anything up to £5.5k.

any suggestions or comments on the above vans or any other plus points about any other make/model would be much appreciated!!

there is too much choice!

 

[Guest]

Your budget indicates you are looking at a pre-owned van in which case the individual condition is the most important parameter to look at. If the van is duff, then whatever layout it is will still not be a good buy. A dealer should be able to give a warranty but of course will be more expensive than a private sale.

Go look at models of the types you are interested in, decide which layout would suit you best and then start looking for the actual van to buy. Spend a lot of time at dealers looking at all that is available before even getting to th shortlist stage. Don't box yourself into a corner and maybe miss an excellent van just because it wasn't on your list. If you havea friend who has experience f caravans then ask him/her to join you once you have more definite ideas on what you would like to buy.

There are a number of posts on this Forum outlining the pitfalls in buying a caravan and as with anything.. caveat emptor.

Good luck.

 

[Lol1]

With it being just the two of you, I would go looking for a fixed bed with a central washroom with a seperate shower, just my personal opinion mind. chances are that whatever you buy, you'll end up changing it for something else later on, it's the law for us vanners....

Any of those caravan manufacturers are fine, they each have their little differences but are pretty equal on quality. Think of them as the Ford, Vauxhall, and Volkswagen of the caravan world. As S.L said, choose on condition first.

 

[wayne_5097681]

thanks for all your tips, i am sure like you said we will change our mind once we have bought one...

think we are decided on a bailey now..as they are such value for money - seems you get a pretty new van for little cash!

 

[Lol1]

thanks for all your tips, i am sure like you said we will change our mind once we have bought one...

think we are decided on a bailey now..as they are such value for money - seems you get a pretty new van for little cash!

Good choise, we have a Bailey too!

 

[Lol1]

thanks for all your tips, i am sure like you said we will change our mind once we have bought one...

think we are decided on a bailey now..as they are such value for money - seems you get a pretty new van for little cash!

Choice....even!

 

[lolly_5087162]

thanks for all your tips, i am sure like you said we will change our mind once we have bought one...

think we are decided on a bailey now..as they are such value for money - seems you get a pretty new van for little cash!

we have a bailey, too

Lolly x

 

[Bazz1]

Wayne be aware of your kerb wieght and the weight of the van. L/R quote what I consider "over the top" towing limits and its not always as straight forward as you may think. Most Clubs and c/vanning groups advise 85% and as far as I can see from recent data from L/R your as well getting it checked out at a local wiegh bridge, I have seen on my travells F/Lders towing vans that they can tow easily but not legally!

There was advice going ruond the L/R forums that the F/Lder cuold tow a trailer of 2000Kg 2ton. Yes it possibly can but a c/van of the same weight is a different ball game to a flat bed trailer with builders materials on, if yoiu know what I mean. mDont get me wrong the F/Lder is a capable towing vehicle but choose your van for the wieght limit and your capabilities, happy vanning, Bazz.

 

[wayne_5097681]

cheers bazz.

we have been to a local caravan show today and had a good look around some vans...looked at lots of fixed bed ones...saw some german made ones (which were huge outside and in, and really heavy - you could stand on the roof!)...but i think for our first van we are sticking to a non fixed bed now.

will let you know what we buy soon.

 

[dave_5094854]

wayne,

i too have a freelander , and have just bought an adria 502, just to let you know that it pulls like a dream and theres loads of space in the van . ( cheap as well )

dave

 

[woodbush]

What do you want?. Write down a list of the things you want then go to you local caravan dealer. If you plan to go away every weekend to certificated sites (5 van) then your requirements will be different from going to a commercial or cc/c&cc site. I would suggest buying a really cheap van and then use it during the summer. At the end of the season decide what you want most and then buy the caravan.

We all start out when caravanning with a wish list and at the end of a few months decide, " I wish we had that". So take your time. Its worth it in the end, caravans are no longer the cheap option.

Steve

 

[David_5039732]

Which ever model you go for make sure you see a full damp test done in front of you, as this is one of the worst scenarios you will come across. We have had two Bailey caravans and they like some other manufactures are now offering 6 year warranties.

If you are a member of the Caravan club or Camping and Caravaning Club there are always very helpful members close by who have been down this road many times.