Caravan pecking order?
Discussion
Is there one?
Looking for a first van. Considering 6 berths as we have two toddlers and fixed bunks appeal. Rear dinette and ability to close it off in the evening also appeals.
Quite happy comparing age/condition/extras etc at a given price point, but is there a 'brand' thing in caravans?
We sat in a Swift Freestyle today which was noticeably better quality than an Elddis for the same year (2011). Sales lady also said don't compare a Swift Freestyle with another we'd mentioned (Swift Challenger) as the Freestyle was leagues ahead??
Also amazed at how much 5 year old vans are compared to their original invoice price!!
Anyway over to you, what's the BMW/Peugeot/Dacia of the van world?
Looking for a first van. Considering 6 berths as we have two toddlers and fixed bunks appeal. Rear dinette and ability to close it off in the evening also appeals.
Quite happy comparing age/condition/extras etc at a given price point, but is there a 'brand' thing in caravans?
We sat in a Swift Freestyle today which was noticeably better quality than an Elddis for the same year (2011). Sales lady also said don't compare a Swift Freestyle with another we'd mentioned (Swift Challenger) as the Freestyle was leagues ahead??
Also amazed at how much 5 year old vans are compared to their original invoice price!!
Anyway over to you, what's the BMW/Peugeot/Dacia of the van world?
MoelyCrio said:
Is there one?
Looking for a first van. Considering 6 berths as we have two toddlers and fixed bunks appeal. Rear dinette and ability to close it off in the evening also appeals.
Quite happy comparing age/condition/extras etc at a given price point, but is there a 'brand' thing in caravans?
We sat in a Swift Freestyle today which was noticeably better quality than an Elddis for the same year (2011). Sales lady also said don't compare a Swift Freestyle with another we'd mentioned (Swift Challenger) as the Freestyle was leagues ahead??
Also amazed at how much 5 year old vans are compared to their original invoice price!!
Anyway over to you, what's the BMW/Peugeot/Dacia of the van world?
We did the same as you 3 years ago, ended up buying a 5 year old 6 berth Ace with fixed bunks for the kids.Looking for a first van. Considering 6 berths as we have two toddlers and fixed bunks appeal. Rear dinette and ability to close it off in the evening also appeals.
Quite happy comparing age/condition/extras etc at a given price point, but is there a 'brand' thing in caravans?
We sat in a Swift Freestyle today which was noticeably better quality than an Elddis for the same year (2011). Sales lady also said don't compare a Swift Freestyle with another we'd mentioned (Swift Challenger) as the Freestyle was leagues ahead??
Also amazed at how much 5 year old vans are compared to their original invoice price!!
Anyway over to you, what's the BMW/Peugeot/Dacia of the van world?
What I would say is really look at the layout and make sure its what you want. In hindsight, I would not have gone for our layout - I would have gone for a fixed bed option.
We have this layout (fixed bunks, side dinette which can make a further 2 bunks, and the front seating area changes into a huge double):
And it is absolutely fine, really suits a family of 4. BUT, it means we have to make our bed up each night, which is fine for weekends but when we go away for 2 or 3 weeks it becomes a bit of a grind.
In hindsight, I would have got either of these:
With this, you have your fixed bed, the side dinette can make up the 2 bunks for the kids and you always have your seating area ready to use.
MoelyCrio said:
Doesn't that just mean you have to make the kids beds up rather your own? Still one set of beds to make up. Plus, having the fixed double uses up a lot of space during the day.
Not really, as you make the bunks up once at the beginning of the holiday, and take them down at the end! Much better.Believe me, making the big double up every night gets very irksome when you're on a 2 or 3 week holiday.
As for space, we tend to not really be in the caravan much during the day as always out and about doing stuff.
I can agree on the bed making up thing. We changed our MH after a year ostensibly because of the bed making.
Storing bed linen
Getting it out at night
Making the bed
Stripping the bed in the morning
Putting it away
Add in other factors such as lie ins; making the bed up when you have had a few sherbets; spontaneous afternoon ...ahem...lie downs (probably not too much of an issue for you if you have sprogs running around the gaff but you get my drift
)...
Storing bed linen
Getting it out at night
Making the bed
Stripping the bed in the morning
Putting it away
Add in other factors such as lie ins; making the bed up when you have had a few sherbets; spontaneous afternoon ...ahem...lie downs (probably not too much of an issue for you if you have sprogs running around the gaff but you get my drift
)...oblio said:
I can agree on the bed making up thing. We changed our MH after a year ostensibly because of the bed making.
Storing bed linen
Getting it out at night
Making the bed
Stripping the bed in the morning
Putting it away
Add in other factors such as lie ins; making the bed up when you have had a few sherbets; spontaneous afternoon ...ahem...lie downs (probably not too much of an issue for you if you have sprogs running around the gaff but you get my drift )...
Exactly. Storing bed linen
Getting it out at night
Making the bed
Stripping the bed in the morning
Putting it away
Add in other factors such as lie ins; making the bed up when you have had a few sherbets; spontaneous afternoon ...ahem...lie downs (probably not too much of an issue for you if you have sprogs running around the gaff but you get my drift
)...We've invested in a couple of the extra wide Duvalays for this summer so I'm hoping they will make it a bit more bearable. If not..... caravan show in October!!
We started with Duvalays - great kit - however soon moved to a one piece mattress topper. With the seat cushions put upside down and the 5cm topper on top, it was very comfy. The topper can then be rolled up. I bought some 2 inch elastic from a drapers and fashioned two loops to put around the rolled up topper so it made it easier to store.
Much cheaper than the Duvalay option and makes for easier 'access' (IYKWIM)
Much cheaper than the Duvalay option and makes for easier 'access' (IYKWIM
)oblio said:
We started with Duvalays - great kit - however soon moved to a one piece mattress topper. With the seat cushions put upside down and the 5cm topper on top, it was very comfy. The topper can then be rolled up. I bought some 2 inch elastic from a drapers and fashioned two loops to put around the rolled up topper so it made it easier to store.
Much cheaper than the Duvalay option and makes for easier 'access' (IYKWIM)
Yeah, that's fine when you have a fixed bed!! Much cheaper than the Duvalay option and makes for easier 'access' (IYKWIM
)We're hoping that just having to get the Duvalays out and unrolled will make the bed making/unmaking every morning/night more bearable than faffing around with sheets, etc.
This is the kind of thing I'll be looking at next:
http://caravans.autotrader.co.uk/used-caravans/bai...
http://caravans.autotrader.co.uk/used-caravans/bai...
I've only really spent much time poking around Coachman, Bailey and Swift vans.
I'd say Coachman are head and shoulders above where the others are much of a muchness. Saab vs Ford & Vauxhall if you like. Swift do a Sprite range which something of a Tesco value version of their vans.
One thing to consider when looking at the build quality of differing brands is the non monetary price you pay - weight. A Coachman six berth will need something pretty hefty in front of it on pulling duties where a six berth Sprite could be tugged along quite the thing by something much more mainstream.
While I'm biased to what I think works great for us I can't help think you've described the interior layout we opted for.
https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%...
I'd say Coachman are head and shoulders above where the others are much of a muchness. Saab vs Ford & Vauxhall if you like. Swift do a Sprite range which something of a Tesco value version of their vans.
One thing to consider when looking at the build quality of differing brands is the non monetary price you pay - weight. A Coachman six berth will need something pretty hefty in front of it on pulling duties where a six berth Sprite could be tugged along quite the thing by something much more mainstream.
While I'm biased to what I think works great for us I can't help think you've described the interior layout we opted for.
https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%...
I can see why you're tempted, but £15k (which it is by the time you add your carpets, leisure battery and microwave), buys a lot of second hand caravan.
The Freedom range doesn't even come with a hitch stabiliser.
For example, if that's the layout you like then I'd be looking at something like this:
http://caravans.autotrader.co.uk/used-caravans/swi...
The Freedom range doesn't even come with a hitch stabiliser.
For example, if that's the layout you like then I'd be looking at something like this:
http://caravans.autotrader.co.uk/used-caravans/swi...
Rosscow said:
Yeah, that's fine when you have a fixed bed!!
We're hoping that just having to get the Duvalays out and unrolled will make the bed making/unmaking every morning/night more bearable than faffing around with sheets, etc.
No you get me wrong mate...this was when we had our Bessacarr and had to make the bed up. It was much nicer/easier with a topper and duvet rather than the Duvalays. I sold them in the end...We're hoping that just having to get the Duvalays out and unrolled will make the bed making/unmaking every morning/night more bearable than faffing around with sheets, etc.
They are a bit of a pain to roll up and get back in their bags I found.
oblio said:
Rosscow said:
Yeah, that's fine when you have a fixed bed!!
We're hoping that just having to get the Duvalays out and unrolled will make the bed making/unmaking every morning/night more bearable than faffing around with sheets, etc.
No you get me wrong mate...this was when we had our Bessacarr and had to make the bed up. It was much nicer/easier with a topper and duvet rather than the Duvalays. I sold them in the end...We're hoping that just having to get the Duvalays out and unrolled will make the bed making/unmaking every morning/night more bearable than faffing around with sheets, etc.
They are a bit of a pain to roll up and get back in their bags I found.
oblio said:
Rosscow said:
Hmmmm..... I might just buy a new caravan
Sounds like a plan 
http://caravans.autotrader.co.uk/used-caravans/hob...
oblio said:
We started with Duvalays - great kit - however soon moved to a one piece mattress topper. With the seat cushions put upside down and the 5cm topper on top, it was very comfy. The topper can then be rolled up. I bought some 2 inch elastic from a drapers and fashioned two loops to put around the rolled up topper so it made it easier to store.
Much cheaper than the Duvalay option and makes for easier 'access' (IYKWIM)
We have the same layout as Roscow, and the topper is exactly our solution. Chuck the sheet on it - roll it up, and unroll as necessary. Chuck on quilt. Sorted. Other than when my other half fills the front cupboard with shoes and jams the roll out, it makes it a doddle.Much cheaper than the Duvalay option and makes for easier 'access' (IYKWIM
)Rosscow said:
This would be perfect.... but it's bloody massive and I'd have to buy a new car to pull it
http://caravans.autotrader.co.uk/used-caravans/hob...
Problem is, you'd need a Transit to pull it and you'll end up looking like a gypsy and not allowed on 99% of sites! http://caravans.autotrader.co.uk/used-caravans/hob...
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