First Which caravan thread..
Discussion
Finally decided it’s time to buy a Caravan. Used to love going away in ours as a kid and want to relive those days with my kids now.
Had a look around a few vans down at Michael Jordans and really can't decide.
The budget is about £10k for a second hand van. I really want 6 berth, not worried about size as I am competent in towing. The towing vehicle is a 2 litre diesel S-Max. (which needs to be fitted with tow bar if anyone has any recommendations of fitters in the south).
Like the idea of fixed bunks but not sure how quick the munchkins at 5, 8 and 9 will outgrow them. The fixed double beds seem a good idea but at 6' 04" tall not sure if I’m going to fit in one....
Had a look around a few vans down at Michael Jordans and really can't decide.
The budget is about £10k for a second hand van. I really want 6 berth, not worried about size as I am competent in towing. The towing vehicle is a 2 litre diesel S-Max. (which needs to be fitted with tow bar if anyone has any recommendations of fitters in the south).
Like the idea of fixed bunks but not sure how quick the munchkins at 5, 8 and 9 will outgrow them. The fixed double beds seem a good idea but at 6' 04" tall not sure if I’m going to fit in one....
In all reality you are going to need a 6 berth for 5 of you. We were looking in an ideal moment as new to us vans last week and theres only 3 of us and we were mainly taken by the 6 berth vans!
Personally I think the bunks are a must. I saw a Bailey van on a website somewhere (I think it may have been Glossop caravans) that had triple bunks, does give an issue of headroom, but the reality is bunk beds save so much space and also the hassle of having to make and unmake a bed.
Looking at vans with a fixed double bed they seemed to be designed for grandparents who'd be touring with or without their grandchildren.
Not sure where you are based but The Caravan Company in Wimbourne had a large selection of caravans and wandering around quickly gave a view of what we wanted. It did appear the large twin axle 6 berth caravans were cheaper than their smaller cousins. I am told this is due to the fact you really need a 4x4 to two them so there's less demand.
Personally I think the bunks are a must. I saw a Bailey van on a website somewhere (I think it may have been Glossop caravans) that had triple bunks, does give an issue of headroom, but the reality is bunk beds save so much space and also the hassle of having to make and unmake a bed.
Looking at vans with a fixed double bed they seemed to be designed for grandparents who'd be touring with or without their grandchildren.
Not sure where you are based but The Caravan Company in Wimbourne had a large selection of caravans and wandering around quickly gave a view of what we wanted. It did appear the large twin axle 6 berth caravans were cheaper than their smaller cousins. I am told this is due to the fact you really need a 4x4 to two them so there's less demand.
This is the Bailey I borrowed a few weeks ago. 6-berth, triple fixed bunks, side dinette and rear washroom with separate shower.
It was a well-built, luxurious and fairly large (for a single-axle) van but....there was only me and the Mrs using it. For two it was fine, with just enough storage space and as a result we had a lovely time, with 5 people in there it would be tight!
Great van for two and even a good van for two adults and two small kids, but not so sure about five, or even the six it can (in theory) sleep.
It was a well-built, luxurious and fairly large (for a single-axle) van but....there was only me and the Mrs using it. For two it was fine, with just enough storage space and as a result we had a lovely time, with 5 people in there it would be tight!
Great van for two and even a good van for two adults and two small kids, but not so sure about five, or even the six it can (in theory) sleep.
Tricky as Garlick says, a 6 berth will do 6 but its the storage for all that would be tight. Alhough you can use the car to put things in I guess. It's a bit like saying a 7 seater car like my merc, well it is but I wouldn't want to use it like that all the time!
DOn't forget the awning area and the option to use annex on those to sleep people in, kids much prefer this too, leaving you the van for yourself! Thats what I hope to to when mine and the ms kids all come together.
DOn't forget the awning area and the option to use annex on those to sleep people in, kids much prefer this too, leaving you the van for yourself! Thats what I hope to to when mine and the ms kids all come together.
Tuscan Rat said:
The towing vehicle is a 2 litre diesel S-Max. (which needs to be fitted with tow bar if anyone has any recommendations of fitters in the south).
I dont know where in the South East you are buddy, im based in Portsmouth, happy to help you with van choice. Phil Taylor towbars have always fitted them to the vehicles I tow with, and infact I outsource all towbars at work to him too!! Very good service, A1 Job, and great pricing. He is in Horndean.
I would recommend a visit to Chichester Caravans in Southbourne to look at vans, as above from Garlick, they are Bailey dealers too (I have a bailey) and have a good used stock in!
Have a virtual play with potential 'vans on www.whattowcar.com
Was my favorite website when we where looking!
Was that outfit blagged from Practical Caravan magazine Garlick?
Was my favorite website when we where looking!
Was that outfit blagged from Practical Caravan magazine Garlick?
Lunablack said:
Don't forget, you can always add an awning stick a couple of camp beds in and you have another bedroom
. I know your kids are young, but I imagine they'd be quite excited, at the thought of sleeping outside IYSWIM
This, little annexes in the awning can turn a five berth into many more, plus a little more privacy for mum and dad and kids!. I know your kids are young, but I imagine they'd be quite excited, at the thought of sleeping outside IYSWIMAfter that I used to put up a little pup tent next to the parents pitch, keeps a smaller van useful for longer.
Garlick said:
This is the Bailey I borrowed a few weeks ago. 6-berth, triple fixed bunks, side dinette and rear washroom with separate shower.
It was a well-built, luxurious and fairly large (for a single-axle) van but....there was only me and the Mrs using it. For two it was fine, with just enough storage space and as a result we had a lovely time, with 5 people in there it would be tight!
Great van for two and even a good van for two adults and two small kids, but not so sure about five, or even the six it can (in theory) sleep.
I think that's possibly the current version of one I was looking at. Must admit that caravans are like tents, the number of people you can fit in them are theoretical.It was a well-built, luxurious and fairly large (for a single-axle) van but....there was only me and the Mrs using it. For two it was fine, with just enough storage space and as a result we had a lovely time, with 5 people in there it would be tight!
Great van for two and even a good van for two adults and two small kids, but not so sure about five, or even the six it can (in theory) sleep.
As a matter of interest I imagine twin axles bounce less than singles but is this my imagination?
Oh and if buying a large caravan remember that things like caravan movvers gas bottles etc soon add weigth which might bring it close or over your towing limit.
Tuscan Rat said:
I really want 6 berth, not worried about size as I am competent in towing. The towing vehicle is a 2 litre diesel S-Max. (which needs to be fitted with tow bar if anyone has any recommendations of fitters in the south).
We had an S-Max 2.0 TDCi as our tow car for our vans. Towing itself was fine, plenty of go and enough weight to keep things planted, however reversing the van onto pitches was the problem.I managed to overheat the clutch pushing the van up onto a wet pitch. Cost us £800 to replace which sort of tarnished the holiday.
Now have a Disco 3 instead.
what we have got sounds ideal...
http://www.gtcaravans.co.uk/caravans.php?CaravanId...
You'd buy brand new for around £11.5k, or a year or two old for under 10...
Really pleased with ours, loads of space, relatively light, and decent build quality.
http://www.gtcaravans.co.uk/caravans.php?CaravanId...
You'd buy brand new for around £11.5k, or a year or two old for under 10...
Really pleased with ours, loads of space, relatively light, and decent build quality.
rix said:
what we have got sounds ideal...
http://www.gtcaravans.co.uk/caravans.php?CaravanId...
You'd buy brand new for around £11.5k, or a year or two old for under 10...
Really pleased with ours, loads of space, relatively light, and decent build quality.
Hi Rixhttp://www.gtcaravans.co.uk/caravans.php?CaravanId...
You'd buy brand new for around £11.5k, or a year or two old for under 10...
Really pleased with ours, loads of space, relatively light, and decent build quality.
Is the washroom the type where the shower is over the toilet? Ie not separate?
Thanks
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