From American RV to British Caravan
Discussion
The last few years we have been running a 27ft C class RV, predominantly for towing a race car but also for holidays away with the dogs, with not racing as much these days I made the decision to sell up but still wanted to have something for getting away for the odd weekend.
Needed a new tow car too, while my wifes A4 Avant could do, it is a bit too tight for 3 big dogs.
Whittled down to a 2007 on face lift X-Trail 2.0 as having decent capability and plenty of space for the dogs. We have previously had a Grand Cherokee (2003) as a back up tow vehicle when racing, but felt for the size of van we wanted that a mid size would be fine.
Caravan, we wanted fixed bed. Had been looking at Bailey Pageant Bordeaux (2005 - 2007 ish)in our price range, but then had a look at a Elddis Odyssey 540 and preferred the layout as Mrs Notwen liked the L shaped lounge and the 2 large roof lights make it very bright and airy. Settled on a 2006 (2007MY)and should be collecting next week as we were not bothered about being away for bank holiday.
Everything seems fine and working, though the dealer will be going through it. My damp tester could not detect anything excessive, anyone know if they have any weaknesses I need to be aware of during ownership ?
I guess the most obvious is keeping on top of joints and seals etc.
Needed a new tow car too, while my wifes A4 Avant could do, it is a bit too tight for 3 big dogs.
Whittled down to a 2007 on face lift X-Trail 2.0 as having decent capability and plenty of space for the dogs. We have previously had a Grand Cherokee (2003) as a back up tow vehicle when racing, but felt for the size of van we wanted that a mid size would be fine.
Caravan, we wanted fixed bed. Had been looking at Bailey Pageant Bordeaux (2005 - 2007 ish)in our price range, but then had a look at a Elddis Odyssey 540 and preferred the layout as Mrs Notwen liked the L shaped lounge and the 2 large roof lights make it very bright and airy. Settled on a 2006 (2007MY)and should be collecting next week as we were not bothered about being away for bank holiday.
Everything seems fine and working, though the dealer will be going through it. My damp tester could not detect anything excessive, anyone know if they have any weaknesses I need to be aware of during ownership ?
I guess the most obvious is keeping on top of joints and seals etc.
Can't be much help except on the L shaped layout. We had this in our last van, an Avante and prior to buying it thought it'd be the perfect layout. But it was awful for watching TV. One of you gets the nice loungey lay down bit with their feet up, the other ends up sitting to watch TV or half twisted lounging on the settee at which point their feet stick in your head etc etc.
We put up with it for one season and then went back to a traditional layout at the front, though we do have a fixed bed at the rear. One thing I'd add on fixed bed layout, get one that's sideways on so across the van rather than longways, that way each person can get in and out without waking the other. Our current van has a bed where SWMBO sleeps against the window and has to clamber over me for the loo. Mutterings have been heard and I reckon next year it'll be new van time.
Just some food for thought
We put up with it for one season and then went back to a traditional layout at the front, though we do have a fixed bed at the rear. One thing I'd add on fixed bed layout, get one that's sideways on so across the van rather than longways, that way each person can get in and out without waking the other. Our current van has a bed where SWMBO sleeps against the window and has to clamber over me for the loo. Mutterings have been heard and I reckon next year it'll be new van time.
Just some food for thought
Cheers Colin, I did think the post was going to die a reply free death.
The TV shelf in the Odyssey was quite good and while it does require one person to crick their neck a little if they are lounging, we preferred it to the knee knocker set up.
The bed is across the back giving, but not an island bed. Our last RV had an island bed, I just found most of the time we clambered over without walking round, but that invariably was down to using the floor space for additional drinks storage.
The TV shelf in the Odyssey was quite good and while it does require one person to crick their neck a little if they are lounging, we preferred it to the knee knocker set up.
The bed is across the back giving, but not an island bed. Our last RV had an island bed, I just found most of the time we clambered over without walking round, but that invariably was down to using the floor space for additional drinks storage.
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