Camping, Caravan and Motorhome Show

[Chrisgr31]

Have been pondering a new to us caravan for a year or so. As someone looking for a used caravan is it worth going to this show? Are there dealers there who one can leave details of what we are looking for who can then tell us if and when they get something potentially suitable in?

[Chrisgr31]

hornetrider said:

Are there really no suitable used caravans in existing stock anywhere that don't suit your needs?

There may well. However the problem is knowing what manufacturer, what model and what year delivers what we want and what dealer/private seller has it a price we are willing to pay!

It's not like a car where you can look at pictures to see what it is like, then invariably find a dealer 10, 20 or 30 miles away and invariably have a relatively large,selection to choose from.

with a caravan you really have to see it to appreciate it and decide if the layout suits you, and it's not helped by manufacturers using the same model name for vans have different number of axles, berth, lengths etc and changing layouts every year.

This in turn means that even if you manage to identify the layout you like you may not be able to find other examples because the advertising isn't consistent either!

What I do know is that it appears there are more caravans available anywhere but in the South East and ideally I would prefer not to have to drive around every dealer until I find what I want. If of course iit exists. Mind you the search isn't helped by my wife and I having different views of how much to spend and what we want!

[Chrisgr31]

Thank you, that was the sort of route I started down last night. Makes me think there might be a market for a decent used caravan database!

As a matter of interest what model did you end up with as our thought processes are similar

[Chrisgr31]

Nagshead thank you very much for that information. Very useful and will head towards Blackpool, possibly at half-term.

Hornet thank you for you comments as well. Did you buy the Burstner that was being advertised in Surrey last year? We saw an advert for one and were interested but didn't have the money at the time. We currently have a Dethleff, think it is a 1980 model, and therefore are considering a continental model, but as you say they are not common. I am tempted to go shopping in Germany. Understand your comments regarding Hobby and have had the same thought. Even more in y case as I am tempted by a twin axle so even more likely to have unwanted thoughs.

[Chrisgr31]

Djtemeka said:

West Sussex caravans. My fiancées family own this. They are honest and will sell you what you need
Call them

They have 2 sites don't they? Only problem is not a great deal of stock! Certainly for our stage of comparing layouts.

[Chrisgr31]

Thanks nagsheadwarrior for your your help. Spent the last 2 days going round a number of dealers in the North West, return to Sussex on Thursday dragging our new to us caravan.

[Chrisgr31]

This one http://johncharlescars.co.uk/stock.php?page=showli... a 2006 Sterling Europa 540 6 berth.

Found the dealer whist driving past on our way to have a look at something else!

[Chrisgr31]

Rosscow said:

I'm aspiring (in a few years!) to a Dethleffs Beduin 730 FKR! Awesome caravans:

http://www.dethleffs.de/modellseite/produkt/model/...

I had my eye on a twin axle that was being sold in Wales, cheaper than the one we bought as well, but the wife didn't fancy the trip to Wales. In reality it wouldn't have fitted in the parking space I built 2 years ago and extending it would have been a hassle.

Never mind twin axle next time. By then daughter will be older so we'll be able to go for a fixed bed as well.

[Chrisgr31]

surveyor said:

Also....

Given that you know have a garage for bikes....

We use one of these - http://www.carabike.com/

Keeps it all nice and stable.

That looks interesting. And yes also in East Sussex hence the jaunt up here to buy a van. Mind you they are in short supply up here too, but still a lot more than in East Sussex. No idea why so many caravan era round here and so few in South East

[Chrisgr31]

surveyor said:

If I remember correctly Chris may have tie down points which the twin axle layout did not get.

I do indeed. Wonder if it is because the single axle version bounces more?