Idiots guide to Caravans

[ADogg]

Hello,

Having dabbled with Motorhomes and it not really working for us (had an ‘03 Hymer B584 and a ‘20 Etrusco), we’ve now happened upon the idea of a caravan. This won’t be for typical use, however more something to put in the garden for occasional use for visitors, as we’ve a small house with a large garden!

I’ve been round the houses with log cabins etc but I think a caravan will be a far easier, although somewhat uglier solution, with the added bonus of if/when we move we can sell it.

Now I know prices have gone mad in the last couple of years, but, what would you recommend at the up to £10k segment? I’ve still firmly got “motorhome” head on so I’m thinking of avoiding anything British - is this the case? I know damp is a biggie - can anyone recommend a damp meter?

We’ve been to 3 dealers over the weekend and have seen a couple of ‘08 Swift Conquer 530s at dealers which we like the layout of, and my wife wants to buy, but, well they’re British, and I like to research these things!

What are Hymer and/or Burstner caravans like? Are insulation levels OK in general for early noughties vans or do they significantly change at any time?

Thanks in advance!

[Output Flange]

If you want something that's not a big white box to put in the garden, have a look at an Eriba. £10k will get you a 90s model Triton, just.

[ADogg]

I do like the look of these, thank you!

[dave_s13]

It sounds like an unusual, and not ideal, use-case for a caravan.

It'll just sit there going mouldy through underuse if not careful.

Obviously a lot more money but small house/big garden sounds like the ideal scenario for an extension or large garage with annexe. It'll be an investment also.

[ADogg]

dave_s13 said:

It sounds like an unusual, and not ideal, use-case for a caravan.

It'll just sit there going mouldy through underuse if not careful.

Obviously a lot more money but small house/big garden sounds like the ideal scenario for an extension or large garage with annexe. It'll be an investment also.

All opinions welcome, thank you! We understand the importance of ventilating and using the caravan, as we did the motorhome.

An extension was our first idea but, due to the right for light and our house being a bit “odd”, it isn’t that straightforward unfortunately!

[nagsheadwarrior]

Big issue is where as German Motorhomes are better, German caravans are a very risky proposition in the country as they are often very likely to get stolen.
An Adria crosses the boundary of Euro build quality with good resale and strangley less popular with the segment if society that like to borrow other people's tourers .
An older single axle Geist or Burstner Vantana isn't too risky either if it must be German just avoid Hobby, Fendt, LMC etc which is a shame as they build great vans.
No need to even spend £10k, £6-7k bags 06-07 Geist

[PH5121]

If you have a large garden could you fit a static caravan in, rather than a touring caravan?

For your £10k budget you seem to get a lot more for your money, but I'd imagine the residual value is negligable.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/retailer/stock?sort=d...

[ADogg]

nagsheadwarrior said:

Big issue is where as German Motorhomes are better, German caravans are a very risky proposition in the country as they are often very likely to get stolen.
An Adria crosses the boundary of Euro build quality with good resale and strangley less popular with the segment if society that like to borrow other people's tourers .
An older single axle Geist or Burstner Vantana isn't too risky either if it must be German just avoid Hobby, Fendt, LMC etc which is a shame as they build great vans.
No need to even spend £10k, £6-7k bags 06-07 Geist

Thank you!

[Arnold Cunningham]

PH5121 said:

If you have a large garden could you fit a static caravan in, rather than a touring caravan?

For your £10k budget you seem to get a lot more for your money, but I'd imagine the residual value is negligable.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/retailer/stock?sort=d...

A static is a good idea if the OP has the space.

Our old static went to these guys when it got too old for the site it was on : https://www.ndoecaravans.co.uk/
I think I got £1500 quid for it - but was still in good nick and very usable. But I needed it gone and had no other options at the time.
I seem to remember it was then up for sale with them for 4-5K - but I guess the pandemic and supply chain issues for new has increased prices since then.

[Register1]

nagsheadwarrior said:

if it must be German just avoid Hobby, Fendt, LMC etc which is a shame as they build great vans.
No need to even spend £10k, £6-7k bags 06-07 Geist

Is this because they are more likely to get stolen ?

[PurpleTurtle]

ADogg said:

I do like the look of these, thank you!

As an owner of a 90s Triton I would suggest that - for your proposed use - you avoid one and stick with a regular caravan.

90s Eribas can suffer with a lot of rust in the lower chassis frames and your could be be getting a lot of trouble there (ask me how I know - stiffed on a private purchase made in haste) whilst trying to avoid traditional damp issues in a British caravan.

They are also very small inside; we only have ours as we have the opposite problem to you - we are very much restricted on space for storage. Having owned and used one regularly for 5 years we love it. but we are very aware of its space limitations. If we moved to a house with more storage it would be on its way in favour of a conventional caravan.

You just need to check a lot for damp. Problem is that at your budget something that may be ostensibly nice to look at could have these issues, but also might not. If serious about a purchase I would recommend getting an independent inspection done.

Hobby/Hymer/Burstner caravans are great, however there is no other way of saying this: they are very popular with Caravan Using Nomadic Travellers who like to pitch them FOC on public recreation grounds and fail to use the toilet facilities therein. Owning one will be a theft magnet for the likes of them, unless you can properly secret it away in a back garden.

[Beetnik]

Register1 said:

Is this because they are more likely almost guaranteed to get stolen ?

FTFY

[ADogg]

Hmmm lots of things to think about, thank you! Those folk you speak of were always a worry when I had the motorhome - pre covid there is a “traditional celebration” of which they attend a few miles away. The caravan would be pretty out of sight but still definitely one to consider!

We have considered a static but the issue would be dropping it where we would want it.

We have a Hymer and Burstner lined up locally to look at asap, and I’ve bought a damp meter to take with me. There doesn’t appear many Geists about, but will keep a look out for those and Adrias. Up to £10k would be the absolute tops, £6-£7k would be much more comfortable!

Thanks again

[Arnold Cunningham]

No need to drop. They have wheels and a hitch.

[nagsheadwarrior]

Register1 said:

nagsheadwarrior said:

if it must be German just avoid Hobby, Fendt, LMC etc which is a shame as they build great vans.
No need to even spend £10k, £6-7k bags 06-07 Geist

Is this because they are more likely to get stolen ?

Yeah, at most dealerships I've worked at we won't have a Hobby on site overnight they get traded same day

[dave_s13]

If you get a tourer, take the wheels off and get it on axle stands. It'll massively reduce the chances of it going missing.

[surveyor]

dave_s13 said:

If you get a tourer, take the wheels off and get it on axle stands. It'll massively reduce the chances of it going missing.

But might invalidate your insurance. Check first.

[ADogg]

Thanks for all of your input, I may now circle back to some form of log cabin…

Any opinions on a Swift Conqueror of 2008 vintage? Liked the layout on these when we viewed one last weekend and the salesman keeps calling!

Edited by ADogg on Thursday 5th May 23:07

[ADogg]

Thanks for all of your input, I may now circle back to some form of log cabin…

Any opinions on a Swift Conqueror 530 of 2008 vintage? Liked the layout on these when we viewed one last weekend and the salesman keeps calling.

Edited by ADogg on Thursday 5th May 23:12

Edited by ADogg on Thursday 5th May 23:12