Caravan questions....

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Bodsy
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Caravan questions....

Post by Bodsy » Sun Jan 05, 2014 12:06 pm

Ok, so as some of you know, Swmbo has been on about getting a caravan for a while. If it means I get to go camping more then that's all fine.
Not bothered about the discussion around towing turds etc, but I would like to know which order brands are regarded

Looking to spend only about £5k
Needs to be fixed double bed with toilet at the side, not in the middle of the van.

Been looking at coachman and bailey generally.

Advice, (other than don't get one....!)


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Re: Caravan questions....

Post by MrClayton » Sun Jan 05, 2014 12:21 pm

I never understood caravans at all until Phil lent us his to go to Hampshire and from that moment I loved it and we had some really great holidays last year as a result. There is something very nice about being able to pull up at a site with all of your own stuff and be setup in 5-10 minutes (excluding awning obviously).

I can't really offer any advice as this is our first caravan but the one thing I will say is that we ended up spending a considerable amount more than we expected - not on the caravan particularly but on all the bits to go with it. I'm sure you'll have a lot of that stuff because of camping anyway but we ended up buying aquaroll, waste water container, leisure battery, pipes, step, locks, awnings, TV, kitchen stuff/etc so that the caravan is ready to go and we just have to put fresh bedding, towels and clothes in it.

We've got a fixed bed with a rear bathroom and that layout is perfect for us but I got the feeling that was a newer layout when we were looking around.


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Re: Caravan questions....

Post by Frapp » Sun Jan 05, 2014 12:25 pm

They all have some little niggly problems, some, if you are unlucky have major issues for some unknown reason.

Have a good look around and find one you like but make sure it's dry with no spongy floor



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Re: Caravan questions....

Post by Stu » Sun Jan 05, 2014 12:27 pm

Advice, (other than don't get one....!)
You're kinda restricting my posting options here!

I know Andy had a National Luna

I would also consider an option where the kids sleep in a section that can be screened off so Max can go to bed and you and Em can still have the lights on etc.

Hope you get one soon so I can really post some "useful insights!"


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Re: Caravan questions....

Post by xtc » Sun Jan 05, 2014 12:31 pm

I held you in higher regard Ian... :(


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Re: Caravan questions....

Post by CDS » Sun Jan 05, 2014 12:53 pm

He's only going for the idea so he can get a pass for Durler :-)


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Re: Caravan questions....

Post by Kingmav66 » Sun Jan 05, 2014 12:55 pm

Sorry mate, we've only had a tintent since 2011 and know nothing about the earlier models. But I would get one that has a bedding area for the kids that can be sectioned, leaving you an area for yourselves :thumbright:
NSN has had a few, inc Coachman :thumbright:



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Re: Caravan questions....

Post by CDS » Sun Jan 05, 2014 12:58 pm

Got to agree with Gary. Bedroom that can be closed off for the kids took precedence for us over fixed double bed


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Re: Caravan questions....

Post by MrClayton » Sun Jan 05, 2014 1:04 pm

With ours the kids sleep at the front - the seats there are big enough to be good sized single beds or they can turn it into a double and share. We have the fixed bed at the back and there is a sliding screen door which divides the two ends. It does mean we can't go out without going through their bit but we're lucky that they sleep soundly and once they're asleep we can move around without an issue.


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Re: Caravan questions....

Post by countrywide » Sun Jan 05, 2014 1:08 pm

I would rent one to see what you like.

No expert but we bought a new Lunar Quasar 525 on a wim to be honest. It was a nice van, but they are a hassle to look after, tow, store (unless it's at home), clean etc. We don't have many spare weekends, so didn't get a chance to use it enough. If you go away a lot it is very comfortable, more so than a B&B room.

Having had our's, I would want a fixed bed if I ever bought another one though.
Also if you are not sure whether you will keep it, buy one light enough to appeal to buyers as there are more of them with smaller tow cars. We sold our's pretty quickly and didn't loose much money either.

Also buy propane bottles or nothing works very well when it gets cold



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