Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
Re checking for damp:
between 0-15% are typical and nothing to worry about
between 15-20% needs monitoring, probably walk away
between 20-24% possible early sings of problems, definitely walk away
between 25-30% minor damage occurring needs remedial work, walk away a bit quicker
above 31% run away
We have just brought a new (to us) van and dismissed the foreign vans like Hobby, as the door is on the wrong side so may have to put on the pitch backwards. When buying s/h get everything demonstrated as working before leaving nowt worse than getting to your first night away and finding something critical not working. we were lucky ot ours from a site that had took it in as part -ex on a static so had a free weekend on their site, shame we could only use it one night.
Ours is a twin axle and wife and I can move it around and I parked it up between two others at our storage by reversing it in difficult due to it being a small yard but not impossible, but we will be adding a motor mover in the very near future I can see difficulty on soft ground.
Definitely layout is key, we wanted an island bed and definitely didn't want l shaped lounge, nor a bathroom where you walk though the shower or the bathroom was beyond the double bed. so have end up with this:
Click image to enlarge
Big for a couple but means we only need to put the awning up when away for extended periods, not long weekends==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
00 Hymer B564 Lionheart
1971 Series III 109
11th Jun 2016 9:55 pm
Johnzlrd
Member Since: 20 Feb 2016
Location: Soham
Posts: 38
Hi if your interested I am selling a Bailey Senator Wyoming. I'm selling it complete as we are moving to a static van. I'm willing to split it up. PM me if your interested.
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11th Jun 2016 10:23 pm
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
Oh and check the date code on the tyres, recommendation is change at 5 years and don't exceed 7! The date code is a four digit number week first year second, unless its pre 200 then its a three digit code.
Our 2009 is on its original tyres, actually manufactured in 2008, so all five need replacing, luckily the sellers have met a major part of the cost.==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
00 Hymer B564 Lionheart
1971 Series III 109
12th Jun 2016 7:52 am
Eyeball
Member Since: 14 Jun 2011
Location: Essex
Posts: 81
Sold my 2008 Swift Sterling Searcher last year when we upgraded to the Continental 630.
It was a fantastic caravan and I was given £8000 for it by the dealer.
As a good, twin axle 4 birth with generous bathroom at the rear and Alde Central heating I don't think you could go far wrong with one of these. The Discovery 3 towed it very comfortably. I didn't have a mover on it.....and frankly, never really found the need.
Would have it again.....if it were not for the fact that the Continental is even lovelier!!!!
I hope you get lots of enjoyment out of whatever you finally decide upon.
Click image to enlarge
D3 HSE 06 with all the bells and whistles
New engine at 80k!
Intelligent FBH
Pulling Sterling Continental 630
15th Jun 2016 6:50 pm
Rozzy1970
Member Since: 15 Aug 2013
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 97
You can search for Make, model, layout and berths, saved me a lot of fuel driving around dealers and the like.
I've got a Swift Challenger Sport 640 and previously had an Abbey Vogue 2 650, great layout for kids with 2 sets of parallel seating and flexibility with the rear beds (singles, double, or bunks).
Good luck with your searching.2011 Discovery 4 XS in Fuji White
2008 Discovery 3 GS in Santorini
Lunar Delta TI Twin Axle
17th Jun 2016 12:39 pm
rockcrawler
Member Since: 31 Oct 2012
Location: Ferring
Posts: 2884
Russell wrote:
Skynet wrote:
I understand that twin axles can be difficult to man handle so you will need a motor mover attached.
Sorry but that is rubbish you have the best mover in the Discovery. We gave had large cans gor 10 plus years and never had the need for a mover.
Having had Bailey Lunar Deffleths and in their day Avondale we now have a Swift and think it is the best van we have ever had
Agree with Russell we have a twin axle and have never needed a mover I move it with the Disco and that has included some very tight spaces, that's what low ratio is for D3 Metropolis Bonatti Grey-Alpaca Leather-adaptive headlights-fridge-EGR blanking kit-Harmen Karden-Cruise-4x4 info enabled-Tinted Windows-Heated F&R Seats-Rosen rear Entertainment-LED'S everywhere -Smoked Side Repeaters-Rear Aircon-Vredestein Wintrac 4 Extreme-Puddle and Footwell Lamps-Stainless Steel Side Protection Tubes- NEW ASHTRAY ( thanks to dsd1036 )
Club BAS Remote FBH
Club MXS10 Ctek
Club Beanie Grill
Rear D4 Lamps
Geoff Gearbox Flush
BAS Remap
17th Jun 2016 2:32 pm
Pelyma
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Patching, Sussex
Posts: 15496
You wouldn't get my TA in its space without a mover, not even my tractor is short enough to do that.DS3 TDV6 HSE - Silver with Alpaca (old one) Gone
DS3 TDV6 HSE- Silver with Alpaca (new one) Gone
D4 HSE Lux - Montalcino Red Gone
Porsche Cayenne V8 Diesel S
17th Jun 2016 2:44 pm
geoffsnook
Member Since: 13 Jun 2014
Location: south wales
Posts: 3170
My twin axel is pretty good to reverse has a motor mover but as yet not needed it.As everyone says layout is a personal taste we have the fixed island bed and think it's great as all you have to do is tidy it as there is no need to put it away so its great for me and swmbo Discovery 3 se gone
Range rover sport supercharged here:)
17th Jun 2016 3:00 pm
mark the spark
Member Since: 22 Jun 2011
Location: southampton
Posts: 2531
As said layout trumps manufacturer all the big twins are top end of the builders range so get a lot of spec usually . Been runnning an eldiss super scirocco for 4. Years and no issues .
Disco pulls it effortlessly ,some people say they are hard to manouvre but ive never had an issue and i dont have a mover but its a nice to have i guess.MY05 SE D3 Manual my first LR what a car
MY10 HSE D4 auto
MY14 XXV more buttons than the spaceshuttle
17th Jun 2016 4:43 pm
Stuart Martin Wallace
Member Since: 16 Jan 2015
Location: Warrington
Posts: 5
Over 25 years of caravan experience across many manufactures.
Whilst layout is a personal preference I have just taken delivery of an Adria Astella Rio Grande and can say with confidence it is by far the best caravan I have ever had.
Not a traditional British layout hence a niche van. Have a look, I think Adria are introducing a new flagship model to replace the Astella in 2017 based on a more conventional UK market
You can search for Make, model, layout and berths, saved me a lot of fuel driving around dealers and the like.
I've got a Swift Challenger Sport 640 and previously had an Abbey Vogue 2 650, great layout for kids with 2 sets of parallel seating and flexibility with the rear beds (singles, double, or bunks).
Good luck with your searching.
Brilliant site Rozzy 1970 - my missus is searching as we speak - thanks Original Owner.
Member Since: 16 Dec 2010
Location: East Riding of Yorkshire
Posts: 1681
Have you tried caravans before? If not it might be worth hiring first and seeing if you like it - some dealers offer this and will knock hire off if you buy from them
Lot of people spend a fortune and after 1 or 2 trips lose interest and end up selling at big loss
Personally I love vanning but not everyone gets the bug and if you start adding up fees for accessories, storage, insurance, sites, fuel, etc it's not cheap but for me it's the freedom and sleeping on my own bed 8)
We've done it as kids, with kids, as a couple and with dogs over the last 40 years but sold everything last year to buy Swmbos dream house and going stir crazy now
Agree damp is big issue and cracking front/rear panels which can cost £1000s - anything else is usually easy to sort
Agree on layout too - we bought an L shape front lounge that didn't work for 4 at meal times and ended up changing at a loss
Depends on stage of life on what works best - when the kids were small bunks and singles at back with big awning was good but later fixed bed at back/side was best for 2 and porch awning
I've never had a mover because the LRs did the work and we liked farm fields with views not looking in neighbours caravans
Don't rush and listen to owners - you will learn from their mistakesWanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW
^ - Again -very good advice.
Yes we have owned caravans (2) before when the kids were small.
Sole criteria back then was price (it had to be cheap).
Now things are easier and kids have families of their own, we are looking to get back into it.
Lots of very sound advice on here Original Owner.
Member Since: 16 Dec 2010
Location: East Riding of Yorkshire
Posts: 1681
My kids have flown but no kids of there own yet but friends that's kids have say the little blighters join them so might not be the peaceful couples retreat you planned Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW
Still hoping for a S2 one day!
17th Jun 2016 8:07 pm
Russell
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
We have caravaned now for nearly 18 years and my parents used to caravan as well. We started off with a cheap caravan as my wife was not sure but she loves it and after the first year we brought new and have ever since for a few reasons.
Firstlly comes with good warranty and water ingress warranty so you are covered from the start with no worries.
Secondly have always got a very good deal when part exchanging the van, least we ever lost was £1200 most we have lost was £2500 over six different vans when it came to part exchange value and the cost of the van in the first place. All vans are normally kept 3/4 years. Not sure how we would fair if we were selling up and not part exchanging.
As for movers, we have never had one and never needed one, even before we had a Disco we have never had a need for one.
Friend has just part exchanged his Swift Conqueror which he had for 5 years and lost £2500 on it compared to what he paid for it, he has just brought the same as us a New Swift Elegance 645 fixed bed and loves it. Interestingly he had a mover on the Conqueror but has not fitted one to the Elegance, when asked why his words not mine "I have a Disco and they are a waste of money as it is never used"
One final word, if you are not going to use it then do not buy as it is a waste of money sat on the drive or in storage. Up until this year we have used ours on average 8 weeks a year, this includes main summer holidays, weekend breaks, long weekends and school holiday get awaysMY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
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