Advice wanted on purchase of large touring caravan.
We are looking to buy a large touring caravan and where better to seek advice than on this very forum!!!!!
General Spec:
Twin axle preferred
Min. 4 berth (preferably not fixed bunks).
We like the look of Elddis/Lunar and Bailey but all manufacturers considered.
Hobby fits the bill for size and price but I’m not sure if they are usually pulled by a Transit tipper!! –Ads state “bathroom never used/ cooker never used etc.
I’ve searched the scammers den known as Gumtree – I won’t be troubling them again!!
Is it true that “if you like the layout, you’ll like the caravan” – does that mean the manufacturer is less important??
Our budget is around £6k to £7k but is not set in stone.
Anyone have one for sale or know of one coming up?
As ever, all advice greatly appreciated.
This post has been edited by the site administration team
Moved here as post focusses on advice Original Owner.
It is the layout that matters. Manufacturers buy same appliances. door catches, power sockets as each other so a lot of the detail is identical. There are some sites on the web that give diagrams of layouts of different makers and model years so you can start there and then go and see some in dealers yards once you know the sort of thing you think you want. You will know when you see things what you like and eventually there will be a 'van with them all in it.A vaccine does not stop you catching a virus, or passing it on, or getting ill from it, really ill. It does reduce the likelyhood of you dying when really, really ill. Stay Alive - KEEP AWAY FROM PEOPLE.
10th Jun 2016 8:19 pm
tayaste
Member Since: 15 May 2013
Location: Chester
Posts: 7633
As above but, but, when navigator says 'You' ... substitute 'You' for 'SWMBO' and then you can't go far wrong
10th Jun 2016 8:31 pm
Skynet
Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: Melksham, Wiltshire
Posts: 868
I understand that twin axles can be difficult to man handle so you will need a motor mover attached. Dave
D3 2006 HSE, Cairns Blue - gone
D4 2016 SE, White
Member Since: 27 Dec 2009
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 6551
If you can get yourself along to a caravan show and try out all the different layouts. Also if your in no hurry to get one buy in the winter. That's when we bought ours and we got a great deal
We went to Reads Caravans in Blackburn.
AndyD4 MY15 SE TECH
D3 gone but never forgotten.
10th Jun 2016 8:54 pm
Russell
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
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 hadMY17 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
Where I store my van and the last two sites I have visited the van was placed with the tow hitch up against a natural obstacle. Considering the 1800kg weight and there being only four small handles I don't think it would have been easy to move even with half a rugger team to hand. Perhaps a ground anchor, a pulley block, rope and the Discovery would do it but a mover is so much less hassle!A vaccine does not stop you catching a virus, or passing it on, or getting ill from it, really ill. It does reduce the likelyhood of you dying when really, really ill. Stay Alive - KEEP AWAY FROM PEOPLE.
10th Jun 2016 11:36 pm
Brian_DL13
Member Since: 25 Aug 2013
Location: Teesdale
Posts: 1418
If buying second hand, the big thing you need to check for is damp. Almost everything else can be fixed if needed but if the 'van has a bad dose of damp you've had it. Get one of these http://tinyurl.com/jhvosdv
Also, bear in mind the accessories. Awning, gas bottles, water containers, the list goes on. If you can get a deal where those are included it'll save you quite a bit.
How are you at reversing a tow ? Where will it be stored ? If it's a big 'van you may decide a mover is worth having, depending on the answer to these questions.
11th Jun 2016 4:00 am
Landie71
Member Since: 23 Oct 2012
Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1019
Got a mover on the front axle of our TA & wouldn't be without it. Getting it into it's storage pitch is manageable with the D3, but it physically wouldn't go down our drive with out it (very narrow end with a curve on the end) so it has to come off the D3 & with the curve I can't turn the van on my own.
Agreed if you can wait until winter you'll get a lot more for your money. We got our Bailey Senator S6 Carolina in February & got loads more with it - full awning, water bottles, gas bottles, elect cable etc., etc.
11th Jun 2016 6:44 am
nearlee
Member Since: 15 Dec 2012
Location: where the sheep are scared
Posts: 1777
The advice on layout is spot on, we did the caravan show at nec, must have been in nearly every van there and at the end of the day 2 stood out for us and they happened to have almost identical layouts, so that's what we searched for on the second hand market.
Good luck, and we have just bought our 1st wobbly box Just remember:-
Amateurs built the Ark
Professionals built the titanic
I have a Bailey Senator Wyoming Series 5 which is one of the last UK vans to have the L-shaped seating lounge. Spent months looking for one as that model was the exact layout we wanted. Fixed double bed, huge end washroom with full size shower, real fridge, microwave, cooker, hob etc.
If you can be sure of the layout features you like and find one where the owner is giving up caravanning and will part with the essential add-ons such as water and waste containers, crockery and glasswere (plastic) you could be saving a further £1000 to £1500 pounds on your start up. A mover will cost £1000 to fit so good if it is already there, solar panel fitting is a scoosh to anyone who maintains a Land Rover.
But all the contents, accessories and additional fitments add to the weight of the 'van and while it won't be an issue with a Discovery towing it there is a legal limit (MTLP) for every model of caravan decided by the manufacturer. If VOSA finds you over that limit they will see you in court! This weight is however often lower than the 'van is designed for, as having a lower "maximum" allows it to be towed by smaller lighter cars. So once you fancy a particular 'van look up on the manufacturer's site what the MTLP can be increased to. My Senator is now 1800kg after sending Bailey £40 for a new plate - no physical modifications needed, just a higher tyre pressure!!A vaccine does not stop you catching a virus, or passing it on, or getting ill from it, really ill. It does reduce the likelyhood of you dying when really, really ill. Stay Alive - KEEP AWAY FROM PEOPLE.
11th Jun 2016 10:34 am
Cellerdweller
Member Since: 05 Oct 2012
Location: Macclesfield
Posts: 1315
I've got a Elddis cyclone 4berth fixed island bed .we love the layout however I'm sure some won't. as said layout is a very personal thing . You're not afraid of the dark are you ?
Member Since: 18 Apr 2012
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 3626
We had a sterling Europa 650 T4B (last three denote the layout). Very good 6 berth as the bunks all folded away and were at one end so easy to configure in many different ways.
That said we only need 4 berth now so when it is time to get another we will go for a fixed bed. And like the ones with the larger bathroom at the rear rather than our Sterling's mid bathroom.
Consider one with wet heating if you can afford it as I feel the blown air system tends to not give even heat with the heater at one end and pipes running under van to get heat to the rear. Also the air can be rather dry whereas wet heating is a step ahead.
We didn't get a mover but it certainly gives you more options at getting side on at some of the continental pitches so I'd recommend it as a useful add on later.
Aircon for us was an included benefit but absolutely worth its weight in gold!! Setting it to 18degrees then heading off for the day in south of France meant we came back to a gorgeously cool van - perfect!!
Take a look at the new airbeam awnings and pair this with a Coleman event shelter for a versatile setup. Although if you don't mind the faff of setup then an Isabella or Brodit full length awning with the extra zip in rooms literally give you a Bedouin palace!! Expect that sort of awning to take half a day out of your holiday in build/pack.
Don't bother with tv and all that gubbins.... Although a 3G puck mifi can be useful
i recommend Skelwith park in Lake District as a great place to get started on your first tin tent tripMY15 DIY Black Pack (Better than factory and half the price!)
Prospeed rock/tree sliders w/steps
HSE Winter wheels
TransK9 B24
Travall Cargo Guard
Hatchbag
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