Caravans

[Black]

Thinking of getting rid of the tent and moving to a caravan. Would involve getting a aerotec 380 to use too!

Trouble is I know absolutely zero about these things. Anyone been in this situation before and care to share experiences on best layouts, brands things to get or avoid?

Black

[willk]

I'd avoid the WILK. Often seen in seedy parks in Cornwall, upsetting the manager bloke in the wife-beater as his view of the ladies shower block has been impeded...

[Stoph]

Err.........thats a how long is a piece of string question! Key factors...How many of you? and ages? do you need to sleep kids whilst still having room for yourselves..?Budget? (After Aerotec purchase of course!) Towcar- weight and towing limit a big factor..How long will you stay in 1 place?...will you want to be putting up an awning etc..prob not if staying 2 days but very likely if 3 days upwards...will you be an all year round caravanner or just summer sun haha... Do you have somewhere to store it?...I could go on...Answer those and I'll try again!! MOST important thing is damp...you dont want any!!
Stoph

[Jenson]

Layout is personal preference / requirements. If you are going to be throwing a sib, outboard etc I wouldn't buy one too new as the interior will get marked.
One thing you definitely don't want is damp. Check inside all cupboards to view exterior walls and floors to check with damp tester.

[mick]

I have a Hymer great van best of British is coachman

[Bern Hanreck]

Black , I've had a caravan for 12 years now ( used to have 3 dogs & do agility shows ). Biggest disadvantage is that you cannot tow both a caravan & a rib/sib . Just pulled both seperately to Pembrokeshire & back .

Have you considered a Motorhome with enough guts to tow a boat ? I know it works for some folk . If I was doing everything again , I might try that route .

If you still want a caravan , checkout all the layouts at your local dealer , but make sure you get a thorough dampness check ( & warranty ) on any purchase . Even newish caravans can suffer from damp and corrosion can affect older variants . The latest 'vans are glued together , not bolted ! Good luck !

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by Black

Thinking of getting rid of the tent and moving to a caravan.

Well its a start on the way up the food chain

[Black]

To answer some of the questions raised by novice initial question. Two adults, 3 year old and five year old.
Discovery 3 as tow vehicle, and we have somewhere to store it.
I had thought the aerotec would go in the disco with the engine.

Budget around the £10k mark.

[mick]

Just take your time there will be loads for sale after the summer look at all the layouts to see what suits you and what ever you buy get it damp tested

[secondopsman]

I have a Bailey Pageant Loire 6 berth twin axle jobby.Ive had numerous caravans and this is by far the best,I did up until yesterday do the same as you (sib and touring van)Bear in mind it doesnt stop at the boat and engine though,there are life jackets ,fuel tanks,oars,anchor,rope ect,
We also use a roof box it can be done but in all honestly its hard work but good fun.

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by Bern Hanreck

Have you considered a Motorhome with enough guts to tow a boat ? I know it works for some folk . If I was doing everything again , I might try that route .

[SPR]

but the issue with motor home, is unless you have second car with it, anytime you want to move you need to pack up....so you need a bike or walk

S.

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by SPR

but the issue with motor home, is unless you have second car with it, anytime you want to move you need to pack up....so you need a bike or walk

S.

Yes, you need to find campsites within reasonable cycling distance from the pub

[EnglishLes]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Yes, you need to find campsites within reasonable cycling distance from the pub

Downhill on the way back!

[Perroboy]

Demountable camper with a big awning!!! Can tow the rib!!! Plus you still have a car to use.Gets my vote!!
DEMOUNTABLE CAMPER | eBay

[Nasher]

We are also seriously considering giving up the tent and getting a caravan for next year, mainly for the extra comfort of an ‘almost’ proper bed, not needing to tramp across a field early in the morning for a wee, and the extra comfort when the weather is bad.

As mentioned the main issue for us is not being able to tow the RIB as well, but the site we use in Devon will let me drop the van down a couple of weeks before our holiday and store it for a very small fee, then look after it for a couple of weeks after as well. Sounds like an excuse for a couple of weekends away as well.

As the’ not so smaller’ Nashers are growing up quickly the issue I’ve noticed is the size of the beds in some vans. My 15yr old is 6’1” already, and wouldn’t fit in most of the bunks.

On the other hand, a 25’ long twin axle van @6yrs old with all the mod cons and a huge Awning that’s only been used 2 weeks a year can be found for @£7K if looked for hard enough.

Nasher.

[Downhilldai]

Careful if you opt for the 8' wide European caravans, eg Hobby, as you may need a white Transit type van to tow it.

[Anchorhandler]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Careful if you opt for the 8' wide European caravans, eg Hobby, as you may need a white Transit type van to tow it.

Lol....

The feckers have just set up camp at our local Conforama (a bit like Curry's)....

30k's worth of Mercedes Sprinter (in white of course) towing 40k's worth of Fendt caravan and not an insurance certificate in sight.

We own an older (1996) Eldis caravan which has been great fun... Not that old that its embarrassing to tow but not that new that it matters if it gets the odd dent and scuff here or there. ( i accidentally drive our mini digger into the front of it last year... Doh! Would have hurt more if it was a nice shiny new one )

To over come the towing issue of caravan/boat we're going to use our crane lorry to tow Gwenn after craning a converted Potakabin onto the trucks bed. That way we can give the local tinkers a run for their money in the " look at us we're pikey's" stakes...:-)

Simon

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[bedajim]

Here you go, all sorted

ULTIMATE 5TH WHEEL CAMPER! - YouTube

[bedajim]

But I'll take this one

ACTION MOBIL Beladesystem für schwere Lasten - YouTube