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Original poster

Would you buy this caravan?

57 replies

fartyface · 20/02/2020 07:43

We are caravan people and have had a realllllly old caravan for the last 5 years, bought to try out caravanning.

We totally love it. Current caravan has a number of flaws such as the loo leaks, running water is intermittent, hob is intermittent and we had a majoy flood once in heavy rain

We are quite particular about what we want as we need a 5 berth minimum, it must be European /german, we want single axle and thr cherry on the cake is that we don't have to make up our bed every day into the seating area.

We have found one that meets this criteria but it is 20k. We can down pay about 5k and then if we got a loan for the remainder we would be able to pay it off by Xmas.

Alternatives are, managing with this one another year or compromising somewhere and buying another old dog.

Happy to give more info as requested.

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Noteventhebestdrummer · 20/02/2020 07:57

How many holidays a year will you use it for and how many years will it last for?
How much are site fees and maintenance?

5zeds · 20/02/2020 08:01

I’d wait and save up.

Original poster

fartyface · 20/02/2020 08:01

We sleep in our current one at least a month a year and have done since we got it.

A newer one we would use for longer season times as it would have heating. We don't have heating and we can't really eat in it so are reliant on all meals outside

Site fees and maintenance would be roughly what they are, more if we use it more, and we are considering upping to 2 trips to continent

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Cars & vehicles

VeniVidiVoxi · 20/02/2020 08:01

Is there a middle ground of second hand on the one you like? What else would you spend the 20k on? It's expensive if you can't afford it but not if you can!

overnightangel · 20/02/2020 08:04

I’d get a dog instead

yogo · 20/02/2020 08:06

If you really want it get it, or wait till Christmas if it's going to be paid off by then and pay cash for one then.

Original poster

fartyface · 20/02/2020 08:07

I guess we would pay down the mortgage, but it is small as it is.

Or more likely use it for other holidays, DIY or replacement cars in due course. We know thr caravan is our next expense, it just depends how much we give to it.

A cheaper one is an option but I haven't seen one which is worth it as they are all such compromises.

Dh is very tight so he is finding it hard. But he knows we need to do something either this year or next year and this is his dream van.

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Original poster

fartyface · 20/02/2020 08:08

Lol at the dog.

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VeniVidiVoxi · 20/02/2020 08:09

And some quick maths - if you buy for 20k and sell for 5k in ten years after using it 45 nights each year (current use plus a little extra) the purchase price breaks down to £33 per night. Add site fees, fuel, maintenance, suitable towing car (maybe larger than you would get otherwise with more wear) - rough guess an extra £50 per night? £83 per night away for 5. Not terrible. Not cheap either. Remember there is so much more to factor in than the purchase price and you're grand.

BonnesVacances · 20/02/2020 08:09

How much extra are you paying for the fixed bed layout? I would prioritise the things that you do /need frequently each day, rather than pay more for something you do once a day, ie make the bed. It'd be cheaper to buy two single Duvalays!

Why does it need to be a continental make, out of interest?

Original poster

fartyface · 20/02/2020 08:15

It is not really once a day as there is nowhere to put our bedding so it means that any time we are in the van it is in our bed. That means all toys, games and meals for a family of 5 have to take place in our bed. Which feels cramped and a bit yuck.
If it rains wet coats, shoes etc all land on our bed as it is by the door. We are constantly fishing duplo out of our crevices in the middle of the night etc etc.

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Original poster

fartyface · 20/02/2020 08:17

Continental vans are normally a bit larger inside.
Sturdy construction
They have proper bunks instead of little ones the kids will grow out of
Less damp
Take bike racks on the outside (UK ones might do this but I dotn recall)
They prioritise space over mod cons like ovens

The damp and construction is the main thing.

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CormoranStrike · 20/02/2020 08:19

If you can afford the payments then I would go for it - investing i. Something you love as a family and will enjoy is never a waste in my opinion.

drivingtofrance · 20/02/2020 08:29

If you're going to use it then buy it.

DH had a caravan when I met him and it was only used occasionally.

I encouraged him to sell up as it was just costing money in storage and repairs/ insurance etc. We preferred to travel abroad and use hotels. I'm not a muddy field lover.

However fixed beds are a bit of a waste of space imo. Especially in a single axle, and with a family. I found that it only took 3 or 4 mins to make up the beds.

Coats and shoes could be kept in a porch awning? Ditto bedding during the day.

Pinkyyy · 20/02/2020 08:35

I would definitely buy it, you'll get years and years of use out of it and lots of enjoyment. What's the point having any money if you can't enjoy the things you like with it.

dognamedspot · 20/02/2020 08:38

Get it, sounds like you'll get a lot of pleasure from using it. With a good awning where you can put wet jackets and muddy boots.

LoonyLunaLoo · 20/02/2020 08:41

Go for it. You’ll get so much more enjoyment of it as your current set up doesn’t sound ideal. If you can afford to pay it off by Christmas, then you must be earning a reasonable amount so it’s not like it’s a long term bill to pay.

BonnesVacances · 20/02/2020 08:46

Make sure you're not just carried away by the idea of having hot water and heating. All newer caravans have that now, so you don't need to spend £20k on one. That said, German vans are considered to be good, so may hold their value better.

Quite a few companies are doing bigger bunks now. Bailey for example have bunks that are 5'10". Understand about the bedding issue. We have a mattress topper that we roll up with the duvet in and stand it in the shower during the day.

I do think the fixed bed layout for a family doesn't really work though, as the kids usually have to sleep at the front and get in the way. IME the layout where the kids are at the back in their own area works best, like the Adria 6 berth with fixed bunks.

But in principle, getting a £15k loan for a caravan makes better financial sense than doing that for a car, as they depreciate less quickly. But if your DH is balking at the £20k, it's worth still looking around for cheaper options.

eggontoast2 · 20/02/2020 08:57

Buy it if you want it and can afford it. You only live once! Go and enjoy yourselves. Life is way to short to be asking strangers their opinions.

Original poster

fartyface · 20/02/2020 09:11

Thanks for all the people telling what I want to hear!

With this particular model the kids get fixed bunks and a third bed and we have a doulbe bed above the family seating area that moves up and down. Best of all worlds in our view.

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Original poster

fartyface · 20/02/2020 09:45

Hot water! Didn't even think of that!

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Flyingarcher · 20/02/2020 11:39

Is it a Hymer, Hobby or Adria? If so they will be more expensive. Their build quality is very good. Presume it is second hand so check damp with a damp meter. We have a van and luffs it. Hot water, a loo ( just for wee) and working hob, oven and microwave are awesome. We had a folding camper before so out two berth seems amazing. Check the weight and all that stuff but sure you know that

pelirocco123 · 20/02/2020 11:50

Check that your car is the right car to pull it as new caravans are heavy tjen add in the weight of all the extra gear you will be taking

So many cars pull over weight caravans

Original poster

fartyface · 20/02/2020 12:13

Yeah it is a hobby. Nearly new

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Original poster

fartyface · 20/02/2020 12:15

No worries with towing we have a large suv thst will pull just under 2000kg. This is the same as our current at 1500kg. We also have awning etc. It is just about the caravan swap all the rest is sorted.

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