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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.

OP posts:
HaudMaDug · 20/02/2020 14:48

Choose the dog and stick with the old caravan and buy a bucket to catch the leaks.
A dog will give you joy every day where as the caravan is conditional on time off/available to travel. Unless you plan on using it as an extension to your house and dining in it every day

Flyingarcher · 20/02/2020 16:20

Good price for a Hobby. Am jealous. It will last yonks. Make sure security is good. Hobbys tend to be targeted theft wise ( so some bloke at a caravan centre told me).

IndecentFeminist · 20/02/2020 16:25

I would. Love a good caravan.

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Cars & vehicles
Katharinblum · 20/02/2020 16:30

We looked into getting a hobby and were told that some caravan sites are a bit sniffy about them as Irish travellers tend to use hobbys Confused likewise using dh’s van to tow (even though brand new).

HollyBollyBooBoo · 20/02/2020 16:31

Do it, it'll feel utterly amazing compared to your old one!

HollyBollyBooBoo · 20/02/2020 16:33

@HaudMaDug 😂

allmycats · 20/02/2020 16:43

Whilst the Hobby brand are lovely vans you need to be aware that some sites will not allow you on with that brand, especially being towed on a van or double cab pick up. They are also the van of choice for stealing, and there is no police force in the country that will go beyond that entrance barrier, even if you can see your van there. They can also be awkward to trade on as many caravan retail outlets will not take them in part ex. In some circumstances Adria have similar connotations.
Having said this they are bloody lovely vans ! Go for it, but maybe look at a different brand, some major van makers are now making the wider vans.

ZeroFuchsGiven · 20/02/2020 16:44

Hobbys are nice vans but they are one of the most stolen vans so make sure you have a good hitch lock and wheel clamp, Also some sites do not allow hobby vans on which is worth thinking about.

Also make sure you have the van serviced regularly to catch things like damp before they turn into big repair jobs, they can be very expensive.

Oblomov20 · 20/02/2020 16:45

£20k seems a lot. How old is it? Where have you seen this? Is it from a caravan sales place? Their mark up is huge!

We have had quite a few caravans. Dh finds them all over the place. eBay, google, anywhere!

Everyone has different wants. What's your criteria?

I hate making beds so wanted one where I didn't need to make them. This was my number one priority.

Our current one is a Hobby, with a big double bed permanently made up at one end, a seating area in the middle, 2 beds at the end.

This means that beds are made at the start of the holiday. At the end I wash all bedding and make them again, so next time we come down, it's all fresh. No bed making.

Ours was a fraction of the cost of yours!!

Look again? For another one with same layout?

VivaLeBeaver · 20/02/2020 16:50

I got a 3yo 4 berth caravan a few years ago for 12k. Doesn’t leak, everything works. So you could get one a few years old for significantly less.

clock12 · 20/02/2020 17:00

We bought a 21k caravan with a loan last year. I don't regret it for a second. We love it, the kids have their own room at the back which is worth it just for that. You are experienced caravanners already, this is the next stage up, sounds like a great thing to do.

Beansandcoffee · 20/02/2020 17:09

Take care. Some caravan sites do not allow hobbies as they are very popular with the travelling community. They are also a popular van to be stolen for the same reason.

HappyStep1 · 20/02/2020 17:26

Check you can get insurance for a hobby, due to the number of thefts not all companies will insure now.

Sounds lovely though!

Original poster
fartyface · 20/02/2020 18:27

Our current one is an lmc, we live on a main road and get a lot of door knocks from travellers. We have a hitch lock and wheel clamp but might also get a pole on the drive, and park nose in.

We have never had any problem brining our old lmc onto any campsite including both clubs so I am not too worried. In any event we travel on the continent a lot.

Will check out insurance, will be more than ours.

Our criteria are 5 berth (all proper sizes no doubles), single axle, fixed double (if poss)/separate seating area. Think thst is it.

Plenty of 4 berths, but we are a family of 5.

OP posts:
Ditchedtheuselesswanker · 20/02/2020 18:35

I work in the leisure industry. Everyone says Swift are the best. Good luck in your search

Bunkerlife · 20/02/2020 18:54

We nearly bought a Hobby but so many people warned us off because of the likelihood of it being stolen, you also need to make sure you have a suitable towing vehicle as most of them require a commercial vehicle due to their length.
We went for a Coachman, take delivery next month.

Original poster
fartyface · 20/02/2020 19:03

It is a small one, but thanks
What model did you choose?

OP posts:
flowerycurtain · 20/02/2020 19:04

Don't touch swift with a barge pole.

We spent 25k on a spanking new van about 4 years ago. It's had problem after problem and swift don't give a flying fuck.

Original poster
fartyface · 20/02/2020 19:08

Just been looking a swifts but I can't see one with a better layout than the dinette. I need thr kids in an end bedroom for my sanity when sleeping in a small box!

OP posts:
dawnc27 · 20/02/2020 19:10

dont go for swift, purely for the facts 1, DH used to work for them ( motorhome side) and some of the stories he told me about how the do things up at cott would put anyone off and 2, as i said USED to work for them, the closed their other site just before xmas due to lack of sales so wouldnt be surprised if theyve gone under by the end of the year so all warranties wouldnt be worth the paper they're wrote on

VivaLeBeaver · 20/02/2020 19:52

I have a lunar and the lunar owners fb group will fill you with despair. I know a lot of unhappy Bailey owners. Don't know anything about swift but my brother has one and is happy.

Fettfrett · 20/02/2020 20:02

Can you get to Birmingham this weekend? Massive caravan and motor home show on at the NEC with some really amazing deals and every configuration of caravan you could imagine -its on until Sunday.

pjmask · 20/02/2020 20:06

Do it! Hobby's are amazing. Just be aware some sites are a bit weird about them. But this will take your caravanning experience to a whole new level of luxury! And will hold its value xx

Original poster
fartyface · 20/02/2020 20:06

We've been to it before. They are all new aren't they?
And mostly English.
We had a fab time there once but didn't see anything we wanted.

OP posts:
JulietTango · 20/02/2020 20:31

Do you have a link for the caravan.
Another thing to be aware of with a German van is whether it's a dry caravan or a wet one.
The difference is that a wet one will have a toilet and water whereas a dry one won't

Luna's have a reputation for being leaky.

If you're buying from a dealer I would use their finance (usually black horse) for at least some of the cost. If you then have problems the dealer isn't interested in fixing you can get black horse involved.

We own a caravan service and repair company so happy to answer questions