Going over to caravans: first time buyer

[phlebasconsidered]

After years tenting (we currently have a Nevada XL) we have decided to turn to caravans, largely because of husband's bad back and height, plus the kids are older now and tent walls are thin!

I like the look of fixed bunks plus double for us with an extra single for if the kids have a mate to stay, or maybe I should just go straight to 6 berth? As a family we are used to towing catering trailers so size is not an issue.

We are caravan virgins, any advice before buying appreciated! Kids are 8 and 7. Our budget will stretch to 10k so second-hand is best. I luckily have a will bequest to spend and hope to buy a holiday home that will last until the kids don't want to come with us anymore.

There was a similar thread a few days ago, will see if I can link you to it. Any idea what layouts you like?

here for tips to save me repeating myself

A word of warning (if it's privacy that you're after), caravan walls are thin too

DCs will grow out of the bunks so might be difficult in a few years time if they are fixed.

Ime fixed bunks atlre the better option as children get older. Individual choice though I suppose. There are few ways to fit a family of five or six into a touring caravan w/o having bunks of some sort, and the fixed ones are most definitely sturdier than the pull up and over variety. My teenage ds has the separate converting chair/table to bed arrangement, whilst 9&11yo absolutely love the fixed bunk and are likely to remain so for the forseeable. With our previous van (5 berth) the dses had resorted to camping in the awning(we have a separate annexe bedroom) in preference to the pull up bunk.

Oooh exciting for you, we are on our second caravan & absolutely love it.
Our tent sprang a leak so we decided to upgrade to a caravan, never looked back.

Firstly of course you will need to check that your car has capacity to toe a larger caravan, you can Google that bit.
Secondly don't rush, shop around, we got ours from a dealers in the end, we got a cheep & cheerful for our first, to practice with. It was about £4k, was fan bloody tastic, we learned loads and built up our stock of basics. We had that for about 2 years, we have upgraded to a ver ver posh one with an electric loo, microwave, fixed bed & brill shower.

We flit off in all weather's, all seasons & we go all over the country.
It's kitted out so we just fill the fridge, Chuck clothes in the wardrobe & go. Easy.

Our first one had bunk beds, not great, a bit flimsy, Dr is a growing 11 year old & didn't feel very sturdy on the top. Our 2 year old will sleep anywhere.
We have a good sized awning which you can buy internal bedroom tents for, for teenagers or kids if they fancy sleeping in a tent.
Where would you store it? Storage can be expensive.

Toe....hahaha, of course I meant tow!!!