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Original poster

Can anyone recommend a small 5 berth caravan?

12 replies

poocatcherchampion · 18/05/2015 20:59

Hello

We are looking for a small caravan, preferably 5 birth as we will soon have three children; although possibly o
A 4 birth with 2 doubles will do.

We are going to be at the lower bottom end of the budget - but that is less of a consideration than my desire to do copious amounts of research to choose the absolute best model possible :)

Grateful for any suggestions, or sources of helpful research,
Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
poocatcherchampion · 18/05/2015 21:06

Ok just in case anyone sends me over to the other threads about 5 berths - I've seen them! I did a lot of caravanning as a child/teenager and we know all about our cars towing capability, but I am struggling to find models to look at.

Thanks!

OP posts:
serin · 18/05/2015 21:32

We had a Sprite Musketeer 5 berth, EB (end bedroom).

It really served it's purpose well for us with the three kids sleeping on 3 bunks along the back of the van, and closed off with a curtain so that our reading lights didn't disturb them. We had it from new and sold it this year as we now have strapping teenagers who just couldn't fit in the beds anymore!

Prior to the Sprite we had an Ace Jubilee Viceroy, (again bought new) a much heavier and longer van that we struggled to get though our gates and the gates of many campsites! We had nothing but trouble with it, everything that could go wrong did go wrong, including damp, a leaking rooflight, broken water pump, faulty electrics, broken door.......

The Ace has a double bed at the front and a double with a bunk over at the back. We found this design a bloody faff as we had to make up all the beds every evening, with bunks they can just crawl in! and the DS's shared the double so enjoyed annoying each other half the night!

We have a tent now, and dream of retirement and a nice 2 berth fixed bed motorhome!!

Original poster
poocatcherchampion · 18/05/2015 21:46

OK that is a good model - I like the way the bottom bunk is basically on the floor. That would work for the littly

OP posts:
LucyBorgia · 21/05/2015 18:25

We bought our hobby excellent easy last year. We have both sat outside looking at it lovingly and swearing even if we won the lottery the next day we wouldn't change it(o.k usually after a few g&ts....)
It's four berth, seating at the front and the back which convert into two doubles, plenty big for three children. The genius touch is that the front bedroom has sliding doors so the children's bedroom can be completely closed off when they finally get dragged in off the campsite. It's perfect in every way. I love my caravan.

VivaLeBeaver · 21/05/2015 18:31

Second hand? New?

Lunars are very good vans. I have a lunar quasar 464 which is a 4 berth. How old are the kids? As they get older they may want to sleep in the awning?

Original poster
poocatcherchampion · 21/05/2015 23:06

Oh comments thanks.

Like as close to bottom of budget as free but without the damp. We have no ££ to speak of but want a holiday, and then plan to upgrade in a few years or at least next summer if it really is a rust bucket

Children are 3, 1 and in utero so no option for them to sleep in tents. The in utero one is the reason behind this else we would stick with the tent.

Thanks!

OP posts:
thehumanjam · 21/05/2015 23:17

I had to click on this thread just to let you know that I am extremely jealous!

Tinkerisdead · 22/05/2015 23:14

Arghhh my phone just lost a big typed out message.

I came on to say last year we bought a solar lunar five berth van for 3k but it included a motor mover and a mint condition awning.

It had two sets of sofa/table configuration so we had four singles and an extra bunk. Or two doubles...and mix and match. My kids are 6 and 3, they fit easily in the end singles but often liked to share a double or the 6yr old tried the bunk. It was a great van to start us off, we recently switched to a bailey ranger purely as we were ready to upgrade.

The lunar was a great van for the money and good value with the extras. Theres one on ebay item number 161710142024 that was the same layout that I had.

Lightas · 31/05/2015 16:36

We have an Elddis Avante Xscape (2004) which is 5 berth and quite small, we have never used the all the beds as there was only 2 adults and DS (14) when we bought it, it is a very nice caravan though.

Ineedmorepatience · 31/05/2015 19:57

We have a Swift challenger 490 which is a 5 birth with a large double at the front and a small double with bunk over at the back. It is great.

Ours is really old but there are a range of ages available. We have converted from canvas to caravan this year and are loving it Grin

Good luck

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