not sure if this is the right place but we want to buy a 4 berth caravan

[ska]

any suggestions? and anyone selling one?

Check out the caravan and camping website and the caravan club website, I'm pretty sure one of them does a checklist.

The key thing when looking is tow-weight in relation to your car - so you know which caravans you can look at.

I don't pretend to understand it all, 1st year of caravanning

You might get a bargain at this time of year. Spring time everyone is looking to buy, autumn everyone is selling after the summer. Have a look for a local dealer but better bargains in local paper.

Check how it smells, any smell of damp can be a bad sign as if they have had any sense they should have aired it just before you arrive, so should smell ok unless it has a damp problem.

Check all electrics and all appliances. If you are new to this you don't want to be replacing or having to sort anything straight away.

When having a good look over it you should get a feel for how they have looked after it, if it is grubby and things are broken this will give you and idea about how they might have looked after the things you can't see.

skribble - thanks, that's very helpful. I iwll look there - i wondered if now might be a good idea. we're moving house and want to use some of the money to buy one as we've always wanted to get one!
and i will check out the two websites you suggested, heated.
anyone else?

ask on the ukcampsite.co.uk forums - they have a huge wealth of knowledge and are always happy to share it. (shutting the buggers up sometimes is hard )

Good idea to look localy first, saves lots of traveling about if you are not sure what to go for. You will get an idea what is out there and what you like so even if you do go further afield then you know what to look for.

Another good place to look is www.touringandtenting.com/forums/. You will find lots of useful information and tips.

You'll see my caravan advertised on there - Sterling Europa 4 berth with everything you need to get away.

what kind do you all have? I don't know my swift from an eldis!!

Hey Ska
I've just had a look and it seems they only keep the adds on T&T for a couple of weeks.
My caravan is a Sterling Europa 520NT. It is 4 berth with a large end washroom. There is blown air heating, oven/grill/4burner hob, fridge, electric hook up etc. It is 10 years old and has been regularly serviced and little used in the past few years (the children have grown up and now have their own hobbies , so it has to go). It's on www.preloved.co.uktoo.

Have a visit to your local dealer and have a good look around the different makes with the layouts etc.
This should give you an idea of what they cost too.
When you have an idea of what you want you can start looking.
Have a look in your free ads for private sales, however if you are new to it you might get a good deal at a dealers as they often throw in things you need, like water barrel etc.
If you buy second hand on a private sale go and see van a few times be very careful check for damp, under seats, in cupboards behind the cushions etc and also do a CRIS check - this will tell you if caravan is stolen.

thanks welshdeb, good advice!

check out layouts. a 5 bearth is often same size / price as a 4 but with more living and sleeping space. the 4's tend to have bigger bathrooms.

I have an older van which will be going on ebay this week - it is an Abi Marauder 400D. If you are interested I will post the item number once I've got it sorted. Not sure if you looking for older or newer van.

try looking at the practical caravan magazine you can get some bargains , lots of people buy a van hate it then sell it the next season having probably usung it only once.