Talk to me about caravans

[spudnik1]

We currently camp in a canvas tent. ( My husband tried it once and has refused it ever since )

I was looking at a 2 berth for myself and the 8 year old ( specifically a go pod or a freedom microlight), but I am now pregnant with number 2.

Any recommendations for a new caravanner ? ( it'll take a few years to save up so no immediate rush)

Main points are
Ease to maintain.
Easy to set up alone.

It would be going in storage as no space at home to store. So no to a trailer tent / folding camper as wouldn't be able to dry.

I am still sort of looking at 2 berths ? Although not sure now 🤔

have a look at Eribas or Barefoot.
Small and easy to tow

They look gorgeous. Bit beyond my price range though 😁

If you're in no hurry, I'd recommend subscribing to a caravanning magazine such as Practical Caravan - they have reviews, including for vintage vans. You can get a good feel for what's out there, including peripherals.

It's something we considered when my bones got too old for tent camping, but we didn't think we'd get enough use of it to make it worthwhile, so we opted to start renting statics instead. We also looked at motorhomes - I don't know if that's an option you have considered?

No motorhomes aren't for us. We hired one a couple of years ago. I hated the repacking every time you wanted to move.
The caravan magazine is a good idea. Will have a look at it.

Swift Basecamp. That's what I would have bought if I hadn't gone for a campervan.

Does it need to be your own ? Wouldn’t you try the convenience of a hired van ? Like a Hoseasons caravan ?

Either take some one who knows about them or look on Youtube on how to spot leaks and damp.
We started with a cheap one that needed some repairs, we liked it so saved up for a better one. Kids loved it and we never had a bad holiday

If you’re pregnant with no 2 then you need a 4 berth. I have a 4 berth for me and Dd! Think about layouts. Do you want a fixed double bed? Fixed bunks for the kids? Can you separate the kids off at night so they go to bed and you can stay up and read? How big a bathroom do you want? A larger end bathroom or happy with a smaller one? If you’re looking at secondhand then you need to be confident it’s not damp.

Also - consider the whole keeping the caravan in storage thing and factor it in to your decision.

We bought a caravan when our kids were little, and whilst we enjoyed being away in it, the closest place for storage was about 20 minutes drive away.

This meant every weekend we wanted to go somewhere, we would have to drive to the facility, hook up the caravan, drive it home and pack it before actually travelling anywhere. We couldn't pick it up en route because with the kids and dog in the car, and the fact that all the kids on caravan sites had their bikes with them so ours wanted to take theirs, we couldn't fit everything in the car itself.

We sold it after two summers. If we'd have been able to store it at home it would've made all the difference.

Have been scouring YouTube this morning.

I was looking at a freedom sunseeker 3 berth. Which with hard saving I could buy new maybe. But it is a dry van, no bathroom.

The lack of a shower won't bother me as more space in the site showers . However all of us get up in the night to use the toilet. We do have a camping toilet, but I'm not sure where you would put in in so small a van.

I wouldn't be putting an awning up. The whole point is ease of use. Wrestling an awning doesn't look easy 😂

This morning I was looking at sprite alpine 4, bailey d4 4, bailey phoenix 440. Elddis 304.

Although it would definable be second hand with them.

@spudnik1 if there is more than one of you don't get a Go Pod! I just bought one for me and the dog and had our first night away last weekend. Its very small inside unless you have an awning - I couldn't share with anyone else even if I loved them very very much!!

I feel you are better buying a very cheap caravan to decide what is best for you. Then sell it hopefully get your money back and buy the one of your dreams

I’d definitely buy a 2nd hand one as they’re much better value. Also, visit some dealers and wander in and out of all their caravans to help decide what you want/need. We found this really helpful.

Yep I think it will be second hand. Was thinking of going yo a show then you can see loads and hopefully without a salesman following you around

DH and I bought a new Trigano Mini Freestyle 290 2 years ago and we love it. It's really compact and light, MIRO 688kg, yet fits in a proper washroom. We did loads of research and it was the only caravan that both fits in our single garage and has a full washroom. Ours has hot water and a basic shower too, although I understand the current UK spec no longer has these, but there is still a proper toilet with sink. The fridge and hob are also great. Look at Three Shires Leisure, they are great people, we've had ours serviced there twice now and they are now importing them from France.

We bought a small Sprite from a dealer. It was one of the cheapies from the back of the yard. One that they had taken in part-exchange, but too old to sell under their brand. Perfect for two of us. Toilet for night time.
DH supervised. Serviced by a local mobile agent. Part-worn tyres from local vehicle dismantler.
Took us from Dorset to Scottish borders twice.
When kids were small (a long time ago) we had a Sprite Musketeer with an awning. DC in awning, they loved the sound of the rain on 'their roof'.
Dorset to Gt Yarmouth was the longest trip.
It is great fun, and for a couple it can be romantic.

We’ve just bought one identical to this, an Abbey Freestyle 560 6 berth. There’s me, dh, 8 year old and 1 year old. Very excited. It’s a 2005 but very tidy inside. Few issues like cracked shower tray but dealer is sorting all issues so should be good to go. We’re used to campervans but needed something bigger now dd2 is here. My dad got his damp detector out and went around the whole caravan before we decided on it. I decided on this one as it’s got fixed bunks at the back so kids have their space sorted all the time.

I’m hoping we can leave most stuff in the caravan whilst it’s in storage facility so I don't need to keep bringing stuff whenever we go out in it. Just bring clothing and food.

As well as looking for damp look at the condition of the skylights and general sealing so hopefully you can spot any potential leaks and fix them before its a problem, We are just about to remove and reseal the skylights on out 2007 Motor home as the sealant is now 16 years old