Clueless about caravans - mad idea possibly but which caravan would you buy?

[Celeriacacaca]

DH is going to be around so much this summer that I've had a half-baked idea of buying a caravan (ebay?) and going across the Channel and seeing where we end up.

Thing is, I know nothing about caravans, so what would you buy for the four of us (DCs 12 and 11)? Budget will be £1,500 max. (We have the right sort of car to tow one.) I don't want to be like sardines in one but at the same time need to be realistic about what our money will buy.

I don't know anything about caravans but we tent camp our way round France most summers for about a month at a time. I love your optimism!
I'd be worried about how good the caravan would be that you'd get for that price. I've a horrid vision of you sat by the road with the bottom having fallen out of it! I admit to being a pessimist! Unless your DH is a mechanic used to inspecting caravans I'd be really worried. Make sure your RAC/AA membership is infallible.
The sites in France are on the whole fabulous and I think you'd have a great time.
I'd get a decent sized tent and do what you're talking about instead. Sorry!

do you know what...I maybe take some of it back!!! You inspired me to have a wee look at ebay and there's a lot of choice in your price range! So grab a friendly mechanic and go rummaging underneath and Good Luck to YOU!!! Slightly envious now!! I want a 'small space of my own to do up'!!

sounds awfully cheap for a van...

don't forget to tell your insurers if you fit a towbar, plus the breakdown people.