Help for a first time caravanner (is that a word?) + Baby

[Quootiepie]

DH and I have been thinking about getting a caravan for ages, and went to a big place on Sunday to have a nose and now we really want to get one. We aren't 100% sure it'll work etc. with a baby, so, only plan to spend about £2,500-£4,000 ish on one. Firstly I guess, is that an OK budget? For that price they won't be awful, they didn't look awful, they looked as nice as ones twice the price to me, just older. But then I know nothing about them! Secondly, does it work with a baby? (DS is 12m at the mo.) We were planning on getting one with an end bedroom area and modifying it for a cot or something. Anyone done that? Erm, thirdly... MOT and things - do they need things like that? How much to "run" one roughly, with insurance, possibly storing it as we are short on space aswell. Oh, the main one, can you "do them up"? I have seen ones and I think the would be fine if they had new curtains, carpet and upholstery etc. but the floor seems about 5cm thick so would be terrified to rip up a carpet or anything in one! I am sure I will have millions more questions but they are the ones off the top of my head... Basically also if there is any good books/websites about really basic things, if you could point me in the right direction that would be great!

Thanks!

go to the caravan club website - should be a huge help, and see if you can get a magazine about them, as that will give you ideas of price ranges etc. My biggest tip would be to check check check for damp - it's caravan cancer and if you even get a whiff of it, do not buy. make sure when you walk on the floor it doesn't seem spongy. You can get damp meters, for about £30 - well worth the expense. Insurance is about £50 per year, depending on where you live and where/how you store it. we found camping with the babies fine, but tiring as no one got much sleep (my 2 are rubbish sleepers). But great to eat outside, bath outside etc. There are some fab caravan club sites, with great washing and kids facilities. Also, check that your towing vehicle is up to the weight of the caravan you are interested in - we found that severely limited our choice when we had a normal estate car. God, I sound like a geek.........

Can't help you with many of your questions... my parents bought a new caravan and we now use their old one. Can tell you though, it's great with a baby. First time we went my DD1 was 2...No problems. Last summer took DD2, who was 10 months...great. Both DDs slept on floor (on small airbeds)inbetween us. We did take a travel cot to use outside as a cage to keep DD2 in one place. Hope you get one. You'll love it!

Thanks will check the site out xXx

Be careful if you buy an old one as some caravans suffer really badly with damp. Have a good look under the beds and behind the back seat cushions under the windows . Have a good sniff in the cupboards and the cushions to see if it smells of damp.
Ask to see service history etc.
You might be better off buying from a dealer as they might give a warranty and if there was a problem you would have a better chance of getting it fixed.
Its a major exercise redoing the insides and carpets are difficult to replace as most of the furniture is fitted over the top of it.
You can get new cushions but they are expensive, you are probably better off finding one you can live with. Curtains are easier especially if you can sew. We bought plain throws to go over our cushions, and you can cover a multiude of sins with those.
If you buy one with a table at each end, these usually make 2 double beds. If you put the LO to sleep lengthways then they cant roll anywhere.
Buy a few magazines there are generally good articles on caravanning and lots of dealers adverts which can give you an idea of price.
Its a very popular time of the year to buy now so prices will be quite high, I would shop around. Also you will need to buy essential bits and pieces like water container and waster water holder so see if the dealer is willing to throw in any freebies.
Also I agree with the above poster you will need to check you car is able to tow a caravan. Most dealers can do a calcuation/ match for the car you drive.
You could ring a few insurance companies for quotes to give you an idea, most insist on extra security clamps etc so you will have to buy some to qualify for insurance.

You will also need to think about storage, have you got enough room to keep it on your drive all year long? If not storage can cost a couple of hundred a year.

You could also join a few caravanning forums for tips and info.