Caravans?

N9eav

Whats the better makes of Caravan?

I am looking for a second hand one and I don't know what makes are best to buy?

fivetide

Get a caravan mag really and go have a look at a few.

Abbey, Bailey and Swift are all recognised brands in the UK. there are other continental ones out there. It'll all depend on the size/budget and what you want to do with it (small kids, cheap UK holidays or two people, bit more comfort and overseas travel etc etc)

5t.

edit: above relating to touring vans. If you are thinking a static Willerby seem to do a lot of them!

Strider590

Topgear do caravans

mikey72

N9eav wrote: »

Whats the better makes of Caravan?

I am looking for a second hand one and I don't know what makes are best to buy?

If touring, you need to look at the tow car, work out a shortlist of what you can tow, then see what's for sale. They all start out well, but a second hand one off a family of five and three dogs will always come out worse than one owned by two pensioners that stays on site all year.

s_b

there was an interesting 2 programmes on quest channel 38 last night
might be worth a view ,they did everything from covers to parking to showing you what to buy

marlot

N9eav wrote: »

Whats the better makes of Caravan?

I am looking for a second hand one and I don't know what makes are best to buy?

Eriba, if they are big enough for you and you can find a nice one. They have a metal frame instead of a wooden one like most other caravans.

The big problem with most older caravans is damp. Pretty well anything else can be fixed.

Before you go out and buy, I'd recommend reading this http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/media/968584/getting%20started%20guide.pdf

Its is strongly recommended to buy a caravan with a max weight less than 85% of the kerb weight of your car. If you passed your test in 1997 or later, there are some additional rules you have to follow.

forgotmyname

As above the problem with older caravans is the dreaded damp, But the problem with some newer caravans is the dreaded damp also.

Otherwise not a lot to go wrong. Brakes and bearings are cheap enough hitch pads and dampers same.

Big issues is what towcar do you have and when did you pass your driving test.

N9eav

Appreciate everyone's comments and taking the time to answer....
I should have made it clear that I am looking for a touring caravan and licence and tow weights are not important as I have that covered. Price will be cheapish, so I may rather buy an older quality make than a newer budget brand.

What are the best makes?

marlot

N9eav wrote: »

Appreciate everyone's comments and taking the time to answer....
I should have made it clear that I am looking for a touring caravan and licence and tow weights are not important as I have that covered. Price will be cheapish, so I may rather buy an older quality make than a newer budget brand.

What are the best makes?

Everyone assumed you meant touring caravans - not sure why you thought otherwise?

You don't give a size or weight indication which makes it hard to advise.

As I said, Eriba - they would be at the light end.

Of the traditional construction, carlight would be one of the best, or vanmaster (rather heavier).

Of the mass makes, Bailey were good in the 1990s, as were fleetwood. But quality matters for very little by this age - it's much more important that the caravan was resealed promptly when the mastic went hard. Possibly a couple of times by now.

N9eav

I have VW transporter which is heavy, so I should be able to tow most things. 4 berth and over would be useful for more space.

hartcjhart

Quality brand means nothing when you are thinking of buying an older cheap van,

the most important thing is finding one that is not damp,and ALL makes have the risk of leaks,

what you need to do is work out what sort of format you want and how many people will be sleeping in it at one time