Caravan ownership - choosing and buying tips please

ProseccoGirl

Afternoon.

We are thinking of buying a Touring Caravan*, but as complete novices in this, I wonder if you are able to give any pointers, recommendations etc  about what to look out for and to beware of.

It’s only for us 2, so we think we’ll go for a 4 birth, with fixed bed(s).

Choices are myriad, as to what layout of bathroom/bedroom are available.   What’s worked best for you? 

Pros and cons of the various specifications available?    What’s worth paying extra for? 

Things you wish you’d known before you bought.    Specs you wish to had opted for.   Things that are ‘must haves’

What other add on’s or ancillary equipment  should we be budgeting for.   Awnings?   Water system?  Flooring?

Any other “top tips” to the novice caravanner. 

 

We are looking at second hand, up to about 8 years old, max.   No real budget as such, as that is flexible.  

Look forward to your replies.    

 

*Having said all that, we will NOT be towing it.  It will be sited for the season and stored over the winter.  We'll have electric hooked up.   I know this is the Motoring board, but I thought any caravanners would likely hang out here. 

Rodders53

Suggest you look at the caravanning Clubs and dedicated forums, such as Caravan Talk for such information.  Go look at Dealerships near you for a look at possible units and seek advice there, too.

Without a budget it's impossible.  Nor without info on what facilities the site you propose offers, and if they allow awnings to be erected/remain erected when off site (seasonal awnings are available but more expensive).  Or if they tow on/off when you visit. Electricity to the pitch or not.  Water and drainage to pitch, or not.  and so on...

A permanently sited touring caravan is an oxymoron, though. 

lincroft1710

Many touring sites won't allow long term occupation, so would suggest you contact sites in the area you want to holiday in first and also find out the cost.

knightstyle

OK, we have owned many caravans, tents, folding campers etc. over the years.  A 4 berth will be bigger, less easy to tow and manoeuvre than a two berth, it is not much trouble making the beds up in the sitting area.
So will you be mostly touring or leave it on a site for months on end?
When we spent several months touring abroad we had a folding camper because we could easily push it into woods etc. for off grid camping.
Now we are older our two berth caravan suits us. It has a motor mover and most important Al-ko ESC. I would never have a caravan without this.

Brie

Do you have a safe place to park it when it's at home?  Lots of room on the drive or will it be on the road where it might annoy the neighbours and possibly be prone to damage?

What is valuable to you in night time comfort?  Not just beds (long enough, wide enough, room for "snuggling") but the loo/shower or are you happy to go to shared facilities at 2 am.  Room to sit when it's raining? for cooking?   Easy to stand up and walk around (ex tent owner and hated the low tents.)

If you are complete novices why not rent one to try it out??

Supatramp

As a caravanner of 47 years experience, the first thing I'd suggest you do is consider the tow car. Is your existing car heavy and powerful enough?

Although only 2 of you, I'd recommend a 4 berth, and a fixed bed is recommended, saves making it up every day. Also think of the situation of one of you wanting a lie down during the day, the flexibility isn't there with a 2 berth.

Buy a damp meter, damp is the main problem with caravans, and dealers aren't to be trusted!

Whether you intend to buy from a dealer or not,  take a wander around local dealerships, see the many differences  between makes and models. And don't concern yourself with what is the best brand, they all have potential for problems.

ProseccoGirl

Thank you for the useful information provided so far.   

Again, we will NOT be towing or storing it.   It will be on a site that does allow long term (renewable) pitches, and includes moving and storing for the winter.  We are aware of the costs of that side of it.   It would have electric hook up with own PAYG meter.

The alternative is a static, but they have their issues too.  Not to mention being significantly more £

It would be our "bolt hole", for days out and occasional overnights.   Maybe only 1 or 2 nights at a time. 

We did have a friend on the site, and have visited their van in the past.    Their van was quite old, and didn't have the "mod-cons" that we would be after.  

Our budget is flexible, but we'd go to £25-£30k all in (inc awning etc), and get the best we can for about that.

We will be going to have a look round some dealers, but was really after the gen on what questions to ask, what to look out for, and stuff like that, having not bought a van before.

ProseccoGirl

Supatramp said:

As a caravanner of 47 years experience, the first thing I'd suggest you do is consider the tow car. Is your existing car heavy and powerful enough?

Although only 2 of you, I'd recommend a 4 berth, and a fixed bed is recommended, saves making it up every day. Also think of the situation of one of you wanting a lie down during the day, the flexibility isn't there with a 2 berth.

Buy a damp meter, damp is the main problem with caravans, and dealers aren't to be trusted!

Whether you intend to buy from a dealer or not,  take a wander around local dealerships, see the many differences  between makes and models. And don't concern yourself with what is the best brand, they all have potential for problems.

Thanks.    Yes, we want the space of a 4 birth, with fixed bed.   Actually have seen some that come with 2 singles (with aisle) rather than a double, which looks quite practical.   

Damp meter.    Right, will look at one of those, if that it likely to be an unseen issue.  

LoopySnooker

Are you anywhere near Shrewsbury ? If so pay a visit to Salop Leisure where you can have a look at dozens of caravans.

Obviously there should be similar places in other areas too and it may help you decide on layouts etc.

ProseccoGirl

Brie said:

If you are complete novices why not rent one to try it out??

We can't just hire a van, as we don't have towing capability (and won't need to)

We have limited experience of "using" one, but not buying one.

LoopySnooker

I would add that we are not currently ‘caravaners’ but are in the very early stages of looking for one and by seeing inside the different caravans we quickly ruled out certain layouts which we didn’t think would work for us. For example some had the toilet & bathroom at the far end, through the bedroom, whereas we would prefer this to be in the centre, between kitchen and bedroom which seems more convenient. All personal choice though…….