ferguson_tom Posted September 5, 2016 Report Share Posted September 5, 2016 (edited) For your price range, look for a hobby caravan. The ine I had was 32ft long with a proper bedroom with double bed, a dinner table, and living room. It was the size of a static, but towable. Hobby is what id be looking at. But illegal behind a discovery as the body is over 7m long, for that big you need a commercial vehicle. I would stay away from Hobby in general, quality vans but they a lot do not have toilets and started life within the travelling community. With caravans the best advice is buy on condition and check for damp. For you price range you should get a tidy van, depending on the size between 2002-2008. Within reason they are all much of a muchness, the guts of them are all pretty much the same it just comes down to the interior and lay out you would like. As you have the disco you can pretty much tow any standard touring caravan so limiting thing will be your storage area. Fixed beds are good but are normally quite small, also they are relatively new so you will be limiting your choices on budget. Other option is look for a 5 berth with seating areas at either end and turn one (normally the rear) into your sleeping area. Only makes i would steer clear of is Avondale and Fleetwood, Avondale had a habit or cracking panels and fleetwood are well known for damp problems....something my dad found out after he bought his!!! Edited September 5, 2016 by ferguson_tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sishyplops Posted September 5, 2016 Report Share Posted September 5, 2016 twin axles are smoother to tow and generally bigger to get more stuff you dont want or need in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted September 5, 2016 Report Share Posted September 5, 2016 For your price range, look for a hobby caravan. The ine I had was 32ft long with a proper bedroom with double bed, a dinner table, and living room. It was the size of a static, but towable. Hobby is what id be looking at. But illegal behind a discovery as the body is over 7m long, for that big you need a commercial vehicle. I would stay away from Hobby in general, quality vans but they a lot do not have toilets and started life within the travelling community. Also you will find quite a few sites won't take a van that size, also the door is on the wrong side which means pitching problems on some sites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
postie Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 Like others have said go look around the caravan dealers,dont get sucked into buying till you see something you really like.if it's your first time towing go for a mid size to start. I prefer pulling a single axle having had both I find they tow better thro bends and there's a lot of bendy roads in wales.a couple of things to look for are spongy soft floors,look in corners of cupboards for dark patches and run your fingers in the corners if you get a black residue like dust it could be dryed damp.try and avoid caravans that have been used for seasonal pitched vans they very often been Sat on wet grass most of the year which is not good for the floors and they have had a lot of use.we currently have a compass rallye 550 2009 van which has a fixed island bed this is our second compass van the spec and build quality is very good .good luck with your choice if you have any questions just p m me if can help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 I'm also looking to get my own 4 berth shed to pull behind my car. Gotta agree that it is a complete minefield, do you pay dealer prices or take a gamble on an Ebay purchase........ Caravaned all over the country with my parents as children and want to repay the favour to my little darlings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
postie Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 Buying private is ok make sure they have a good service history and you get to see the people that own them and were there kept if the people are tiedy you can ask questions,were with a dealer you don't get that there pro cleaned polished and so on, the benefit with dealer is you can get a warranty between 3 to 12 months depending on how much you spend.both times I bought private I had good deals both vans were only used 5-6weeks a year and came with everything needed and awnings some dealers take awnings out of second hand vans thinking you may buy 1 or ask if they have a second had one to sell, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking Posted September 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 cheers for all the answers chaps, plenty to think about, like i said im in no rush so just looking at prices and spec, and soon ill go find a few big dealers and have a good look about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuji Shooter Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 Best time to buy - end of the season so they are all reduced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking Posted September 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 im not bill gates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin lad Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 Best time to buy - end of the season so they are all reduced. i got mine a few years ago this time of year and got 2k off price as it was end of season ex display colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking Posted September 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 ill go when its snowing then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferguson_tom Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 I am gonna be selling mine soon if your interested. 2003 twin axle Abbey Spectrum 520, Looking around £5250. Only selling as new company car cant tow it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRamsay Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 I,m going to be selling mine soon also, swift rapide 3,4 berth....a grand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking Posted September 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 i think it will be 3-4 months before ill be ready to buy, need to finish and sell the land rover first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollieollie Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 Do you like dags? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking Posted September 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 its not for me, it for mi mar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 Stuff paying dealers prices - if it's your first van then buy something that you wont mind damaging - £2k will get you a reasonable 4/5 berth from around Y2K. You can buy a damp meter for pennies and ,if not sure, then most mobile caravan mechanics will give her a check over for about an hours labour. Buying one with a good service history is wise as it shows she has been looked after. Caravans have a 12v battery but don't buy a new one if the old one is knackered unless a mover is fitted and you intend to use it - 99.9% of site offer hook up and you will never use the 12v system. Haynes do a "caravan manual" that is very good and crammed with information that you will find handy - can lend you my copy if it's something you would find useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollieollie Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 On a serious note good thread, i intend on getting one myself in the next couple of years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking Posted September 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 Stuff paying dealers prices - if it's your first van then buy something that you wont mind damaging - £2k will get you a reasonable 4/5 berth from around Y2K. You can buy a damp meter for pennies and ,if not sure, then most mobile caravan mechanics will give her a check over for about an hours labour. Buying one with a good service history is wise as it shows she has been looked after. Caravans have a 12v battery but don't buy a new one if the old one is knackered unless a mover is fitted and you intend to use it - 99.9% of site offer hook up and you will never use the 12v system. Haynes do a "caravan manual" that is very good and crammed with information that you will find handy - can lend you my copy if it's something you would find useful. id never buy one from a dealer, id just use them for a good nose about and see what suits my needs, obviously dont want to spend more than i have to, as long as its rite and clean it will do form my first one, i have to get one now anyway as i mentioned it to er in doors and she was well excited, and one way or another any caravan i bought would be getting a proper before check over before any money changed hands and a very kind offer to lend me your book, thanks. but its probably best i buy my own that way its always there for me. is it any of these you have? thanks.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 yep....the middle one . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking Posted September 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 cheers, ill get one ordered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 (edited) there is another well known missive.... The mental shed pullers monthly.......... good article's in last months Iraq edition...titled...."The effect on modern carravans by IED's".......and "air conditioning, 50cal or 7.92mm" Edited September 9, 2016 by ditchman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking Posted September 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 sound like your no fan of the shed pullers ditchie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 sound like your no fan of the shed pullers ditchie not quite true....many years ago i went to look at some caravans..the one i set my cap at was i think the most beautifully put together/built van i had ever seen it was a "Carlite"....the fitting out inside was cabinate quality...proper wood loverly veneer...trouble was unlike its name it was too heavy for the car...i had a 145dl estate volvo..then but what i needed was a triumph 2.5l 6 cylinder.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking Posted September 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 sounds nice.. i saw one the other day on ebay, it had the seats at the front and the some at the back, that would be ideal for me as id turn the rear seats into a permanent bed with a decent mattress,no idea if that sort of van has a name or not, cant even find it now, or even one like it, and i saw one with a fixed rear bed, the one with the corner cut off, but it had a small full length cupboard either side, id rip them out and have more space for the bed..... im putting some real thought into this now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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