First time advice please!
Hi everyone.
My wife and I have been considering buying a caravan for a couple of years now and think we're ready to go for it.
Both of us grew up with parents who owned caravans so we know a little but have never owned one ourselves.
Yesterday we went searching and found a stunning Bailey Pegasus Verona GT65 2013 model that we are seriously considering buying (from a dealer).
Before we part with our cash, we would be extremely grateful for your opinions on this van, what we should buy with it, the "must haves" and the "don't bother with".
The dealer has offered a deal with an awning, battery, wheel and towing security locks, mirrors, water carriers etc.
We're excited to get started and thank you in advance for your advice and help.
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The difficulty in replying is that we haven't seen the caravan and don't know its condition or its price, , we don't know whether there are just the two of you and whether you really need such a big Caravan, we don't know whether you have a car powerful enough to tow it, or whether the all up weight will be beyond your driving licence restrictions.
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Take a caravanning friend with you when next you view the van - Check very carefully for dampness and soft walls and floors especially inside floor lockers. Have the dealer demonstrate the hot water supply and all the utilities. Check the van has a spare wheel and the Jack and wheel brace is in the van. - Check for exterior signs of damage also check the mastic is complete between the awning rail and caravan body
Do not buy the van unless you are totally happy with it and don't accept any promisis from the dealer that any defects will be fixed later.
I hope everything goes OK and you end up with a great van. --
Remember there are more vans for sale than there are customers, so if you are unhappy about anything, even the price being asked- Just walk away.
Cheers.....................K
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Yorkshire Caravans in Bawtry offer 6 month warranty on their "used" vans so problems should be sorted - I am assuming the one you saw is used - sorry if I got the wrong end of the stick.
I would kit it out slowly since you have been given the essentials (as long as a spare wheel is in the package). Go with stuff from home to start with. A lot of us use Duvets not sleeping bags so thats easy.
You do need something for filling the Aquaroll - a length of bog standard kitchen type waste pipe is good. And you need something to get the water into the wastemaster - personally I like standard plumbing fittings for that too
Other retailers available and I made my own as do many others.
Have a great time - this subject was covered at length in the old forum but no idea where the thread has gone!
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Good general advice above, caravans are very personal things so what is right for me might be totally wrong for you or someone else. Assuming the van is mechanically sound and without damp etc, layout is the key thing, so spend some time in the van, sitting on the seating with and without any table, stand in the 'kitchen' and imagine prepping/serving a meal and also imagine using the bathroom, including having a shower if you intend to do so in the van. If you have kids who will away with you, go with them in tow and see how much space there is.
AsKennine says, get the dealer to demo how to use all the various bits and bobs on the van. i would also take Pippah's advice and resist the temptation to buy lots of 'stuff' to go in the van, take the bare minimum and buy things when you realise that 'we need ...'
One thing you haven't mentioned is a gas bottle, which you will need, obviously. If I was starting out and had to buy one 'new' I'd go for a refillable or buy a calor second hand, you can swap gas type and size when you refill, so any bottle will do.
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As has been said start with the basics from home. I guess you’ve checked out the drop down menu’s at the top of this page for advice of matching car & caravan, MTPLM etc. Bear in mind offering things such as you mention is common practice by dealers. Perhaps get him to add an electric hook up cable If as you say it’s a 2013 hopefully it should have paperwork. Ask about warranty/damp check paperwork & the caravan’s service history. Also take a look at the age of the tyres & spare wheel. Good luck.
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