Caravan buying inspiration needed!
Hi everyone
We’re looking for inspiration for buying a new caravan!
We’ve had a Lunar Clubman ES now since late 2011, but decided recently that we’d not been using it enough to warrant the ongoing costs of insurance and storage, so reluctantly made the decision to sell. The plan was that, if we sold the van, we’d also change our car (a Ssangyong Rexton) as this is costing us £565 a year to tax, and gets an average of just 25mpg. Once we’d made our minds up that the van was going, we sold it quickly, to a dealer in the south of Lincolnshire, and immediately realised we’d probably been a little hasty L (anyone one here buy it?!)
This was only 3 weeks ago, and we’ve now realised we have to get another one! We’re still planning on changing the car, to something reasonably large (we have three dogs) but much more economical, and although this probably won’t match the Rexton’s amazing 3500kg towing capacity, aim to get a replacement that will tow at least 2000kg comfortably
As for the caravan, we’re realising that there’s a huge combination of possible layouts and are finding it hard to narrow it down, which is the reason for this (sorry, longwinded) post. Our “must have” is a fixed bed, ideally a transverse one with the washroom at the end, although a side bed would be OK for the right van. We did toy with the idea of an end fixed bed with central washroom, but the ones with the loo on one side and the shower on the other don’t appeal, and neither do the side loo/washroom models (we’ve been spoilt for washroom space on the ES!). We’d also like one with a large fridge/freezer, rather than the under-counter one we’ve had before. Are these few and far between?
We’d also like to have the ATC we had before, Alko wheel-lock, and a motor mover (we had one fitted on the old van, and used it about 10 times before selling – no way are we going back to pushing!). Oh, and it would be great if the front dinette wasn’t tiny, but this does seem to be a rarity, although we’d be happy to have a long van/twin axle if this makes this more likely.
We’d really appreciate any ideas that anyone can throw at us! We’re not really in a rush as we need to sort the car first (actually two cars, as we’ll also be selling our Citroen DS3 to help fund the above). Having said that, if the right van came along, we’d find a way to sort it! Luckily, we managed to un-cancel our storage contract before the space was given to someone else, so at least we’ll have somewhere to put it. Oh, and we’re looking to spend maybe £14000-£14500 or less.
This all sounds quite specific reading it back, but we’re just after ideas if anyone would be so kind!
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I think our van fits most of your requirements it is a Hymer 590GL. The front dinette is big enough I am sprawled on it as I type. It has a transverse bed an end bathroom and a large fridge freezer. Downsides it is heavy 2000kg, it is long 8m, the door on the wrong side and it lacIs that all important triple front window. We tow it with a Touareg btw.
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you just need to sit in different caravans to make your mind up. When we bought the one previous to this, we'd (ie she'd) made our mind up on a particular 'van but thought we'd have a last look at another local dealer (Dave Barrons .... which shows how long back it was) which was where we bought a completely different caravan.
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Genuinely the only way is to use some shoe leather. Go and look, you will know when you find the right one. We went to the show a few years ago absolutely convinced and new layout from our favorite brand was the van for us. It took 10 seconds for us to realize that it really wasnt once we got inside.
Even if you do not find the right one it will allow you to make of list of must haves.
If you want a recommendation the the coachman Pastice has been good for us and the 560 or 575 are both the layout you want but not with tall fridge. Dont buy the 560 if you are tall, we did and that is why we now a 575.
More Bailey models seem to have the tall fridge but this is the reason we dont have one. No space for the TV by the door is a no no for us and this is where they put the fridge.
The mid bathroom models looked good but felt a bit claustrophobic for us but friends love that layout.
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Thanks for the responses!
Lornalou – the Lunar was a large front dinette, with kitchen on door side, and small dinette opposite, and a huge washroom/dressing room at the back. TBH, we decided to sell based on lack of use of the van, plus a few issues that needed fixing (nothing major, but enough to make us fed up of “something else to mend”). We’d already decided that our next van would be a fixed bed, even before selling, so this is what we’re on the hunt for.
Boff – We’ve Googled the Hymer and it does look good! Door on “wrong side” isn’t a worry, or the front window thing, but can’t find any for sale.
EmilysDad and Phishing – Yes, I guess you’re right about actually getting to see vans. Just a little worried about whether we can or not with current restrictions? Nice to get some ideas though. Will have a look at Coachman and bear in mind the tall fridge/Bailey thing too! Oh and good point about TV position. Don’t want to have to keep moving a TV from one end to the other, or have two TVs. Did see one somewhere yesterday with a TV on a movable arm, so viewable from front or back
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Boff – No, we didn’t think Hymers were common either! We’re certainly not afraid of having something “non-mainstream”, although we’ve nothing against mainstream either. Will definitely have a gander at Adrias
KeefySher – Old van has been gone a couple of weeks now L Whilst we wish we’d kept it now, we have been contemplating moving to a fixed bed for a while, and although this is an unorthodox way of doing it – “give up” caravanning, sell the van, then do a U-turn and start looking for another – it was probably going to happen ultimately!
JVB66 – Good point about night mode on the bed. We recall when we bought the Clubman back in 2011, and did look at a few fixed bed options, some left very little to no room at the foot of the bed when in sleeping mode. However, there’s wider vans now aren’t there, which might negate this issue?
Jonray57 – The Adria Adora Isonzo looks nice!
Oh, just a general question – I’ve been a forum addict for years now, mainly car forums, and it’s usually clear how to set things up to get notifications of responses. Can’t see it on here. Am I missing something obvious?
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Our previous van was a Sterling Emerald, which had a layout pretty much identical to your Lunar. After 10 years we decided to go for a bigger van with a fixed bed, so we now have a twin axle Sterling Searcher, which would meet most of your requirements.
The front seating is fine for 4 people eating, but not long enough to make 2 single beds. It makes a reasonable double when required, which is rarely as it is mostly just us touring.
It has an excellent kitchen area with the large fridge/freezer opposite, beside the door. The TV is mounted on a swing bracket so can be turned either to the lounge or the bedroom.
The bed is a side one, the shower room is large, with a very large walk-in shower area. We have Alde heating and an on board water tank. We have a mover fitted, and air con for hotter places, so have a good payload upgrade.
Being an older van (2008) we have no ATC, but being a twin axle it is very stable. Newer, similar, models do have ATC.
We have thought of downsizing, but I like the space, the fixed bed, and the stability of the twin axle, and payloads on some smaller vans are miserable.
We also looked at newer models, but none have the large shower, so we are keeping this van as long as possible.
MTPLM is 1900kg, and we tow with a Touareg.
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I agree with those who suggest that you go to a dealership with the large selection of caravans and see what appeals. We have a Coachman VIP 575 which fits many of your requirements although the lounge is perhaps modest in size. We are somewhat wary of Baileys after both we and some friends had bad experiences with Unicorn series 3s (so-called `broken axles' and leaks). I would also suggest that if you passed your driving licence before 1997 and are therefore allowed to drive a heavier combination of car and trailer, that you look for a caravan which has been or can be replated to give a better payload than the pathetic 150ish kg which most seem to leave the factory with.
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Hi kentman
Yes, we're planning on a dealer trip or two, just to get an impression of how the different layouts and sizes feel
Interesting what you say about Baileys. We have a friend who's had a few issues with her Unicorn
No worries about size of vans for me. Passed my test in 1980 (oh my God, how long ago does that seem now) and my HGV Class One in 1983, although I've not driven an artic now since 1992, as switched careers and ended up in the NHS
A good payload would be great. The Clubman had 199kg, which I guess was fairly reasonable?Another thing we've added to our "must have" list is a split entrance door. We'd not really realised that a few vans have a one-piece. We've got dogs so really want to be able to have the top of the door open without worrying about them getting out!
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