Taking the plunge
Hi, my wife and i are starting to plan our retirement which is going to include travelling to Europe for 3-6 months on an annual basis. HOWEVER! i do not have a caravan! there will be us and two springer spaniels, we know we want a shower and loo as planing to be of grid some of the time, so my question is with so much choice out there what advise can anybody give me on: Make, Modal, Size, Awnings, single or double axial, what price range is best value, old or new van etc. 
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CG,
get to as many shows as you can to compare sizes, fittings etc. If you can't get to shows then spend the time at 'van retailers instead. When you've got some ideas of whats out there, then start trawling thro' the various Owners sites. There you shouls get Ideas of whats good, whats not so good and, most importantly, what to run away from at Warp Factor 5 !!
One important thing, mentioned regularly on the Advice to Newbies posts is :--
Don't go daft buying all those vital, must have items !!
We've all done it, regretted it, and many of us still have 'em piled up in the loft, spare bedroom and/or the garage waiting for some mug to come along to palm 'em off onto
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Hi, CG. Welcome and good luck with your plans.
There's a lot to be said for buying a used van which has already had the bugs sorted out. There are considerable savings to be made by buying one a couple of years old and it’s not such a big hit to take if/when you want to change it.
There's little to choose between the UK makes and models in terms of build quality and reliability. See David's post re continental vans which might be an idea for you. Layout is very much personal preference and many people learn from experience what suits them best. I would definitely go for a single axle for manoeuvrability and to avoid any chance of attracting stigma abroad.
Ultimately, it's what suits you best.
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does 'off gridding' mean using Aires to stop en route to destinations, or perhaps something a bit more extensive....
the more off grid and impromptu touring you go for, the more I would swing towards a MH....France, Spain, Germany are MHing heaven... with thousands of stopping places, on rivers, in mountains, in towns & cities, pretty villages....infact everywhere...
however, this also applies to 'proper' campsites...so touring in a similar way in a caravan is equally possible, except that town/village Aires are for MH only...
I see you have two dogs....perhaps these are the reason for thinking large twin axle van and an awning....
however, if your periods away mean one or two long stays at just a couple of sites, I might agree....but if you're hopping along, a day or two here, and then move on, exploring as you go, rather than from a base site with a car, I'd plump for a MH...and no awning..
chairs, table, awnings etc aren't allowed on Aires anyway...these are stopping (overnighting) places, not campsites...
like AD, and others, we spend 2x 10-12 week breaks in France/Spain and elsewhere....but arriving at a 'destination' can take a fortnight...
our bumbling along (calling in where we feel we should explore) might involve 7-10 stops of a day or two's duration, often using Aires... this type of touring is most definitely much easier using a MH...
However, when we 'arrive' (we don't often know where this might be) we could stay on a (proper, full fat, pools, etc.....) site.....this 'might' be better served with a caravan and awning.....I'm thinking dogs and spreading out....
we don't have a dog, just the two of us, and we fi d a 6.4m van easily large enough to 'live in' as we spend most of our time outside, often only sleeping in the van itself....
so, plenty to think about....good luck0 -
does 'off gridding' mean using Aires to stop en route to destinations, or perhaps something a bit more extensive....
the more off grid and impromptu touring you go for, the more I would swing towards a MH....France, Spain, Germany are MHing heaven... with thousands of stopping places, on rivers, in mountains, in towns & cities, pretty villages....infact everywhere...
however, this also applies to 'proper' campsites...so touring in a similar way in a caravan is equally possible, except that town/village Aires are for MH only...
I see you have two dogs....perhaps these are the reason for thinking large twin axle van and an awning....
however, if your periods away mean one or two long stays at just a couple of sites, I might agree....but if you're hopping along, a day or two here, and then move on, exploring as you go, rather than from a base site with a car, I'd plump for a MH...and no awning..
chairs, table, awnings etc aren't allowed on Aires anyway...these are stopping (overnighting) places, not campsites...
like AD, and others, we spend 2x 10-12 week breaks in France/Spain and elsewhere....but arriving at a 'destination' can take a fortnight...
our bumbling along (calling in where we feel we should explore) might involve 7-10 stops of a day or two's duration, often using Aires... this type of touring is most definitely much easier using a MH...
However, when we 'arrive' (we don't often know where this might be) we could stay on a (proper, full fat, pools, etc.....) site.....this 'might' be better served with a caravan and awning.....I'm thinking dogs and spreading out....
we don't have a dog, just the two of us, and we fi d a 6.4m van easily large enough to 'live in' as we spend most of our time outside, often only sleeping in the van itself....
so, plenty to think about....good luck
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Firstly what car do you have, as that will dictate the size of caravan you can tow, unless of course you intend buying a new/used car suitable for towing to start with. Both the Caravan Club and the Camping & Caravanning Club have a matching service so I'd suggest looking at one of those first to help you choose your combination. Here's the link to the CC's. https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/advice-and-training/choosing-a-vehicle/match-your-car-and-caravan/
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Agree with nelliethehooker, find out what your vehicle can tow before looking at vans. take the kerb weight/mass in service of the V5C and times it by 0.85 and this will be the recommended weight of caravan to be towed, but you can go to 100% but not recommended. once you know this weight you can look at the vans you like and check on the weight plate for the MTPLM that's close to your towing weight.
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Hi cyclegladiator and welcome to CT.
It looks like you have already received some good advice from members. The Club also has some information on our website that you might find useful:
Wishing you the best of luck finding your perfect 'van and let us know how you get on.
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...but before you do any of that....
youre spending upto 6 months 'touring' and the way you might do this (how quickly you move on, will you tour in a 'linear' fashion rather than the traditional caravan style of 'out and back, out and back') will (should) have a bearing on your mode of transport...
anyone who is going to be doings scores of stopovers will find things 'generally' easier in a MH than with towing a caravan ...
OTOH, if 'touring' is batting down to the med and sitting there for three months (done that too) then a caravan might be the answer.....
have a good think before you jump either way.....
good luck.
just for balance choosing the right Motorhome
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Welcome to club together. From what experience I have had in France off gridding is not an option with a caravan so you might want to look at motorhomes. However caravanning is really easy in France. Going to shows and dealers will give you an idea. Read up all the info you can on dogs abroad it's not complicated but there are things like processionary caterpillars to be aware of. My dogs have enjoyed France but you might want to factor in the heat unless it's winter touring you are planning! Enjoy.
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First questions 1 Do you have a B+E licence? 2 What tow car and what towing limit? 3 What bedding layout ie singles or permanent double? That gives us a slight chance of advising you.
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Go to as many dealers as you can and just see what layout is likely to suit you. Just a personal opinion but as far as we are concerned we have two MUST haves;
1. A fixed double bed. I simply can't do with making up beds every day and using seats and seat backs to sleep on - a proper sprung mattress is bliss.
2. Toilet and shower - do you want to join the queue in toilet blocks every morning whether in rain or shine?
Enjoy your search.
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