Caravan for family of 4
Hi,
The question has probably been answered a lot but as models change etc was wondering if answers would be different.
I'm looking at upgrading from a tent and buying a caravan for my family - 2 adults and 2 young children - that can last for years, potentially until the kids are in their late teens.
We've no experience with caravans other than statics but we'd like a tourer. No preference on new or used but don't want to soend more than £20,000.
The car I'd use to tow is a 2016 Skoda Octavia Est (2.0l diesel).
Weve been to a caravan dealer locally but they weren't much help. Whilst there, we really liked the Swift Sprite Major 6 TD due to the layout and bunks.
Whilst I know they review really well, I'm wondering what alternatives are out there? Doesn't need to be as big as the Sprite Major but would like bunks and quite liked the construction of it as I'm led to believe it's better at preventing damp...or maybe I'm just a marketer's dream.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Matt
Comments
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If you’re planning on a used caravan, make sure you check for damp. Although having said that, you’ll see plenty of horror stories on this forum of damp ingress on new vans as well!
best advice is go to several dealers and view a range of vans and layouts. When we first started only 5 years ago, the mistake we made on the first van was not really understanding the implications and practicalities of different layouts. Result - we kept that first van for less than a year.
probably best to stick to a local dealer, so it’s a quick journey for any warranty work.
have you checked the car/caravan matching service on this website, to see what maximum/optimum weights are? Don’t be misled by what is the ‘official’ towing capacity of your vehicle. Others more experienced than I will explain that is what it could tow in ideal conditions, not what is safest.
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I agree with above and spend a lot of time at the dealers,(what area are you)some are more customer friendly others more money fixated,and if you do find what you are looking for,do not accept what is on the window and being a first time buyer get some essential starter extras thrown in like EHU lead and gas cylinder/s
good luck with your looking
If you have anyone who has a c/van maybe they would help?
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Make sure your chosen caravan is a good weight match for your tow car, ie around 85% of the car's kerb weight.
For further weight info see also…
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Every manufacturer will tell you their construction method is better than the others, they are all pretty much of equal merit.
Every manufacturer has some issues, but like everything the bad reviews get more attention.
All the kit, fridge, cooker, water pump, etc are all supplied by the same people for every type of van.
Virtually all the vans are on the same chassis and have the same hitch etc.
Go and look at vans in the dealerships, take your time. you must see every make and you will soon realise what layout you want. Then its down to the practicalities.
You have a very healthy budget and are a cash buyer. you should make offers, do not pay the screen price. For 20k you should get one with a list price of 22k.
Negotiate the van price first, don't be led by offers of kits and extras.
Ask for it to have a battery and gas bottle fitted, these are not included.
Push your luck and ask for a motor mover as well.
You will get a far better deal on a nearly new (1 to 2 years old) as the dealer has more margin to play with than on a new van.
Like choosing a car, you will know the right one when you see it.
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I addition to the advice already given. I would suggest that you consider if the fixed bunks are big enough both in terms of size and weight capacity for your children as they grow.
All makes of caravans can produce complete lemons. For example friends of ours traded in a Swift which was awful, for a Sprite super which they are very happy with. Considering that these are built by the same company and probably by the work force it is a bit of a lottery. Most people are reasonably happy with their purchases. But if I were you I would gen up on the 2015 Consumer rights act and pay at least some of the money it with a credit card. This gives you additional consumer rights, and for some reason the CC companies, don’t accept the we will have to check with maker to see if that’s covered by the warranty BS, from the dealers.
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If you can, I suggest that you rent a van for a week or so because there’s no better way of ordering your priorities than testing them in real life. It’ll confirm or refute your feeling that caravanning is for you too - though I was smitten by living in a temporary home, as a child, as my own children have become in their turn. Good luck with your search.
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Excellent advice, I am sure that you have looked at all the brochures. If you have you will notice that they almost never show a caravan inhabited with humans. We all dream of hot days of endless summer. These are easy you spend all your time outside of the van only crawling inside to sleep But believe me,the real challenge is a wet week at Easter.
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Thank you everyone for your replies, it's really appreciated.
We ended up visiting a local dealer on a fact finding trip more than anything and after a negotiation on price, have walked away with an Elddis Xplore 586. It's what we were looking for in terms of spec but cheaper than the Sprite. Got a good starter pack too and discount on an air awning so very happy.
Just need to get a towbar fitted quick. Any issues here with fixed towbars interfering with reverse sensors? Am thinking a swan neck will be best but am wondering if it's worth paying the extra for a detachable?
Thanks
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