A new caravan???.... Which one?
We are currently wondering if we should 'upgrade' our caravan, and are considering a double axle....
Our main reason for upgraging is that we want a fixed 'island' fixed bed with access from both sides. Arthritis and 'general oldness' (😀), means that it is becoming increasingly difficult for either of us to get to the 'wall' side of our fixed bed. (We currently have a Bailey Valencia 2016).
Other things we need to condider is the permitted user payload. Generally speaking, double axle caravans have a greater user payload, but, the possible need for a motor mover device on each wheel would eat into the payload.
Also, we do like our Thule windout awning. To add one of these to the roof of the caravan, not only would (again) eat into the payload, but some manufacturers may well consider this as a reason to void possible warranty claims. From past experience and conversations with retailers etc., we know that it doesn't impact on the warranty of Bailey caravans - and we like the alutech construction.
So:
- A Bailey alutech caravan
- An island fixed bed
- To be able to install a Thule windout awning to the roof of the caravan
- The greatest user payoad available after adding a motor mover
- We do like the Alde heating
- Prefer rear end washroom, but wouldn't dismiss central washroom.
At present we are considering an Alicante Evora, Porto, Unicorn Cartagena or Pamplona, Vigo, Cabrera. Haven't yet checked the weights... (towing not a problem... we have a disco)
How easy is it to get around the bottom of the fixed bed in 'night mode'...
Only ever towed a single axle caravan... what do folks think about double axle 'vans?
Any thoughts??
David
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Interestingly I have done a similar exercise, however, we have a much older caravan, 2008 Coachman 505/5 berth, no fixed bed, but the front lounge makes up into a kingsize bed which we leave made up, and we still have a large rear lounge available should we wish to sit in, more than big enough for the 2 of us.
The Coachman is in relatively good condition with no serious damp it has a few dinks on the outside, inside we recently laid new carpets and refurbished the seating, so my overall conclusion was, why spend £20k or so on a new caravan, or even £10-15k for second hand when what we have is in good repair and is ideal for our usage, so i sent it away to be serviced and a make-over, which includes re-spraying front and rear and ironing out the dinks, cost £2.5k should be back next week
I am in my mid seventies and have to say sometimes find it hard when setting up awning etc and with the rising cost of ferries, diesel, pitches etc have considered other alternatives, but decided to splash out £2.5k and keep the Coachman, to spend £10 - £20k on something we may only use for a few more years seemed to be a waste of money, but good luck with your new adventure, all i can say is, that only once did i assist with moving a twin axle without a mover and it nearly took a rugby team to move it, movers do fail.
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Thanks Rufs... one little problem we have.... I've booked to go to the show at the NEC on Saturday.... 🤣🤣🤣 We did go in October and managed to keep our hands in our pockets!!
...not quite mid-70's here, but not far behind. My other thoughts are, should we need to give up touring we could eventually keep the van on a seasonal pitch somewhere.
David
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David - we bought our Knaus for the same reasons as you. Ros, having had a knee replacement some years ago was finding it increasingly difficult to get into the Barcelona bed - one of the reasons being that it was just so high - something to bear in mind when choosing your next van. We went for two singles - which in our case, with the 8' wide van, means that each bed is almost 3' wide.
I recently had a Thule Omnistor fitted - as I think you are aware - and it is actually bonded to the roof with Sikaflex - so no warranty issues. Although it was done this way by our dealer, I note that Rose Awnings in Poole - who are the major distributor of Thule awnings always fit them this way. So - you are not necessarily tied to Bailey.
As far as TA vans are concerned - I was a bit apprehensive when we bought our Barcelona - wondering if I could cope - but it was a doddle and I would now hesitate about going back to a single axle. You do have to get used to towing the extra length but they are much more stable and less susceptible to cross winds and passing vehicles than a single axle - especially if they are 8' wide (although that does require extra care in some circumstances!) Plus, of course, the extra safety of having 4 wheels instead of two. More expensive to maintain, though.
Although delighted with our Knaus because of the build quality and massive payload (365kg), they no longer make a UK spec van as with ours. Not sure about the payload but since continental vans seem to have a larger payload than UK ones - have you thought about Adria? I was surprised / shocked to find that our previous Barcelona (with MM fitted) with just the basics on board (no clothes/ food etc) was 20kg overweight when I took it to the weighbridge.
Just a few thoughts - good luck!
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We are a little like Ruffs, coming the last years or so of our caravanning days with an elderly caravan which is in fairly good nick. I am currently getting some minor cosmetic work sorted and will keep my existing caravan. However, back to David's question. In the Feb magazine there was an article on the Bailey Alicanto Grand Evora which looks a splendid caravan which would seem to fit his requirements until you look at the payload. At only 161Ks a mover and Thule would bring the payload down to approx 100kgs which is not much for such a large caravan but maybe ok for David despite him wanting 'as large a payload as possible'.
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I had a good look at various pull out beds at the Scottish Caravan Show earlier this month. In the out" position there is a huge problem getting past to the other side. So if there is an end washroom everyone strugles in daytime if it is left out, and whoever is on "wrong" side struggles at night.
Closing it up gives problems with sheets and blankets, but if not closed there could be problems if people sit on the unsupported outstretched part while dressing.
It is getting on for half a century since I had a single axle caravan and having a motor mover is a distinct advantage, as long as one does not have the mindset that it should turn in its own length. Should the mover fail then one manoevers with the towing vehicle as we all did in the dark ages!
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"My other thoughts are, should we need to give up touring we could eventually keep the van on a seasonal pitch somewhere."
my seasonal pitch is the hard standing fully svcd pitch i made at the side of the bungalow and we use the caravan a lot as a guest bedroom,
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David, there was a thread a while back started by someone who discovered it was impossible to get around the foot of the pull out bed once it was extended. I think it was a Bailey. Unfortunately, he’d not checked that aspect before purchase.
We’ve had TA and SA vans. The TAs were far harder to manoeuvre so the mover was a must. That’s the only big drawback as far as I recall.
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Our last caravan was a long single axle with a double bed at the back, the washroom and kitchen were opposite each other over the axles. We could separate off the bedroom bit and the shorter front seats also formed a good bed. No problems getting round the bed, we both really liked the van, it was our favourite. I think you need to try all possibilities at the show David as reality makes a difference. The single bed idea is a good alternative with easy access to washrooms.
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David, does it have to be a Bailey? A European van would likely have a higher payload, better build and the fitting of wind out Thule [type] canopy is fairly normal on one.
Colin
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Our twin axle is hard to move around by hand, but that's because it's bl**dy heavy, so I don't 😉 I find it's much easier to reverse though than the single axles we've had before. Towing though is no more difficult than a single axle.
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We have a 2008 TA with upgraded payload, I would say it is essential to get a van where the payload can be upgraded if fitting a mover. We have a 2 wheel mover and find it does what we need as far as getting into our driveway and positioning on pitch. And saves at least 30 kg of payload.
Are there any vans where the island bed is longitudinal rather than transverse? Then a centre split shower and toilet, which can be quite spacious. Personally, I would prefer to avoid the wider vans.
Like Rufs, we will be keeping our present van as I am now over 80, though still reasonably fit. The layout suits us, the shower is very spacious, it has Alde heating and various extras, and the new vans are extremely expensive!
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At the moment the Evora is amongst the 'favourites'. Fortunately a weight 'upgrade' of 145kg is possible on the Evora... that turns the 160kg into 305kg..... one of the reasons we like the sound of it.
The Porto is even better... 160kg with an upgrade of 153kg making 313kg, but I've heard that it's pretty difficult to get around the bed in night mode...
All the single axles are pretty aweful...
The next one in the Bailey range is the Unicirn Cartagena which comes out as 234kg, including the upgrade.
If other makes can guarantee to honour wareanty with a Thule fitted, then I'll be taking a look...
David
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Hi DSB,
We have a Coachman Laser 575 Excel with a transverse island bed and large rear bathroom. The caravan is on a single axle, upgraded MTPLM of 1800kg which gives us an ample payload. This caravan is 8' wide however we have towed in France, Spain, Cornwall, Devon and Cotswolds with only one incident at a choke point on A road having left Modbury CAMC site - we met a heavily loaded HGV on a blind corner......but that was the only slightly hairy moment we've had towing a wider caravan. The advantage of the extra width is masses of internal space and clearance to walk round the double bed when its pulled out.Happy hunting!
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David
I was in a similar quandary to yourself, back in 2015. I would strongly recommend having a look on the Adria stand at the show before putting pen to paper! They have models which suit your needs (some on single axle) Just saying 😀👍
Good luck whichever route you choose
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Looks like this would fit the bill:-
Colin
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Should be OK:-
If the towing vehicle weighs 3500kg or less (Gross Vehicle Weight or GVW)
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar) 7.0m
Width Maximum 2.55mColin
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Yes, that agrees with the screenshot I posted but the Hobby 720 body appears to be nearly 7.9m long 🤷🏻♂️. Have I missed something?
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No, you are correct in that it cannot be towed, unless the Disco is a Commercial Vehicle. I posted what the regs say and not the spec of the van.
Colin
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I know you did and I posted both in the hope that I'd overlooked something which you'd spotted. Seems that one's out of the running for David then 🙁
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Out of context really, but I wonder how many out there taking take any regard of the allowable towing limits? We have seen a fair few that are well in excess of what is legally allowed.
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Like some out there I am anal about towing limits, carrying an updated sheet of weights for anything that goes in or on the van.
It has been mentioned several times before on the forum before about payloads. My view is that is criminal to produce a large 4 berth van with the limes of a 150kg payload and say it is acceptable. Such vehicles are not fit for purpose and are easily overloaded with just the basic of contents. The club obviously are not concerned about this as I recall glowing reviews in what may have been last months mag about such a van.
It really is so reassuring that David has mentioned payload. Wouldn't it be nice if we gave our vans a pre-season check and emptied them during the spring clean to see what is actually in them.
Colin
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While you're at the NEC show have a good look around all the twin axle makes/models. I'm not sure if Swift at there this time but we love our Swift Challenger 835 (they've renamed the model to 635 Grande now). I know you had a preference for Bailey but you may well be surprised at the interior of the 835/635 Grande. The double bed does not have a 'day mode' as it's permanently extended with plenty of room around it. The bathroom is also very spacious. I'm sure they'll be one at the show somewhere amongst the dealers.
Worth a look at the very least - especially dealership specials
Enjoy the show.
Andy.
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We have an Elddis Crusader Mistral which has a pull out bed. We wouldn't go for this design again unless we upgraded to an 8 foot wide caravan. it is impossible to get out at the end, partly because of the duvet, partly because the Alde heating 'radiator' that runs along the floor takes up any spare room for your feet. So one luckless person has to clamber over the other, which also has its issues as the mattress isn't supported as in a french bed so they also run the risk of falling off the corner...
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