Hi all,

so having never owned a caravan in my life, im thinking of trying a bit of caravan ownership for a few weekends away with the kids.

What types of things should I look for, dont even know where to begin.......

i have seen this caravan, which is a bit retro and cheap, would this type of thing be suitable for a few holidays before i purchase something a bit more wife friendly lol.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/caravans/caravan...1144131373

any advice very appreciated. 2010 HSE SD4 in Santorini black
(Privacy glass, leather/heated seats, ICE, Verde AS M+S)

2002 Freelander GS TD4
(sold 2011)

Hi!
Beware the dreaded damp! Get yourself a damp meter to check! Look for signs like bubbling wall boards!
Tyres also need looking at! They should be replaced at 5 years old! They crack because they are stood around for so long!

If you join a caravan forum, Caravan Talk is probably the best, you will get good advice!

Remember there are plenty of very good cheap caravans out thereso do plenty of looking before you buy.
Hope that helps.
Paul 1998 300TDi Auto Disco, never to be forgotten.
2008 Auto TD4 Freelander2, now gone?
2013 Auto SD4 Freelander!
A proud member of Landytown.com
Visit our blog at
http://paullizlifeontheopenroad.blogspot.com/ updated October 2017

thanks mate greatly appreciate the advice.

im more a camping person really but the wife isnt as keen, so im hoping a caravan might be a happy medium  2010 HSE SD4 in Santorini black
(Privacy glass, leather/heated seats, ICE, Verde AS M+S)

2002 Freelander GS TD4
(sold 2011)

My work colleague just bought a caravan for £125, so they are out there, he said it aint half bad for that price.
AND it had got a new tyre on it.

now its all down to budget, but if your wife isn't keen on camping and you are looking at £600 caravan, that are old, with kit that keeps going wrong, i don't think you will win her over.

Not sure what type of tent you have, but have you thought about upgrading the camping equipment making it better quality and more luxury:?:

My brother has a Outwell Concorde M with additional Porch Awning, its inflatable style polycotton tent, has a good sized living area in the porch, a good size area in the tent side which can be zipped down to keep the area closed off on evenings to stop bugs getting in when the kids are sleeping. Sleeping areas are good sized too.

Add a decent inflatable mattress, electric heat, fridge, etc Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

If you have not had a caravan before, by all means look for a sound second hand van as your first purchase. You will lose less in depreciation and if in good condition will be a strong offer for a future part ex if you upgrade. Damp is your enemy. Concentrate on that more than anything else - ie "nice curtains" and nice "colour scheme" are irrelevant if it has had damp. Also springy. spongy floors - avoid!
Look for a retirement sale - someone who is giving up caravanning due to age, ill health etc. You will get a full package with accessories like aquaroll, wastemaster, awning, etc etc. Bargain!

Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

retro caravan - not sure what to look for, advice required


Ask CG he has pleanty to offer ..... Wales
Were the mud is thicker, and the ruts are deeper.
(And we have the water to wash it off, and more on the way..! )
Sd4 and chrome Ar*e piece, Auto box for best fun
09 Xs Gone
12 xs Gone
HSE with Leather seats and 4 years warrenty.. staying for now !

The older vans are not much different to a tin tent with a portaloo in a separate compartment. You could pick up a similar van built after 1990 for a similar price with 3way fridge, shower, hot water and a fully pumped water system, make sure the floor is solid and no damp bits near the roof inside or about the windows at the front, don't worry about dents and bumps.
To impress the OH I think a basic retro won't do it. with a Freely you will have no problems towing or need to worry about maximum weight unless your licence is only a B the maximum plated weight of the caravan must be below 1000KG as a FL2 is 2500Kg, on a B licence your maximum plated weights must not add up to more than 3500Kg my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

FL2 Kerb weight
3,902–4,300 lb (1,770–1,950 kg)

The kerb weight is not material, the GVM is my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

 At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

So I passed my test in 2000 so I dont have B+E category on my licence. Is this going to significant impact a choice on caravan? Is the B+E test something I should take?

Thanks for all the advice. 2010 HSE SD4 in Santorini black
(Privacy glass, leather/heated seats, ICE, Verde AS M+S)

2002 Freelander GS TD4
(sold 2011)

See Dartman's post above. You are limited without the +E

Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

according to parkers the weight of the Freelander is 1850kg??

Production 06 Sep 2010 - 02 Jun 2014
Length 4500 mm
Width 2195 mm
Height 1740 mm
Weight 1850 kg
Fuel Delivery Common rail
Transmission Automatic
Gears 6 Speed 2010 HSE SD4 in Santorini black
(Privacy glass, leather/heated seats, ICE, Verde AS M+S)

2002 Freelander GS TD4
(sold 2011)

It is as mentioned by Dartman, Look in your V5 document and the GVM (Max permissible mass) is 2505kg, irrespective of whether you load to this maximum or not within the car, it is this figure that has to be worked with if you do not have the +E licence.

We with the B+E also have to use this figure when touring France to keep within their 3500kg speed limit figures.

The figure you are quoting is the approx kerbweight of car and usually a bit of diesel plus the driver. The GVM is full tank, driver, 3 or 4 passengers and loads of luggage. This is the max 2505kg figure the car can weigh fully loaded which you must work on by law, and is the calculation used for your caravan weight.

So to summarise, without the +E you are limited to a caravan under 1000kg.

Unfortunately it is a bit of an ass, as you can tow a 2 ton caravan with a Smartcar and come under the 3500kg limit. Very unstable and would probably pull itself to bits, that is where the 85% kerbweight rule (although not a law) comes into play plus the vehicles own towing limit.