Ok guys, after reading 'a few' topics regarding caravans here im starting to think about buying one.

looking around the £6k mark ?

want one with a seperate bedroom for 'mum and dad', shower, nice living area - tv etc and room for my 2 daughters.

any suggestions ?

Also how much do these cost to book on a site in say the south of france for 2 weeks ( decent site that is )

all help appreciated  freelander 2 SE black and beige - now sold

Personally think you would be better getting a caravan with rear sleeping area/seating area for the kids, side bathroom, and if possible a door/curtain to seperate the kids off during the night, you the make your bed up at night with the front seating area

I know a family that went for a fixed double bed, made front beds for kids at 8pm then relished they had nowhere to sit that night, so had to sit in their bed, they never thought about it and found out the problem on their first night away, swapped their new van later in the year as they just couldn't cope

Www.caravanfinder.co.uk

If your kids are anything like most others they don't want to sleep on the van anyway, most prefer to sleep in the annexe tagged on to the awning.

"Also how much do these cost to book on a site in say the south of france for 2 weeks ( decent site that is )"

www.sequoiaparc.com

http://www.camping-loire.com/

www.ardechois-camping.com

www.camping-de-poinsouze.com

depend on big a pitch you want & what services you wish to choose.

That's it if the weather doesn't buck up - south of France next year.

Me, the wife, the dog, and the tortoise. Too far for the mother in law to visit, sunshine, and a chance to teach the French about a proper breakfast. Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

The french do a good breakfast IMHO  ______________________
2011 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8
2012 FL2 SD4 Auto HSE
2013 Kawasaki Versys 650

Dave wrote:

The french do a good breakfast IMHO

Its really difficult to plan as to whether holiday in the UK or the South of France

Click image to enlarge

S7GPT

On a serious note I would suggest you buy a cheapish van first to try it and see how you enjoy it, you may help you decide what sort of van you would like.
In the Med our kids prefer to sleep outside, just under a canopy, we dont take an awning abroad. too hot.
Temp normally 33-44 each and every day often still 28 at night
going with other families is fantastic fun.
We travelled at night for years whilst the kids sleep and once they hit the pools we chill out
Spent a month in the states 2 years ago and all the kids kept on about was going back to their favourite sites in France !
In answer to one of your questions cost wise we normally book 7-10 sites over a 3-4 week period in Europe as we like exploring and moving around, adds to the fun and spend around £900 on site fees' travel insurance ( need top one with FR2) and channel crossing. just plus fuel and spending money . the sites we choose are always expensive ones , always try and go for Dutch owned sites as the standards is just brilliant. always very very clean and good resturants

Last edited by oldgeezer on 1st Jul 2012 2:50 pm. Edited 1 time in total

oldgeezer wrote:

Its really difficult to plan as to whether holiday in the UK or the South of France

Oh now i know

Not much difference that I can see.
Both got a swimming pool and in fact the Uk one has swimming at your door, fair enough there are no water slides in the picture but they could be added

An island bed van may well not come into your budget and with some layouts others have to trudge pass you in your bed to go to the lav, be careful that the layout you choose is right for you and yours.
I would go for a 4/5 or 6 berth, bunks in the rear for the kids if they choose to live in and makeup double at the front for you and wifey. The idea of the 6 berth with some layouts allow 4 for sleeping and the other two berths used as a permanent eating area.

mudslinger wrote:

Dave wrote:

The french do a good breakfast IMHO

Ps DO NOT FORGET YOUR BREATHALYZER KIT, LAW THIS YEAR TO CARRY ONE PLUS AL THE OTHER RUBBISH ..

HAPPY VANNING ..!!

You keen, it has only come law today

Been vanning for many years and agree kids at one end and parents at t'other is the best layout with mid wc/shower. Awning/Annexe can be good if the kids are older

Island bed works well for us now but would not work when kids were younger unless they slept at front and we went to bed early

Starting vanning can be expensive and not for everyone - we hired first trip with kids to see if we all enjoyed it before committing to expense even though we had done it before kids were born

Site Npinks posted is good for seeing layouts and prices  Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

muddywheels wrote:

we hired first trip with kids to see if we all enjoyed it before committing to expense

Thanks all, think we are going to look to hire one first and see if we like them, found a few sites renting them for about £500 for 4 weeks, not sure if this is a good price or not yet.

Cheers OldGeezer for the site links and will look to book the Sequoia one on the way down to the south, any suggestions for a simliar park (near the sea ) in the south

kids bedroom at the rear makes sense now  freelander 2 SE black and beige - now sold

Some dealers hire then if you buy will refund cost of hire - thats what we did with first family van  Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

mudslinger wrote:

Dave wrote:

The french do a good breakfast IMHO

Ps DO NOT FORGET YOUR BREATHALYZER KIT, LAW THIS YEAR TO CARRY ONE PLUS AL THE OTHER RUBBISH ..

HAPPY VANNING ..!!

Don't do vanning, prefer staying in Gites, but all kit is ready for the off at the end of August  ______________________
2011 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8
2012 FL2 SD4 Auto HSE
2013 Kawasaki Versys 650