Newbie caravanner advice please

[volvorocks]

Originally Posted by xc70jason

Get some of this stuff(from Aldi) in a bucket of warm water,a bit of elbow grease and hey presto,it'll be like new,
Jason

...and a good polish after with MER. Good stuff.

[pagan8c]

i use a product called 'silky' which is great for cleaning the black marks etc of our van'.It also leaves it pretty shiny too.Lasts ages as you don't need a lot.I put it on with a damp cloth doesn't need to much pressure either.

[sunnyvic]

I would sugest a 14/15foot van make sure it fits in your driveway ,even a 12/13 foot lightweight van would be ok to start with ie sprite,abi.eldis,get yourself a caravan magazine and have a good browse through.Remember when you have the van it doesnt end there you then have to outfit it you will need bedding pots pans knives forks spoons ,if its not fitted with a fridge then a good cooler box ,you can always install 12volt lighting in the van and have a small heater fitted---gas--,there are plenty of bargains out there for an awning,oh and dont forget the spare wheel for the van.Instead of useing the wheelbrace for the corner steadie legs you can get abar with a socket the right size welded to a length of bar and take a fully charged battery drill/driver a lot easier to use on a late arrival wet windy all sorts of weather get a good quality 12volt and highest amp you can afford for the van lights fully charged,,not all vans have electric lighting,oh and one last thing make sure you have a GASlighter in the van at all times plus a spare,i can remember when i was younger arriveing on site bitterly cold and no means of lighting the gas for a cuppa..regards sunnyvic VOC Disabled register ps you can always get a toilet tent..res/vic

[banksy66]

A chance conversation with a good friend today will see me going to have a look at a 1990 Swift Challenger over the weekend. I'll keep you posted

[sunnyvic]

Yes let us know how you get on but remember the van/car ratircent.o the van should not be more than 85percent of your car weight and slightly less if possible than the 85pcent..It doesnt matter how much you like the van always remember the safety aspect,you dont want to be towing and find the front of car is pointing upwards and the front of the van is pulling back of car down.good luck in whatever you buy,,i remember when you could buy a brand new Sprite Alpine 4berth caravan for 375pounds that was early 1970..cheers and best wishes sunnyvic VOC Disabled register

[banksy66]

Originally Posted by banksy66

A chance conversation with a good friend today will see me going to have a look at a 1990 Swift Challenger over the weekend. I'll keep you posted

I was second in line for this. As I didn't get a call over the weekend to say potential buyer No1 wasn't interested, I assume the 'van has now been sold

[sunnyvic]

Banksy never asume an item is sold any purchase could well fall through go if you are interested and have a look.regards sunnyvic

[banksy66]

It didn't sell, the one he was buying fell thru so he's keeping the one he's got

[sunnyvic]

So it didnt sell that could be to your advantage it gives you the chance to have a good look around for something else.If its a private seller make sure he doesnt try to sell one in a layby,go to the sellers house and make sure its his to sell.get a damp meter and check thourely inside especially the toilet area if the floor of the van feels spongey then walk away,,it could have been parked in flooded area,, I started with a 12foot Sprite Alpine no problem to tow quite big enough for 3 two adults and 1 child,all extras can come later,as you can begin to like then you can go better when you can afford,you could even hire one first to see if you like..The caravan club do a training course for 1st time caravaners,if when get better cash wise you can have a battery operated mover fitted works on remote control very handy for parking.cheers banksy66.regards sunnyvic VOC Disabled register

[banksy66]

Thanks Vic