Hello and any advice?

Can't speak on fixed beds either, but we were starting our hunt last Autumn, and going to the NEC show was superbly helpful and money well spent. We didn't buy a thing there other than a cup of tea or two, no matter how much any of the stuff on show appealed, but getting in and out of lots of vans and seeing what layouts we liked, and more often what we didn't, and envisaging spending time in them at the sort of places we want to visit,  really helped us when later using this information to buy a £4K caravan made in 2000. Good luck!

Again, thanks for the responses.

Covering just a few points, yes the caravan will be parked nose in.

As for mobility issues, I have back problems. Won't stop me wheeling a barrel of water, I am working on a small adaptation that will help me with that job.

I will not be using site showers. So, decent shower on board is a must. I am aware that you will only get a few minutes, so am already on top of the wet - lather - wet and rinse process.

I am settled on the fixed bed mainly for not wanting to do anything that aggravates my back. making up a bed from scratch is not heavy work I know, but it is the bending that could be a problem and if I can avoid that, it makes sense.

What surprises me a little is the constant referral to dealers. Whilst i was happy to wander around a couple to get some ideas, I am not planning on buying from one at all. Many private sellers out there. And before anyone says so, I am very aware of the rogue dealers pretending to be private. I will just say that can spot a trader a mile away.

I am not afraid to bide my time, nor to walk away from any purchase unless I am 100% happy.

Narrowing it down to a few models I do agree, but just when I think I have done that, another pops up that fits the bill - a Swift the other day, a Coachman yesterday.

It is like car hunting, but more fun - or is it?. Problem is I know a lot about cars and very little about caravans. I do want a motor mover but am more than capable of adding one on later if needed.

One thing I will ask and I am sure it has been covered somewhere if anyone can point me to a thread. Cassette toilets. I know, but if you don't ask..... I get the emptying/cleaning part. Can anyone tell me about the two colour solutions, how they are used?

're the cassette toilet

Generally the pink goes in the flush tank & the blue goes into the holding tank to break down anything you might put in there. Most,  but not all caravans have a flush tank.

Cue those now that say they get black bits in the flush due to using pink & others that use bio tabs in the holding tank .... 

JimmyS, there's been near endless discussions on the fluids to use. Here's a link to the latest, and a quick view through it should answer your query, or confuse you even more!!

https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-together/discussions/welcome-hobby-talk/tips-for-making-caravanning-touring-cheaper/pink-and-blue/?er=P458538#P458538

A  lot  of the  ref's  to  Dealers  is  purely  to  see  whats  out  there,  how  well  its  worn  after  'x'  years  &  the  variations  on  a  particular  model  over  time.    It's  easier  than  visiting  50  or  60  private  sellers  to  get  infomation.    After  you've  seen  the  state  of  the  goods  &  how  well/badly  they  have  worn,  well  then  you  know  what  to  look  for  when  visiting  'privateers'.

Jimmy, welcome to a lovely hobby and lifestyle! Don't worry too much about a secondhand caravan, they have their big pluses. Main one is you can do all sorts of modifications to suit exactly what you want and need, some large, some small. The help you have had on this thread is a reflection of what it is like on both Club Sites and certificated locations, or CLs as they are known. Lots of folks to help, very friendly.

eBay is a useful place to look to check out the various layouts. It will also give you an idea of what is available in your budget range. Happy hunting, hope you find your ideal van soon.