Advice on what to buy please

This may not be much help,  but a lot of dealers are trying to clear 2016 stock at big savings, so check out what they all have left for sale and push them on price because they probably need space for 2017 stock. I would think that there is some quite new top of the range vans for sale at what you have to spend, and most will have had the little job's done that come with most UK built caravans. Good luck and enjoy what ever you buy.

Hi guys you don't say how old your kids are but for four bunks I personally recommend the Lunar Quasar 546 which is what we have, two bunks either side at one end with a door so you can close it off and enjoy the parents end with two long singles/one big bed and kitchen & shower/loo in the middle. I personally don't like the triple bunk arrangement where you have three (with one on the floor) one side and a single the other. Like CGB says above, look around now. We bought our 2014 brand new, unsold stock in May 2015, with a whopping discount and good trade in on our old one and still got the full warranty as it had not been sold before, other than to the dealer who purchased a bulk lot.

A good source of info is www.caravanfinder.co.uk as you can search by layout.

Good luck

Alison

I think there are often really good bargains to be had on nearly new or the previous year's models as has been said. You stand to lose so much more on a new van and there's every chance any teething troubles will have been sorted out on a used model.

As for layout and brand, that's really a matter of personal choice.

Depending on kids ages and when you'll be using, do consider whether you need 6 bunks. There are 5 of us but only have a 4-berth as the boys (16yr twins) sleep out in awning. On the odd night we really need to use the van a sleeping mat on the floor does the job! 

To my mind the six berths with a lounge at the front for the adults and  two bunks and another dinette at the back which converts into a bed and bunk is the most workable option. You get a central toilet which can be a bit tight but with six aboard you presumably will use the site facilities more and the kitchen tends to be squeezed in.

Currently these can be bought as an Adria Altea Severn, Bailey Pursuit, Swift Freedom Sprite and Challenger and Lunar Venus.

The level you want the caravan is up to but the Adria and Freedom are basic. The Sprite, Pursuit and Venus a bit more upmarket and the Challenger mid market but that is possibly going to exceed your budget.This layout prevents you having to walk past the sleeping children to go to the toilet and  gives you good seperation at night.

There is not a lot between the Sprite, Venus and Pursuit so you would need to see them and make your mind up. To me the Pursuit is the least workable having no partition between front and back though.

There are other options from the various makers though so you really need to see what you feel suits you best.

Hi 

Thanks for the feedback

think i have narrowed it down to 2

elddis 866

http://www.elddis.co.uk/elddis/avante/avante-866

or the swift 590 

https://www.swiftgroup.co.uk/caravans/swift-challenger

what do we think

If you look at some of the other threads there appears to be a problem with some elddis caravans - personally I would avoid them like the plague but that is because a friend has had a problem and it may just be one model.  I looked at a smaller challenger today and liked it a lot. 

Personally I would go for the Swift from those two, like Pippah, but remember the Sterling is exactly the same caravan but with a different interior if you like that better.

We have had six different caravans all different makes and while it was a few years back our Eldiss was probably the worst built and the only one with any serious problems. Practical Caravan run a readers survey each year and Eldiss are consistently bottom by a clear margin and they have had considerable trouble with cracking panels according to the forums.

I wouldn't buy anything made in this country, without first getting a habitation report done (including new-12 month)

Too many reports of faults, damp and exceptionally poor after sales service. It's a sad reflection on the industry, but one that is true.

whats best then 

6 berth 

any help would be appreciated