Touring caravan rental?

All you need to do is put “touring caravans for rent” into your search engine. It came up with quite a few when I did this. Some you can tow yourself, others the renter will pitch it on site for you.

Caravan ownership is very much about getting the layout and amenities you want, need, right. You might not learn everything you need from renting one. Another option is to go to a Caravan Show, and have a good look around at plenty of different models, layouts, options. Be sure you know what your budget is, and things like how much your car can tow. Do a good bit of reading before committing to anything, either new or secondhand. Buying can be a minefield for the unwary. 

Thanks for your suggestions Which I have taken on board

Have you thought about the layout you would want?   Unless you can hire that exact layout, I struggle to see how that would help your decision.

What weight can your car  tow?   That will limit your choices.

We are usually just 2, very occasionally 5 (daughter plus 2 little ones), but we enjoy our space and fixed bed, so we have a twin axle , 1900kg, and a VW Touareg to tow it. 

You need to be very careful with weights.    These days,  most  newer vans have a miserable and totally inadequate payload.   If you plan to buy new. look out for vans where the  MTPLM  can be significantly upgraded.

Several,of the larger vans can be upgraded,  but  smaller ones less so.

Something to ask dealers about.

Hi

My wife is more concerned that I will use it once, get fed up with all the technical stuff and never use it again lol.

Like you, we would prefer to have space and do enjoy a bit of luxury so I fear renting something ugly which she won't like.  There are some for rent near me (after a bit of googling) but the vans are really old!

There is a company 7 hours from here renting nice new vans much more akin to what we would finally want so it might be worth the trek! We can tour the beautiful south of England and the weather should be better too!

If we enjoy it, there will be a much better selection of vans to choose from.  Pickings are slim up here in the North.

Is there a best time to buy a van?

What are stock levels like post covid?

Do they depreciate rapidly if we buy a new one?

We have a big 3.0 diesel SUV that will most likely pull anything and I am in my 50s so licence should be fine too.

Thanks

Choosing a van and layout is a very personal matter. What I like, you might hate and vice versa. 

Nothing is 'normal' at present so there is unlikely to be a good time to buy. Stock levels at dealerships are at an all time low and waiting times for new vans are horrendous.

Yes, a new van will normally depreciate quite quickly but these aren’t normal times and it’s anybody's guess what the next few years will bring.

There are many arguments for buying a used but good van including those I’ve outlined above and the fact that it will hopefully have had the inevitable niggles sorted out. A good reason for buying from a dealer close to home is to avoid lengthy journeys if warranty work by the dealer is needed.

Ultimately, it’s down to you and your wife to decide which route and which van suits you best.

Btw, you can alter your user name to one of your choice in My Profile.

Have you visited any dealers?     This is our dealer

 http://www.duncancaravans.co.uk/

we were last there in July 2021 and their yard was very empty, but their website says they are now getting in new stock, so, if you have not already been there, it may be worth giving them a ring to see what they actually have that you can look at.

Layouts do not change all that much from year to year, so you may be able to get an idea of what would suit you and what level of equipment you would like.

The more expensive, and newer,  the van, the more complicated the equipment seems to be as far as I can see!   Ours is a 2008 model, has Alde heating, but is pretty simple to operate.    It looks very similar to this one

https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/caravan-club-classifieds/touring-caravan/sterling/eccles-elite-searcher-2008-caravan/1185128/

It is a widely available layout.

Thanks again for everyone’s help.

I have spoken with Dave at Duncan’s and they only have two used vans left as they are selling like hot cakes.  He is going to keep an eye out for me.

thanks for links and I do like the layout of the Sterling Elite.