 | Home > Camping, Caravanning and Holidays > Possibly a caravan newbie |
 
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| marsie Member Since: 18 Nov 2011 Location: sheffieldish Posts: 530   
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As well as my 110 I have a 2017 VW transporter camper. The van is Brill and we have had some great times in it but our little lad is getting bigger and we find he is less content to stay in one place when we go on holiday.
We have a drive away awning but it's still about a half hour job to detach from the van and get the van in a state to drive if we want to go anywhere so we have decided to sell the van and get a nice 4 berth caravan now we have the 110. Just wanted to get various opinions on the good bad and ugly of caravans. Have seen a few nice ones near us (swift and coachman) but a mate warned me off Bailey caravans after a bad experience he had Any advice greatly appreciated. Vw is now listed on ebay and a couple of VW forums  Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge 2000 90 TD5,galv chassis, d2 axles ,Bas remap , alisport intercooler , d2 transfer box , side windows-more to come-much more!! *GONE* 2004 110 TD5 Double cab. *GONE* 2010 110 2.4 XS station wagon |
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31st Mar 2023 7:55pm |
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| Moo Member Since: 01 Oct 2021 Location: Bath Posts: 1020 
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We have a vintage 1974 Colchester but it only gets out one a year! However, I've been thinking about buying one of these as a next step 'learner' caravan.
https://www.baileyofbristol.co.uk/touring-...very-d4-4/ I thought at £21.5k it's a good price to decide if its for us or not. I like the idea of the fixed bed and carrying bikes on the front. Interested to hear of Bailey issues though and how you get on. |
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31st Mar 2023 8:43pm |
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| DSC-off Member Since: 16 Oct 2014 Location: North East Posts: 1350  
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Hi, no camping/touring set up is perfect, as I'm sure you're aware and hence why moving on from the VW. It's always a compromise on comfort, size, speed, convenience and cost. I know someone that's had 4 camper vans in 6 years, finding out what works best!
A few things have put me off a trailer or caravan set up: Ferry fares. Often our trips are to the Scottish Islands, a trailer will increase ferry costs by around 50%, a substantial amount. The same would apply for trips to Ireland or mainland Europe. Road speed when towing. Not so much of a problem for a trip close to home, but the prospect of an 8 or 10 hour journey at a maximum of 60mph doesn't appeal, nor does travelling home 4 or 5 hours at the end of a Bank Holiday. Additional fuel costs, parking / convenient stops, storage and remote narrow roads are also considerations. Good luck with finding what you want. As said before, nothing's perfect, hope someone finds the comments useful. |
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31st Mar 2023 9:20pm |
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| Buz1500 Member Since: 07 Jul 2020 Location: Cumbria Posts: 146
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We’ve have an Adria Isonzo caravan, bought new in 2017, and it’s been totally reliable with zero faults. 2019 Range Rover SDV8 Autobiography
2023 Defender 110 P400e X-Dynamic HSE - gone 2020 Defender P300 SE - gone 2019 Jaguar F-Pace SVR - gone 2013 SDV8 Autobiography - gone 2011 L322 TDV8 Vogue SE - gone 2006 L322 3.6 Vogue Se - gone 1999 P38 4.0 se - gone 199? Classic 3.5 - gone |
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1st Apr 2023 8:03am |
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| familymad Member Since: 13 Dec 2011 Location: Bucks Posts: 3461  
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Love the size of that rig on the back of the 90! Ace work 1951 80" S1 2.0 1995 110 300TDI 1995 90 300TDI |
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1st Apr 2023 8:39am |
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| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2287 
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Hello marsie
We went for an Eriba, owned by Hymer, built in Southern Germany, it isn't built like most other Caravans, the concept uses a steel space frame wrapping around the whole body all sitting on a ladder type chassie. The design has 'evolved' over the years but essentially remains the same as the original van built in 1957 (remind you of anything...  )
My Parents went through a few Caravans before moving onto Boats, but there is 'an approach' to building Caravans that has not served the sector well, with too much of the structural integrity relying on the internal cabinets to keep it standing upright. Inevitability everything flexes around joints open up it leaks and damp sets in and you aren't much better off than if you were in a Tent. Ours is a 2006 540GT, 3 Berth, they retain the value exceptionally well, as with due care they just last, with good insulation as standard they are a genuine 3-4 season van, we found a UK Spec version and although the Door is on the wrong side (for the UK) when plugged in it has all you need and when not plugged in everything (except Hot Water) runs off gas (this too could be adapted with the fitting of a boiler). Click image to enlarge Near enough same width and height as the Defender (with the vans roof down) and with a 'bullet' front she tows really well... 'Interestingly' we have seen a few Transporters towing Eribas on our travels (google and you'll see) maybe have both...
Click image to enlarge Good Luck... SKIP https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html |
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1st Apr 2023 10:44am |
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| LR Nuts Member Since: 10 Aug 2022 Location: UK Posts: 823
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I run this little beauty ......
8ft x 4ft when closed up. 3 slide-outs and 1 slide-on, when extended. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge when setup the double bed becomes fixed as do the 2 seats. built is in 2008 and its still in use. |
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1st Apr 2023 3:19pm |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11240 
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We had several caravans over the course of 15 years or so and the last and best one that we had was a Bailey Pegasus. At the time, it was a new form of construction for caravans, having its roots in commercial vehicles, and was much stronger and more rigid than those built more traditionally. If I was in the market again I wouldn't hesitate to choose one.
Click image to enlarge Darren 110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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1st Apr 2023 4:27pm |
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| LR Nuts Member Since: 10 Aug 2022 Location: UK Posts: 823
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Yes I remember the famous ad .... at the tme.
Click image to enlarge |
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1st Apr 2023 5:07pm |
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| 90 Dreamer Member Since: 13 Jul 2019 Location: Oop North Posts: 2050 
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Cheers pic angle makes it look larger but she's still circa 25' long..... LWB T5 for comparison which is our mor regular tow bus Click image to enlarge |
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1st Apr 2023 7:21pm |
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| Bluest Member Since: 23 Apr 2016 Location: Lancashire Posts: 3996 
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I know nowt about caravans, but if you decide you want a fairly large twin axle one, my friend has a minter for sale in East Lancs. Stored indoors for much it’s life. I can share the details if it’s of interest 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
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1st Apr 2023 8:07pm |
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| Tdi4 Member Since: 24 Oct 2014 Location: Houten Posts: 513  
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I think the most important question you need to ask yourself which type of vacation you want and then search for the caravan which suits the vacation:
Do you want an off road vacation and stay of the grid for days, this is your pick:
Or do you want a vacation not to far away, perhaps a retro vacation:
Or a back road vacation? Still on the tarmac but just not flat (or maintained) all the time whilst traveling from camping site to camping site. a defender from 1984 pretending to be a puma with a touch of Range Rover |
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1st Apr 2023 9:06pm |
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| LR Nuts Member Since: 10 Aug 2022 Location: UK Posts: 823
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checkout these
https://bruderx.com/ originally built for the Army ...... now for the public. |
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1st Apr 2023 9:56pm |
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| stew 46 Member Since: 26 Jan 2012 Location: Wadebridge ,cornwall . Posts: 561 
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Last year we bought a tin tent and love it
 , still have the South African camping trailer and all the o tent gear but love the tint tent 👍
Click image to enlarge It’s not camping but at 58 it’s great 🥟🥟🥟👍👍 |
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1st Apr 2023 11:01pm |
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