^ what that man said......

Or Tyron bands are also a good way to go, prevent the tyre coming off the rim and help keep the caravan stable. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

Only time I had a problem with my twin axle was arriving at a municipal in the Loire valley a few years back. The D3 with bikes and canoes didn't seem to convince them I wasn't a travelling Gypsy !! Is this where I put the car details and a bit about myself ?........

Have heard that in france. Some sites, mostly municipals, don't allow them. So its always worth checking, all the private sites i phoned when booking for the last few years seemed ok. Settled on Lez Eaux last couple of years and they are fine with t/a vans.

No problems ever in UK! There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

I have a 2008 swift conqueror 630 for sale if you're looking....

Bellini - these two websites are actually the same place and less than 5 minutes from where I live although I notice they've put their prices up a little since I last looked.....

http://www.lockawaystorage.org/vehicle-storage/4583377014

http://www.jwrencaravanstorage.co.uk/cgi-bin/download.cgi

This is 5 minutes the other way

http://www.dhgstorage.co.uk/1.html

Noddy - The Swift is a lovely Van but it'#s likely to be over my buget... Regards
Mark

2009 D4; 1993 Classic 3.9 VSE

What's your budget ?

markdotreed wrote:

...So far I want a fixed bed, 4-6 berth, don't really want to spend more than 10k.....

I'm looking up to £8K but not more than £10K at the moment. My wife's not keen so it's a compromise between getting something that is new enough and ticks all the boxes for her to buy into yet then not be too much that if she hates it becomes a burden.... Regards
Mark

2009 D4; 1993 Classic 3.9 VSE

Mark, this is one of the reasons why I suggested hiring first.

My wife wasn't keen either. So we agreed to hire as a low-key way of finding out. Then we hired again, specifically, something nearer what we'd revised our 'plans' to following hiring the first time.

Then, of course, I found the right one far too early....

But, seriously, for all your sakes, rent one for a weekend. Talk about it as a family - good, bad and indifferent. It really helps and it'll give you so much insight into layout preferences, size, quality, etc. Si. <This is my name.

I eat rat poison.

A man ain't truly been insulted until he stands buck naked in front of a woman and she didn't even notice. Or care.

Where did you hire from? Regards
Mark

2009 D4; 1993 Classic 3.9 VSE

We didn't hire a caravan, although we did plan to. But then the 'right' motorhome appeared in Germany and that was that.

In fairness, we couldn't get excited about a caravan. We did go to a large show at the NEC to look at them, though, but ended up spending more time looking at motorhomes, which proved something to us.

Anyway, we hired from somewhere in Scotland for the first one as we were holidaying there and then, more locally, from Milton Keynes as a place there hires out classic Hymers.

I gather some dealers will let you use their 'vans for a night for free. Some even refund the campsite / deposit cost if you do buy. And I know that can apply to secondhand 'vans, too.

My points are:-

1. YOU want to be 100% sure.
2. Your wife needs reassurance / convincing / peace of mind that it's what she wants and will like.
3. Your kids need to have an input. We got some surprisingly useful feedback from our son.
4. You've lost nothing if you don't like it.
5. You might find you have more budget if your wife likes it.

Failing that, go to a show. There's a biggie up at the NEC in October. Have a peruse and go in all the models to see what you like and don't like. Better than taking a gamble up-front, surely? Si. <This is my name.

I eat rat poison.

A man ain't truly been insulted until he stands buck naked in front of a woman and she didn't even notice. Or care.

There are plenty of places that hire out caravans and motorhomes, just google it and you should find somewhere near enough for you, it so makes sense to do that first as there's some doubt if it's going to suit your family. Doesn't matter if you don't get the ideal layout when you hire although this will make a huge difference if you do decide to get your own, we spent a few years with different vans until we got our perfect layout 3 years ago and whilst we enjoyed our previous caravans, as soon as we got our current one we felt at hone in it immediately.

Once you've tried it and you get backing from the family, go to the show at the NEC in October so you can sample all the many different layouts, but take your time, it's a big decision and it will be an expensive mistake if you get the wrong one. You'll need a long day as it's a huge show, in fact probably best to go for 2 days to ensure you have more time for your research.

It doesn't suit everyone but you need to take your time before committing to see if it's for you. If you do go for one definitely worth joining the 2 big clubs others have mentioned especially as you'll be new to it as you'll get lots of help when you need it.

Good luck and look forward to hearing of your progress.