First Time Touring Caravan

[ristac]

We’ve toyed with the idea of getting a touring caravan for the past 2-3 years, what’s put us off in the past is the need to spend £10k plus for a decent one.

We’ve some spare cash now and the urge to get one has increased with Covid putting a dampener on holidays abroad for the time being and us having a dog that we don’t want to put into kennels.

I’ve had my licence for over 30 years, I’ve driven a Jumbo Transit for several years and my question to owners is, did you have any kind of lesson or tutorial before buying your first caravan or did you just jump straight in.

I’ve done lots of research on weight limits, the type of caravan we want and various differences in specs but the fact I’ve never towed one before leaves me with a very slight concern.

I’ve watched YouTube clips of how to reverse one onto a pitch, of course it looks easy as they’ve probably done it many times so are the courses a waste of money? In driving a jumbo van (which has often been near its weight limit) I feel I’ve got good experience of what it’s like driving with a lot of weight behind you and also awareness of the length.

Pointers, thoughts and experiences please?

 

[ristac]

Wish there was a like button so I could show my appreciation for all the replies, cheers guys

 

[ristac]

I had a look around a few dealers last weekend. For £20k you can get a brand new Bailey but the build quality was lacking. You’d then need to throw into the cost the basics like motor mover and awning.

For £12k I could get a 10 year old caravan that was a bit knocked about and very well used. Actually standing in them I realised there was never going to be enough space in the ones that would actually fit on my drive.

A search of nearby storage facilities and they’re not cheap, more importantly every one of them was fully booked.

It is a terrible time to be buying a caravan so for now it’s back on the back burner