EddardStark Posted August 29, 2017 Share Posted August 29, 2017 Does anyone own one of these? Looking at buying one for semi retirement when I hit 55 in just over two years. We are going to the caravan show at NEC in October to carry out a bit of research. I know they are marketed an the idyllic retirement toy but would appreciate first hand knowledge in terms of the pros and cons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alibi Posted August 29, 2017 Share Posted August 29, 2017 They're a bit of a pain in the arse when your neighbour has one and parks it right in front of your living room window. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grim Jim Posted August 29, 2017 Share Posted August 29, 2017 New? You'd be covered by warranty I expect. 2nd hand, I'd want a habitation report. This will do gas safety checks, etc., but mainly you want to know that it does not leak in rain. They can have dampness problems at certain weak points and that will be expensive to repair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toepoke Posted August 29, 2017 Share Posted August 29, 2017 Presumably they hold their value well? A guy round the corner from me was trying to sell an old banger of one from the 80s for ten grand It's not outside his house anymore so maybe someone took him up on it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grim Jim Posted August 29, 2017 Share Posted August 29, 2017 Aye, I spent a lot more than I intended on a 2nd hand one. They are fragile too (to save weight), so need treated gently as wee fiddly fixes cost ££. Fridge door catches, skylight blinds and so on. Thing to do at the NEC is to pick the layout you want. i.e. beds & seatbelts: how many and where. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddardStark Posted August 30, 2017 Author Share Posted August 30, 2017 Cheers for the comments. We are looking for a relatively small model. Won't be rushing into it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Col Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 Not owned one myself but a few friends have. Neighbour retired and spent a fortune on one. It was brand new.Used it for 2 summers and then got rid. I asked him about it and he said the hassle of having this huge thing parked on his driveway plus the costs and hassle associated with something that spent the majority of it's time parked up. Battery had to go on a trickle charger for example. Friend got one a bit smaller - VW T4 i think. The problem was every time they used it, it generated so much condensation it was always damp and smelly. Have you used one before? I'd try renting on first to see how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toepoke Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, Big Col said: Not owned one myself but a few friends have. Neighbour retired and spent a fortune on one. It was brand new.Used it for 2 summers and then got rid. I asked him about it and he said the hassle of having this huge thing parked on his driveway plus the costs and hassle associated with something that spent the majority of it's time parked up. Battery had to go on a trickle charger for example. Friend got one a bit smaller - VW T4 i think. The problem was every time they used it, it generated so much condensation it was always damp and smelly. Have you used one before? I'd try renting on first to see how you get on. Similar to owning a static caravan then. Unless you've got cash to burn possibly not the best idea. Edited August 30, 2017 by Toepoke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grim Jim Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 It was/is a great idea, but has burned a lot of cash Hope to get some back if I get bored with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Man Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 Hired a big motorhome a couple of times but didn't enjoy driving it around small Scottish roads or trying to park it. Bought a 2014 VW camper van and it's fantastic. Pop up roof so plenty of head room when parked up, beautifully kitted out by Hillside and no condensation although always leave side window open a wee notch and can fit in normal car parking space. No toilet obviously but has shower head in boot and boiling hot water after a drive so perfect to wash after a swim, albeit still in swim suit as it's open air. Longest trip so far was Outer Hebrides last October and it was best way to travel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grim Jim Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 Handy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottincarlisle Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 13 hours ago, EddardStark said: Cheers for the comments. We are looking for a relatively small model. Won't be rushing into it though. Something like a Mazda Bongo / Ford Freda are a good cheap start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShedTA Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Not a lot to lose on this. They generally hold their value pretty well so if you do get one and then decide its not for you then you can get rid without too much of a loss. VW's very good for holding value but quite expensive. for compact campervans - Winghams are one of the best ive seen but again quite dear I think. http://www.wingamm.com/en/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euan2020 Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 these thing seem popular in south africa http://bushwakka.co.za/bhoma-4x4-off-road-caravan/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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