This being my first post I would first like to say a big hello to all of you out there. Hubby and I are both retirees looking forward to joining the grey nomad lifestyle once we have purchased our first caravan, and also look forward to perhaps catching up with some of you at some time. We are both feeling a bit nervous about this big step but also feeling excited.
Have started some serious searching for "the van" for us and we are seriously all glassy eyed from searching gumtree, ebay and numerous dealers with a view to making the right choice.
We would really like to know how everyone feels in respect of - should one purchase a new van in the cheaper range, or a used van (maybe two or three years old)of a well known brand but costing not much less than the newer ones. many of the used vans aren't much cheaper than the new vans. ...
May I be one of the first to welcome you to the forum, Skoobiedoo
We are all different, so it is really hard to say what another person should do
I can only give my own experience
I purchased a second hand (cheap) caravan, just to see if I would actually like travelling I did my first lap in the old caravan, pulled by an old Ford Falcon, 6 cylinder car
My current vehicle, in my avatar, was purchased because the boss wanted the cat to be able to walk around, while travelling, instead of being in a harness on the back seat of the car
I have recently found out, (through this forum), that some compliance plates, on some caravans are wrong
If I was to buy a caravan today, (new or secondhand), I would ask the seller to produce a weighbridge certificate, just to ensure that ....
My vehicle was able to legally tow the caravan weight
The caravan would not be overweight, when I filled the water tanks, gas bottles, and added food and clothes
I hope that this info is useful to you
Whatever you decide to buy, I wish you many years of happy road trips
