New to the club

[John Dunn]

Hello. My wife Cath and I are soon to become caravan owners for the first time. After looking at what seems hundreds of suitable vans we both seem to have agreed on a 2004 Avondale Argent. Do members think it is a suitable starter van. The dealership where it is has offered us £700 off the £5995 asking price or pay the full price and have 12 months full warranty and a "starter pack" of a gas bottle new battery water bottles wing mirrors and other items which I cannot remember. Question is what is the best deal.
Thanks in anticipation of any advice
John

 

[PhilHo]

Is it the 2 berth model? If it is the price looks about right and you do have the comfort of a dealer warranty.

The most important thing if you like the layout etc is to check that your car is up to pulling the weight. There's a website here that lets you check. http://www.whattowcar.com/

Those checklists you were looking for are here: http://bit.ly/HLIJCx

There's a pictorial absolute beginners guide written and illustrated by Andrew Jenkinson here:
http://www.caravantourer.co.uk/beginners-guide/

Good luck

Phil

 

[John Dunn]

Is it the 2 berth model? If it is the price looks about right and you do have the comfort of a dealer warranty.

The most important thing if you like the layout etc is to check that your car is up to pulling the weight. There's a website here that lets you check. http://www.whattowcar.com/

Those checklists you were looking for are here: http://bit.ly/HLIJCx

There's a pictorial absolute beginners guide written and illustrated by Andrew Jenkinson here:
http://www.caravantourer.co.uk/beginners-guide/

Good luck

Phil

Hi Phil
The van is a 5 berth model and is in range of towing weight
John

 

[PhilHo]

The 5 berth is a few hundred more than the 2 berth so could be an even better deal if it is in good condition. Trouble is it is hard for a beginner to know what good condition looks like.

There's a guide to buying used by Andrew Jenkinson that might help you avoid some of the possible pitfalls: Buying a used touring caravan

Also check out the age of the tyres as they need changing depending on age rather than wear, ie they often have loads of tread left when they are of an age that means you need to change them. Caravan Tyres

At the end of the day you need to decide if you trust the dealer and the warranty that comes with the caravan. If you like it, it looks good and the dealer will put right things you find wrong in the first year it is difficult to see why it isn't a very good starter van.

 

[Mike Burton]

Hey John, how did you get on at the dealers? Did you get the van? Does it live up to your expectations?

 

[John Dunn]

Hey John, how did you get on at the dealers? Did you get the van? Does it live up to your expectations?

Hi Mike yes we bought the van but equipping it at the moment so not been out as yet. Booked a week from 15th April at club site in Kendal. Will let you know how we get on. (might be a van for sale after that week) ha ha
Regards John & Cath

 

[Mike Burton]

Oh well have fun. We are away again over Easter - works outing to see Mrs Brown at Birmingham and staying near Milton Keynes (yeah I know). Are you staying on the site just outside Kendal on the Shap road? Nice little site and only a short walk to Morrisons for the beers!
If you need any security bits for your van, give us a shout or have a look on our web site (www.SecureLeisureStorage.co.uk) if you don't see what you need let us know as we can get most things in.