The start of our adventures

“It’s easy – no packing to worry about as all your stuff is loaded into the caravan and it goes with you!” I said whilst making lists and looking up local caravan dealerships. “Plus it’s much easier than camping in a tent – you can even take the TV.”

May 2016 | 5 minutes read time

This was the start of our caravan journey in 2016. We found a local dealership which had a variety of secondhand caravans in stock and decided to visit – just for a look.

Caravan being towed by bronze colour Ford Galaxy.

Armed with a budget of £5,000 we viewed a few caravans, none of which were an endorsement for luxury living or even clean and basic accommodation. The caravans themselves had been much loved, by families with lots of children and dogs if the array of smells, scuffs and stains was anything to go by.

It’s all in the design

One thing we hadn’t really considered, was the amount of different layouts you can have for a four-berth caravan.

Living rooms usually have two sofas which become a double, or if long enough two singles. This means that you can have lots of fun choosing whether to do a workout setting up the double beds when you’ve had a few drinks, or just collapse onto your respective single beds. Additionally you may have bunk beds, twin beds or a fixed double bed in the same room or separate bedroom.

If you want a larger living area, you have the option of bunk beds which convert from a dinette in the living area. The upper bunk bed is usually only suitable for a small child and the area has a privacy curtain. Privacy curtains are temperamental things which have a habit of becoming detached from the ceiling, especially if you accidentally sit on them.

Fixed double beds may have a corner cut off (which works well if one person sharing the bed is shorter than the other) or a curved end which means both parties can sleep with their feet dangling off it.

Bathrooms vary from large ones with a shower and storage, to a toilet with fold out sink and shower over the whole area, guaranteeing soggy socks for all.

The amount of kitchen work surface varies as does the size of the proverbial kitchen sink – some are barely big enough to wash a cup in.

We decided that we wanted a larger living area with dinette and having a usable shower was essential. Our salesman showed us to a caravan which was twice our budget – not his fault as we hadn’t actually given him a budget to work with. The caravan was a 2010 Elddis Avante 524 and was soon to be come known as Dave.

Sealing the deal

Our salesman proceeded to show us a variety of useful things – taps, sockets, cupboards and the like. He cut his finger open whilst showing us where the hot water tank was, got slightly confused when trying to explain the fridge and then confessed that he was new and had never owned a caravan. “Well I’ll let you have a look around yourselves.” said the salesman, making a speedy exit in search of a plaster.

At that moment Harrison decided to trip over the steps into the caravan – something which was to become a frequent family habit. Once he was safely settled on a sofa with a phone and YouTube to placate him, we were ready to begin our debate. Well I say debate… but my mind was already made up and Spencer knew it.

I loved the caravan – it was immaculate and looked like it had barely been used. It was twice our budget but would last longer and it didn’t smell like other people and their pets. Spencer nodded along and I knew we’d be buying it that day.

I’m hopeless at negotiating, haggling and being prepared to walk away. Once I want something I’m already emotionally invested in it. Salespeople scare me – they can sense my weakness and prey on it like commission-based vampires. Spencer is more prepared to do the whole negotiation thing and so after a bit of awkward conversation, we gained some freebies and this new home on wheels was ours.

Bringing Dave home

“Always sand your ball!” said the dealership owner. Spencer has followed this pearl of wisdom ever since!

The first towing trip was a bit daunting. Neither of us had towed anything bigger than a trailer previously and I wasn’t allowed to drive the tow car, as it was Spencer’s taxi. Fortunately Spencer (also known as Captain Slow for his careful driving) is a confident and patient driver and our journey home passed without incident.

I phoned my parents to give them the good news and was told that I should join The Caravan Club (now The Caravan and Motorhome Club). This as it turns out was an excellent idea. By paying an annual membership fee, we got a discount on site bookings, access to member-only sites and a monthly magazine thrown in. My mum said that the facilities were always spotless and everything was orderly, polite and very civilised indeed. So now we had our membership, we needed to actually book our maiden holiday!