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DefenderOfTheEarth

Member Since: 09 Nov 2010
Location: Cornwall, UK
Posts: 1304

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Tonga Green

I'll say this VERY quietly...caravans...

I'm pretty non committal when it comes to caravan rage but they can be a PITA.

However we have free use at anytime of a 5+ acre field in Rock (home of some of the most expensive property in the UK!) - secluded, babbling brook running through it, 2 mins from the beach, etc.

We sometimes camp there but having a young family, it's fine weather ONLY.

Anyway the wife's grandparents (who own it and a rather nice house nearby) have said we can stick a van in it as long as it is occasionally moved - so we'd drag it home in Winter and give it a good clean up.

Budget for something like this is £5-10k. Not going to go mad on something that's is just a bit of fun.

A fairly major requirement is a separate rear bedroom - preferably with bunks for the little ones (aged 2.5 years and 5 months) - a big shower room isn't important.

Looks like "Lunar" and "Avondale" make ones that fit the bill more or less. Anything we should look out for? Any makes that are the "Renault/Alfa" of caravans (i.e. fall to bits)? Any essentials? Doesn't need to be mega luxury and we definitely do NOT want a TV in it!

Needs to be 4-6 berth I guess and not double axle - the approach to the bit we stay in it a bit off roady so the van would have to be smallish and easy to move around. Weight not an issue as we have a thing called a Defender to tow it

Anyway, I will now step back and await the rage... Defender 110XS SW gone... now VW California 180 4 Motion.

11th Jul 2011 9:46am

GREENI

Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10383

Can we rent it?

11th Jul 2011 10:05am

T1G UP

Member Since: 08 Dec 2009
Location: Bath
Posts: 3101

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Orkney Grey

what about a static? still have wheels on so can be moved. much bigger and cheaper

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/STATIC-CARAVANS-SALE...4aac7be7cd

11th Jul 2011 1:22pm

DefenderOfTheEarth

Member Since: 09 Nov 2010
Location: Cornwall, UK
Posts: 1304

T1G UP wrote:
what about a static? still have wheels on so can be moved. much bigger and cheaper

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/STATIC-CARAVANS-SALE...4aac7be7cd

It has to be moved in Winter and a static wouldn't get up our driveway.

Going to check one (Avondale Tourer) out tomorrow. Defender 110XS SW gone... now VW California 180 4 Motion.

11th Jul 2011 1:32pm

mrandmrsh

Member Since: 31 May 2010
Location: Huddersfield
Posts: 692

2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Santorini Black

Not that I would ever own a caravan, don't you know, *cough* but 'a friend of mine' looked at a twin axle Lunar. It had a decent sized lounge, separate shower section to the toilet (so the loo and stuff in the loo area doesn't get wet when you shower). As you enter the caravan with the door near the back to the right is a 'back bedroom' bit with bunks down one side and a table with 2 chairs down the other side (that can also convert to bunks).

We, erm I mean my friend, then read quite a bit about (possibly older) twin axle Lunars having problems with the roof leaking - in 2005/6 there may have been problems. Of course for every "Lunar's are crap" there's 10 "oh no they are not" messages but a Sterling Eccles Elite Trekker has the same layout and was a bit newer so that was selected.

Some more pics of ours (oops, what a giveaway) here http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=4262

Just found one for sale (no idea if it is any good or not).

http://www.caravanselecta.co.uk/touring-ca...41796.aspx

12th Jul 2011 8:41am

TJ101

Member Since: 30 May 2007
Location: Taunton Somerset
Posts: 3750

2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red

Forum weekend

Sorry, don't do tin tents

California F1, 75th 110 "Kermit", 50th Ann V8, 90 V8 Hybrid, 55 Series 1

Main Brian James Trailer Dealer for South West UK

12th Jul 2011 9:14am

JSG

Member Since: 12 Jul 2007
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2412

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey

TJ101 wrote:
Forum weekend

John

http://www.hampshire4x4response.co.uk

2011 Tdci 110 CSW XS

12th Jul 2011 9:50am

DefenderOfTheEarth

Member Since: 09 Nov 2010
Location: Cornwall, UK
Posts: 1304

Looks like we've done the usual "have an idea, get overexcited, calm down, think clearly, realise it's daft."

The reasons?

A caravan can't be kept in a field for extended periods without a licence - whoever owns it so it would need regular moving.
We absolutely could NOT get one up our drive (extremely tight turn up a 1 in 3 hill - the 110 has to be shuffled to make it) and then even with parking for six or more cars, turning it around in would be tricky (a 15ft boat is hard enough)
Finding easy access storage would be very difficult, although possible.
Access to the field is fairly tight - doable but awkward if done regularly.

So for now it's probably back to using our perfectly decent but not too luxury Vango Equinox 450 tent!

We'll have a good think though.

MrandMrs - that's pretty ideal actually. Maybe we'll hire a helicopter to drop in into the field?! Defender 110XS SW gone... now VW California 180 4 Motion.

12th Jul 2011 10:43am

Barry

Member Since: 26 Apr 2011
Location: North East
Posts: 137

Re: I'll say this VERY quietly...caravans...

We have a Charisma 590 (6 berth) , but I will not be the one holding you up driving like a idiot who has all week to get there. You can't blame the caravan for the sins of the owner/driver.

On the manufactures forum I am part of (yes the manufacturer actually has a forum and faces questions/criticism about its products and dealer network in public) you would not believe some of the questions that come up about towing limits . some think that the 85% rule is LAW Mmmmmm

Anyway

backend bathroom , huge , separate shower cubical , large wardrobe and lots of cupboard space.

Twin fixed bunks which would allow the dinette to stay as seating all the time if you only have 2 kids.

Loads of storage , including being able to fold the bottom bunk back and store bikes / generators etc..etc.. in there when away from the van , there are d rings on the floor in this area to secure stuff while on the move.

Weight 1640 Kg Max although it can be moved up to 1800Kg if the plate is changed , which would be good if it is going to stand all season otherwise you may end up with a trip to empty and a trip to move.

The van is nearly 8m long though (hitch to back) so may be too large for what you want (notice you mentioned the road in) however I have had this van down farmers tracks , through fords and all sorts so it is not as inhibiting as some may think and the twin axle seams to help regarding grounding the back/front etc...

Would have thought you would be able to pick a 2007 model up within your budget .

Cheers

DefenderOfTheEarth wrote:
I'm pretty non committal when it comes to caravan rage but they can be a PITA.

However we have free use at anytime of a 5+ acre field in Rock (home of some of the most expensive property in the UK!) - secluded, babbling brook running through it, 2 mins from the beach, etc.

We sometimes camp there but having a young family, it's fine weather ONLY.

Anyway the wife's grandparents (who own it and a rather nice house nearby) have said we can stick a van in it as long as it is occasionally moved - so we'd drag it home in Winter and give it a good clean up.

Budget for something like this is £5-10k. Not going to go mad on something that's is just a bit of fun.

A fairly major requirement is a separate rear bedroom - preferably with bunks for the little ones (aged 2.5 years and 5 months) - a big shower room isn't important.

Looks like "Lunar" and "Avondale" make ones that fit the bill more or less. Anything we should look out for? Any makes that are the "Renault/Alfa" of caravans (i.e. fall to bits)? Any essentials? Doesn't need to be mega luxury and we definitely do NOT want a TV in it!

Needs to be 4-6 berth I guess and not double axle - the approach to the bit we stay in it a bit off roady so the van would have to be smallish and easy to move around. Weight not an issue as we have a thing called a Defender to tow it

Anyway, I will now step back and await the rage...

2011 Defender XS 110 Station Wagon - Rejected
2008 Discovery 3 XS Auto (Gone)
1997 Discovery ES Auto 300TDI (Traded in on a flat bed)

12th Jul 2011 10:51am

Zagato
Site Supporter

Member Since: 08 Jan 2011
Location: Billingshurst West Sussex
Posts: 5013

We caravanned for 10 years with a VanRoyce & Avondale with Scotland and Ireland being the most memorable trips.

Caravanning has just gone ballistic over recent years. There are so many people doing it you find that most sites are pre-booked even before the season starts and if you do get in you are all crammed in rows where everyone has a smoking Bar-B-Que, kids ,dogs etc it's like living in a Liverpudlian terrace of old.

In the past you could just tour with your caravan and drop into sites whenever you wanted - not so much these days. We have canceled out Caravan Club membership and have gone back to tenting, nights on the boat and holidays in family and friends properties

Enjoyable caravanning today means going a bit further afield to avoid the crowds on choice sites in Scotland, Wales, Europe etc and also going off peak holidays

Camping to me is getting back to nature not TV's, micro waves etc with all the hook ups and games rooms, cafe's etc. It defeats the object for me, why not get a hotel of stay at home!!

12th Jul 2011 11:33am

Barry

Member Since: 26 Apr 2011
Location: North East
Posts: 137

Little off the original topic but........

We have the Van for Archery tournaments which we travel to at weekends , normally pitched up on the event fields where toilets and showers may not be that nice/useable/available it is nice to know at the end of a long day you have cold drinks , warm shower , clean toilets and a nice bed.

We inevitably use it for some of our vacation time , don't like the whole train / plane thing prefer to move under my own steam when and where I want so it works out really well , and on occasion we can grab a couple of tournaments at weekends then move off to commercial sites for the rest of the week.

However you have got to love camping , when we were between vans we got into it and we still like to find time to go each year , we love Eskdale , site there call Fisherground , great for the kids , Climbing and hill walking very close , swimming pool, AKA river , with mandatory bridge to jump off just around the corner etc..etc.. worth a visit if you are up that way , avoid weekends where possible especially at peak season. Oh and camp fires , who needs BBQ's or cookers I can burn anything on a camp fire !

http://www.fishergroundcampsite.co.uk/

It used to be really quiet guess people posting on forums review sites have made it more popular (Dohhh )

Great memories

Zagato wrote:
We caravanned for 10 years with a VanRoyce & Avondale with Scotland and Ireland being the most memorable trips.

Caravanning has just gone ballistic over recent years. There are so many people doing it you find that most sites are pre-booked even before the season starts and if you do get in you are all crammed in rows where everyone has a smoking Bar-B-Que, kids ,dogs etc it's like living in a Liverpudlian terrace of old.

In the past you could just tour with your caravan and drop into sites whenever you wanted - not so much these days. We have canceled out Caravan Club membership and have gone back to tenting, nights on the boat and holidays in family and friends properties

Enjoyable caravanning today means going a bit further afield to avoid the crowds on choice sites in Scotland, Wales, Europe etc and also going off peak holidays

Camping to me is getting back to nature not TV's, micro waves etc with all the hook ups and games rooms, cafe's etc. It defeats the object for me, why not get a hotel of stay at home!!

2011 Defender XS 110 Station Wagon - Rejected
2008 Discovery 3 XS Auto (Gone)
1997 Discovery ES Auto 300TDI (Traded in on a flat bed)

12th Jul 2011 12:24pm

Zagato
Site Supporter

Member Since: 08 Jan 2011
Location: Billingshurst West Sussex
Posts: 5013

Looks a great site Barry

12th Jul 2011 12:29pm

gazellio

Member Since: 28 Apr 2011
Location: chilterns
Posts: 108

Trailer-Tent?

12th Jul 2011 12:40pm

DefenderOfTheEarth

Member Since: 09 Nov 2010
Location: Cornwall, UK
Posts: 1304

Zagato wrote:
We caravanned for 10 years with a VanRoyce & Avondale with Scotland and Ireland being the most memorable trips.

Caravanning has just gone ballistic over recent years. There are so many people doing it you find that most sites are pre-booked even before the season starts and if you do get in you are all crammed in rows where everyone has a smoking Bar-B-Que, kids ,dogs etc it's like living in a Liverpudlian terrace of old.

In the past you could just tour with your caravan and drop into sites whenever you wanted - not so much these days. We have canceled out Caravan Club membership and have gone back to tenting, nights on the boat and holidays in family and friends properties

Enjoyable caravanning today means going a bit further afield to avoid the crowds on choice sites in Scotland, Wales, Europe etc and also going off peak holidays

Camping to me is getting back to nature not TV's, micro waves etc with all the hook ups and games rooms, cafe's etc. It defeats the object for me, why not get a hotel of stay at home!!

This is a little different though - no plans to go traipsing all over the country with it - just want a "base" in a nice location right next to the sea owned by a relative. If we went a long way from home, we'd probably hotel it too. A handy thing about living in Cornwall is that you can do mini holidays almost any time - we've had two holidays in our own county in the last two years - stayed in nice places and had a great time less than an hour from home! Defender 110XS SW gone... now VW California 180 4 Motion.

12th Jul 2011 12:45pm

bpman

Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Oslo
Posts: 8069

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black

save your money and stay at St Enodoc hotel instead

12th Jul 2011 12:51pm

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