Heydon newbies

It’s fine to concentrate on what sort of outfit you want, but don’t forget to think about where you want to go, and how you want to move about with this touring outfit. Sticking an outfit on one site for say three weeks is a whole lot different to hopping around for three weeks, even if it’s just a couple of sites. GB touring, or overseas touring primarily?

A good starting point is to agree on a list of must haves (and that might not just be design of outfit, but things like storing it, setting up/packing away, having it serviced) things, aspects you cannot do without. 

Then look at desirables, not essential qualities, but things to make touring life easier, less expensive, no hassle. Can you see any compromises, other ways of solving what you think might be a problem, but with a bit of thought is easily resolved.

Good luck with whatever you choose, but do a lot of research, don’t buy on a whim, and don’t get sucked into dealer speak. There are some absolute sharks, buying issues only resolved by going to court, long, long waits for remedial work to be done, so tread carefully and ask lots of questions before committing large sums of money.

Yep, Trabant and Wartburg did have their faults.

I'll take your word on that

Wartberg weren’t a lot better! With a name like that who could love them?🤣

Thanks everyone for your very helpful replies. Sorry I haven't been back here before now - been too busy choosing a caravan, and all that goes with that!

We did end up with the Adria Adora Tiber 2024. Haven't brought it home yet but have been busy preparing! First got the towbar fitted to Peter's Mercedes S Class. Then he had a short towing course, including theory and on-road towing. He was quite nervous in anticipation, but it all went reassuringly well!

Have also stocked up with quite a load of basics such as melamine crockery, tumblers, cutlery etc. Next on the list are bedlinen, a TV, something to dry towels on etc etc etc!

Dealer is closed until 2nd at which point we'll complete insurance and plan our first trial few nights away. Maybe just up the road to Sandringham. If we can organise cat care! The dogs will come with us!

We're excited, if a little apprehensive. But looking forward, not just to caravanning itself but also to the various opportunities the Club offers. I'm fascinated, for instance, that the club has a choir. How does that work?!

I'm fascinated, for instance, that the club has a choir. How does that work?!

I think you'll find that they tend to sing in unison.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this but you may be able to increase your payload by upgrading the axle limit. Speak to your dealer as I'm not sure what Adria do with regard to that. Our axle limit was increased by 50kgs which gives us a healthy 209 kg payload.

Good luck with your new caravan.

JudyandPeter – It might be an idea to find out where your local weigh bridge is and arrange to get your outfit weighed when it’s fully loaded for a trip away.  Enjoy

Eventually the choice came down to two – the Adria Adora Tiber 2024 and the Swift Challenger Grande 635 SE 2023. They both had much going for them but the deciding factor was the bathroom door arrangement. In the Swift, the bathroom door needed to be kept closed to the lounge. This had the effect of making the lounge area very small. In the Adria, on the other hand, the door could be closed over the washroom area, i.e. the basin and toilet, while the glass shower doors remained visible, thus retaining clear sight from one end of the van to the other, if desired. Of course, both the washroom door and the bedroom door could be closed together or separately as required.

So the van has been selected and paid for and this has inevitably let to many more purchases of essential items! Bed linen is proving problematic for a genuinely kingsize inline island bed. Most sites quote sizes for double beds, with a 4ft 6″ width, as opposed to the Tiber’s 5ft width.

Nearly ready to go now! Husband has had a towbar fitted to his Mercedes S Class and has undertaken a half-day towing course. He was sleepless with anxiety the night before. No idea why. Especially when he’d happily, and successfully, taken on learning how to drive large touring motorbikes. Until, that is, he had an argument with a suicidal pheasant and decided, with a tad of encouragement from moi, to give up biking. He still misses it. Anyhoo, the towing course – half theory, half on-road – went reassuringly well.

Insurance, and all its requirements, is being sorted as I type. We’ve even just this morning decided we need a weight gauge. We are required to fit a tracker so a suitable device has been organised. And I’ve ordered a couple of clothes/wet towel airers to fit over the van’s windows. So much to think about and learn!

Then there’s a cover. And how to fit it. And …….

First let me say Heydon village is lovely, we go there quite often for a wander and afternoon tea.

Enjoy your future caravan trips

Adria Adora Tiber 2024.   A good choice and made in Slovenia not the UK 👍.