The Kennedys, a growing family

A family made up of mum, dad and two kids aged 11 and eight, the Kennedys are essentially looking for a caravan to go away in and enjoy some adventures. Their top priority is a layout where the children can be put to bed but the parents will still have room to relax up front. Given their tight budget and their tow car’s modest kerbweight, this ‘kids’ space’ is likely to be partitioned off by a curtain.

1

2002 Ace Jubilee Globetrotter

This 2002 Ace Jubilee Globetrotter comes in well under budget. It features a spacious front lounge, where grown-ups could while away a pleasant evening, with upholstery that doesn’t look too dated despite being more than 20 years of age.

It also has that all-important separate side dinette, which will transform into a pair of bunks.

One advantage of this layout, as opposed to a rear-lounge option, is that you get a sizeable end washroom with a spacious shower cubicle.

The kitchen is also right by the side dinette, when the kids wake up and demand breakfast!

Price £3995

Berths 4

MTPLM 1410kg

Shipping length 6.81m

Highbridge Caravans

www.highbridgecaravans. co.uk/products/caravans/ Hccqf157582/2002-acejubilee-globetrotter

2

2009 Bailey Pageant Champagne S7

Much more up-to-date than the Ace, and from a manufacturer that is still in existence (which should make tracing spare parts easier), the Champagne is only £1 under the Kennedys’ budget limit – although the price does include a motor mover.

The van has comfortable parallel settees up front, and a side dinette that turns into a pair of bunks that can be curtained off.

A useful cupboard separates the two dinettes, so the interior looks less like a furniture shop, and there’s a huge amount of space in the side kitchen, which includes a microwave. The end washroom is spacious, too.

Price £7999

Berths 4

MTPLM 1410kg

Shipping length 7.00m

Cotswold Edge

cotswoldedge.co.uk/ used/caravans/baileypageant-champagnes7-10508

3

2003 Lunar Solar 525 This is an older caravan from a brand that no longer exists, but it does have a lounge at the rear that can turn into a sleeping area for the children. There are five berths in total here, so they could also bring along a friend.

Despite the ’van’s relatively light weight, this section can also be completely separated off by a sliding wooden partition, something many other brands do away with to save on weight. So you can shut the kids away.

The heavy stripe pattern of the upholstery looks a bit dated, and the shower tray isn’t large and is compromised by the wheel arch, but this is still a comfortable caravan, and it’s in relatively good condition considering its age.

Price £4995

Berths 5

MTPLM 1235kg

Shipping length 6.82m Jones Leisure

jonesleisure.co.uk/ lunar-solar-525-2003