Congratulations on your new van Dan, coincidentally we did the same upgrade from a single axle standard width van to a twin axle 8 ft van in August (Coachman Laser Xcel 875) and just can’t believe the extra room you get for a mere 6 inches. Looking forward to hearing more of your experience with the bigger van - we were broken in quite quickly with our first trips in the new van, being diverted twice down the narrowest lanes I’ve ever taken a caravan down and our pitch getting flooded on one site, but love our new van and are looking forward to more trips in it in 2024 😊
Brings back similar memories of when we sold our caravan last year to go towards funding a new Coachman. The buyer travelled a 309 mile round trip with cash which was counted by the other half while I showed him the dealer special Pursuit II 570/6 and the extras . We got the money we paid for it at a dealer 2 years earlier but kept the awning which new with it. Luckily we bought the Lusso 2 at the right time as they've now cheapened and changed at least 4 very noticeable features on the new 2024 model which would have put us off it as well as adding 4k to the price. Unfortunately it was a once in a lifetime purchase which wont happen again but loved it especially on collection day! Enjoy your new van and thanks for posting
I know what you mean about finding the right caravan and being at home in it. We spent 18 visiting our local dealer, it was our Sunday afternoon out! Sad i know. We intended getting one a few years old and spending a bit on it, but always looked at the new ones as well. There was (is?) a young lad working there, and on one visit he said "One day you'll go into a caravan, and you will say "this is the one", and that'll be it. ne day we saw the Bailey Grande Rimini, and that indeed, was it! A lot more than we intended to pay, but the extra width and the lay out made it look so spacious. We've had it for 4 years now, and love it to bits. Good luck with the new van, Dan, and hope it gives you as much enjoyment as the Ridgeway.
We did the same, Dan, with a 2022 Unicorn V Pamplona. It was new but be careful to check in the inside as the dealer took a few items from the van to replace in other vans such as Heki blinds that have failed in other vans, handles taken and lights. So we ended up with odd handles, spot lights that didn't have USB sockets in them, plus the bodywork or to be precise the body panel joints, had taken a battering with all the moving around. So we've had to have new rear pods replaced (about to be fitted), a new front bumper and the shower cubicle joints had popped out of line and again this is due to be replaced along with the pods. All on warranty. Otherwise we love our van, which was an upgrade from a Bailey Pursuit 430/4. Good luck I'm sure you'll pick a perfect new van. Can't wait to see it.
Great video Dan, really well put together. So pleased you were able to stretch to the Evora, yet sad to see the Ridgeway go at the same time. We had a similar experience when we sold our last caravan privately. The new owners fell in love with it straight away and sent us messages from time to time to say where they were in it. It was most heartwarming for us too. Hope the purchase of the new one goes to plan. Look forward to seeing the next video.
Great story and really pleased to hear you’ve sold the caravan and are getting the new one soon. We picked up our dream caravan in June this year I can’t tell you how proud I am of it. Go out and enjoy it and look out for the people watching you when you tow it past them, it’s a great feeling.
Hi Dan, Great everything is going to plan, we have had are Evora 6 month now and love it to bits, yes its had issue's but what doesn't, dealer has fix them no problems. Lay out is perfect for a couple and bathroom is the best in 40 years vanning, had the 4 way movers fitted but only for tight site's or fine touches, Second battery added under seat on left inside to help with motormovers and off gridding if we ever need to ( shame new van has smaller solar panel ) and added rear view camera which is wired to caravan number plate light so i can leave it off or turn on by putting side lights on. Looking forward to seeing what your upgrade plans are for the van 🙂and maybe i will pinch a few. TTFN all the best, Peter
Glad you found a good home for Rupert and I can tell from your speech how excited you are about the new van coming. Look forward to the new content and tour of the van when it arrives. Trust your feeling well health wise now and keep the videos coming. If we don’t see anything before Christmas hope you have a fantastic one. 👍
congratulations on getting your dream. I’ve never fancied a Caravan but when we pulled into the campsite in R2D2, our pennine folding camper Jeannie looked longingly at the caravan pitches but the thought of towing and the unknown I always found an excuse. In Jan, this year I had a health incident that required a long recovery time and lots of bed rest and watching RUclips where I met the Trudgeans and got a little hooked but started to learn all about my pet hate. So when I got better went out and bought Debra our 2022 swift sprite major SB4 and never looked back as we both love our new toy. So, two things loved the video and look forward to watching your progress but more importantly to THANK YOU for your advice and guidance so me and Jeannie can enjoy our new caravaner life which you, unknowingly played a large part in All the best Gordon, Jeannie and Debra
As you already know, I very quickly changed too. Spotted a 640+, “just” within my reach. Put mine up for sale, based on the interest I had in mine took the risk and bought the 640, brought it home, within two days sold the old van. All a bit scarily quick. Carpé diem and all that.
Really enjoyed this video as it so much related to us this year. We although not getting a demo caravan the caravan had only been used 1 night at the dealers campsite when the owners in the morning decided they didn't want it as there was some glue on the floor where the flooring was layed. Because of this instead of waiting six months possibly more of or a ordered one we collected what was really a brand new van in two weeks. We had a bargain as the dealer knocked off the cost of the quad power touch movers. With that in mind we had a Truma compact plus A/C installed replacing the heki in the kitchen area. The feeling you describe of sitting in this new caravan and thinking the buying of this caravan is now possible left me and Jan quite emotional. We did trade in our 2008 Abbey 418 GTS so updating was well over due. We have been out in it twice since delivery September and love everything about it ( Swift Challenger Hi style 650 L ) it is the first time we have had a twin axle and the only concern I have is when using the mover I think the tyres are going to come off the wheels when steering right or left as the two wheels fight each other. There is just one more issue but that is not so much with caravan but the car a 2023 Nissan XTrail epower e4orce not having the module fitted on the towing electrics for the caravans ATC to be operative, although Nissan have said once they have delivery of this module we will be asked to take it to my dealership and have it fitted. Having never had a caravan fitted with ATC I am looking forward to see if it makes any difference to the towing experience. Here's hoping you have many more trips in your new caravan when it arrives
That’s lovely to read and glad it’s not just me that got a bit emotional. The ATC will do nothing to your towing expierence, unless you get a bit of turbulence or a bumpy road causes it to activate. When it does, you’ll be convinced something has happened to the car. I’ve had ours go off about 4 or 5 times, usually on the road towards Cirencester where there is a bump in the road. It can be quite alarming. 😂 Thanks again for your kind words. Take care Dan.
HI Dan The issues you describe are not a result of it being an ex demo,my factory fresh 2024 Unicorn example is exactly the same! but i have to say what you describe as niggles can be serious issues, while travelling for warranty work to be done our kitchen cupboard door latch failed due to being incorrectly fitted at the factory and damaged the worktop, Baileys response , you should empty all cupboards before travel! You should come interview us about our bailey experience, but they would probably disown you after!!!
Good to hear that the sale of your existing van and sourcing of your new van went so well. Really pleased for you that it’s your dream van and is affordable. Happy caravanning. Dave Birmingham 👍
Great video Dan 👍 really enjoyed it and I’d say probably your best one. Someone has got a bargain there an will have plenty more memories in it mate. Looking forward to the new content on the new caravan.
Nicely done, great! Interesting move to upsize when empty nester, mostly the opposite happen. But it made perfect sense for me. In our case we would just hold the current 4 bed solution having no longer the requirement to reassemble table/bed or even just stay inside in case of short trips or bad weather conditions. Congratulation to twin axle caravan, i would expect especially with your tow car this make driving even more a cruising condition. We enjoy it really towing our twin axle with heavy GC Jeep. Explored norway fjords this year. Not uncommon i have to remind my wife to keep our 5,5 tons defensive, not bend the rules to much ;-) And choosing a mover for 4x4 is a good decision, of course it works with 2 but not having AWD is just a compromise. One thing triggered me personally. I would expect your twin axle wide as an truck (2,5m/8,3ft)? Which i found very interesting because on this side of the english channel we think your roads as much narrow makes it impossible to have fun with an caravan this size. Do you expect any limitations for your travels? Best regards Andy
Excellent Vlog as usual Dan. You won't regret the quad movers, trust me. I have never towed a single axle so it would be nice to hear your views when towing a twin axle. Take care... Mossy.
Nice video Dan, we have just sold our 2022 srs5 Vigo privately, lots of interest, advertised it on EBay and FB marketplace. After three Bailey vans we have gone over to Swift and a Challenger 580 SE Grande.
Great video, really pleased it all worked out for you(your hard work paid off). Looking forward to your new content, although I’m sure we’re sticking with our 640 (the grandchildren love it).
Hi Dan, Looking forward to seeing your new Evora in use. No doubt it will feel very luxurious and spacious. It will be interesting to see all the extras you fit on upcoming videos such as the weight upgrade (an extra 145kg !), E&P levelling 😁 etc, etc. All the best to you both 👍, Rob & Gail
Thanks for a great video Dan, really interesting to hear the journey of what could have been a way more complicated process. I totally agree with you that it's so important to k ow that Rupert going to be loved by the new owner as much your you did! Can't wait to see the new van 😀 all the best
Thank you both. Really excited for it and in the planning too. We’ve been binge watching your fab content and based on your reviews we’ve booked a couple of sites that look wonderful (particularly the Japanese street food😉) Take care. Dan & Angela.
Hi Dan glad you have everything sorted and the exchange goes well and im sure theres good times ahead. just had e&p leveling fitted last year on my coachman vip and love it ,is it something your interesting in ?. Thinking of air con next ,but no intension of going abroad so dont know if its worth it with our hit and miss summers lol. All the best Dave
Congrats Dan, would you mind telling me roughly how much you are paying to have the AC unit fitted? - we enquired with Truma at the NEC show last month ( compact unit ) and they said circa 2.5k Steve
Thanks Dan. What a smart caravan that is, I am sure you will have a great time with it. Ours is a Unicorn Valencia 2017 ( first caravan) and we love it, but your new one is gorgeous.
For exactly the reason that you mention. They are minor faults. and take the work top as a typical example, im not paying the best part of £300 for a new work top, when the current one is absolutly fine, but i need to make the new owner aware of the damage. And, at the end of the day, teh new owner was more than happy with these issues I raised.
Congratulations on your new van Dan, coincidentally we did the same upgrade from a single axle standard width van to a twin axle 8 ft van in August (Coachman Laser Xcel 875) and just can’t believe the extra room you get for a mere 6 inches. Looking forward to hearing more of your experience with the bigger van - we were broken in quite quickly with our first trips in the new van, being diverted twice down the narrowest lanes I’ve ever taken a caravan down and our pitch getting flooded on one site, but love our new van and are looking forward to more trips in it in 2024 😊
Brings back similar memories of when we sold our caravan last year to go towards funding a new Coachman. The buyer travelled a 309 mile round trip with cash which was counted by the other half while I showed him the dealer special Pursuit II 570/6 and the extras .
We got the money we paid for it at a dealer 2 years earlier but kept the awning which new with it.
Luckily we bought the Lusso 2 at the right time as they've now cheapened and changed at least 4 very noticeable features on the new 2024 model which would have put us off it as well as adding 4k to the price.
Unfortunately it was a once in a lifetime purchase which wont happen again but loved it especially on collection day!
Enjoy your new van and thanks for posting
I know what you mean about finding the right caravan and being at home in it. We spent 18 visiting our local dealer, it was our Sunday afternoon out! Sad i know. We intended getting one a few years old and spending a bit on it, but always looked at the new ones as well. There was (is?) a young lad working there, and on one visit he said "One day you'll go into a caravan, and you will say "this is the one", and that'll be it. ne day we saw the Bailey Grande Rimini, and that indeed, was it! A lot more than we intended to pay, but the extra width and the lay out made it look so spacious. We've had it for 4 years now, and love it to bits. Good luck with the new van, Dan, and hope it gives you as much enjoyment as the Ridgeway.
We did the same, Dan, with a 2022 Unicorn V Pamplona. It was new but be careful to check in the inside as the dealer took a few items from the van to replace in other vans such as Heki blinds that have failed in other vans, handles taken and lights. So we ended up with odd handles, spot lights that didn't have USB sockets in them, plus the bodywork or to be precise the body panel joints, had taken a battering with all the moving around. So we've had to have new rear pods replaced (about to be fitted), a new front bumper and the shower cubicle joints had popped out of line and again this is due to be replaced along with the pods. All on warranty. Otherwise we love our van, which was an upgrade from a Bailey Pursuit 430/4. Good luck I'm sure you'll pick a perfect new van. Can't wait to see it.
Great video Dan, really well put together. So pleased you were able to stretch to the Evora, yet sad to see the Ridgeway go at the same time. We had a similar experience when we sold our last caravan privately. The new owners fell in love with it straight away and sent us messages from time to time to say where they were in it. It was most heartwarming for us too. Hope the purchase of the new one goes to plan. Look forward to seeing the next video.
Thank you, can’t wait for the new one to arrive.
Great story and really pleased to hear you’ve sold the caravan and are getting the new one soon.
We picked up our dream caravan in June this year I can’t tell you how proud I am of it.
Go out and enjoy it and look out for the people watching you when you tow it past them, it’s a great feeling.
Great to hear your new purchase and hope you have some great times and memories made with it.
Thank you. 🙏
Hi Dan, Great everything is going to plan, we have had are Evora 6 month now and love it to bits, yes its had issue's but what doesn't, dealer has fix them no problems.
Lay out is perfect for a couple and bathroom is the best in 40 years vanning, had the 4 way movers fitted but only for tight site's or fine touches, Second battery added under seat on left inside to help with motormovers and off gridding if we ever need to ( shame new van has smaller solar panel ) and added rear view camera which is wired to caravan number plate light so i can leave it off or turn on by putting side lights on. Looking forward to seeing what your upgrade plans are for the van 🙂and maybe i will pinch a few.
TTFN all the best, Peter
Looking forward to seeing your new van and stories of your times away.
Glad you found a good home for Rupert and I can tell from your speech how excited you are about the new van coming. Look forward to the new content and tour of the van when it arrives. Trust your feeling well health wise now and keep the videos coming. If we don’t see anything before Christmas hope you have a fantastic one. 👍
congratulations on getting your dream.
I’ve never fancied a Caravan but when we pulled into the campsite in R2D2, our pennine folding camper Jeannie looked longingly at the caravan pitches but the thought of towing and the unknown I always found an excuse.
In Jan, this year I had a health incident that required a long recovery time and lots of bed rest and watching RUclips where I met the Trudgeans and got a little hooked but started to learn all about my pet hate.
So when I got better went out and bought Debra our 2022 swift sprite major SB4 and never looked back as we both love our new toy. So, two things loved the video and look forward to watching your progress but more importantly to THANK YOU for your advice and guidance so me and Jeannie can enjoy our new caravaner life which you, unknowingly played a large part in
All the best
Gordon, Jeannie and Debra
Hi guys, thank you for your kind words. And lovely to have a slight insight into what you’re getting up to.
Thanks again, Dan.
Congratulations on selling your van😊
I hope you will be very happy with your new one 😊
Thank you. 🙏
Happy Days. You have a lot to look forward to next year Enjoy
Can’t wait to see the new caravan Dan.
Thank you. 🙏
Top quality video as expected looking forward to your next adventures.
As you already know, I very quickly changed too. Spotted a 640+, “just” within my reach. Put mine up for sale, based on the interest I had in mine took the risk and bought the 640, brought it home, within two days sold the old van. All a bit scarily quick. Carpé diem and all that.
Ah, it’s a lovely van you have matey. Looking forward to seeing your pics whilst away. 👍
Well done mate. Sal sends her love. I hope you enjoy the new van. X
That’s lovely. I hope Sal is recovering well. And you are also doing well. Take care
Dan.
Really enjoyed this video as it so much related to us this year. We although not getting a demo caravan the caravan had only been used 1 night at the dealers campsite when the owners in the morning decided they didn't want it as there was some glue on the floor where the flooring was layed. Because of this instead of waiting six months possibly more of or a ordered one we collected what was really a brand new van in two weeks. We had a bargain as the dealer knocked off the cost of the quad power touch movers. With that in mind we had a Truma compact plus A/C installed replacing the heki in the kitchen area. The feeling you describe of sitting in this new caravan and thinking the buying of this caravan is now possible left me and Jan quite emotional. We did trade in our 2008 Abbey 418 GTS so updating was well over due. We have been out in it twice since delivery September and love everything about it ( Swift Challenger Hi style 650 L ) it is the first time we have had a twin axle and the only concern I have is when using the mover I think the tyres are going to come off the wheels when steering right or left as the two wheels fight each other. There is just one more issue but that is not so much with caravan but the car a 2023 Nissan XTrail epower e4orce not having the module fitted on the towing electrics for the caravans ATC to be operative, although Nissan have said once they have delivery of this module we will be asked to take it to my dealership and have it fitted. Having never had a caravan fitted with ATC I am looking forward to see if it makes any difference to the towing experience. Here's hoping you have many more trips in your new caravan when it arrives
That’s lovely to read and glad it’s not just me that got a bit emotional.
The ATC will do nothing to your towing expierence, unless you get a bit of turbulence or a bumpy road causes it to activate. When it does, you’ll be convinced something has happened to the car. I’ve had ours go off about 4 or 5 times, usually on the road towards Cirencester where there is a bump in the road. It can be quite alarming. 😂
Thanks again for your kind words.
Take care
Dan.
Hi Dan, Great video. Yours are always so easy to watch. Looking forward to seeing the new van.
Thanks 👍 much appreciated sir!
Glad your sale went so smoothly, good luck in your new van.
Thank you!
Congratulations Dan hope you have as much fun with your new one.
I hope so too! - hope you’re well Colin.
Exciting times ahead Dan. So glad your getting the caravan of your dreams. 😁
Thank you 🙏
Really useful as always and interesting too. Exciting times ahead
Thank you. 🙏
Good to see you back mate, it’s been awhile
it really has, but with a van - little to share ;-)
Made up with your good news Dan and hope you both have loads of happy trips away in it. I’m looking forward to seeing your blog on your new van.
HI Dan
The issues you describe are not a result of it being an ex demo,my factory fresh 2024 Unicorn example is exactly the same! but i have to say what you describe as niggles can be serious issues, while travelling for warranty work to be done our kitchen cupboard door latch failed due to being incorrectly fitted at the factory and damaged the worktop, Baileys response , you should empty all cupboards before travel! You should come interview us about our bailey experience, but they would probably disown you after!!!
Congratulations on the new van. Just wondered what you're going to be towing with now you're moving up to a twin axle? Cheers and best wishes Clive
Good to hear that the sale of your existing van and sourcing of your new van went so well. Really pleased for you that it’s your dream van and is affordable. Happy caravanning. Dave Birmingham 👍
Thanks so much! Hope you’re well.
Great video Dan 👍 really enjoyed it and I’d say probably your best one. Someone has got a bargain there an will have plenty more memories in it mate. Looking forward to the new content on the new caravan.
Thank you 🙏
Nicely done, great! Interesting move to upsize when empty nester, mostly the opposite happen. But it made perfect sense for me. In our case we would just hold the current 4 bed solution having no longer the requirement to reassemble table/bed or even just stay inside in case of short trips or bad weather conditions.
Congratulation to twin axle caravan, i would expect especially with your tow car this make driving even more a cruising condition. We enjoy it really towing our twin axle with heavy GC Jeep. Explored norway fjords this year. Not uncommon i have to remind my wife to keep our 5,5 tons defensive, not bend the rules to much ;-) And choosing a mover for 4x4 is a good decision, of course it works with 2 but not having AWD is just a compromise.
One thing triggered me personally. I would expect your twin axle wide as an truck (2,5m/8,3ft)? Which i found very interesting because on this side of the english channel we think your roads as much narrow makes it impossible to have fun with an caravan this size. Do you expect any limitations for your travels?
Best regards
Andy
Good luck with the new van, sure it will be great 👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks 👍
Glad you sold the van easily Dan. Please let us know how you get on with new one .Always fancied a double wheeler myself.
Sure will. It’s going to be interesting to compare it.
Love these videos can’t wait to see your new caravan
Thank you 🙏
Excellent Vlog as usual Dan. You won't regret the quad movers, trust me. I have never towed a single axle so it would be nice to hear your views when towing a twin axle. Take care... Mossy.
Thank you, I’m really looking forward to seeing the difference. 👍
Nice video Dan, we have just sold our 2022 srs5 Vigo privately, lots of interest, advertised it on EBay and FB marketplace.
After three Bailey vans we have gone over to Swift and a Challenger 580 SE Grande.
Lovely van the Challenger 580. Hope you enjoy it, I’m sure you will. 👍
Great video, really pleased it all worked out for you(your hard work paid off). Looking forward to your new content, although I’m sure we’re sticking with our 640 (the grandchildren love it).
Much appreciated! Thank you.
Hi Dan, Looking forward to seeing your new Evora in use. No doubt it will feel very luxurious and spacious. It will be interesting to see all the extras you fit on upcoming videos such as the weight upgrade (an extra 145kg !), E&P levelling 😁 etc, etc. All the best to you both 👍, Rob & Gail
Thank you both, yep, I’m really excited to compare the “same but different” elements. It’s going to be an interesting year.
Thanks for a great video Dan, really interesting to hear the journey of what could have been a way more complicated process. I totally agree with you that it's so important to k ow that Rupert going to be loved by the new owner as much your you did! Can't wait to see the new van 😀 all the best
Thank you both. Really excited for it and in the planning too. We’ve been binge watching your fab content and based on your reviews we’ve booked a couple of sites that look wonderful (particularly the Japanese street food😉)
Take care.
Dan & Angela.
@@TheTrudgians Aw thanks so much!! Yes, Concierge Camping comes highly recommended 👍🏼
Hi Dan glad you have everything sorted and the exchange goes well and im sure theres good times ahead. just had e&p leveling fitted last year on my coachman vip and love it ,is it something your interesting in ?. Thinking of air con next ,but no intension of going abroad so dont know if its worth it with our hit and miss summers lol. All the best Dave
Yes E&P is on the shopping list, but need to save up first. 👍
Alde heating us brilliant..lots of winter breaks
Hi Dan please can you tell me what is the MPTLM of your new caravan and what will you be pulling it with? Thanks
Sure, the up plated MTPLM is 2,000kg. I’ll be towing it with our Touareg. 👍
@@TheTrudgians thank you we have a 2018 volvo xc60 at the moment do you know what is the maximum MPTLM we could pull ?
Sometimes dreams do come true :)
Thank you 🙏
Congrats Dan, would you mind telling me roughly how much you are paying to have the AC unit fitted? - we enquired with Truma at the NEC show last month ( compact unit ) and they said circa 2.5k
Steve
Hi Steve it’s 2.4K fitted, hope that helps.
Thanks Dan. What a smart caravan that is, I am sure you will have a great time with it.
Ours is a Unicorn Valencia 2017 ( first caravan) and we love it, but your new one is gorgeous.
Spoiler alert, Dan is a twin 🤣
Sorry to say it Dan, but your twin is better looking!
😢 damn, there goes my self esteem. 😂
I can’t understand why you are selling with minor faults as you are usually so fussy.
For exactly the reason that you mention. They are minor faults. and take the work top as a typical example, im not paying the best part of £300 for a new work top, when the current one is absolutly fine, but i need to make the new owner aware of the damage. And, at the end of the day, teh new owner was more than happy with these issues I raised.