We Bought a NEW CARAVAN!! | Caravan Vlogs from Mac & Sarah 

This is probably THE MOST IMPORTANT VLOG when buying a caravan on youtube ..working out whats best for you and how to make a caravan work for you without wasting your hard earned cash.If anyone asks me about buying a caravan just gonna tell them to watch this ...and subscribe ...WELL DONE!!!!

We bought a cheap Elddis Avante 2004 and apart from a few things that needed doing, it is serving us well. Spending umpteen amounts on a caravan seems a little silly to me, considering there are hundreds of thousands of cheap second-hand ones. Originally we were going to go for a campervan but on realising that the area you get with a caravan, and for far less spondoolies, wasn't a difficult choice. It is big enough for our needs and I recently fitted a motor mover on it which helps things a bit when having to micro - move it around. Having service pitches too is a huge bonus as you have everything from running water to electricity, a real home from home. The new caravans are nice but they certainly come at a cost that's for sure.

I'm typing this before I see the end. And what you've chosen Around 8yrs ago. We wanted a bigger caravan with a fixed bed. My 2 priorities. Where island bed & end bathroom as they are all in 1 full width of van But I ended up buying because of price Twin axle island bed with centre bathroom. I was so glad I did. It's by far best arrangement I always got up way before my wife. Can't sleep more than 6 hrs If been end bathroom. Would have to continually go into bedroom to get to bathroom. Centre washroom far more practical. 2 doors between lounge & bedroom. So could make drinks etc without waking wife. French bed was a certain no no. Climbing over wife or wife climbing over me for loo. 3 yrs ago my wife sadly died. So bought a Campervan (I'm 79) And thoroughly enjoying it. I

Aww, I'm so happy for you guys. I simply can't wait for you to show us around your new "home!" 💖😊💖😊💖

My wife and myself are in the same position as you, bought a small van to see if we liked it and now looking for a 4 birth, fixed bed for exactly the same reasons. Great video and we may take a trip to Sussex caravans to see what’s on offer.

Hi Mac&Sarah. Just stumbled across your fantastic videos over last few days and we are hooked by you both ,more or less binged watched loads of van vids and love the enthusiasm from both ,we are sited with our twin axle but love these . Thanks both for the laughter 😃. Ryan&Ave

Congratulations hope you love your new caravan.❤

congrats enjoy your adventures in your new van.

Congratulations 🥳🥂🍾 Looking forward to seeing your new ‘van!

We looked at a lot of caravans like you have done deciding what works for us. We have been caravaning forover 20 years and the caravan we have know is a 2021 Coachman Laser 675 twin axle with a fixed bed. This we bought new in 2021 the van is our perfect van. Will not be changing it again aldi central heating and a host of other things with a wheal mover fitted. We tow it witha Toyota Landcruiser. Good luck with the new caravan.😀👍

Congratulations mac and Sarah on your new caravan I enjoyed this video looking forward to seeing the next video in your new caravan glad you could have your caravan early

As a couple thinking about buying our first caravan to spend more time travelling with our dog, your channel couldn’t be more perfect for us. Your practical, fun and realistic advice is always so clearly and authentically delivered. Looking forward to seeing you happy in your new van!

Great video👍congratulations on your new van x

I too went through exactly the same as you. I bought a sprite alpine 4 6yrs ago. Best thing I ever did. So versatile. I love it. Now I’m on my own it is easy to drive and set up alone. I have 2 dogs and grandchildren. We love it. Hope you enjoy yours as much as we do. Xx

Ah wow! Congratulations! Exciting times ahead! We bought a new van for exactly the same reason! So our dog could come away with us.. we found staying in hotel that took dogs that you were given the dregs of rooms that no one else wanted.. having your own caravan is perfect solution! Well done! Xx

Good luck with the new caravan. was hoping you were going to go down the dealer special route with the ones you were looking at😀👍. We started off with a 2 berth, then to fixed french bed and now to a island bed with end wash room.

im so happy for you both buying your new caravan well done look forward see your new videos of it bet your doggy love it so much thanks for sharing it guys xx

Good evening to you both, You have made a cracking purchase in that caravan 😊. We have moved from a 2 berth recently to a local dealer special Alpine 4. What a game changer the fixed bed is and the smaller wet room is no issue it works just great. The only thing we have had done is to have the blown air duct run into the wetroom, this is easily done from the outlet in the bedroom under the bed hope this little tip may help. Maybe something your dealer can do before collection. If you need to ask anything pls feel free All the best with the new van. P and J 👍 😊

Absolutely brilliant, well done you two. We love your channel ❤️

We bought a Elddis Penshurst Special Edition (the first one you viewed) from Sussex Caravans. Your new one looks lush. Never know, we may bump into each other on a site somewhere on the South Coast. We love Concierge…

Congratulations guys on your new caravan! And thank you for sharing your journey! My parents had the same layout in an older caravan, and really loved it. We had a Swift Challenger 540 up until last year, which is pretty much the same but the bed is on the opposite side. We’d come from another Swift with bunks at the back, which worked well for us when our girls used to come along. We upgraded to the 540 as we’d also got fed up with making up and putting down the bed. We did find though, that we also lost quite a bit of ‘lounge’ room due to the fixed bed, and the fixed bed was nowhere near the size of the bed in our previous ‘van, but it was definitely worth the upgrade. After a several years of great holidays in the 540 though, we’d found we’d had enough of the French bed. I always slept near the window, as my partner is much shorter and the cut-out didn’t affect her, but being a bloke, I was also the one getting up in the night for toilets as well 😂 Also, as we use the shower quite often, found it a bit of a faff having to dry it all out after we’d used it in order to be able to use the toilet again without getting wet feet. So last year we bit the bullet and replaced it with a Bailey Unicorn Vigo, with transverse bed, and bathroom across the back with separate shower cubicle, and also a tall fridge. We were a bit unsure going with Bailey after Swifts, but we’re over the moon with it. It’s so exciting choosing and looking at new vans, we always love the experience, and like you guys spend weeks on all the websites and sending each other listings 😂 We hope you love your new caravan, and look forward to following your adventures! Keep up the great work, Simon & Sally 😊

Congratulations, exciting times ahead 😊, looking forward to the new next video from the new caravan. Take care 😁

Hay Great news loved following this vlog supper happy for you looking forward to seeing your next one Good luck Katie & Gary 🎉🎉

Congratulations, a beautiful caravan, we look forward to seeing it in your next adventure. There’s always a compromise with our homes on wheels but I’m sure you will have many a happy holiday in her/him 😊

Really happy for you guys, cant wait to see your new adventures!

Congratulations mac and Sarah. Great to hear you bought a Swift. We have an Alpine 4 and absolutely love it.😀

Congratulations guys! That's such a cool choice - having a side bathroom instead of the end bathroom means you get so much caravan without it being too long! Can't wait for content in it!

Thanks for sharing your process and congratulations on your new caravan!! We went through something similar, but because the search narrowed down to several different brands, we took that list to the NEC last October and have been doing all the background bits whilst waiting for delivery e.g. new car to allow the tow, although that was allowed for in the search and it is a relatively light model Elddis Affinity 574. Looking forward to your travels in the new caravan!

Congratulations Mac and Sarah 🎉🎉 Beautifull new caravan and à very well explain vidéo about buying à New caravan. Fixed bed are the Best once you have tried it you never look back. Did you managed to get the front chest draw built in ? Thank you for this very good vidéo 🥳 Big kisses to you both from France 🇨🇵😉

Funnily enough, we bought our first 'NEW' caravan based on the same specs, back in 2019. and of course January was our collection date. also of note is that we bought a dealer special 'Exclusive' based on the same model as you have chosen. We love ours and have had several great holidays in it already. it tows brilliantly and is light enough to be man-handled on site, however a Motor-mover, makes things a lot easier and simpler, as I'm now an old pensioner. (sly chuckling to myself). Be prepared for a couple of teething troubles, as with most new things, but on the whole, it's worked out really well for us as we are both retired and I am still able to tinker and sort minor issues out for my self. Am sure you will have many great times in your new 'van and look forward to seeing you enjoy it on the channel..

Great video. Our Bailey Phoenix Vogue is a dealer special, great value and we'll worth buying. I hope you get on with the French bed, we never did on a previous Lunar. In my opinion French beds are the worst things to come out of France apart from French people. 😂😂

Great vlog so pleased for you both. It’s so exciting picking a new caravan. Good luck and happy holidays xxx

Woo amazing.looking forward to seeing your caravan.Good luck😍

Good morning, I have had two Swifts and they are great vans and I make you right making the bed up every night does get a bit tiresome and your right fix bed is the way to go. We went over to fix bed some years ago and it makes the whole experience so much better. You will love it. Enjoy and I get it. We have an elderly dog. He is now 10 and it’s all about the love of the the dog gary and karen

Great video - and congratulations on the new caravan… can't wait to see it! 😀

congrats guys, great video. happy adventures ahead !

Absolutely brilliant so happy for you both cant wait to see next video 😀

Congratulations on your new Swift caravan Mac and Sarah. We are hoping to get our new Swift Campervan this year and will be going to all the places you have visited. Looking forward to seeing your new adventures with Dozer. You two are truly amazing in what you do and how you present. Fab couple. Ken and Lee

Congratulations! How exciting and what a perfect way to begin the new year! I'm looking forward to seeing the first adventure in your new caravan. 🎉🎉🎉

Congratulations guys .. enjoy it to the max

Wow how exciting just in time for Easter good luck guys

Congratulations on getting a new caravan. We love watching your posts and look forward to seeing more of your adventures. I am sure it is well deserved. Enjoy.

Brilliant guys looks amazing 🤩

Loving your content guys. As newbies ourselves (we bought a Coachman Amara 4 berth in Nov 2023) we haven't been away yet but have our 1st trip booked for March. We also have our Labrador Luna who is 4 who goes everywhere with us so your content is relevant to us. Keep up the good work.

Such an exciting time 🎉 look forward to the big reveal 😊

Just had your channel recommended to me, can't believe I'm not subbed (I have watched your vlogs before) Anyway, corrected that wrong. I do love getting a new caravan 😀

Yet another AMAZING video you two 🎉😅 So glad you’ve got your new dream van! Hope you’re enjoying it . Justine xxxxxxx

Can’t wait to see the next video guys

Its so interesting to follow caravanning in England, your vans are so light and compact. We have had a European van which we have loved and are now about to downsize from 17ft to a 16ft thats semi off road and slightly heavier. Caravanning is just the best holiday wherever you are in the world and of course we love to take our dog with us too, can't wait to see your trips, Dozer included

congratulations on your new purchase, looking forward to seeing your first trip 😊

Can’t wait to see you guys in your new caravan, my wife and I are going to be getting a caravan towards the end of this year/ beginning of next year and stumbled across your channel a few weeks ago and are now hooked and can’t stop watching your videos, keep up the good work and look forward to many more of your videos

Your videos are just fantastic. They get better and better. We are a couple with a dog and your videos give us great ideas. Keep them coming guys, looking forward to seeing the new van

I pick up our new to us caravan tomorrow. Very excited. Have enjoyed watching your videos as part of the process.

Congratulations on your new van. Loved watching your purchasing journey.

Congratulations on your purchase. Lot’s of fun trips ahead with it.

Congratulations to you both on buying a Swift Caravan, cant wait to see your next Blog 😃😍💖

Congratulations both, it looks a lovely caravan, I am looking forward to your new cocktails to go with the new caravan. 🍹🍹

Mac and Sarah great choice of caravan I'm looking forward to seeing your first trip. Thanks for sharing. (Geoff)

Nothing like a new caravan, congratulations to all 3 of you, exciting times ahead, we changed to a fixed bed , it’s a game changer 😅👍🏼

Aww congratulations on your new caravan 🎉 can't wait for you to show us around 😊 it looks a lovely caravan, I want one 😃

You both look so happy! The graphics on your new caravan are the nicest I’ve seen. It’s lovely! Love the vanity area. The little shelf in the kitchen is fab and you can plug your kettle in through the little hole, shelf handy for tea & coffee. We bought a new swift sprite in 2019 ( transverse island bed ) and remember the excitement. Bet you can’t wait to get it home and add your bits and bobs. Think this is the best video you’ve done, so interesting and seeing which you chose and how happy you were . Then to get it early , how lovely xx

We got our Coachman Ashington VIP from Sussex Caravans and we love it. They were so helpful even when we had a small issue. We have had quite a few stays in it already and many more planned for this year with our pup

Hi Mac & Sarah, fantastic news, so looking forward to seeing you both enjoying your new 'home from home' We have also just upgraded our caravan from a lovely little 2 berth to a four berth with a fixed bed for exactly the same reasons as you, we also have a beautiful labrador who turns like the Titanic! 😂😂 also have another rescue dog that likes her own space so the extra room is fantastic 😊 can't wait to see your vlog, take care, love to Dozer ❤xx

Hi both of you,congrats on the new purchase,been enjoying your content, especially reviews for a while. Amazing how having a dog changes life. We bought a lunar 3 years ago and like you ordered a new van in October for delivery in a few weeks time , many more trips planned so keep the reviews coming ,good luck.be great to see your new set up. Neil and Sue.

Our first caravan was a two birth which we loved everything about except putting the bed up and down! Upgraded to a fixed bed and life is soooo much easier and the bed alot more comfortable! Do think two births are a great starting point though for first time towing. Enjoy your new caravan. 😊

We have enjoyed following your journey from newbies to experienced caravanners. We returned to caravanning in early 2023 after a break of some 33 years to find things had moved on considerably! We think your videos are superior to many others we have watched - always entertaining, fresh and informative with a good mixture of content. Very much looking forward to following your experiences and travels with your new home from home!

Ah, many congratulations on the purchase of your new Swift Goodwood. Can’t wait to see where you go in it. Really hope you get to visit one or some of the sites that we recommended on a previous comment. Love to see you two getting around with Dozer and enjoying lots of yummy food.😋🤗 from Amanda and Paul.

Great video guys. So helpful for anyone looking to buy a caravan first time round or upgrading. We did exactly this last year, we went for single beds! 😂 our little Jack Russell certainly does, even with a small dog where to put his bed is a big consideration. Hope you love your new van.

So exciting for you both - enjoy many happy memories in your new caravan

Great Vlog, we too changed how we holiday after pandemic and have doggy come with us , pick up new Bailey Discovery 4-4 next week .. happy travels 👍🏼

A great choice. We had a Sprite 500 Sport Alpine 4, was a very comfortable Van. I did extend the under bed heating tube into the bathroom. Bought the Y junction and pipe work including the butterfly vent off Ebay. As yours is new, might be worth asking the dealer if they can do it. On a cold night the bathroom chills down and towels do not dry. We also ordered a front chest via our local Swift dealer. Again if yours is still at the factory, you could only ask.Towed perfectly, once balanced. Awning in the bathroom when driving seemed to help the weight distribution Like you, we had to juggle cost, size (for our drive way) and the tow weight. We had a great 6 years touring UK and Europe and Doris became our office during COVID and yes, we did spend a few nights in desperation to get away, caravanning on the drive. At the Feb 2023 NEC and 10 mins before the show closed. Walking through the Bailey stand area, with no previous thoughts of changing Vans. We did.

Yay, congratulations to the 3 of you. It's so difficult to find the right one, transitioning through campervans to caravans and getting the right one. We've found as we've used ours for a year or so, we start to find out what works and what really drives us (mostly me) insane! We're currently 1.5 years in with an Adria Action 361LT and love it....but your video has prompted discussions probably a year earlier than we anticipated 😂 looking forward to your new video x

Brilliant and well done Mac and Sarah…. Exciting times ahead. Had 3 Swift vans over the years (loved them all) and then changed to a Static caravan. But missed touring and decided to return to caravanning again at the end of this season and like you, are considering either a dealer special version of the Sprite Alpine 4 or the Alpine 2. Can’t wait. Take care and best of luck

Congratulations on the new van it looks fab!!!... we got a new van last year and it really did feel like we were newbies again for a while 😊... enjoy and look forward to seeing you pick it up... bet Dozer loves it too 👍

Nice one guys👍👍👍

We are located in Leicester, however, on holiday last year in East Sussex we fell in love with our current Coachman VIP 460 at Sussex caravans. Erin also conducted our exchange and purchase. Have nothing but good things to say about the company. Also got a stuffed doggy. 😂 Neil and Sue

Great videos and this one reminiscent of our process last September. Having both had caravans previously we had a fairly clear idea of our ideal layout (centre bathroom, island bed). Like yourselves the next big decision was new or second hand and having never had new before, we bit the bullet and bought a new Swift (Icon, Kimberley Caravans special based on the Sprite Major 4EB). Our first was trip three weeks in Cornwall during storm Agnes!!! It went really well in a ‘testing in extreme conditions’ sort of way 😂 and our trip to Chatsworth in two weeks will be our 5th trip. Happy to report that despite a few snags (all sorted without fuss by Kimberley Caravans), we’re very happy with our Swift and look forward to comparing experiences as you get on the road! 😊

Hi Good choice of new caravan ,we have had two Swift Sprite Alpine 4 now and think as you mentioned tick the right boxes. They are very nice to tow and plenty of storage space and having the fix bed is great, hope you enjoy your new van and look forward to hearing what you have to report about it.

Wow amazing van congrats

"The smallest caravan on the site" - I know that feeling 😂 Congrats on your new caravan, looking forward to seeing it.

So please for you both guy's. Like yourselves, we bought a caravan, as it was easier to take our Chocolate Lab Bonnie away with us. We started off with what turned out to be a bit of a money pit van and then made the decision to buy new. Our first new caravan was also a French bed layout and it certainly worked for us. The only downside for me , was getting an elbow in the head when the wife wanted to use the loo in the night 😅

Well done we also buy our caravans from Sussex Caravans it really is a first class dealership, you won’t regret it. Brian

Congratulations an exciting time. We bought out first caravan 18 months ago from new at that time there was little differential between a new and nearly new price so we went for a new so we could get exactly the layout and options we wanted. We went through a similar process to you wanting a small easy to tow van but added the residual price after 5 years, we went to the NEC show and looked at lots eventuallyfell in love with the Eriba troll 540. Finding a good dealer is so important we went with Kool classics in East Sussex. Their pre and post sales service is excellent. It has taken us a while to find Wilma our whippet the right place to sleep but now we’ve cracked it and Wilma loves it. Looking forward to your new adventures.

Aww we’ve had 2 coachman Sussex specials from Sussex caravans, amazing service and well looked after with the lovely Erin 😊

Great video as always we have a swift dealer special and it’s a great van few teething problems nothing major as you get with anything brand new only really annoying thing is the usb port above the bed has annoying blue light but it’s a good caravan great choice 👍

Lovely van and were out for the first time in our new van this weekend, it is like starting over again lol

Brilliant

Congratulations to you both, I’m sure you’re going to be delighted with your new Swift. Definitely fixed bed is the way to go, ours is the Phoenix which we toured Southern Ireland with last June. Looking forward to your next video. Great quality videos BTW👍

We went through the same thought process as you but with a different outcome by going for the single beds ! Wally the lab is a bit of a lump and the thinking behind it was he could lay in between the beds if we was sitting in the lounge area and it works well , but we had to pull the door across at night to avoid getting an ear deuce at 5 in the morning ! Great video Mac and Sarah and looking forward to seeing your new van with Dozer in it.

Great choice! We picked up a new Swift Alpine 4 Last year. Very pleased & have no regrets. Agree with all your points. Enjoy! Just have to work out which is the cocktail cabinet(s)!!!! Look forward to you sharing your adventures. x

Lovely video guys, after four Bailey Unicorns since 2012 we picked up our 2023 Swift Challenger 580 Se Grande in September, however, we don’t get to get our first shakedown trip away until the end of February due to my wife breaking her wrist in October 😩 Hope you have some great times with Dozer in the new van! Really looking forward to your next video 👍👍

Wow, a side of traveling I haven't experienced yet. One day, we'll have to travel by caravan. It sounds like such a fun time!

Hi Just come across your channel and subscribed 😀 Great video and a nice insight in how you ordered your new caravan, which is very nice by the way 😀 Take care, Trev Debz and Tyler

We have a motorhome and tow a Jeep Wrangler behind it. It solves the problem of needing to pack up camp to go anywhere and the Wrangler is a lot more maneuverable than the 42 foot coach.

You are so lucky Mac because Sarah is extremely stunning

Well done guys, we are sure you will love it. By the way Mac….. buy that girl some new jeans for goodness sake… hers are torn at the knees😂😂😂 Take care both and love to Dozer Steve n Jeanette

A pleasure dealing with you both as always. So pleased we could find you something that ticked all of your boxes! We are so looking forward to seeing yours and Dozer's adventures in your new Goodwood caravan! 🥳🐶🎉 From Erin & the Sussex Caravan Centre team ❤

Finally watched this one. Great and helpful vlog. Made us want to go looking for a new caravan again ourselves!!!! NO!!! Only had the current one less than a year 😂😂😂😂

Watching your channel really makes me want to go out and buy a caravan (and Sussex Caravans are my nearest dealer !). However I live in a new build with restrictive covenants which don't allow caravans to be kept on drive and I wouldn't want to keep it in storage miles away . Just wondered how/where you keep yours - do you have to put it in storage or are you lucky enough to be able to keep it on your drive ?

Nice caravan, what is the insulation for winter and is it truma heating please,.?