First Time Buyers Guide

Two-berth – Good choice if you’re planning holidays for just the two of you. Most have either the kitchen or the bathroom at the rear. You can use the settees as single beds or make up a double bed across the width of the caravan.

Fixed-bed four-berth – Ideal if guests will be joining you occasionally. They usually have a fixed double bed plus two singles in the living area.

Your fixed bed can run along the length of the caravan or run across the width, with the bathroom and toilet right alongside – often behind a partition. If it is fitted at the rear of the caravan, you can walk around three sides of it, and you have the option of a separate bathroom.

Side dining area four-berth – Have a permanent dining area, so you can leave the bed made up in the lounge if you want to. The dining area can also be converted to bunk beds for young children.

Twin-bed caravans – Perfect for couples and families for teenagers. Four single beds, with a kitchen in the middle and bathroom across the rear.

Five berths – Good solution if you have children holidaying with you. There are two main options:

Bunk beds, some offering a separate family area where youngsters can play, eat and watch TV, leaving the adults to relax together.
Two lounge-dining areas at each end of the caravan, with the kitchen and bathroom in the centre.

Six berths – Single-axle models have two or three permanent bunk beds plus two more that you can make up in a side dining area. Twin-axle options offer more space because they are longer, and come in a variety of layouts; a sound choice if you plan to use your caravan all year round.

Side dining area four-berth – Have a permanent dining area, so you can leave the bed made up in the lounge if you want to. The dining area can also be converted to bunk beds for young children.

Twin-bed caravans – Perfect for couples and families for teenagers. Four single beds, with a kitchen in the middle and bathroom across the rear.

Come and browse at your leisure at our welcoming showroom, where you’ll find a huge range of around 600 new and used caravans from leading manufacturers. We arrange them according to layout and leave them all unlocked, so you can take your time to work out which one you like best at your leisure.

If you have any questions or concerns, our approachable and knowledgeable sales professionals are always on hand and happy to help.

If you prefer, you can access our 24-hour online showroom at our website, view each caravan via a 360° tour – and if you spot the caravan of your dreams, you can reserve it for free… before it’s snapped up!

Two-berth – Good choice if you’re planning holidays for just the two of you. Most have either the kitchen or the bathroom at the rear. You can use the settees as single beds or make up a double bed across the width of the caravan.

Fixed-bed four-berth – Ideal if guests will be joining you occasionally. They usually have a fixed double bed plus two singles in the living area.

Your fixed bed can run along the length of the caravan or run across the width, with the bathroom and toilet right alongside – often behind a partition. If it is fitted at the rear of the caravan, you can walk around three sides of it, and you have the option of a separate bathroom.

Side dining area four-berth – Have a permanent dining area, so you can leave the bed made up in the lounge if you want to. The dining area can also be converted to bunk beds for young children.

Twin-bed caravans – Perfect for couples and families for teenagers. Four single beds, with a kitchen in the middle and bathroom across the rear.

Five berths – Good solution if you have children holidaying with you. There are two main options:

Bunk beds, some offering a separate family area where youngsters can play, eat and watch TV, leaving the adults to relax together.
Two lounge-dining areas at each end of the caravan, with the kitchen and bathroom in the centre.

Six berths – Single-axle models have two or three permanent bunk beds plus two more that you can make up in a side dining area. Twin-axle options offer more space because they are longer, and come in a variety of layouts; a sound choice if you plan to use your caravan all year round.

Side dining area four-berth – Have a permanent dining area, so you can leave the bed made up in the lounge if you want to. The dining area can also be converted to bunk beds for young children.

Twin-bed caravans – Perfect for couples and families for teenagers. Four single beds, with a kitchen in the middle and bathroom across the rear.

Come and browse at your leisure at our welcoming showroom, where you’ll find a huge range of around 600 new and used caravans from leading manufacturers. We arrange them according to layout and leave them all unlocked, so you can take your time to work out which one you like best at your leisure.

If you have any questions or concerns, our approachable and knowledgeable sales professionals are always on hand and happy to help.

If you prefer, you can access our 24-hour online showroom at our website, view each caravan via a 360° tour – and if you spot the caravan of your dreams, you can reserve it for free… before it’s snapped up!

This will more than double your living space – perfect if you want a safe place for your children to play in, the dog wants to get out from under your feet or you want a sheltered area where you can entertain family and friends.

It will also give you lots of leeway to store everything from toys and bikes to wet coats and barbecues.

If there are just two of you, and you need a covered area to sit and relax, plus some room to store coats and walking boots, a porch awning might suit.

They also tend to be lighter and quicker to build than full awnings – though of course you’ll have less space!

Choosing your frame – metal or air?

Steel is best if you intend to park your caravan somewhere for a full season so you can visit for regular holidays and weekends – simply because it’s strong and can withstand all weathers.
Lightweight aluminium or glass fibre are practical choices for touring.

Air-frame porches are a recent innovation. Most come with an easy-to-operate manual pump that inflates the porch in a few minutes – leaving you more time to relax and enjoy yourself!

We have a huge range of both new and used full and porch awnings at our Glossop showroom. Prices start as low as £200 for a new, basic awning and from £99 for a well-maintained used awning.

You can browse everything from budget porches to top-of-the-range full awnings, and our friendly and approachable experts are always around to give useful advice based on your budget, the size of your caravan and the amount of space you’re looking for. Click here to view Glossop Awnings range.

You will be given a one-to-one, step-by-step guide. Ask as many questions as you need to fully understand what you are doing.

Everyone understands the excitement of buying something that’s brand new – that special thrill of knowing that no-one else has used it before is second to none. If you’re keen to splash out and treat yourself, this could be the perfect option for you.

As a main dealer for leading caravan manufactures Coachman, Elddis and Swift, we stock a unique range of top-specification Special Edition models each year – featuring a host of luxury extras and offering exceptional value for money, starting at £13,000. As an added bonus, all our new ranges have ten-year body warranties.

When it comes to paying for your caravan, you can either pay a deposit followed by a lump sum covering the balance on collection, or consider a number of funding options*.

Caravan finance can be arranged over a period of one to ten years, enabling you to spread the cost. With flexible deposits and fixed payments, you will always know where you are.

You can click here to use the credit indicator to find out if finance might be an option for you. Feedback is immediate and doesn’t affect your credit rating.

*Glossop Caravans Ltd is a licensed credit broker and deals with a range of finance providers. Finance is available to UK residents aged 18 years or over and is subject to status.

We offer a unique, industry-leading Platinum Warranty. This is a comprehensive warranty.

Caravans up to 5 years old are covered for water ingress repairs up to the price of the caravan, plus electrical components, chassis, towing mechanism, brakes and suspension.

Caravans 5 to 10 years old are covered for water ingress repairs up to a value of £1,000, plus braking systems, towing mechanism, chassis, suspension and interior components.

Caravans 10 to 15 years old are covered for water ingress repairs up to £500, plus costs of up to £1,000 relating to the braking systems, towing mechanism, chassis, suspension and interior components.

Terms and conditions apply.

When you are towing your caravan, you are covered for any damage it may cause to other vehicles. All you have to do is tell your insurance company that you are towing a caravan.

While you aren’t required by law to take out a specific caravan insurance policy, you should consider investing in comprehensive cover to give you peace of mind. It is important to note that if you take finance for your purchase it is a condition of a finance agreement that you must insure your caravan.

Several specialist caravan insurance companies offer excellent policies, and typical cover would include:

Cover for accidental damage, storm and theft
A new for old option (with some companies this applies to caravans up to 15 years old)
Emergency accommodation cover, so that you can continue your holiday in the event of an accident/ mishap
Most policies specify that you have a hitch lock and wheel clamp. Premiums will generally be lower if you show proof of extra security measures, such as alarm systems, caravan tracking devices and a locked barrier.

Many people keep their caravans on their own property between holidays and breaks. If you don’t want to, or don’t have enough space, there’s a choice of storage options countrywide.

We have a list of recommended storage places within a 50-mile radius of Glossop. Many are accredited by the Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CaSSOA).

If you live further than 50 miles from Glossop, visit the CaSSOA website (www.cassoa.co.uk).

CaSSOA assesses storage sites across the UK for their level of security and facilities. Three levels of security – Bronze, Silver and Gold – are based on features including CCTV, alarm systems and perimeter fencing.

And storing your caravan at a CaSSOA-rated site makes you eligible for policy discounts with many caravan insurance companies.

We can get you off to a great start with our Starter Pack which includes:

• An Aquaroll fresh water container
• A Wastemaster wheeled waste water container
• A waste water connection hose
• A mains electricity lead
• A gas regulator and connection pipe
• A leisure battery
• A number plate
• Caravan step
• Corner steady winding handle

Also on your ‘essentials’ list should be:

• Toilet chemicals to keep your loo fresh and in good working order
• Gas cylinders – Propane comes in red cylinders, butane in blue. Choose propane for frosty weather as butane doesn’t vaporise in sub-zero temperatures.
• Towing mirrors – these must be fitted to your car’s door mirrors, extending your field of vision along both sides of the caravan.

Remember everything you put in your caravan will add weight so it is worth looking at specially-made, lightweight interior accessories – everything ranging from cutlery and kitchen accessories to tableware and tumblers.

Don’t forget sleeping bags or bedding and outdoor furniture. To keep your purchase safe, security fittings for the wheels and hitch will also help to reduce your insurance costs; a caravan cover is a big help in protecting your caravan especially during winter months.