Viewing first motorhome, what to check out for ?
Discussion
Hi
Have been looking at motorhomes for a while, nearly got one locally from a friendly chap who was happy to help with things in November, but the deal fell through when the motorhome the seller was hopeing to buy was taken off sale so he no longer wanted to sell his.
Anyhow, one has come up that looks like the right layout for us (young family so bunkbeds for kids and overcab for adults) and within Budget.
Trouble is its other end of country and obviously the chap selling is not going to be just round the corner if I have questions or come across any problems.
Am going down this weekend to look at it, what do I need to check for ?
So far my check list is
Vin/V5/Reg numbers all check out.
Habitation and service History to read through fully (anything here I should look out for ?)
Its a 2008 so need to check age of Tyres.
Check for cracking on all windows, sinks and shower tray.
Make sure all keys work, including water and fuel caps.
Check Heating and hot water works.
Run all taps and check for leaks.
Loo & waste tanks, empty and refill and check for leaks.
So anything else I need to check ?
Its a 2008 Chausson Flash 03 on a Transit base, if anyone has any feedback on that model I would be most interested.
Cheers
Andy :-)
Have been looking at motorhomes for a while, nearly got one locally from a friendly chap who was happy to help with things in November, but the deal fell through when the motorhome the seller was hopeing to buy was taken off sale so he no longer wanted to sell his.
Anyhow, one has come up that looks like the right layout for us (young family so bunkbeds for kids and overcab for adults) and within Budget.
Trouble is its other end of country and obviously the chap selling is not going to be just round the corner if I have questions or come across any problems.
Am going down this weekend to look at it, what do I need to check for ?
So far my check list is
Vin/V5/Reg numbers all check out.
Habitation and service History to read through fully (anything here I should look out for ?)
Its a 2008 so need to check age of Tyres.
Check for cracking on all windows, sinks and shower tray.
Make sure all keys work, including water and fuel caps.
Check Heating and hot water works.
Run all taps and check for leaks.
Loo & waste tanks, empty and refill and check for leaks.
So anything else I need to check ?
Its a 2008 Chausson Flash 03 on a Transit base, if anyone has any feedback on that model I would be most interested.
Cheers
Andy :-)
Arlie71 said:
Hi
Its a 2008 Chausson Flash 03 on a Transit base, if anyone has any feedback on that model I would be most interested.
Cheers
Andy :-)
No doubt you have read similar posts with similar info, so apologies to repeat myself !Its a 2008 Chausson Flash 03 on a Transit base, if anyone has any feedback on that model I would be most interested.
Cheers
Andy :-)
I looked at same type vans last year, most were ex hire vans which is not nec' a problem other than the higher mileage 70-80k and the heavier use.
They were being sold at a big discount. ie/ 19k for an 07/08 van, serviced and good to go.
I didnt buy one as they all had end bunks whereas i needed a garage and the Fwd transit only has about 1t tow capacity.
Depending on what you are after it may be worth keeping an eye out for more of the same. ??
Good luck D
The main enemy of any Caravan and Motorhome is damp in the walls, especially if it has not been used much.
I have a 2010 Elddis motorhome and leave a de-humidifier on over the winter when not in use, I empty it out daily, in about a month/6 weeks that would be around a bathfull of water. This moisture has to go somewhere, usually into the interior walls. Maybe take a damp meter with you, although there is bound to be some present.
Good luck...If in doubt don't buy, there are hundreds out there.
I have a 2010 Elddis motorhome and leave a de-humidifier on over the winter when not in use, I empty it out daily, in about a month/6 weeks that would be around a bathfull of water. This moisture has to go somewhere, usually into the interior walls. Maybe take a damp meter with you, although there is bound to be some present.
Good luck...If in doubt don't buy, there are hundreds out there.
As Wackyracer said damp is by far the most important thing as you wont see it or smell it and it can cost thousands to repair so get a damp tester and check everywhere right down to the corners and seams,anything over 20% needs looking at.
Apart from that fire up everything on every power source to check it works,I think these had diesel heating so make sure it cranks up and stays on.
Closely inspect the shower tray and sink for cracks.
Flash 03's are super family vans and not too prone to damp, Gajon is right there are lots of ex-rental ones about and if you check it thoroughly and get it much,much cheaper then they can be a good buy but bear in mind lots of dealers wouldnt retail an ex rental van so moving it on afterwards is a bit harder work.
Apart from that fire up everything on every power source to check it works,I think these had diesel heating so make sure it cranks up and stays on.
Closely inspect the shower tray and sink for cracks.
Flash 03's are super family vans and not too prone to damp, Gajon is right there are lots of ex-rental ones about and if you check it thoroughly and get it much,much cheaper then they can be a good buy but bear in mind lots of dealers wouldnt retail an ex rental van so moving it on afterwards is a bit harder work.
Thanks for all the replies.
Will check for damp and if going ahead will get a habitation check done before handing over the money so will hopefully uncover any defects I might have missed.
So far have only heard positive things about the Flash 03, I know its not a premium brand but for our budget it seems pretty good.
Its not an ex rental, its 2 owner. 2st owner 1 year and current owner last 4 years. Been Dealer Serviced yearly and Hab Checked at Highbridges yearly will all paperwork.
Wish me luck :-) Will report back on Sunday on how I found it.
Cheers
Andy :-)
Will check for damp and if going ahead will get a habitation check done before handing over the money so will hopefully uncover any defects I might have missed.
So far have only heard positive things about the Flash 03, I know its not a premium brand but for our budget it seems pretty good.
Its not an ex rental, its 2 owner. 2st owner 1 year and current owner last 4 years. Been Dealer Serviced yearly and Hab Checked at Highbridges yearly will all paperwork.
Wish me luck :-) Will report back on Sunday on how I found it.
Cheers
Andy :-)
Sounds good,they are very good for the money.
There are some privateer rental vans out there,mileage should really be 6k a year or less for normal holiday usage.
Your bang on to get a hab check done,if you buy it i would get an engine service done then buy a warranty for the van,they cover cab and hab and cost less then you'd think,buy it from your nearest good dealer then their workshop shouldnt mind looking after it for you if it goes wrong,especially if you get them to do the service.
There are some privateer rental vans out there,mileage should really be 6k a year or less for normal holiday usage.
Your bang on to get a hab check done,if you buy it i would get an engine service done then buy a warranty for the van,they cover cab and hab and cost less then you'd think,buy it from your nearest good dealer then their workshop shouldnt mind looking after it for you if it goes wrong,especially if you get them to do the service.
Hi Nick,
Van is great, hopeing to pick up on Friday. Just hope this snow goes away by then.
Thanks for the email, got back after a blustery drive back to Manchester last night so not had a chance to reply and thank you.
Will do a proper write up once I got the van home.
If you want a nosy its 160953535214 on ebay. Very happy for the price and has full service and Habitation check history, all the extras thrown in (awning/safari room/leveling blocks/spare carpet sets/wheel clamps/ all hookup cables/ full gas bottles) etc. Very nice guy selling, he only getting rid as his teenage children not into those sort of holidays any more.
Cheers
Andy
PS anyone driving to Plymouth from Manchester in something more comfy than Mega Bus and wants a passenger for petrol & beer money let me know :-)
Van is great, hopeing to pick up on Friday. Just hope this snow goes away by then.
Thanks for the email, got back after a blustery drive back to Manchester last night so not had a chance to reply and thank you.
Will do a proper write up once I got the van home.
If you want a nosy its 160953535214 on ebay. Very happy for the price and has full service and Habitation check history, all the extras thrown in (awning/safari room/leveling blocks/spare carpet sets/wheel clamps/ all hookup cables/ full gas bottles) etc. Very nice guy selling, he only getting rid as his teenage children not into those sort of holidays any more.
Cheers
Andy
PS anyone driving to Plymouth from Manchester in something more comfy than Mega Bus and wants a passenger for petrol & beer money let me know :-)
Good news, hope it brings you a lot of fun trips away. Roll on spring and some warmer days. Get it to the GP in June and we can have a PH Chausson Flash owners club meet!
Note something I didn't know until I had to buy a new battery for it, when on hook up you have to turn the power on by the habitation door for it to charge the battery, just hooking up alone isn't enough. Not sure if this is obvious to seasoned motorhomers, wasn't to me.
How did the damp tests check out, obviously can't have been too bad as you bought it but wondering if there any spots in particular to look at from your tests?
Note something I didn't know until I had to buy a new battery for it, when on hook up you have to turn the power on by the habitation door for it to charge the battery, just hooking up alone isn't enough. Not sure if this is obvious to seasoned motorhomers, wasn't to me.
How did the damp tests check out, obviously can't have been too bad as you bought it but wondering if there any spots in particular to look at from your tests?
Hi All
Set off 5am on Friday and after a hair raising Mega Bus trip through Snowy UK, arrived to a Van all packed up for me, given a nice tour of how everything worked, then had a whole 30seconds drive to get used to the Van before having to do my first icy hill start on a narrow Devon country lane !!
Decided to stay over in Plymouth on the Friday, so drove back Saturday in the daylight. Van seems 100%, no water or snow ingress, sat happily at 55 in some pretty high winds and once north of Birmingham and the weather improved sat on the inside lane with the lorries (not holding them up, just going with the flow) and got a respectable 30mpg.
I need to get an extra set of keys cut, Ford key and Habitation keys, so any recomendations would be great. Other than that doesnt need a penny spending at the moment, came with chocks, awning, bike rack, safari room, full gas, all cables for hook up and even all the chemicals and powders and cleaners that he had bought for it. MOT and Tax will Summer, hab check done in Oct and Service in Aug. He had even had a new awning fitted this summer so thats brand new.
Just need to wait for it to warm up a bit I we can go out for a family weekend :-)
Thanks again for all the feedback and emails.
Cheers
Andy
Set off 5am on Friday and after a hair raising Mega Bus trip through Snowy UK, arrived to a Van all packed up for me, given a nice tour of how everything worked, then had a whole 30seconds drive to get used to the Van before having to do my first icy hill start on a narrow Devon country lane !!
Decided to stay over in Plymouth on the Friday, so drove back Saturday in the daylight. Van seems 100%, no water or snow ingress, sat happily at 55 in some pretty high winds and once north of Birmingham and the weather improved sat on the inside lane with the lorries (not holding them up, just going with the flow) and got a respectable 30mpg.
I need to get an extra set of keys cut, Ford key and Habitation keys, so any recomendations would be great. Other than that doesnt need a penny spending at the moment, came with chocks, awning, bike rack, safari room, full gas, all cables for hook up and even all the chemicals and powders and cleaners that he had bought for it. MOT and Tax will Summer, hab check done in Oct and Service in Aug. He had even had a new awning fitted this summer so thats brand new.
Just need to wait for it to warm up a bit I we can go out for a family weekend :-)
Thanks again for all the feedback and emails.
Cheers
Andy
club, now get to Europe and enjoy the cheaper holidays.
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