What are bottom dollar caravans like?
Discussion
At the end of the year i will (hopefully) be setting about a project.
Part of that project will involve buying a caravan, most likely 6 meters long.
Budget for the project will vary from £12000 to £15000, any less and the project will be a no go.
The only part of the costing that can be reduced is the price of the caravan. Ranging from £2000 to £5000.
£5000 caravans seem ok. £2000 caravans seem suitable for scrap.
The caravan will be lived in by me and one other 1/3rd of the year whilst we are at work. My only real considerations are 1) is the shower any good? 2) can it comfortably sleep 2? 3) is it warm?
So, will a £2000 6 meter caravan fulfill all these requirements?
Thank you.
Details on the project can be read here.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Part of that project will involve buying a caravan, most likely 6 meters long.
Budget for the project will vary from £12000 to £15000, any less and the project will be a no go.
The only part of the costing that can be reduced is the price of the caravan. Ranging from £2000 to £5000.
£5000 caravans seem ok. £2000 caravans seem suitable for scrap.
The caravan will be lived in by me and one other 1/3rd of the year whilst we are at work. My only real considerations are 1) is the shower any good? 2) can it comfortably sleep 2? 3) is it warm?
So, will a £2000 6 meter caravan fulfill all these requirements?
Thank you.
Details on the project can be read here.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Get an older european model as they tend to be warmer,better built and being heavy are very unloved in the uk so theyre cheaper.
Someting like a burstner or adria,if its reasonably damp free you wont lose money on it.
Hobbys and lmc are excellent to but very attractive to our travelling friends so beware.
Someting like a burstner or adria,if its reasonably damp free you wont lose money on it.
Hobbys and lmc are excellent to but very attractive to our travelling friends so beware.
nagsheadwarrior said:
Get an older european model as they tend to be warmer,better built and being heavy are very unloved in the uk so theyre cheaper.
Someting like a burstner or adria,if its reasonably damp free you wont lose money on it.
Hobbys and lmc are excellent to but very attractive to our travelling friends so beware.
The two you mentioned really do look like great value! Someting like a burstner or adria,if its reasonably damp free you wont lose money on it.
Hobbys and lmc are excellent to but very attractive to our travelling friends so beware.
Why are they so cheap? Are they very hot during summers nights? Weight isnt an issue, the caravan is going to be mounted to the chassis of an HGV with 4t payload.
Next question- Would it be a simple job of bolting the chassis to some custom made supports on the chassis of the lorry? from what ive seen caravans employ a ladder type chassis, is this the case?
Finally, i really appreciate a longish shower every morning. Is it possibly to install a larger fresh water tank and heater?
Cheers!
Foreign caravans just arent popular in the uk,the traditional british caravanner prefers the lightweight lounge/kitchen on wheels that the uk vans offer.
Most caravans dont have water tanks,you use an outside aquaroll with a pump within.
The water heater limits shower length,these tend to be 10-12ltr jobs which i find fine but older vans might have inline or domestic paloma/vaillant heaters that heat as you use so no probs but more gas used.
Mounting wise im not sure,im a salesman so thats a bit technical for me!
Most caravans dont have water tanks,you use an outside aquaroll with a pump within.
The water heater limits shower length,these tend to be 10-12ltr jobs which i find fine but older vans might have inline or domestic paloma/vaillant heaters that heat as you use so no probs but more gas used.
Mounting wise im not sure,im a salesman so thats a bit technical for me!
nagsheadwarrior said:
Foreign caravans just arent popular in the uk,the traditional british caravanner prefers the lightweight lounge/kitchen on wheels that the uk vans offer.
Most caravans dont have water tanks,you use an outside aquaroll with a pump within.
The water heater limits shower length,these tend to be 10-12ltr jobs which i find fine but older vans might have inline or domestic paloma/vaillant heaters that heat as you use so no probs but more gas used.
Mounting wise im not sure,im a salesman so thats a bit technical for me!
No worries. Thank you for your help! Most caravans dont have water tanks,you use an outside aquaroll with a pump within.
The water heater limits shower length,these tend to be 10-12ltr jobs which i find fine but older vans might have inline or domestic paloma/vaillant heaters that heat as you use so no probs but more gas used.
Mounting wise im not sure,im a salesman so thats a bit technical for me!
fit a big water tank to the truck chassis and use a inline gas heater either that or you are stuck with a 12 litre tank which is big enough for a shower. as for fixing it to the chassis, caravans arent exactly a ladderframe, it is basically a big A-frame that goes to the axle and carries onto the end, the steadies are basically just mounted on extensions to the A. it can be done though by removing the van's axle and suspension and a bit of fabrication work
Back in 2000, i bought a caravan and lived in it for two and a half months with my missus.
It was an experience, as we were short of cash, paying a mortgage on a house we couldn't sell and relocated jobs some 250 miles away from 'home'.
The caravan we bought was a 1970s, 12foot special. It cost £250, but lacked some of the facilities you are after. It was single glazed, heating provided by the gas stove, shower at the campsite we stayed at. We had electric hookup which provided telly, toaster, kettle and lighting. After two and a half months we sold it for £275 and moved back into bricks and mortar.
So, it can be done cheaper than you have suggested, but it takes some staying power and ingenuity.
Mike
It was an experience, as we were short of cash, paying a mortgage on a house we couldn't sell and relocated jobs some 250 miles away from 'home'.
The caravan we bought was a 1970s, 12foot special. It cost £250, but lacked some of the facilities you are after. It was single glazed, heating provided by the gas stove, shower at the campsite we stayed at. We had electric hookup which provided telly, toaster, kettle and lighting. After two and a half months we sold it for £275 and moved back into bricks and mortar.
So, it can be done cheaper than you have suggested, but it takes some staying power and ingenuity.
Mike
Difficult to offer advice until you have decided on your caravan of choice. Remember that most caravans have front and rear windows, and blocking one with the cab of the truck is going to seriously reduce the light inside.
With regard to the water/shower thing, if weight is not an issue, why not mount an external water tank to the truck chassis, much like an auxiliary fuel tank and pump it via your on demand water heater?
With regard to the water/shower thing, if weight is not an issue, why not mount an external water tank to the truck chassis, much like an auxiliary fuel tank and pump it via your on demand water heater?
Tyre Smoke said:
Difficult to offer advice until you have decided on your caravan of choice. Remember that most caravans have front and rear windows, and blocking one with the cab of the truck is going to seriously reduce the light inside.
With regard to the water/shower thing, if weight is not an issue, why not mount an external water tank to the truck chassis, much like an auxiliary fuel tank and pump it via your on demand water heater?
I didnt consider the light issue.With regard to the water/shower thing, if weight is not an issue, why not mount an external water tank to the truck chassis, much like an auxiliary fuel tank and pump it via your on demand water heater?
External water tank seems the way to go.
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