Considering a cheap caravan.. What to look out for?
Discussion
So I'm considering both a camper van and caravan at the moment. I had a caravan many years ago that didn't hold my interest long as I was just a kid. But now I'm older, with a dog, partner etc I'm considering the flexibility of this again.
I don't want to spend a fortune and caravan wise that means something around 10 years old or so. What should I be looking for when considering a caravan in terms of stuff that could go wrong etc. How to look at corrosion or damage issues etc.
What else should I be thinking about?
I don't want to spend a fortune and caravan wise that means something around 10 years old or so. What should I be looking for when considering a caravan in terms of stuff that could go wrong etc. How to look at corrosion or damage issues etc.
What else should I be thinking about?
Whats your budget? What size are you looking at? We are contemplating selling our very old Dethleff 5 berth caravan which either needs work or to go.
Considering a cheapish replacement, ideally no more than £5,000, although might add the value of existing caravan to that.
Looking for something larger, maybe 6 bed possibly one fixed double 2 bunks, and the converted double/lounge, possibly with twin axle. Dont want much!
Damp is definitely the issue though.
Considering a cheapish replacement, ideally no more than £5,000, although might add the value of existing caravan to that.
Looking for something larger, maybe 6 bed possibly one fixed double 2 bunks, and the converted double/lounge, possibly with twin axle. Dont want much!
Damp is definitely the issue though.
damp can be a killer but if you are handy at DIY or joinery it is fixable, okay you will need a good set of tools and ideally a table saw and bandsaw but it isnt rocket science. main things to look for are general condition, any panel damage from scrapes etc, state and age of tyres (any tyre over 5 years old should be scrapped and definately scrap anything with cracks), service history and what comes with it. there is some right lemons out there but there is also some sub 1k peaches.
depends a lot on what you want it for and how many will be using it, also check weights as ideally the max weight will be within 85% of your car's kerbweight
depends a lot on what you want it for and how many will be using it, also check weights as ideally the max weight will be within 85% of your car's kerbweight
Chrisgr31 said:
Whats your budget? What size are you looking at? We are contemplating selling our very old Dethleff 5 berth caravan which either needs work or to go.
Considering a cheapish replacement, ideally no more than £5,000, although might add the value of existing caravan to that.
Looking for something larger, maybe 6 bed possibly one fixed double 2 bunks, and the converted double/lounge, possibly with twin axle. Dont want much!
Damp is definitely the issue though.
We have a 2006 twin axle spite with exactly this layout. Cost was £5,300Considering a cheapish replacement, ideally no more than £5,000, although might add the value of existing caravan to that.
Looking for something larger, maybe 6 bed possibly one fixed double 2 bunks, and the converted double/lounge, possibly with twin axle. Dont want much!
Damp is definitely the issue though.
It's older now though so less money lolsurveyor said:
We have a 2006 twin axle spite with exactly this layout. Cost was £5,300
Incidentially this gives rise to the question as to whether there is also a regional market, as my general trawling of sites etc has lead me to the conclusions that there is a premium paid for caravans in the south east, with lower prices elsewhere. Does anyone agree I might be right.Also I assume that prices advertised for caravans are usually wishful thinking, so how much under the advertised price does one offer? Is there a Glass's guide for caravans?
Chrisgr31 said:
surveyor said:
We have a 2006 twin axle spite with exactly this layout. Cost was £5,300
Incidentially this gives rise to the question as to whether there is also a regional market, as my general trawling of sites etc has lead me to the conclusions that there is a premium paid for caravans in the south east, with lower prices elsewhere. Does anyone agree I might be right.Also I assume that prices advertised for caravans are usually wishful thinking, so how much under the advertised price does one offer? Is there a Glass's guide for caravans?
When we were looking back in October we couldn't find anything within our budget here in the South East.
In fact I'd say there was almost a shortage of large twin axle caravans.
Ended up getting a 2008 Ace Jubilee Equerry complete with loads of extras (brand new awning, etc.) and full service history with one owner from new for £7000. Had to travel though - it was near Leeds!
Rosscow said:
Chrisgr31 said:
surveyor said:
We have a 2006 twin axle spite with exactly this layout. Cost was £5,300
Incidentially this gives rise to the question as to whether there is also a regional market, as my general trawling of sites etc has lead me to the conclusions that there is a premium paid for caravans in the south east, with lower prices elsewhere. Does anyone agree I might be right.Also I assume that prices advertised for caravans are usually wishful thinking, so how much under the advertised price does one offer? Is there a Glass's guide for caravans?
When we were looking back in October we couldn't find anything within our budget here in the South East.
In fact I'd say there was almost a shortage of large twin axle caravans.
Ended up getting a 2008 Ace Jubilee Equerry complete with loads of extras (brand new awning, etc.) and full service history with one owner from new for £7000. Had to travel though - it was near Leeds!
Not sure about the regional thing - I think it's about keeping an eye out for the right thing. I was prepared to go anywhere, but as it happened the one we bought was about 15 miles from us. Pure chance.... There was another that was not much more in Gloucestershire.
What I noticed was that twin axles seemed to lose their value quicker once they hit a certain age - I suspect as they need a larger car to tow. Our is having it's maiden voyage to Beausejour this year.
I bought a caravan last year when upgrading from a trailer tent, my criteria were for an end bathroom with a separate shower and a decent sized bed, ended up with a 2 birth van from 1998 for a lot less than my original budget, I then used the remainder of the budget to kit the van out with some nicer gear and repair the two reasons the van was cheap;
Broken Carver hot water heater, which is NLA. Replaced with a brand new Truma.
Electric Blow heating was not functioning correctly, repaired by a local guy with all new parts, works good as new now.
It tows well, is very comfy and has plenty of room. More room now I'm no longer with my partner!
You can check a van isn't registered as stolen using the CRIS scheme.
Other things to look for are;
Water heater not functioning (or any other equipment for that matter)
De-Lamination in the floor, a spongy section is a sure sign of this. Can be fixed if you need.
Cracked shower tray
Damp
Everything else should be a cheap/easy fix. Try and get a van with an awning, I bought my awning separate from the van but it would have been easier to buy a van already with an awning!
Broken Carver hot water heater, which is NLA. Replaced with a brand new Truma.
Electric Blow heating was not functioning correctly, repaired by a local guy with all new parts, works good as new now.
It tows well, is very comfy and has plenty of room. More room now I'm no longer with my partner!
You can check a van isn't registered as stolen using the CRIS scheme.
Other things to look for are;
Water heater not functioning (or any other equipment for that matter)
De-Lamination in the floor, a spongy section is a sure sign of this. Can be fixed if you need.
Cracked shower tray
Damp
Everything else should be a cheap/easy fix. Try and get a van with an awning, I bought my awning separate from the van but it would have been easier to buy a van already with an awning!
speaking as a bloke that has just done the floor delamination repair, it isnt that techinically bad a job, what it is is annoying, messy and awkward. lifting the carpet is a pain as it will usually end up in replacement and a few stanley blades as caravan makers build the van on top of the carpet. the injecting of resin is easy as is drilling all the holes. laying a new carpet is fun, use old one as template and cut a bit oveer then cut in around everything. took me a few hours. not an expensive job, the delamination kit is £40, new bit of carpet can be gotten for under £10, pack or 2 of stanley blades
a cracked shower tray is a no no as I have seen folk carry on using vans and the water gets everywhere and just rots the floor and walls. i wouldnt buy a van with a cracked tray. anything else is either fixable or boshable
a cracked shower tray is a no no as I have seen folk carry on using vans and the water gets everywhere and just rots the floor and walls. i wouldnt buy a van with a cracked tray. anything else is either fixable or boshable
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