Buyers guide to second hand caravans

[Sweety]

Well after camping for the past 4 years we're going to upgrade from a tent (love our big tent) to a caravan due to health problems, but not sure what to look for & where so thought i'd start a buyers guide thread as i'm sure it would come in handy for others over the years:thumb2

[Lazy-Ferret]

If you have never had a caravan before, then I would say, make a few decisions on the basic things, and then get something cheap, run it for a year, and by then you will have a really good idea what bits, you loved, hated, and could or could not live with.

First decision, how many Berths... and if you want the hassle of putting an awning up or not.

Fixed bed, or not, maybe go for a higher berth, where you can leave one end set up as a bed, when you want to, and still sit at the other end. 2 berth caravans tend to be better looked after than family ones!

Shower or not. Showers are nice, but on secondhand vans can be a source for major damp problems. Separate shower and toilet?

Carpets, or vinyl floor. Carpets are warmer, Vinyl, easer to clean, and you can put down mats.

Where you can keep it, and if there are any size limitations. Also if you do have restrictions on length, make sure you double check the "Shipping length", lots of people list the internal length...

Twin, or single axle, both have advantages and disadvantages.

As a first time tow'er, stick to the 85% rule, or less.

Heating? Hot water? Fridge?

Cooking, do you want an Oven.

Do you intend to only stay on camp sites with electric hook-up, or do you like the "hide away" sites. If hideaway, then the above need to be able to run off both gas, and 240v

Motor Mover?, if you have health issues, (and even if you don't) makes it a lot easier to level, and getin and out of the drive.


Things to stay away from...

Damp, if you go in, and there is even the faintest musky smell of damp, walk away...

Air fresheners, or smocked in... probably hiding damp smell. Walk away.

When you walk in the van, walk like you are bouncing on the moon, does the floor give, De-laminated... Walk away

Extra vents on the outside, in weird places... they are often used to hide dents and damage. Small dents can be expected, but punctures are very bad news.


Thing to look out for...

The caravan has been loved, feel in the cupboards, are they clean, or dirty, good owners wipe cupboards out.

Corners and edges, are they all marked up, or nice and crisp...

Manuals, do they have them all.

Do the internal lights all work, if they can't be bothered to fix them, what else have they left unfixed?

Cracks in sinks, and shower trays.

look under the cushions, are they as original, or have they been messed with, and possible been re-filled. In most caravans, real cushions, are sprung foam, and a lot firmer, than a lot of replacement plain foam filled ones.

Talk to the owners, ask them questions, do you get a good feeling, if not walk away...

[jims-terrano]

Is the fridge big enough for the milk when you've got all your beer in it:lol

[Sweety]

Is the fridge big enough for the milk when you've got all your beer in it:lol

I've got a great elec coolbox for that Jim:lol
Lazy-Ferret great post:thumbs can keep it on my drive as I've checked it out looking for a larger 2 birth poss 4 with shower if I can. Parents were caravaners so have a few bits left in the garage like awnings, aqua roll etc:D

[zippy656]

Take a peep at the place iwork.

Just get some ideas on second habd prices

Ebay and local rags can come.up with a jem or two from time to time.

[zippy656]

Get yourself down to NEC this week too.

http://www.thenec.co.uk/whatson/the-motorhome-caravan-show/

[Lazy-Ferret]

I've got a great elec coolbox for that Jim:lol
Lazy-Ferret great post:thumbs can keep it on my drive as I've checked it out looking for a larger 2 birth poss 4 with shower if I can. Parents were caravaners so have a few bits left in the garage like awnings, aqua roll etc:D

I am down in the South East, and we have a place called Worthing, not far away, it is the sort of place the more affluent, "OLD" people move to, to live out the remainder of their lives!!! My first 3 caravans all came from there, and the first 2, were both 2 Berths. Not only were they well looked after, but had every creature comfort added as well. The 5 berth was the same, they just wanted to use it as a fixed bed, with the option of taking the grand kids away, but that was a very lucky find.

Basically, 2 Berths tend to be the domain of the elderly camper, so find where your local "Worthing" is, and keep an eye out in the local ad papers for vans coming up for sale there...