Caravan Newbie needs advise

[Banshee]

Right you guys, I'd make a cup of tea before you read this as it's probs going to be a long one

I've been given a Caravan for not a lot of money and yes I know at the moment it looks like a bag of nails and that's why I've come to you guys to put me on the right track, am i right in thinking I could get this cleaned up and in a decent condition to take Caravanning or do I need to open my eyes and get shot of it or possibly break it for parts

It's a Compass Commodore 340 "Rallye"













All the electrics work and as far as I can see this is all I need to do to get it respectable;

New Large front window - There is a large hole through both layers
New wheel for jockey Wheel
Two new tyres
Repair few gashes and dents to body - Expandable foam and body filler?

I was then going to jetwash it down, remove all trim and was going to paint it Green

New carpet inside, remove all cupboards and panels
Steam clean inside, re-paint and re-fit all panels and cupboards

All I need then is some new cushions, curtains etc and a portable toilet etc

Obviously as you become more serious I presume you will use more and more serious on Tin Tenting you'll want more and more luxuries and I may want to get rid of it and upgrade

What do you think guys?

Should I take a punt or should I open my eyes and get rid? Even If I stripped the body off it I could see the chassis being used for a trailer maybe?

[zippy656]

Put on ebay


And run



Or
Loads of work
need to test gas for leaks

Remove break hubs, check drums and pads new nuts will be needed!

[zippy656]

New window will be loads of money,

[judd750]

lot of work to do,
electrics need testing 240v and 12 v
might put off caravaning for good , if you take on that !!!
if you want to start caravaning wait till end of the season,
buy a half decent one, there cheaper then !!!

[Banshee]

Originally Posted by judd750

lot of work to do,
electrics need testing 240v and 12 v
might put off caravaning for good , if you take on that !!!
if you want to start caravaning wait till end of the season,
buy a half decent one, there cheaper then !!!

The only reason that I want to tackle this is because I paid next to nothing for it, I don't mind a bit of hard work and I'd like to say I'm more than competent of doing all of the work myself and I'd like to say I'm quite resourceful

I reckon I could fabricate some curtains and rails and also know quite a good seamstress who could do some fabric work

Saying all this I've just seen one in a similar condition to this sell on eBay not so long ago for spares and repairs and it sold for £450 :/

[briggie]

first impressions are , it looks to be riddled with damp , some interior panels are warped and discoloured ........ quite a major project ....what condition is the chassis in ?

[(RIP) rustygates]

Hi Banshee, it depends a great deal on how much time you have to do it up,you can get windows and other bits from caravan breakers,new tyres are a must and gas and electric must be tested and make sure van is completely dry ie no rot or damp smells,my first dip into caravanning some years ago was with a similar 2 berth van, end kitchen,I ripped everything out and done the kitchen up to a high standard using a kitchen from a more modern van inc the 4 ring cooker, with hot water heater,renewed 12v and the 240v and fitted a 3way fridge and a gas fire,remove most but not all the cupboards,new floor covering and used it to carry the cabanon family tent i had,we would sleep in the tent and cook in the caravan,it was perfect for the job,everything would be dry and safe in the van and storing was not a problem,youv'e got the van take the time and decide,do you want a caravan or a trailer carrying you tent with the added luxury of eating indoors and a fridge to keep the beer cool.
rustygates.

[Banshee]

Originally Posted by briggie

first impressions are , it looks to be riddled with damp , some interior panels are warped and discoloured ........ quite a major project ....what condition is the chassis in ?

I did think this myself at first as when we took it away it was dark and the only thing lighting the caravan up was my head torch

The guy who it used to belong to was a car mechanic and used to live on site in this in the yard for the last 10 years so walls and doors have the grubby oily fingermarks etc and the marks on the walls of oily clothes etc, however how would I test for damp effectively and if damp was present how easy is it to rid it?

Originally Posted by rustygates

Hi Banshee, it depends a great deal on how much time you have to do it up,you can get windows and other bits from caravan breakers,new tyres are a must and gas and electric must be tested and make sure van is completely dry ie no rot or damp smells,my first dip into caravanning some years ago was with a similar 2 berth van, end kitchen,I ripped everything out and done the kitchen up to a high standard using a kitchen from a more modern van inc the 4 ring cooker, with hot water heater,renewed 12v and the 240v and fitted a 3way fridge and a gas fire,remove most but not all the cupboards,new floor covering and used it to carry the cabanon family tent i had,we would sleep in the tent and cook in the caravan,it was perfect for the job,everything would be dry and safe in the van and storing was not a problem,youv'e got the van take the time and decide,do you want a caravan or a trailer carrying you tent with the added luxury of eating indoors and a fridge to keep the beer cool.
rustygates.

Time is no issue and everything you have said is agreed on
I genuinely believe that given enough time I could have this looking brilliant!!!

I want to sort out the body outside first as the inside is easy peasey and I can sort the inside out in the dry even if it rains outside so I'd rather get the outside done while the weather is good

Any good forums especially for Compass owners where I can find spares or any addresses of Caravan Breakers where I can find some parts?

[(RIP) rustygates]

Try "Caravan Talk Forum", iv'e been a member for years google it and also try ebay for bits, and there is UK Campsite. Good luck,hardest part is starting the job,it would pay you to get as many modern bits as possible,even a shower,you can re arrange the the inner walls to suite.
rustygates.

[solarman216]

I have to be honest mate, I have scrapped much better as not worth the time, effort and money, Rick

[briggie]

Always inspect the van thoroughly in daylight. If you are not mechanically minded, bring along someone that is. The main things to check are:
Check for damp - One of the most important checks for a second hand caravan is for damp. Repairing damp in a van is usually expensive, and in some cases could cost more than the cost of the van. If you can smell damp inside the van, be particularly cautious. It is worth spending £15 on a damp meter from your local DIY store. Check corners, bed boxes and inside cupboards and lockers. Check the condition of the external sealing around the body and window frames by pressing close to the joint - poor sealing will soon lead to internal damp problems. Look for any external damage that might cause water ingress. Check that the floor of the van does not feel spongy underfoot.
Check the doors and windows - Check the main door to ensure the lock and hinges are secure and everything moves freely. Check the main door has a watertight fit all the way around. Also check the fit of any windows and roof vents and look out for cracking or crazing in plastic windows, and internal condensation in double glazed units. Replacement of these parts are likely to be expensive on any van, and for older vans may be difficult to find.
Check the chassis and running gear - It is important to check the condition of the chassis, the hitch and the suspension as repairs or replacement can be expensive. Check for corrosion on the chassis and look out for signs of new paint or underseal that might be hiding something underneath. Check the hitch mechanism moves freely and the rubber gaiter is not split. Check the jockey wheel winds up and down easily and rotates freely. Check all the steadies wind up and down freely. Check the handbrake is effective and ensure the mechanism moves freely. Look to see if grease nipples appear to have been neglected.
Check the gas and electrics - Check the condition of the gas and electrical system. If in any doubt, have them checked out by a professional as faulty systems can be lethal. Look out for any signs of DIY work on these systems.

[Banshee]

Originally Posted by briggie

Always inspect the van thoroughly in daylight. If you are not mechanically minded, bring along someone that is. The main things to check are:
Check for damp - One of the most important checks for a second hand caravan is for damp. Repairing damp in a van is usually expensive, and in some cases could cost more than the cost of the van. If you can smell damp inside the van, be particularly cautious. It is worth spending £15 on a damp meter from your local DIY store. Check corners, bed boxes and inside cupboards and lockers. Check the condition of the external sealing around the body and window frames by pressing close to the joint - poor sealing will soon lead to internal damp problems. Look for any external damage that might cause water ingress. Check that the floor of the van does not feel spongy underfoot.
Check the doors and windows - Check the main door to ensure the lock and hinges are secure and everything moves freely. Check the main door has a watertight fit all the way around. Also check the fit of any windows and roof vents and look out for cracking or crazing in plastic windows, and internal condensation in double glazed units. Replacement of these parts are likely to be expensive on any van, and for older vans may be difficult to find.
Check the chassis and running gear - It is important to check the condition of the chassis, the hitch and the suspension as repairs or replacement can be expensive. Check for corrosion on the chassis and look out for signs of new paint or underseal that might be hiding something underneath. Check the hitch mechanism moves freely and the rubber gaiter is not split. Check the jockey wheel winds up and down easily and rotates freely. Check all the steadies wind up and down freely. Check the handbrake is effective and ensure the mechanism moves freely. Look to see if grease nipples appear to have been neglected.
Check the gas and electrics - Check the condition of the gas and electrical system. If in any doubt, have them checked out by a professional as faulty systems can be lethal. Look out for any signs of DIY work on these systems.

Thanks for the detailed post I've put her up on eBay for £100 if she sells she sells and I make £80 profit if she doesn't the project commences

[MudLifeCrisis]

No offence meant but that's a money pit . It will never be worth anywhere near what you will have to spend on it. Better spend your money on something more structurally sound.

If I take a van like this in px they go on ebay as a shed ,camper van conversion parts or chassis for trailer build.

£100 to £200 max

Brian

[Banshee]

Originally Posted by MudLifeCrisis

No offence meant but that's a money pit . It will never be worth anywhere near what you will have to spend on it. Better spend your money on something more structurally sound.

If I take a van like this in px they go on ebay as a shed ,camper van conversion parts or chassis for trailer build.

£100 to £200 max

Brian

No mate!! Your opinion is very much appreciated , if I didn't want it I wouldn't have posted up here

She's got 3 watchers and had 200+ views since 11pm when I put her up last night so fingers crossed

[zippy656]

Originally Posted by Banshee

No mate!! Your opinion is very much appreciated , if I didn't want it I wouldn't have posted up here

She's got 3 watchers and had 200+ views since 11pm when I put her up last night so fingers crossed

Good luck as long as you get what you paid for it back