Sorry if this has been asked before, I am thinking of buying a two berth used caravan made around 1997-2002. Are there any makes/models to avoid that are more prone to damp? I am considering a bailey Pageant but this is not set in stone.
I currently have a 1995 Elddis gulfstream that's got water ingress (beyond financial repair) from where the rear of the roof goes higher.
The answer to your question is no, any make of that age could be damp. As stated, take a damp meter. It would help if caravan has documented history of annual service & damp check, as it is damp untreated for several yrs that destroys the caravan.
Thanks both Michael and Tentz for your advice, I will invest in a damp meter, it will more than pay for itself.
I think common sense says not to buy until the end of the coming season. I will look meanwhile and if there is a nice one local ( Lancashire ) then I would consider.
One thing that's tempting me to buy is a local (reputable) dealer has offered me a good P/X on my van even with the damp, more that I could get selling it myself.
The links are most informative, thanks Michael.
reads caravans at blackburn are very good.i would still ask for a full damp report from them(even if you need to pay) and some warranty.at least with a dealer in law you have come back.private you have non.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Theres no real point in buying an older caravan from a dealer, you are better buying cheaper privately from ebay etc. No dealer is going to offer a warranty on a 15yr old 'van that would include major damp repairs if required.
Quote: Originally posted by RussC-S on 21/2/2013
Sorry if this has been asked before, I am thinking of buying a two berth used caravan made around 1997-2002. Are there any makes/models to avoid that are more prone to damp? I am considering a bailey Pageant but this is not set in stone.
I currently have a 1995 Elddis gulfstream that's got water ingress (beyond financial repair) from where the rear of the roof goes higher.
I bought that model brand new in 1996 and it leaked in exactly the same place within 2 years and i got rid of it and have not had Elddis since.I have had Swift and Bailey since and been ok.
Quote: Originally posted by fleetwood99 on 22/2/2013
Reads used to be renown for selling damp vans, I for one should know, as I ended up with one. WOULD TRUST MY OWN DAMP CHECK OVER A DEALER ANYDAY....
just goes to show you can not trust anyone where damp is there on a sale.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Quote: Originally posted by birdman101 on 23/2/2013
Quote: Originally posted by RussC-S on 21/2/2013Sorry if this has been asked before, I am thinking of buying a two berth used caravan made around 1997-2002. Are there any makes/models to avoid that are more prone to damp? I am considering a bailey Pageant but this is not set in stone.
I currently have a 1995 Elddis gulfstream that's got water ingress (beyond financial repair) from where the rear of the roof goes higher.
W
I bought that model brand new in 1996 and it leaked in exactly the same place within 2 years and i got rid of it and have not had Elddis since.I have had Swift and Bailey since and been ok.
We had an Elddis Gulfstream GT 1994, and it was dry as a cork. We sold her for top money 3 months ago, with many years left in her. Its the luck of the draw I reckon, some are good, lots are bad.
I have two reasons for wanting to change my caravan now, one being the damp as previously mentioned, the other is my local caravan dealer (Stuart Longton Lancaster) is offering a guaranteed £1,200 for mine in p/x. Even taking into account dealership prices I would be better off taking the p/x than trying to sell my van for what little i'd get for a damp one.
If I had enough cash I'd buy off ebay but sadly damp never appears at the right time.