We purchased our 1994 Compass last month and have had three great weekends away so far but I know we need a full service really as we have no service history (we have all the Criss docs and stuff so nothing dodgy about it) and I am terrified there will be something awful wrong with it. Would it be apparent? Would we know? OH says the brakes etc all feel fine when he tows and inside feels dry and firm. We haven't touched the gas at all just in case. The only evident problem we can 'see' is that we get a sort of grinding noise when we turn corners so we think we need a new hitch socket thingy (excuse my ignorance lol!) as more grease hasn't eased the problem. I am really, really scared though that my beautiful caravan will be declared unfit for use and have something terrible wrong with her!
i wouldn't worry most things can be repaired fairly easily other than dampness. I would get it serviced though just to make sure it is safe to be on the orad if anything and of course to get the gas tested. I had my 1999 van serviced when i bought it and nothing was wrong with it.
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to be honest with a nearly 20 year old van ,as long as its roadworthy and gas safe ,sod the rest; if its got a couple of leaks so what ,just use it and enjoy it
all you need to know is ,are the tires o.k ,is the gas free from leaks ,are the brakes working ,and is the tow ball /hitch etc working correctly everything else is down to personal taste and comfort as long as you don't have water dripping down your neck as you sleep why worry
get the service done and worry afterwards if necessary. By the way are you sure your hitch needs grease?? I know ours is a dry hitch and unwanted grease makes it groan horribly!!
1. keep going without having anything checked and you may find out the really hard way that something is wrong.
2. Get it serviced and find out if anything is wrong and then get it sorted for years of happy caravanning
Go with the second school of thought!!
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
I recently bought a 1990 Elddis Tornado and one of the first things I did was to get it serviced. Apart from the cost of the service it cost me £10 in spare parts and was for new gas hoses. For me money well spent because I now know I have a safe and road worthy caravan. taking it for it's first outing in a couple of weeks time.
Belts and braces really.
You haven't touched the gas (and quite rightly too) but 'ordinarily' gas appliances and that side of things aren't usually checked on a service (specifically the fridge)
Make sure they get checked.
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Quote: Originally posted by the black fox on 05/8/2013
to be honest with a nearly 20 year old van ,as long as its roadworthy and gas safe ,sod the rest; if its got a couple of leaks so what ,just use it and enjoy it
all you need to know is ,are the tires o.k ,is the gas free from leaks ,are the brakes working ,and is the tow ball /hitch etc working correctly everything else is down to personal taste and comfort as long as you don't have water dripping down your neck as you sleep why worry
I agree! Mine is a 1982 vintage! I had a gas and electric check (needed new gas pipes and an RCD unit fitted) and also had a chassis check. Well worth it for the peace of mind.
Although the hitch is the original one, it's a dry hitch with an integral stabiliser, so no grease.
Just bought a 1990 Avondale Wren and had a full service,including all gas and electric appliances. Gas hose changed and new pump fitted. Tyres replaced and I now feel confident that the van is roadworthy and in reasonable condition for it's age. The total cost, including tyres was £240. A small price to pay for peace of mind!
Quote: Originally posted by moppetsdad on 06/8/2013
If you have the blade sort of stabilizer that's what's grinding! Nowt to worry about it shows it's working ok
Yes, that's what we have! Excellent, thank you :-D
Quote: Originally posted by Ronni54 on 06/8/2013
Just bought a 1990 Avondale Wren and had a full service,including all gas and electric appliances. Gas hose changed and new pump fitted. Tyres replaced and I now feel confident that the van is roadworthy and in reasonable condition for it's age. The total cost, including tyres was £240. A small price to pay for peace of mind!
We've already replaced a tyre as it had a leaky valve so hopefully not too much else to do then. £240 is more than reasonable :-) You can't put a price on safety anyway!