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 Topic: Just joined the caravan world! Help!
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08/5/2016 at 9:41pm
Location: Ipswich
Outfit: on the lookout
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Joined: 08/5/2011 Standard Member
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Hi everyone! After spending my childhood caravanning and many months of talking about it with my girlfriend we have just joined the caravan world! On my way to work each morning I noticed a caravan sat in a field which never seemed to move, so after doing some investigating I managed to track down the owner!!! He has not used the caravan for a couple of years, went to look and although it was very dirty and moss covered, it seemed solid bar one or two patches of what felt like damp but had dried up. To cut a long story short I now find myself the owner of a 1995 coachman genius s.e 520/4!! It is fully equipped with everything needed even the cutlery (this will be replaced though!!) all for £600!!! I rescued it from the field this afternoon and now have it in my dads front garden as he will help me get it back into life!! The guy wasn't bothered about selling and was just happy to let it rot away in his field. He was totally honest about the condition and said everything worked when he last used it but obviously it's my risk if it doesn't. I just need some help and advice on a few things:-
The brakes feel non existent at the moment, while towing it home of the brakes were applied, it just shunted the car, what could this be? Do you think they may just want freeing off as its been sat?
It has some "dry" (I think!) damp patches, patch on the ceiling in the wardrobe and in the front 2 corners. How hard will this be to sort? I am aware this caravan is 21 years old so not expecting to get it "as new"
The wardrobe door is missing, how difficult would it be to replace? Maybe even with one similar?
Some of the blind/flyscreen units are broken or need straightening, are these difficult to replace?
Some of the light lenses could do with replacing, I presume these are not difficult to replace from eBay etc?
What is the best cleaner to bring the exterior up to standard?
I'm sure I will be asking lots of questions in the coming weeks so be prepared! :)
Thanks! Aaron
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08/5/2016 at 11:33pm
Location: Ipswich
Outfit: on the lookout
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Quote: Originally posted by richiec on 08/5/2016
Possibly is the brakes, but more likely the damper. As for the damp, that can be very expensive to sort out and may not, in the long run be worth it. You've bought yourself a new(to you) 'van. Get it tidied up and road worthy.....new tyres are a must, put a new gas pipe in sterilise the water system. I recommend you don't drink from the taps inside, keep a container for drinking water(or just drink beer!!!) clean the fridge especially the seal. All the above are cheap and easy to do apart from tyres, help from a pro required there. You may or may not fall in love with the caravan malarkey, but if you do then pay to sort out the damp. Or pop off to a dealer and buy a brand spanker!! lots do. Most of all , enjoy!!!
Thanks! What's the easy way of checking to see if it's the damper? The tyres were new a couple of years ago but luckily I am a transport manager for a haulage company so can get ATS to check (who do all our truck tyres!) I can also get our trailer mechanic (who's a mechanic in all sorts) to help out with anything else! Yeah not too bother about the old leaks, just want to get it clean and make sure it doesn't leak anymore! It towed home lovely apart from the brakes not working but just went gently. All the external lights worked ok! I have got some water system sterilising tablets but won't drink out of the taps anyway! We never did when we were young, as done quite trust the pipes or the water containers. I know i will love it as I loved it in my teens and wanted to get my own ever since!! Not sure what to do about the old damp at the mo, my dad is a dab hand at all that sort of thing and actually half rebuilt caravans when he had them so will see what he thinks!
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09/5/2016 at 12:19am
Location: Ipswich
Outfit: on the lookout
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Quote: Originally posted by chrisn7 on 09/5/2016
I agree with the damper assessment - it is the cheapest and easiest solution if faulty. If it is the brakes, it is relatively unlikely that the linkage mechanism needs adjusting, more likley the brake shoe to drum clearance, which is diy-able. However, since the van has been in a field some time, there may be some rust on the drums, so it would be prudent to have the drums removed for a full assessment.
You seem to have pushed the possible damp issue to one side, but this should really be the first priority. If serious issues are found, this could preclude any further spending. Depressing it might be but think iceberg - what you can see is 10%, the other 90% will be revealed later..
Caravan breakers for your wardrobe door
Hi! Thanks for your reply! I will check the damper issue as soon as I can. As for the damp, I definitely haven't pushed it to one side, I saw it was there when I looked and knew it could be trouble which is why I asked the questions I did! I will have to take the seats and curtains out and see what I find. What I meant was as its not a new caravan by any stretch I am now expecting nor wanting to get it to as new condition as it will not be worth it, but I want to make sure it's watertight and repair any unsightly water damage!
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