we was looking for quite some time for our first caravan we didn't want to get one then spend loads repairing it we save up enough to get a modest caravan not to old not to new we didn't want finance wanted something we can call our own.
in 2013 we found a caravan at a local dealers a 2004 abbey freestyle 520se we liked the lay out being a L shape lounge and a rear end wash room with shower.
was told by the dealer nice man showed us everything working we asked if they could fit a motor mover as we are keeping it at home and would make it easer to move when parking it up I did ask him was there any damp reported he said there was none that's why they took it in px he said they would give it a full service they changed the bathroom tap free of charge.
the thing that I was dreading when buying a caravan the dreaded damp ive had the van a year spent the last 4 months repairing the van resealing the complete van top to bottom front to back one of the reasons I thought if I was to spend a little more I wouldn't get this problem how wrong was I there has been loads of things go wrong with this van I wished sometimes I never came across it spent half what the van cost in the first place.it has been very stress full to say the least I can say now it is all done and I can have a well earned rest.
van all dry now looking forward going away and hopefully trouble free caravanning.
There's a lot to be said for buying a van at the budget end of the market in my opinion, over the last 30 years whenever we've bought a van its never been for more than £800, as long as it looks suitable for us to use we are happy, yes we have bought vans that have had issues with soft spots to the walls etc but we accept this as part of the budget buying process.
Many of our vans have been used for 2,3 or 4 years before selling, and again at this price level you never really lose too much money even after a couple of years use.
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Both of us being over 6 foot and "on the heavy side"! Even brand spanking new £20k vans, are mostly useless to us and so called double fixed bed vans are a joke.
This being the case, anything we do buy has to be "modified" to suit our needs.
I would feel bad about buying a top of the range unit and then attacking it with my woodworking "skills".
But I have no such qualms with an older unit and I am in the process of adding a 9 inch width extension to the single bed/dinette to give us 2 spacious beds in our 1997 Bailey Ranger.
For 25 quid for the wood and a couple of hinges, we are turning a 4 berth "past its best" van into a very comfortable two berth, the likes of which I have yet to find buying new.
Sorry it has taken so long to reply but thanks for the replys .. this is a lovely site
..I love my older lived in caravan , we took a bit of a risk as we spotted damp in the bathroom when we viewed but ... she really is a good un and now all sorted
the guy that has redone all the rails and sorted the floor and checked the Gas is of the old school. He is mobile but retired , spent 30 years working on caravans and BOY does he know his trade !
Watching him at work .. he is so particular about everything and took great pride in the job . Also gave us tips as to how to look after her in the future
I can post his details here but not sure if this is allowed ?
We are in Worcestershire/ Gloucestershire