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When we were looking to replace our old Swift (she was old but we loved her) we viewed so many vans I lost count.  Most owners and dealers would tell you they were damp free and 9 times out of 10 the dreaded damp could be found easily, even without a meter sometimes it was so bad.  We were looking a vans about 4-5 years old at the time and I was horrified at the damp we found in relatively new vans which were still being sold at the time for anything up to  £8,500.  

Not going to get involved in the German is best argument though...just check my profile!!!

'If 1% of the caravans are damp, there are 50,000 damp caravans out there.'

I make it 5,000.

There are damp levels in all caravans that have wood.  All wood has a natural damp level.  It is excessive damp that is a problem and with modern service checks and 6/10 year warranties, the problem should be quite rare in the future.  There will always be some damp due to condensation, but as long as its not dripping from the ceiling, it shouldn't cause too much damage.

My old boss bought a brand new hobby caravan direct from Germany in 2006 ??, Put it on a permanent pitch in North Wales and kept it their for 2 years before selling it for a static.

When he sold it it was falling apart and half the appliances didnt work, not sure if it was damp, but basically it was goosed and he got a low price for it.

My point............ not all that Glitters is German 

Bessie    

Quote: Originally posted by bessie500 on 17/5/2012

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My old boss bought a brand new hobby caravan direct from Germany in 2006 ??, Put it on a permanent pitch in North Wales and kept it their for 2 years before selling it for a static.

When he sold it it was falling apart and half the appliances didnt work, not sure if it was damp, but basically it was goosed and he got a low price for it.

My point............ not all that Glitters is German 

 

Bessie    

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Just spent an idle hour (or two!) mooching through used 2 berth 'vans on Ebay. There's a particular dealer who has quite a lot for sale - but virtually every one is described as being damp. We're not just talking £1,000 'vans either - one, described as "The exterior chassis looks to be in reasonable condition but there is damp in the roof and in a few other areas of the caravan as the photos show. Most the caravan looks to be in good visual order and it is definitely worth viewing!" - has an asking price of £4,600 !
Also, they are all advertised as 'sold as seen' - my understanding is that a trader cannot do this nowadays - us buyers have certain rights, even on used cars/caravans etc. - or am I wrong?

Christ i've just written chapter and verse about this the lost it,

I've seen the ad your talking about its just a trade in clearance, the ad states the van has been well used and is  below standard £4600 or offers. This will be sold as seen no warranty implieds or given.

We actually went looking at p/x our 6 birth in for a fixed bed  four birth, we've had our van from new and still looks new in every way, no dents stains damaged interiors or anything basically its still like new.

We went looking at 12k vans around the same age and they were horrendous dents all over the show damaged interiors and stunk, i would have sleeped a night in any of them.

They were minging 

Some people just dont give a toss never service them or anything. you only have to look at some of the new cars on the roads full of dents and filthy as they are never cleaned and probably over running the services.

I actually work with a guy who washed his ;last car twice in 6 years never had it serviced and then complained at the px value

Look after your van and it will be fine, leave the sh*te vans to those who are happy enough to live like that 

Bessie