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Hope you enjoy your caravan. 

The person you are buying from does seem to be genuine but not wishing to worry you, the scammers and crooks all seem genuine too, or no one would ever be taken in. 

I'd go over it very carefully when you collect it and don't be too surprised if you do find one or two problems - after all if it's 19 years old you can't expect it to be perfect - and if its not, it's not the end of the world and can usually be put right.

If you get the caravanning bug, you'll soon be trading it in and upgrading to a newer one, honestly.

Quote: Originally posted by Patches on 02/9/2007

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Hope you enjoy your caravan. 

The person you are buying from does seem to be genuine but not wishing to worry you, the scammers and crooks all seem genuine too, or no one would ever be taken in. 

I'd go over it very carefully when you collect it and don't be too surprised if you do find one or two problems - after all if it's 19 years old you can't expect it to be perfect - and if its not, it's not the end of the world and can usually be put right.

If you get the caravanning bug, you'll soon be trading it in and upgrading to a newer one, honestly.

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Yes i agree with what  has  been said ,we struck lucky went to a dealer and one of the  salesmen has his own van on the  lot  for sale everything included ,awning ( good as new well and it was ).the  only thig we need was a hitchlock  and mirrors for the car

We  did  go  to another dealer close  to  us and  look  at the  vans they  had we saw  damp ,mice droppings and other ,things that sent  us  back  to the  private  sale ,not looked back since .

 

do not be  surprised if you have to  buy  things,our first trip  was  with  no  ehu ,discovered the  battery  had a dead  cell not  a problemm  if you on  ehu so  replace with bigger  battery ( well  as  a  man more power lol ).

second  prob not  a big  one ,the  aqua roll  was only 20 litres ,well 9 litres to fill  hot tank  and  say  1 1/2 to  run through system ,sort of drains the water so got  a  additional 40 litres  barrel .

end of the  day it  all depends  on what you  want  to suit  your needs ,and i hope  this  van does

thank you everybody for all your replies.  if i'm perfectly honest i am a bit nervous about the whole thing.  i am a single mum to 3 young children and this will need to serve us for our holidays for the next few years.  the amount i've paid may not be a lot to some, but to me it's a big outlay, and i've had to rely on the seller being honest.  there is no way i could afford to go to a big dealer and buy something, even the cheaper vans might well be worse than this one and would probably still set me back more than this has.

if we get a few good holidays out of it then i will be happy.  i told the children tonight and they are SOOO excited about it all. i am hoping to be able to go for a "try out" weekend the second weekend after i've collected it.  also my neighbour (bless him) was an upholsterer by trade and can replace the covers on the cushions for a nominal amount and i have some carpet offcuts that might fit, that i am hoping i can either do myself or get someone to do for me professionally so it will be a bit more updated.

everyone on here is very kind and helpful (in the main!) and i really appreciate your comments and advice.  once i have collected it and hopefully updated it i will post some more about it (and hopefully some pics!!)

i'm very excited about the whole thing - this might mean a difference between no holidays at all and a good few throughout the next couple of years! 

thank you.

aj x

Check with the seller to find out if it's had a service lately.  If not, try to find someone to at least check the tyres and brakes and find out what the correct tyre pressure should be.

It might be a good idea to get a carbon monoxide alarm as well.

I'm sure everything is fine but to be honest it's more imortant to check the safety aspects than update the upholstery and curtains.

Quote: Originally posted by alisonjs on 02/9/2007

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  also my neighbour (bless him) was an upholsterer by trade and can replace the covers on the cushions for a nominal amount and i have some carpet offcuts that might fit, that i am hoping i can either do myself or get someone to do for me professionally so it will be a bit more updated.

 

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Quote: Originally posted by Bill Lord on 02/9/2007

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Looking at the upholstery and carpets in the picture they hardly look like they need changing, You will need things like water containers and waste water containers though.

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I think they were included Bill.  I still say that the safety aspects should be looked at before anything else.

Quote: Originally posted by Skatty on 02/9/2007

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Quote: Originally posted by alisonjs on 02/9/2007

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i don't really mind about the hot water or oven thing, not for the money.  i can boil kettles for washing!  it's still better than a tent!!

aj x

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I BEG YOU PARDON?!?!

We got shut of the caravan in favour of tenting !!

Surely your sentance should have read - it different to a tent ' ?!?!?

we have a 2 ring cooker /grill,our own loo ,we are dry and warm ,hot water and lots more room .
How much 'better' is a caravan! [insert sticky out tongue smiley  here]

 

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Skatty,  I do find it strange that someone who claims to have sold their caravan becaus ethey think tenting is better should spend so much time and effort patrolling the caravan forum and getting up in arms about any little comment on how caravanning is better than tenting.

While there is some humour in your response, I have noticed this habit of yours and can only presume that your sub-concious agrees with the rest of us that of course caravanning is better than tenting, I mean who enjoys laying on the floor to sleep and pottering around under wet canvas, when I can just look out of my window at the same view and if its bad out watch satellite TV.

Mike  

I must admit when i was younger, i did prefer canvas, it was a good laugh.

Now though, looking my heating allowance in the face, i prefer a little comfort!

Just wondering, have you got it yet? i really hope this is a good un for you and the family.

Bryan