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Does anyone know a good way of fnding out about older models that are no longer manufactured.  I had good advice from here about different makes etc, but if someone advertises an "swift moonbeam special edition" how do I find out whether that model really was special. It may be that I can't, but if I can then someone on here will know how.

Thanks, Sharon

PS Before you search, Swift didn't make a moonbeam, though it sounds nice.

Hi Sharon,

Older models can be hard to find info on....particularly "special editions".  Older usually means "pre internet" so not much was published this way at the time.  "special edition" usually means a dealer special.....ie, a standard van with a few extras to make it "unique" to that dealer.  It is often nothing that a buyer would not add themselves anyway.

Hope this helps,

Thanks, it all helps.  There's so much to learn before you take the plunge.  In my price range I'm looking at vans in the early 90s, there's such a lot of variation. Good point though, pre-internet.  No wonder it's hard to find information.

Sharon.

Sharon

What sort of information would you be hoping to find? 

If you wanted the sort of details that would normally appear in a manufacturers' glossy brochure, then you would be struggling with anything dating back more than two or three years, on the internet.

Highbridge Caravans (www.highbridgecaravans.co.uk) have got pdf brochures of a lot of their used caravans, available for downloading/viewing.  You might hit lucky and find that they have ones for models that you are curious about - although a lot of their vans are more recent than early nineties.

Otherwise, you are stuck with asking about model histories and ownership experiences on here, or viewing the vans in person.  Unfortunately, there is no really good way of avoiding the task of looking at van after van, until you find one that is 'special' for you!

Thought it might be the case that you just have to keep looking and learning. We are not in an area of high caravan ownership so the opportunity to view is limited.  I'm going to try a second hand site in Crowthorne towards the end of the week. With second hand cars you know that certain makes tend to be solid, it doesn't seem to be the same with caravans.  I guess I'm just trying to work out as much as possible in advance. I read a thread on here about Papa going to a second hand dealers and finding that only 1 out of 50 was damp free. Scary or what?

Sharon

Sharon,

There is damp....and there is DAMP!.....If you left your house unheated over the winter whilst you went to the mediterrainian for a couple of months, it would be damp when you get back. Most of us do this with our caravans between every use.......which can be several months.   If the seals on a caravan degrade and leak then it will be DAMP! 

On a caravan the rails at the corners, and above the windows cover the seams, and they have mastic sealant under them.  This can last 25 years, but caravan manufacturers only give a 5 or 6 year water ingress warranty on a new 'van for a reason!  We should re-seal our vans every 5-6 years, and a dealer will charge anything from £800 to £2000 to do this.  On an early '90s van which may only be worth £1000-£2000 it would be uneconomical, therefore gets neglected.....unless we do it ourselves, which is not really that difficult if you have some basic DIY skills, time and the desire to do it properly.. 

My website (link below) shows what DAMP! can do, and how it can be overcome, and there are many others on this forum who will show you the way in the "Fixed it Club" I would recommend that you read some of these websites, to get acquainted with the problems, then you will know what to look for, what problems are easily fixable (good to negotiate a discount) and what will be outwith your ability to fix, so just walk away.

Overall, if you want a perfect 'van......spend £10-20000 and get a new one, otherwise do your research, be sensible and realistic and get an early '90s van that suits your needs, ability to fix.....and budget, and have a great time.  That is what I have done, and don't regret a second of it.

Excellent, encouraging news.  I have had a look at the fix-it club, great section.  I'm a keen and competant diy-er myself - just made a bed for my youngest from scratch out of timber in my garage - she hasn't woken up on the floor yet! I quite like the idea of working on a van, but maybe out of choice rather than necessity on the first one! I'm going to gen up on what to check, and see what I can spot tomorrow - at the very least it will be a good excersise.

Sharon

What size/layout and price range are you looking at?   We will be selling our present van soon,although we haven't advertised it yet. It's a 98 4 berth Eccles Emerald MTPLM 1300kg.  Lots of extras including a mover.  £4995.

Maybe a bit far away for you!

Hi Sharon,

Great to see that you are up for a bit of fix-it!!  If you do go for it, remember that a van like mine with serious damp is effectively worthless until repaired although you would be shocked at the price tickets that a dealer would put on it......use that to negotiate a very good deal!  If you find a good do-er-upper, take lots of photos as you go, create a website and you to can be a member of the "Fixed it Club".......the only club that nobody really wants to be a member of!

Just remember.....take your time, don't get rushed into anything, and don't take on more  than you have the time, money and ability to fix.

Good Luck

Hi Sharon, I own a 1990 Avondale Mayfly, I bought 2 years ago on e-bay for £2000 and do my own repairs wherever I can. I find the magazine Practical Caravan useful in that it has a series called Caravan Doctor by Andy Jenkinson who writes books on older caravans. The idea is , he selects three caravans of earlier years and suggests what would be required to bring it up to scratch. What I like is that you get to see older vans and an idea of their worth. Hope your search is successful.

Rick.

Hi, Sharon,

Take heart. I purchased my 1993 Abbey Piper 12.2 Executive in August last year,for well under £3,000 and am pleased to say have had no probems with it.  Did view several vans before making a final decision though and found some good and some bad. 

So good luck with your search

I agree with rickydicky10 about Practical Caravan mag.

Happy Caravanning

It can be done then, thanks for the encouragement. Going to look at a dealers today - a dealer who sells on the trade-ins that are too old for the main dealerships.  A lady near me bought one from there for under 2k, and has been very pleased with it. It's a start anyway.

PS Thanks Jennifern for the offer, but you are too far away, and way out of my budget, but it was nice of you to suggest it.

Quote: Originally posted by The Harts on 25/10/2007

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It can be done then, thanks for the encouragement. Going to look at a dealers today - a dealer who sells on the trade-ins that are too old for the main dealerships.  A lady near me bought one from there for under 2k, and has been very pleased with it. It's a start anyway.

PS Thanks Jennifern for the offer, but you are too far away, and way out of my budget, but it was nice of you to suggest it.

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 How did your trip to the dealer go?. Seen anything interesting, or are you still looking