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First,hello from a new member!

                  I have been contemplating buying a caravan,never owned one before and i can't afford  to spend too much !  I have just been to see a Cotswold Windrush 112,which i believe could be a 1986 model.It seems like a nice caravan,there was no smell of damp,and it looked in reasonable condition,but with my lack of caravan knowledge,i don't know what to look for "under the surface" to find out if it's not going to fall apart when it's used!

       So,i would be most grateful if any members could advise me on what to look for,and would it be a good first caravan for me ? Also would a caravan of this age still have a good few years of use left in it ,without constantly spending money on it ?                     I look forward to reading any replies!

look here

          www.cuddles.abelgratis.net/kerbweights.htm - 10k

Cotswold were a good make, many would say a lot better built than todays mass produced rubbish.

A caravan isn't like a car - any competent DIYer can keep it going and safe on the road.

I expect this van would have a good few years of happy holidays left in it, and it won't cost as much in running repairs as you would lose in depreciation on, say, a ten year old van.

There are several windows for sale on Ebay as well as the many listed at various scrap caravan dealers.

I replaced a glass window with perspex last year which was easy enough.

Have a look on the Workshop, Servicing and Maintenance section of this site for some great help and advice.

The Windrush was one of the better quality vans and used good quality timber and parts in the construction, unlike todays polystrene and hardboard sheds!

(older is better! lol)

welcome MarkAllen i see you from South Wales theres a caravan sparebits place up in pontypool www.caravanbreakers.net

hi,

our 1st 'van was a 5-berth Windrush from 1980. It did the 6 of us proud for a season as a starter,  we only got rid of it because sprogs grow so fast these days! It was solidly built and posh and well appointed for it's age with  alot of nice finishing touches that you don't seem to get these days.

If it's in good condition then I'd recommend it, but like any  'van (especially an older one) give it a good going over.

Best of luck, Andy

Regarding the front window, these have slightly 'wrap round' ends which makes a second hand one hard to source and are a nightmare to fit and seal. However the guy who used to fit them at the factory now runs a shop in Grimsby and still I believe will fit them for you.

It's a good idea to contact the Windrush owners club as well..which reminds me? I've not payed me advert bill!!