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After looking to buy a van privately for the past six weeks or so with no luck due to (a) not to our taste, (b) poorly maintained / scruffy (c) Damp when stated they were dry, we are going to a dealers to look at a Swift Challenger 400 se 2 berth tomorrow, we only have a small budget £2500 to £3000 at a tight push, the van is a 1997 model priced at £2495 we said we were not going to a dealer with such a small budget as we thought we would get more going private but from what we have seen you may gets lots of goodies included with the van but the vans condition is our top priority. will be taking a damp meter with us but was wondering if anyone knows of any issues with this model year that we should especially look out for.

thanks John and Julie

Presumably the dealer would have done a damp check so ask to look at the report.  Also it might be worth asking if they do a starter pack.  When we got our caravan i'd been to look around other dealers and seen that they offered one so when it came to ordering ours from our dealer i asked him to throw in the same starter pack that was offered elsewhere, he quite happily did.  So look on other dealers websites and see if they also do on your priced van.  If not ask!

Good Luck and hope you find the 'van you are looking for....

Hi,

To make a demp meter work effectively you have to give it a good push through the wall covering and into the timbers...try to do it when the dealer  isn't breathing down your neck as he may not be so keen!

Good luck!

Mr UM

If you'd like the 1997 sales brochure send me a email ( address below ) .

atb

Wizard

We had a 1993 Swift Challenger 470 SE 2 berth - we loved it ! Never missed a beat. But when looking round a few of years ago, a couple of the slightly later model Swifts we looked at had water coming through the front windows (it was raining !). It was pooling on the small shelf at the front so look for dried water marks there.

Hope this helps,

Shirley

Thanks for replies.......................

Been to look at the van and she was in immaculate condition for age, not a mark on her inside, oven and shower never been used, cushions been restuffed and covered to original design, woodwork in tiptop condition everything looks like new, hard to believe its 13 years old, outside almost as good just a couple of little marks but to be expected, 1 previous owner, looking at her would say its hardley been used, oh and its as dry as a bone, not a peep from damp meter, and yes I checked everywhere, did not come with any extras but I have all that anyway, not from a big dealer came from a local farm that does storage and sales, did knock him down to £2375 from £2495, so very happy, picking her up tuesday, need to change towball etc first, we cant wait till we get her home and put our nicnaks in, going for first trip next weekend.

Happy days are here again...................

Excellent news...I hope that you enjoy your new van...it certainly sounds a "little gem"!

Mr UM