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Subject Topic: First caravan advice Post Reply Post New Topic
22/8/2011 at 12:15pm
 Location: Preston
 Outfit: Lunar Solar 524
View lukebosman's Profile View Profile   Reply to lukebosman Reply   Quote lukebosman Quote  
Joined: 19/2/2004

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Firstly, apologies if this is an FAQ but I've browsed through the forum and been surprised to see no answer to it so I'll press on.

We've been keen campers for years but, as my daughter grows up, we're increasingly aware of the limiting features of tents and are considering buying a used caravan with three or four berths.

As I understand it, my driving licence (from 1991) is sufficient for me to tow almost any van while my wife's (from 2003) restricts her to one with a maximum laden weight no greater than my car's unladen weight. I drive a 2001 Mercedes C240 Estate which is largely made from bits of old Panzer and weighs, I think, 1500 kg.

Our budget will stretch to around £6,000 so clearly we cannot afford anything especially posh. When looking at older caravans are there any particular pitfalls we should look out for? I believe damp can be an issue. Is there any particular part of a caravan where this might reveal itself?

We would need to find somewhere to store the caravan while it's not in use. As I understand it, this should cost us around £250 a year.

We expect to have to buy a leisure battery, gas bottles and water containers as well as an electricity cable. I suspect we may also want an awning: are these much of a muchness?

Have I forgotten anything?

Thank you very much for any advice.
Luke


22/8/2011 at 12:47pm
 Location: Stevenage
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 520 4 twin axel
View landy1uk's Profile View Profile   Reply to landy1uk Reply   Quote landy1uk Quote  
Joined: 06/2/2011

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I have always had used vans Pesent one a Swift rapide 12/2, Side trims if fitted and the Awning Rail, Round the Windows if any of the rubbers are bad and around the Door and roof if it has a trim down the centre.

also check around the outside vents, lights, handles any where where there are screws or rivets

If it has a shower check the shower floor for cracks, and the sky lights

all I can of of at the moment

hth



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22/8/2011 at 1:06pm
 Location: Manchester
 Outfit: swift corniche 1996 Kia ceed CDI
View Gillian 58's Profile View Profile   Reply to Gillian 58 Reply   Quote Gillian 58 Quote  
Joined: 22/8/2010

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There are a good few caravan sites near you Luke that do Storage Garstang springs to mind , six thousand will get you a very nice van indeed, good luck .
                                       xx Gill


23/8/2011 at 12:13am
 Location: South
 Outfit:  Pageant Bordeaux S7
View audicab26's Profile View Profile   Reply to audicab26 Reply   Quote audicab26 Quote  
Joined: 18/9/2008

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Hi Luke,

We've just bought our first van, having had a folding Camper. It is lovely and it was less than 6k. And as we bought it in a private sale it had everything with it. So you might not have to buy all the add-ons if you strike lucky. £6000 should buy you a really nice van.

We wanted a 5 berth as the rear 'dinette' converts to a handy closed off bedroom for our 2 children.

There are a number of dealers near us all of whom took a sharp intake of breath when we told them what we wanted and what our budget was. In the end we bought ours off of a couple who were giving up caravaning.

Not sure re the licence thing as my wife and I both passed our tests in the 80's - but someone on here will know the answer, it is a very helpful forum.

We took a damp meter with us when we bought ours (ebay) and poked it in every corner, but if you check all the areas mentioned by landy1uk you'll not go far wrong. Another thing is to make sure the vendor has the CRIS reg doc in his or her name (like a car reg doc) and that there is evidence of regular maintenance. For peace of mind we rang CRIS and got them to HPI check our van before we handed over any cash.

Good luck with your search

Derek




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