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I'm a tent camper and love it however due to health problems it's no longer an option so I'm thinking of caravanning.

We can't afford brand new so someone suggested 2nd hand. I've looked and there's a fair amount of 4 or 5 berth vans available for under 1000 pounds but I'm just not sure it's a good idea. They're mostly from 1990 so are they worth looking at?

I'd really appreciate any advice seasoned caravanners can give.

thank you!

I just sold a 1990 abbey 4 berth and it was nice, cosy and ready to go. I bought it last year for a grand, had several weeks away in it and have upgraded.

If you buy the right one you won't lose any money as it's done all it's depreciating. Sold mine in a few days for what I've paid for it a year earlier.

Quote: Originally posted by bobmel on 28/2/2013

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Go to a dealer and they will be happy to advise you. Its also good to see all the different lay outs. One main thing, if you see damp or damp is mentioned steer clear.

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I am still a camper but I did try to buy a nice looking van last year which appeared dry. I got it checked by a mobile caravan engineer and it was damp. You could not see it. I would not buy any van at any price without getting it checked. It cost me £40 which I think was money well spent. He would also have checked all applicanes etc for gas leaks and so on if it had not been damp all for £40.

Don't listen to dealers though. I recently saw a van at my local Bailey dealers which was £1700 and it had an advert in the window offering 3 months warranty. I asked if this covered dampness and the sales guy said "on no not on a van of that age but do not worry because it will get a service and if it has any damp it will be resealed before you pick it up so it won't have any issues at all". What a load of rubbish. You can't repair most damo issues so easily and you need to consider the damage that any water ingress has caused. i stuck my nose into the van and a strong smell of damp. So be careful it is really for you to find the best van, just get soome help and you should be fine.

If you look hard enough and can be bothered to view lots of vans then you will find a gem of a van.