Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning

Topic: Clueless - help!

MiriH

11/4/2015 at 2:40pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 11/4/2015

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 8

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Hi all,

After ten years of spending every summer under canvas I'm finally graduating to a caravan. However, I have a very limited budget and I don't know where to begin.

In short, I'm looking for a 4-berth 2nd hand caravan with no damp issues for under £1000. Is that going to be impossible to achieve? Age is immaterial - I don't care if it's pretty ancient and in need of a lot of cosmetic tlc, as long as it's dry. It will only be making one journey to a field in Cornwall, and then staying there for the rest of its life.

So, any tips? Or does this sound like a hopeless endeavour on my budget? I've got a damp meter, and I'm not afraid to use it..

Miriam

MikeyBe

11/4/2015 at 2:58pm
Location: Hartlepool
Outfit: Merc ML270 + Bailey Ranger 520.4

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 06/4/2014

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 42

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I paid £850 (or thereabouts, can't quite remember now) for our old '95 Bailey Pageant. It's 4 berth, damp free and looks quite tidy. The down side is the water heater and gas fire don't work - I will get round to sorting then out at some point.

Still, it owes me nothing since we've already had a years enjoyment from it...

Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!

UKCampsite.co.uk users are rewarded with up to 12.5% off Caravan Guard touring caravan insurance, folding camper and trailer tent insurance, and 5% off motorhome and campervan insurance. Static caravan insurance is also available. Get an online quote now

MiriH

11/4/2015 at 3:06pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 11/4/2015

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 8

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

That's reassuring. Did you get it from somewhere like eBay, or a dealer? I live in terror of accidentally buying a damp caravan. I also need to get one as close as possible to St Merryn in Cornwall, as I'll be having to pay someone to tow it to its new home for me. That narrows down my options a bit.

Jax365

11/4/2015 at 3:07pm
Location: south cheshire
Outfit: VW Caddy Maxi

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 07/9/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4034

Site Reviews Total:	7

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	7
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

There are a lot on Ebay at the moment, you could try bidding on a few up to your max. Also some in the classified section... and also have a look in the 'for sale' section on here. It's certainly a big ask for what you want to pay, so be patient, take you time, and take your damp meter! Don't buy anything unseen.

-------------

MikeyBe

11/4/2015 at 5:18pm
Location: Hartlepool
Outfit: Merc ML270 + Bailey Ranger 520.4

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 06/4/2014

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 42

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Quote: Originally posted by MiriH on 11/4/2015
That's reassuring. Did you get it from somewhere like eBay, or a dealer?

I saw it for sale on a storage yard close to where I work. I'm not sure if I could buy a caravan from somewhere like ebay without thoroughly checking it out first..

MiriH

11/4/2015 at 5:21pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 11/4/2015

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 8

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Oh yes, me and my damp meter will definitely be viewing the van first, wherever I get it from.

Colin21

11/4/2015 at 8:04pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 05/11/2013

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 6270

Site Reviews Total:	18

Site Reviews 2024:	1
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	2
Site Reviews 2021:	2
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	2
Site Reviews 2018:	3

Site Nights 2024:	7
Site Nights 2023:	8
Site Nights 2022:	12
Site Nights 2021:	18
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	21
Site Nights 2018:	18

Ours is a 4 berth Elddis that I bought on ebay 15 months or so ago. It served us fine all last year. It has a few scuffs and dents, and it had a cracked front window which I replaced with one from a breakers. Everything seems to work, except the fridge on gas. As we usually go for sites with electric, that isn't a problem though.

I will echo what others have said, don't buy unseen!

Oh, I forgot to say, ours cost us £500.

-------------
Best Regards,
Colin

Derby-Dave

11/4/2015 at 10:38pm
Location: Belper
Outfit: Elddis tornado xl

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 24/4/2013

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 62

Site Reviews Total:	4

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Yes I bought an early nineties Elddis 4 berth for under a grand two years ago. Is dry as a bone and everything works perfectly.

Well happy.. So far

MiriH

15/4/2015 at 4:09pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 11/4/2015

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 8

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I am now the proud owner of a bone-dry 4 berth ABI Monza, which I managed to get for just £500. It's an ebay buy which the very lovely and professional people at Tregainlands (http://www.tregainlands.co.uk) damp-checked and generally assessed for me for a very reasonable fee. So so happy! Resisting the urge to run down to Cornwall over the next two months is not going to be easy.

I'm sure I'll have many more questions to ask you all over the coming months..

Ma+Pa Clampett.

18/4/2015 at 4:36pm
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Vango Samara 400 +Coachman VIP 520 4

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 08/9/2010

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 455
Tent Reviews: 6

Site Reviews Total:	15

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	1
Site Reviews 2021:	1
Site Reviews 2020:	2
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	14
Site Nights 2021:	14
Site Nights 2020:	21
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I managed to get a very good van off gumtree,I paid £1300 for it and it's still worth that now,the longer you spend looking and the more sites you visit,the more chance you have of bagging a bargain.Happy hunting.

-------------
If the moon reflects the suns light,why does it not reflect the suns heat?

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

8009 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder