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Topic: Newbie advice. Avondale caravan

paulbe

03/8/2016 at 12:39pm
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Hi
I am considering buying a cheap caravan (I can hear you all scream noooooo, not another)
My plan is to buy, try if for a few months, if we like it then buy a better caravan.
Anyway, I am looking at this avondale caravan

https://www.donedeal.ie/caravans-for-sale/caravan-spotless-everything-working/12752847

The owner said it is a 3 berth. But can someone tell me is their normally a bunk bed over the back seats? I assume the wooden rails were to carry a top bunk. If it is missing is this something that could be made/bought easily?

Thanks
P.

Rob and Tina

03/8/2016 at 12:52pm
Location: Royal Forest of Dean
Outfit: Swift Major 4SB

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That looks like a late 80's or early 90's caravan so it sounds expensive to me but perhaps the market is different in Ireland.

I can't help with the details about the bunk but I would be worried about why they haven't shown the front of the van and also why the concrete blocks have been used. The concrete blocks could have damaged the bodywork or the floor and what was wrong with using the stabilisers?

Rob

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billyboggins

03/8/2016 at 1:04pm
Location: norfolk
Outfit: Bailey Pageant Burgundy 6 volvo V70

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wouldn't touch it with a barge pole..where are the back feet ? why is it held up on concrete blocks as Rob and Tina says

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billyboggins

blueexpo97

03/8/2016 at 1:18pm
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Quick link for everyone.

OMG it's manky inside.

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XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.

paulbe

03/8/2016 at 2:16pm
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Thanks for the responses.
The market here is small, so my choice is limited.
I am only spending small money so going to the UK would probably drive costs up.He has reassured me there are back feet on it, he just pulled it there for the photos. I'm not too concerned about the superficial looks on the inside, I plan on spending the winter cleaning, painting etc. I'd actually like something that needs some work. My main concern is damp.
I am waiting on photos on the front of the van, if it looks OK ill go view it.

Grampian91

03/8/2016 at 2:52pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

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A large knife on the table with the mirrors, that inspires confidence.

Yes its a 4 berth with the drop down bunk.

Why have not put more details? Did they pay per letter when writing the description?

1990/1991/1992 probably.

Why have they draped something over the front cabinet? Suspicious me thinks to hide it.

If they do not know thats a bunk at the rear you need to ask the question is it actually their van and have they actually been inside it?

Whats happened to the interior roof vent?

Whats the actual model? What will you be towing it with?

paulbe

03/8/2016 at 3:13pm
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Thanks again. It's great to find such an active forum. I am also looking at a few more, f I post the links it would be great to get your opinions.

I assume the top bunk is stored by the top presses.
I am looking for some more photos so I will find out. I also doing some checking on the sellers and background of the van.
I'll be towing with either a Ford smax or Skoda superb. I assume there is no problem with either car.

paulbe

03/8/2016 at 3:25pm
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Here are a few more I'm interested in

Probably top of my list.

Water no working, I assume a pump/switches would be an easy fix

Probably too small

Looks clean

Post last edited on 03/08/2016 15:39:06

billyboggins

03/8/2016 at 4:23pm
Location: norfolk
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adria looks best to me

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billyboggins

SamandRose

03/8/2016 at 9:01pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: 2019 VW Arteon + 2002 Avondale Dart

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In the Avondale, there should be a bunk bed that lifts down from beneath the rear cupboards. If it's not there and you need it you could try a caravan breakers. A lot of vans from about that period (late 80s/early 90s) had the same layout but whether something from another caravan (not Avondale) could be made to fit I have no idea.

I agree with others, those concrete blocks beneath the back are not a good sign.

Any one of the caravans you've shown should be fine behind a Superb or Smax.

lexie71

03/8/2016 at 11:10pm
Location: Devon
Outfit: Swift challenger 540

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No im sorry but i would save a little bit more money than take on ANY of those vans Rome was not built in a day

paulbe

04/8/2016 at 11:28am
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Quote: Originally posted by lexie71 on 03/8/2016
No im sorry but i would save a little bit more money than take on ANY of those vans Rome was not built in a day

I think you may be correct. I'll keep my eye out for an end of season deal.
Thanks everyone for the advice.

yotanka62

04/8/2016 at 12:30pm
Location: Milton Keynes
Outfit: Kia Sorento + Sprite Major 4

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We did the similar thing though paid more money for our first van last November. The reason being I know I love caravanning but my hubby has never done it so wasn't so sure.

Now I kinda regret what we did and we should have bought a fixed bed in the first place which is what we are going to look for now as hubby loves it.

Moral of story, I would save up more pennies and get one that you know you will want for a few years and will not want to upgrade too. We will have lost money now.

navver

04/8/2016 at 7:50pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo

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But did you know you wanted a fixed bed when you bought it. How else would you have discovered that's what you wanted until you dipped your toe in the water.

Grampian91

05/8/2016 at 6:31pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

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When we started out a double at each end was our perfect layout, but then things changed and a rear bathroom and side diner with slightly longer front seating is our perfect van. We have owned it for 16 years and still suits our needs. Who knows what will suit us next?

Colin21

05/8/2016 at 7:48pm
Location: East Herts
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Ours cost us £500 3 years ago and we love it. We looked at several before we bought, and one thing we learnt was that spending three times as much wouldn't necessarily get us a better one. The proof of that for us is that some we saw that were much more expensive, weren't as good.

Buying a cheapie, as we did, is a gamble and you have to spend a LOT more to reduce that gamble. From what we have seen, even spending £10,000 only reduces the gamble a fraction. There are plenty of damp £10k vans out there, so for us its a case of either buy new and get a warranty or buy for what you can afford to lose.

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Best Regards,
Colin

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