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Subject Topic: Buying Newbie.
Page:  1  2 Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonSlingerwoods
23/2/2017 at 9:43am
 Location: South Hampshire
 Outfit: Bailey Pageant Auvergne View Slingerwoods's Profile View Profile   Reply to Slingerwoods Reply   Quote Slingerwoods Quote  
Joined: 31/3/2016

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Hello everyone.

I have a TT at the moment and the wife has decided that she wants some more creature comforts when camping so its time to buy a Caravan. I should have insisted on a van in the first place.

Anyway, we are looking at a Avondale Rialto 535 5 berth tomorrow and I am wondering if you all could give me some advice on what to look for in general when buying a new second hand van. I have a check list from a random caravan website but know that the depths of knowledge from you all is priceless.

Any advice would be very appreciated.

Cheers,

Lee

-------------
Lee

Bailey Pageant Auvergne
TT - Sunncamp 350se


Personmarg6
23/2/2017 at 10:14am
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Avondale as no longer in exsistance, they went out of business about 2008 I think it was, as with any caravan take a damp meter and use it everywhere, make sure that you can see EVERYTHING working, check the floor for any bounce (delamination) check the age of all the tyres (nothing older than 5 yrs as they will need changing regardless of condition and don't forget the spare too, find out how old the battery is aswell


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Personfife-bloke
23/2/2017 at 10:15am
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Damp meter is a must do not be afraid to lift every cushion, look in every cupboard and locker, if possible lift the carpet, look under the van plug the electrics in make sure they work, do research into the model, common problems etc. Secondly check cris register make sure van is legit.
Then if all ok find out exactly what's included in the sale, awning water hog etc then strike a deal and go touring. Good luck

-------------
Who needs travel agents,we have our static


PersonBaileyjake
23/2/2017 at 1:25pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 570 6 + Shogun SG4 View Baileyjake's Profile View Profile   Reply to Baileyjake Reply   Quote Baileyjake Quote  
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as others said buy a damp meter and dont be afraid to use it.

a damp meter can be purchased for £10 from tool station.

if you find readings above 20% anywhere other than just below a window, and you can see the seal is damaged, walk away.

damp could be anywhere because the water leaks then runs down the inside of the wall. you may find no leaks by the awning rail but the leak me show by the floor.

check literally everywhere.

if you touch the damp meter on the window rubber it will show a false high reading.

appliances can be replaced easily but damp costs a fortune to repair and can reduce a caravan to scrap value so sellers are often keen to hide it.

for the cost of a cheap meter you can save yourself a lot of heartache.

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First van bailey ranger 550/6
Now the proud owner of a coachman amara


PersonSlingerwoods
24/2/2017 at 8:08am
 Location: South Hampshire
 Outfit: Bailey Pageant Auvergne View Slingerwoods's Profile View Profile   Reply to Slingerwoods Reply   Quote Slingerwoods Quote  
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Thanks for all the advice everyone. The damp meter is a great idea and Ill get one before I look at the van.

-------------
Lee

Bailey Pageant Auvergne
TT - Sunncamp 350se


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PersonAVON EAGLE
24/2/2017 at 10:04am
 Location: Blackpool
 Outfit: Elddis Supreme View AVON EAGLE's Profile View Profile   Reply to AVON EAGLE Reply   Quote AVON EAGLE Quote  
Joined: 21/8/2008

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Avondale were good solid vans. They had fibreglass roofs which can be repaired easily. Another thing they did was to put the spare wheel under the floor. With a trap door entry in the van. Look out for that and you can check the spare wheel also.

We went from tent - to trailer tent - to folding caravan. I also wish we had gone straight to the caravan. It would have saved us a lot of money.
Make sure the van is the perfect layout for you. Is the bed big enough - is the shower what you want (Most sites have good showers now though)
Is the front seating the right shape (we don't like the "L" shape seating.


PersonSlingerwoods
24/2/2017 at 10:18am
 Location: South Hampshire
 Outfit: Bailey Pageant Auvergne View Slingerwoods's Profile View Profile   Reply to Slingerwoods Reply   Quote Slingerwoods Quote  
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Honestly, this is the first van that we will have looked at. We like the fixed bunk beds in the back for the kids. Ill have a look at the spare wheel situation. That sounds an interesting set-up.

The big problem I have at the moment is towing the van as I need to do my B + E test and cant until the end of March. Hopefully I can store it where it is until then as its on a storage site.

-------------
Lee

Bailey Pageant Auvergne
TT - Sunncamp 350se


PersonSlingerwoods
24/2/2017 at 11:26am
 Location: South Hampshire
 Outfit: Bailey Pageant Auvergne View Slingerwoods's Profile View Profile   Reply to Slingerwoods Reply   Quote Slingerwoods Quote  
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Thanks for all the advice but unfortunately the van just sold so its back to trawling the internet.

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Lee

Bailey Pageant Auvergne
TT - Sunncamp 350se


PersonPickled Onion
24/2/2017 at 11:31am
 Location: Near Alton Towers
 Outfit: Bailey Burgundy S7 H View Pickled Onion's Profile View Profile   Reply to Pickled Onion Reply   Quote Pickled Onion Quote  
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Hi Lee, also check that your set-up, whichever you eventually choose is a good towing combination weight wise. Try and aim for the 85% ratio. A list where you can insert your make, model and year of car and similar for the van are available on-line, it's called outfit matching. Best not to buy your dream caravan only to find it's too heavy for your current car to tow safely.

Try this link:- http://www.towcar.info/

If a member of the CANC, (Formerly the Caravan Club) you can look up their database too. Good luck.

Dave.



-------------
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day,
Teach a man to fish and you can get rid of him for a whole weekend.


PersonSlingerwoods
02/3/2017 at 9:47am
 Location: South Hampshire
 Outfit: Bailey Pageant Auvergne View Slingerwoods's Profile View Profile   Reply to Slingerwoods Reply   Quote Slingerwoods Quote  
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Cheers Dave. I have been looking at the towing combination weight and have to be honest that it confuses me a bit. I have a 2ltr Astra Estate so I think I should be ok for most vans that I am looking at.

-------------
Lee

Bailey Pageant Auvergne
TT - Sunncamp 350se


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PersonRob and Tina
02/3/2017 at 10:28am
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB View Rob and Tina's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rob and Tina Reply   Quote Rob and Tina Quote  
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I noticed that you said you need to do your B+E and although that would make life easier you may not need it depending on your choice of caravan. What's the max vehicle weight of your Astra? It's probably around 2200 kg so you could tow a caravan up to 1300 kg or so and still be under the 3500 kg limit.


Ideally the caravan MTPLM should be around 85% of the car kerbweight for a safe match unless the max tow limit for the car is lower.


Rob


Personjeff juke
02/3/2017 at 12:08pm
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Like said,get a damp metre and learn how to use it and dont be frightend to use it.Every year on here we read about people buying vans and its ended up in tears.Last but not least DONT take people at their word remember its your money.

-------------
Animals have feelings..

JEFF................


PersonBaileyjake
02/3/2017 at 1:34pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 570 6 + Shogun SG4 View Baileyjake's Profile View Profile   Reply to Baileyjake Reply   Quote Baileyjake Quote  
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my 2007 bailey ranger 550/6 had fixed rear bunks most of the things you would need such as a full size oven (for a caravan) fridge, hot water, heating and 6 berths and was under 1300kg MPLM (1285kg). so i guess one of these could be towed without you doing you B+E if your car has a max GW of 2200kg. just be aware that some of the series 5 baileys suffered from cracked end panels.

some were replaced by Bailey as a warranty issue. try to find one of these.

-------------
First van bailey ranger 550/6
Now the proud owner of a coachman amara


Personveema
02/3/2017 at 8:11pm
 Location: Blackburn
 Outfit: VWT6 campervan View veema's Profile View Profile   Reply to veema Reply   Quote veema Quote  
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Mine is still for sale...ad on here.


Personbaddon
04/3/2017 at 6:49pm
 Location: Near Belfast
 Outfit: Ranger & Hymer Nova View baddon's Profile View Profile   Reply to baddon Reply   Quote baddon Quote  
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go to a local second hand dealer and brouse all the different layouts till you decide what you like/want. try setting out the beds you will use.

We went from a trailer tent to a caravan last easter and changed van twice to get what really suited.

We ended up with an Adria, they are built differently to a UK van and are much less likely to have damp due to this. The single beds are typically MUCH wider and longer ( I can sleep in any of the kids beds which I could not do in the Bailey Ranger.

They are typically lighter than a UK van of the same dimensions due to the different construction method. Personally I would not have any other make now.

BUT its ALL about what you like. Get a layout you BOTH like, then its finding one at a budget you can afford.

If you can find such a thing a independent dealer who is trustworthy will steer you right. We found a really good guy about 45min away from us. Was a total legend with advice etc. His honest has paid off as we send others to him all the time. He knew of our first van as he had sold it a few years ago and was ale to show us a repair he had done we did not know about. We bought the Ranger of him and he told me to sell the ABI privately as it was silly season and we should get more than I paid for it (I did). We then sold the ranger on 3 months later for more than we paid for it so upgraded without losing any money....

Good luck and enjoy the experience, a warm van on a cold wet night is bliss compared to packing up a tent or trailer tent. Also a electric fridge, gas cooker, BBQ, water on tap, toilet, comfy beds and seats.

There is only one downside...its IMPOSSIBLE to have any.....fun without the van moving about so anyone walking past will likely know what is going on.. we have 3 kids and have mastered a few new techniques to keep things very subtle.

-------------
if your not living life on the edge your taking up tooo much room


PersonSlingerwoods
07/3/2017 at 9:19am
 Location: South Hampshire
 Outfit: Bailey Pageant Auvergne View Slingerwoods's Profile View Profile   Reply to Slingerwoods Reply   Quote Slingerwoods Quote  
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Thanks for all the advice. Im actually going to have a look at a 2004 Bailey Pageant Auvergne this evening. its a little more expensive than what I was looking to pay but at the same time seems to be in better condition and come with a few more extras than any dealers I have seen recently.

I went to a local second hand dealer last weekend and he was a complete cowboy. His opening words were to ignore all the prices as they were all very flexible. As soon as we went in the first van, I knew why. They were dirty and every van had broken fittings in them. Some were missing splash backs on the sinks or cookers and two had doors hanging off their hinges/runners. I understand that a second hand van will come with some defects and wont be perfect but as a seller I would have been embarrassed offering these vans as they were.

Baddon, thanks for the detailed reply. We are looking forward to being able to put the heating on and enjoying a little more comfort. As for having fun, well I imagine its easier and less noticeable than in a Trailer Tent. Im sure we will mange.

-------------
Lee

Bailey Pageant Auvergne
TT - Sunncamp 350se



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