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Topic: Buying a caravan

Gloucester

19/4/2017 at 9:38am
Location: Gloucestershire
Outfit: Royal Pescara 8 & Quechua pop-ups

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What would you look for when buying a caravan privately?

It's on the market for just under Â£1K.

Would a caravan pre-purchase inspection be worth getting?

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Rob and Tina

19/4/2017 at 10:23am
Location: Royal Forest of Dean
Outfit: Swift Major 4SB

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If you read the posts on here you will see a common problem..damp. Ask if the caravan has been serviced and damp checked recently. Check the age of the tyres and budget for new ones if they are over 5 years old.

If you have a look at the caravan and don't notice any damp smells then check for soft patches in the walls especially near windows and around the roof line and check for sponginess in the floor. If all this seems ok it may be worth paying for a mobile caravan technician to do a check before you commit yourself.

Ask what equipment is included in the deal, awnings, water carriers, battery, gas bottles etc are all worth having.

Have you checked that your car is able to tow the caravan safely and legally? Check the max weight of the caravan (MTPLM) against your car spec to make sure it is ok.

Rob

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Grampian91

19/4/2017 at 5:19pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

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Under £1000 caravan its going to cost you a few hundred to get it inspected properly.

You can check most of it quite easily. Get a decent torch.. Not a cheap one.

Date code on tyres mentioned above. easily found online, Even if less than 5 years old check for cracking on the outside and inside walls (under the van).

But before that start inside, get a damp meter or tap wall/ceiling board at every corner of the van. The corners are the most common places for the damp to start. Tap in the centre to get an idea of what it supposed to sound like. A nice knocking noise not a dull thud or no sound as you hit a wet spot.

Check the top and bottom corners especially.

Jack it up and with the brakes off spin the wheel in the forward direct only. then apply the handbrake one click at a time until the wheel locks and you cannot force it.
This should be the middle of its travel and not excessive. Do the same for the other side and see if the number of clicks is the same.

Whilst spinning the wheel listen to the bearings. Any rasty rumbles? Also grab the wheel in the 3 and 9 positions as on a clock face and try rocking it, do the same with your hands on the 6 and 12 positions.. any movement? If yes then the bearings may need adjustment or replacement.

Check EVERYTHING works. Take a small battery and gas bottle if they are not included.

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