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Subject Topic: Help required
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PersonYorkie3
07/2/2018 at 7:46pm
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Hi we’re looking at buying a tourer and start caravanning and need some advice. I’ve been told to buy a van from 2014 onwards as they changed the build quality from then ie better insulated, is this true? Plus which makes to go for is a bailey better than a lunar or is it personal choice, any help will be greatly appreciated thanks


Persontango55
07/2/2018 at 7:58pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450 View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
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Newer caravans are not built any better than the older ones are. The truth of the matter is that your luck is in or it ain't, whatever make and model you are thinking of buying.
My caravan is 14 years old and internally it doesn't look as though it's been lived in and yet I've visted caravans that are much younger that smell musty, look tatty and have been severely neglected. You just need to look around but your worst enemy is damp because fixtures and fittings can be replaced whereas wet or damp caravans can cost a lot to fix.


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PersonYorkie3
07/2/2018 at 8:09pm
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Thanks for that, yeah I’m aware of the damp issues and the luck of getting a good one. Seen a 2012 lunar cosmos which we really like but then got told this and got me thinking. Hear say as someone said to me a lunar is a poor mans bailey!


Persontango55
07/2/2018 at 8:19pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450 View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
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Some people say that 'Coachman' is the best to buy but I know of two who friends who have bought brand new in the last three or four years and had nothing but problems and yes, one including severe water ingress at the rear end as well. Like I say, it's a minefield out there, you just have to be observant before you part with any cash.
Having an experienced caravanner with you will help especially if your new to caravanning as I got caught out with my first van back in 2006. Since then I have bought books on the topic which have helped tremendously and gained valuable knowledge and the rest I have learned from others.


Personberniebann
07/2/2018 at 10:03pm
 Location: bolton
 Outfit: queensferry 505 View berniebann's Profile View Profile   Reply to berniebann Reply   Quote berniebann Quote  
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we have a 2004 elddis queensferry 5 birth have it serviced every year its bang on


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Personmisterg
07/2/2018 at 10:30pm
 Location: East Midlands
 Outfit: Coachman VIP 575.Santa Fe View misterg's Profile View Profile   Reply to misterg Reply   Quote misterg Quote  
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You can’t rely on any van not to get damp.
Main advice is use a damp meter on any van you may buy.
Some dealers are ok but many not so test everything you can.
Good luck.

-------------
Mister G


Personnora
07/2/2018 at 10:43pm
 Location:  Whitchurch shrops
 Outfit: Swift conqueror 480 View nora's Profile View Profile   Reply to nora Reply   Quote nora Quote  
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I would say buy from a good reliable dealer that do services and are not to far from you .
They should give you warranty . And often know the vans they are selling .
We have had many vans in all our years caravanning . Coachman in my husbands opinion has been the best . But check weight as they can be heavy .
We have a 1916 swift now bought new . No major problems just a few little things but I am more than happy . The only van we ever had with water and I don’t say damp but water coming in was a bailey .
Good luck with what ever you have .


PersonColin21
07/2/2018 at 10:56pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail View Colin21's Profile View Profile   Reply to Colin21 Reply   Quote Colin21 Quote  
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Age is no measure of quality or state of repair. Our caravan is a 1992 model, and it is just fine. No leaks, and I have found no traces of damp. However, I have read on this site that some people with caravans less than 2 years old have experienced all sorts of problems, including serious damp. There is a degree of luck involved, but take great care when looking over any caravan, whatever age, and you should find a good one.

If you are at all unsure of looking a caravan over, take someone with you who has some experience, or pay an independent expert to check it out. It could be well worth it, especially if you are paying out a lot of money. Could save you buying a dud!

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


PersonGrampian91
08/2/2018 at 3:47am
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
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If you dont want to worry about damp buy a brand new van and sell it before the warranty ends.

Even thats not 100% safe, but about as safe as it gets. It will be pot luck otherwise.
As mentioned people have had issues and warranty battles with brand new caravans.

Check every corner for damp and check the beading around the seams of the awning rail etc. Moss growing in it or gaps? Does it look like someone jetwashed it?


PersonMrs. Bonce
08/2/2018 at 6:40am
 Location: Luton (no jokes plea
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Quote: Originally posted by nora on 07/2/2018
I would say buy from a good reliable dealer that do services and are not to far from you .
They should give you warranty . And often know the vans they are selling .
We have had many vans in all our years caravanning . Coachman in my husbands opinion has been the best . But check weight as they can be heavy .
We have a 1916 swift now bought new . No major problems just a few little things but I am more than happy . The only van we ever had with water and I don’t say damp but water coming in was a bailey .
Good luck with what ever you have .
Gosh Nora, 1916, is that the oldest caravan on here I wonder?


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woodman2
08/2/2018 at 8:42am
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Quote: Originally posted by Yorkie3 on 07/2/2018
Hi we’re looking at buying a tourer and start caravanning and need some advice. I’ve been told to buy a van from 2014 onwards as they changed the build quality from then ie better insulated, is this true? Plus which makes to go for is a bailey better than a lunar or is it personal choice, any help will be greatly appreciated thanks


Don't know where you are in the country, but I have for sale my Coachman 2 berth. See the advert here.

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/forsale/v/Coachman-460/2-VIP/32292

Also advertised on Caravan Finder website.

Very good condition, and absolutely damp free. New Coachman on order. Lots of extras to get you started.


Personlegenetay
08/2/2018 at 8:48am
 Location: Seasonal Pitch
 Outfit: Swift Oakmere 2008 View legenetay's Profile View Profile   Reply to legenetay Reply   Quote legenetay Quote  
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You could ask a NCC approved caravan mechanic to carry out a pre purchase inspection. Ours cost £60 2 years ago and included a full damp report as well as an inspection of the mechanics and the habitation appliances. Worth every penny for the peace of mind.


Personfrederico
08/2/2018 at 2:16pm
 Location: Blyth Northumberland
 Outfit: Bailey Pageant Monarch two berth View frederico's Profile View Profile   Reply to frederico Reply   Quote frederico Quote  
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Damp!
We live in Northumberland and had a caravan in the late seventies. Sprite Musketeer. It was old and had gas mantel lights. It gave us great large family Holidays. Then the family grew up.
When I retired I wanted a caravan to go to Spain for winter holidays. I did not want to spend too much. I looked at lots of caravans advertised as no damp but nearly all of them, dozens, had damp. Dealer or Private.
I bought a Coachman Mirage which got us to Spain. I discovered some damp probably caused by leaking internal water pipes which I think is one of the common problems. I bought it Cheap and sold it cheap.
I looked at lots more caravans from £2,000 to £10,000.
All had some damp. When I was about to give up I saw an Ad with a local dealer.
Swift Corniche 15-2 E SB. Year 2000. 2 berth.£2,400
We had nothing better to do so we went to see it.
I was amazed. It was solid as a rock. Absolutely no Damp. Good bodywork. Awning. Good spec and some extras.
We bought it for £2,300.
I spent a week cleaning it up and it is great for us.
I think we were very lucky.

As people say. Get a decent damp metre. I did not the first time.
Or buy new or nearly new as earlier post suggests

Fred


PersonBelper Bloke
08/2/2018 at 2:48pm
 Location: Rugby
 Outfit: Vantage Sol Motorhome View Belper Bloke's Profile View Profile   Reply to Belper Bloke Reply   Quote Belper Bloke Quote  
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It’s a tough question as others have said, get a damp meter, or if you can run to a mechanic for Caravan money well spent, my advice make sure it’s not been a dog kennel or a ash try in the past, if it were me go for Coachman, new as you can afford. Good luck.

-------------
Andy Vale from Belper.


Personjsparkes201148
08/2/2018 at 4:16pm
 Location: Stockton on Tees
 Outfit: Lunar Clubman SB Kia Sorento View jsparkes201148's Profile View Profile   Reply to jsparkes201148 Reply   Quote jsparkes201148 Quote  
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If you are buying from a dealer, insist on a written Damp Report and service. Do not believe anyone(Dealer or Private seller) who says " there is no damp".
If you are going to spend thousands £, then definately consider getting a Mobile Caravan Service person to give it the once over.
When I traded my 4 yr old Bailey in, a few years ago, the salesman told me it had some damp so he would have to reduce the trade in price.
I showed him a very recent Service/ Damp report ( from the same dealer) showing no damp.I also pointed out to him that, since they had been servicing the van, it was covered by the water ingress warranty.


PersonFortyfoot
08/2/2018 at 4:33pm
 Location: West Yorkshire
 Outfit: Xtrail & Coachman Pastiche 560 View Fortyfoot's Profile View Profile   Reply to Fortyfoot Reply   Quote Fortyfoot Quote  
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We have been looking for about six months and decided on a 2011 Coachman Pastiche 560. We decided not to get a younger van as they went onto the new construction.

Kenmore Caravans of Mirfield Yorkshire are supplying my "new" van and I smiled to myself this afternoon when I called at Kenmore and saw two other Pastiche vans of about the same age being prepped at the same time.

I have been very impressed with this company, give them a try.

Fortyfoot



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