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Subject Topic: Unused caravan Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonRoxy C
via mobile 01/4/2020 at 8:31pm
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 Outfit: None Entered View Roxy C's Profile View Profile   Reply to Roxy C Reply   Quote Roxy C Quote  
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Hi everyone,
I’m fairly new to caravanning and have recently sold my first van after the summer season last year. I’m looking at purchasing a new van (new to me). I have come across What looks to be an immaculate 2015 Sprite at a reasonable price. However, since being used for its first season in 2015 it has been sat in storage (hard standing). So not moved at all Since then(other than arriving at this sellers-hot sure how far that was), obviously it has no warranty or any service history etc. What kinds of problems may I face with it being sat for so long? Battery? Tyres? Damp? Should I be interested? I have no idea so any helpful advice would be greatly received. Many thanks


Persontango55
01/4/2020 at 9:35pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450 View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
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The simple solution is to buy the 'Caravan handbook' by John Wickersham as it explains everything you need to know from buying a caravan, what to look for exactly and just about everything else you will need to know in the future being a novice.


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woodman2
01/4/2020 at 10:37pm
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I would make sure you get it VERY CHEAP if you are interested.
A lot of work will need doing for sure.
Check it out with a damp meter.
If that is OK then everything else can be fixed.
If you are happy to do this work yourself then go for it.

But get it VERY CHEAP!


Personfife-bloke
via mobile 02/4/2020 at 7:19am
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Get a damp meter and check everywhere, lift cushions, in cupboards and lockers, if you can lift the carpet.

If you decide to buy then first thing - tyres. If it has sat that length of time, then highly likely it’s flat spotted them.

Then make sure it get a service at a reputable service outlet, this will make sure gas electric and brakes etc are all as they should be - which every caravan owner should be doing anyway. Battery will be checked here as well and advise if replacement needed.

Good luck

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Who needs travel agents,we have our static


Personiank01
02/4/2020 at 8:54am
 Location: Worcestershire
 Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser View iank01's Profile View Profile   Reply to iank01 Reply   Quote iank01 Quote  
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Don't waste money buying books and damp meters as the caravan will require a service before it is used. I would suggest contacting an Approved Workshop Scheme technician and get them to check the caravan first and then if you go ahead with the purchase, get them to do a service on the caravan.


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Persontango55
02/4/2020 at 11:12am
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450 View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by iank01 on 02/4/2020
Don't waste money buying books and damp meters as the caravan will require a service before it is used. I would suggest contacting an Approved Workshop Scheme technician and get them to check the caravan first and then if you go ahead with the purchase, get them to do a service on the caravan.


In my view I wouldn't consider that buying books is a waste of money because there are other things in there that that you will definitely need to know in the future being a novice. Also it's a lot cheaper than taking the caravan to an approved workshop especially if turns out to be a lemon. If you read books on the topic it's amazing just how educational it can be plus saves you money in the long term EVERY time you go to look at a caravan before purchasing.


Personbilly
02/4/2020 at 12:07pm
 Location: North Essex
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Provided caravan is dry inside with no visible signs of damp then should be ok if price is well below dealer forecourt price. If possible then pay a mobile caravan service person do a proper damp check. If battery has not been charged regularly then that will need replacing & tyres will need changing. It will need servicing as well.

How far do you need to tow it home? If it were me collecting then I would I would examine tyres carefully for cracks & if they looked ok then I would pump up to correct pressure & check wheel nuts are tight. I would also take a grease gun to grease nipples on hitch tube & then go for it at no more than 55mph on motorway. Then obviously get it serviced & tyres changed before going touring with it.

A alternative if that were possible after purchase is to get a mobile tyre fitter to change tyres on site before towing & also get a mobile caravan service person to service it. Or you could at least pre arrange getting tyres changed at a local tyre place before a long tow home.

Of course none of this might be possible with the law as it is right now as towing a caravan on the road could we be called an unnecessary journey but you might get away with it.

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Every day should be a holiday!


Personbessie500
06/4/2020 at 9:09am
 Location: Lancashire
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Quote: Originally posted by iank01 on 02/4/2020
Don't waste money buying books and damp meters as the caravan will require a service before it is used. I would suggest contacting an Approved Workshop Scheme technician and get them to check the caravan first and then if you go ahead with the purchase, get them to do a service on the caravan.


I think this is the best advice, For sure it will need new tyres so you need to facture that in,

To be fair though why has a brand new caravan been parked up for 4 years having only been used used for 12 months and why was it not serviced at 12 months inline with its warranty?, Anyone can say it been parked up inless you know the seller and know it's true, Take it with a pich of salt..
And if they say they are out of the country and will beliver the van for you.............start running

Bessie



PersonRatherbeinapplecros
via mobile 06/4/2020 at 9:31am
 Location: Kelso
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Also be careful as there are a lot of scams with caravans at to good to be true prices. Proceed with extreme caution.


Personshaggy2000
08/4/2020 at 12:11pm
 Location: County Durham
 Outfit: Explore 304 View shaggy2000's Profile View Profile   Reply to shaggy2000 Reply   Quote shaggy2000 Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 01/4/2020
The simple solution is to buy the 'Caravan handbook' by John Wickersham as it explains everything you need to know from buying a caravan, what to look for exactly and just about everything else you will need to know in the future being a novice.


I watched pretty much every video he produced on YouTube when I was looking at getting my first caravan, just a shame he's no longer with us.


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PersonJohn4703
via mobile 11/4/2020 at 4:40pm
 Location: Glasgow
 Outfit: Elddis Avante 454 View John4703's Profile View Profile   Reply to John4703 Reply   Quote John4703 Quote  
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There will be no warranty as it has not been serviced. We had damp in our 2010 Swift 2 years ago and Swift paid for repairs as it had a full service record.

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We camped for years. In 2019 we bought an Elddis Avante 454. We like it as it is short (6.9m) and fits in our driveway and has a fixed bed.
We had 127 nights away in the caravan in 2023.



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