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Topic: First caravan advice

Jamiekelly

via mobile 19/10/2020 at 5:59pm
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Hello all,

I'm after some tips advice. I have been offered this caravan for £500, its been stored inside a barn. im just curious to know what sort of date it was manufactured. Is it a good buy ? Its a 5 birth marander. The only thing iv been told it needs is new window latches. Anything else I should be looking out for?
Thanks

marg6

19/10/2020 at 6:26pm
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DAMP DAMP DAMP check it absolutely everywhere and only when its been stood outside for a few days! not in the barn, then check the wheels, electric gas etc, in fact the best thing you could do is get a mobile guy out to check it over before you part with any money, the age will be on the vin plate, but then again surely the owner would/should know that already?

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feeblecat

via mobile 19/10/2020 at 7:26pm
Location: Scotland
Outfit: Coachman Highlander (Amara)

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From what I can see, for £500, it is worth a punt. Even if you only got one or 2 seasons out of it I would still say yes. As long as the chassis is in good order as that is important for towing. Some will say look out for damp. I would say if its not evident it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me at that price. Obviously if the damp causes major structural problems that would be different.

tango55

19/10/2020 at 9:20pm
Location: Lichfield
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In all honesty, would you consider buying a car by just looking at a picture which is exactly what you are expecting people to do here.
I can't smell any damp just by looking at a photo and I can't open the cupboard doors to detect any damp patches either so you need to do a bit of detective work yourself really and decide if it's worth the 500 quid or not. The big question is how much more will it cost if any work does need doing to it and judging by the interior it looks around an early 90's model which some parts are now obsolete.
We're all here to help but we can't do the impossible unfortunately by making a decision whether to buy or not. The choice is yours if you fancy a gamble.

mikeouk

19/10/2020 at 10:44pm
Location: CUMBRIA
Outfit: ADRIA ALTEA DART

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its a gamble but £500 isnt alot to loose if its a complete lemon. The main problem is, you wont know if it leaks or not if its been in a dry barn for a while, have you been able to physicaly inspect it? if its got signs of dried out water damage, chances are as soon as its outside it will leak. Also factor in a new battery, new tyres, a habitation check, I wouldnt trust towing a caraven thats been laid up for a long time unless its been fully serviced first. Sometimes something that seems a bargain turns out not to be.

iank01

20/10/2020 at 8:57am
Location: Worcestershire
Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser

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At £500 it could be a bargain so spending another £90 for an inspection by an AWS technician may be worth it. As said new tyres and battery will be required and definitely a service before you even move it.

Jamiekelly

via mobile 20/10/2020 at 9:03am
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Thanks for the heads up folks, I'm going to view it on Saturday morning, my neighbour went to view it last month and said its in good condition its 500 pound as he said its mates rates, the age is kinda knocking me off the idea, I have never owned a caravan before hence why the questions, you say dont move it from its location prior to a service ? Its a 1 hour drive from me in the middle of no where, I dont think a service could possibly happen. If the frame is in good order along with brakes surely it wouldn't be a problem towing it to mine then getting someone to service it?

Thanks

marg6

20/10/2020 at 9:12am
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a mobile guy will service exactly where it currently is now with no bother, but you do need to check things such as the age of the tyres, they will have a date on the side wall, if its over 5 yrs then they need replacing immediately, he will also check the brakes are working, and the external lights and that the hitch is is in good working condition along with the condition of the chassis, - this is a minimum BEFORE you take it on the road. any 240 volt electrics and the gas would also need to be checked for safety/working, but if you can take a fully charged car battery with you when you go to view the caravan then at least you can make sure the internals are working on 12 volts

mikeouk

via mobile 20/10/2020 at 9:17am
Location: CUMBRIA
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Quote: Originally posted by Jamiekelly on 20/10/2020
Thanks for the heads up folks, I'm going to view it on Saturday morning, my neighbour went to view it last month and said its in good condition its 500 pound as he said its mates rates, the age is kinda knocking me off the idea, I have never owned a caravan before hence why the questions, you say dont move it from its location prior to a service ? Its a 1 hour drive from me in the middle of no where, I dont think a service could possibly happen. If the frame is in good order along with brakes surely it wouldn't be a problem towing it to mine then getting someone to service it?

Thanks

It depends on how long it’s been stood I guess. The tyres on a caravan should be changed after 5 years even if they’ve not been used, wheel bearings need checking, towing hitch, brakes.
You probably wouldn’t have a problem but there’s a chance you could and you don’t want a tyre blowing or a wheel bearing collapsing while towing.
If I was you I’d go look at it, if it’s got any signs of water damage, it’s basically a £500 hen hut. If it looks ok and you decide it’s worth buying, try find a local guy with a flat bed car recovery truck to pick it up, might cost £100 but I’d rather pay that for peace of mind.

Rob and Tina

via mobile 20/10/2020 at 9:45am
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If the owner hasn't had a recent service and damp report done on it and has the paperwork to show you (don't just take his word for it), I would get a pre purchase inspection done on it by a qualified mobile caravan engineer, it would be money well spent because repairs could run into thousands unless you are good at DIY. It may not be advisable to tow it 1hr your place without the brakes being checked and the tyres being changed.

Tina

iank01

20/10/2020 at 10:07am
Location: Worcestershire
Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser

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Quote: Originally posted by Jamiekelly on 20/10/2020
Thanks for the heads up folks, I'm going to view it on Saturday morning, my neighbour went to view it last month and said its in good condition its 500 pound as he said its mates rates, the age is kinda knocking me off the idea, I have never owned a caravan before hence why the questions, you say dont move it from its location prior to a service ? Its a 1 hour drive from me in the middle of no where, I dont think a service could possibly happen. If the frame is in good order along with brakes surely it wouldn't be a problem towing it to mine then getting someone to service it?

Thanks

As mentioned it is the tyres and the brakes that would be a big concern. If something happened while towing home and it was due to the state of the caravan, you may be held liable. The tyres will definitely have flat spots in them if stood for such a long time.
BTW does it have a bathroom with shower, frdieg and hob?

Mrs. Bonce

20/10/2020 at 11:14am
Location: Luton (no jokes plea
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A mobile servicer might be the answer, find one who would cover that area.

kpnuts81

20/10/2020 at 12:54pm
Location: Warwickshire
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I would also be looking for mouse damage inside and out as it’s been stored in a barn, they are inclined to chew anything that doesn’t move, cables etc

SamandRose

20/10/2020 at 1:34pm
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Hi Jamie

Regarding the age of the caravan first of all. From the photos I'd hazard a guess at early 90s. From 1992 on, all manufacturers adopted a universal numbering system called CRIS, and the number should be etched into all the windows as well as the chassis plate. However, if the caravan is 1991 or older you're going to struggle to be any more certain. Some manufacturers adopted their own caravan numbering systems which included a clue to the year in there somewhere, but ABI (who manufactured Marauder caravans) did not.

As regard to whether the £500 price is reasonable, that really is impossible to say because condition is everything. It could be a bargain or it could be a £500 hen house. But probably a best case scenario is roughly £150 plus parts for a service, £180 for new tyres and £100 for a new leisure battery, so you'll be spending £500+ to make the caravan roadworthy, never mind habitable.

Personally I'd ask a mobile technician to go and inspect it (cost £100 or so) before making any commitment to buy. Whichever way you look at it, that's the smaller amount of money that you might end up wasting.

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