Hello all, My name is Adam I am new here,
I am thinking of buying a caravan for myself wife and 2 children aged 4 and 6. Could any one recommend a quantity caravan from the late 80s to 90s that would have a heater, toilet, kitchen, shower.
This would be our first caravan.
First thing to consider is what can your car tow? Check the details on the V5 and weight plate on the car. Caravans from that era are lighter than more recent models but you need to think of the weights involved and your car's suitability.
Most caravans of that sort of age will have the facilities you need but at that age condition is everything. Beware of sellers not giving the caravan weight details. Consider getting a pre purchase inspection carried out by a mobile caravan technician. Look out for the dreaded damp, tyres that are too old for safe use, caravans that have not been serviced and dealers pretending to be private sellers.
Ask lots of questions on here and hopefully you will end up with a good caravan but this may not be the best time of year to be looking as we are only a few weeks away from the peak holiday season.
Find a dealer that sell second hand caravans , have a good look at prices and styles . That will give you a good idea ,then look for second hand . some private sales selling second had may sell everything with it . Including awning . There are some good deals yo be found . But take care and buy a damp meter .
Have a look at classified on here , caravan and motorhome club . Also camping and caravanning club , and practical caravan .plus local papers . Be careful some are dealers and not genuine private sales .
Hi Adam,
It might be beneficial to put your rough location in your profile.
That way members on here might be able to recommend someone local to you.
Regards,
Greg
when you have decided on the layout you like , find a van then get a local mobile caravan engineer to give it the look over,if the seller refuses then walk away, plenty of good vans out there, don't let your heart rule your pocket !! Have this done BEFORE you part with any cash ..good luck, let us know how you get on
Hi Adam,
We got into caravanning three years ago and were in exactly your position. Internet searches and advice just got to be mind-numbing and confusing.
In my experience, nothing beats getting down to a main dealer, where they will have dozens of used caravans at every price point.
You can look around to your heart's content and see every layout possible, and what more you might get for a little extra dosh.
My top tips would be:
* Take a list of features your caravan must have, and also features you think you would like. This is because you might get so confused after your sixteenth caravan viewing you might forget what you were looking for in the first place.
* Like a show home, caravans for sale are set up to be as appealing as possible, so remember you are unlikely to go camping with nothing but flowers and pretty ornaments. So where will you put all your stuff, from bedding to crockery to cornflakes to clothes?
* Be shameless! Pretend each caravan is actually yours and imagine living in it. Lounge on the seats, lie on the beds or make up the beds if not a fixed-bed layout (what constitutes a double bed varies wildly among manufacturers - both length and width, and some of those mattresses have their corners cut so much there's only room for one pair of feet). Is it comfy? where will you rest your cuppa.
Once you've done all that you'll have a good idea of both the layout that suits and your price point.
------------- Camping Gear expands so as to fill the space available for its transportation.
Hi,
Very wise advice by Hairywol.Take all the time you need when checking out the vans and always keep in mind, if the seller is rushing you he probably has something to hide.
Good luck on your search.
Regards,
Greg
Every caravan has a compromise of some sort, mainly due to space limitations. So, with children, bedrooms at each end of the van are appealing,but this puts a tall bathroom in the centre, squeezing the central area. Full size front seats can squeeze the kitchen area and vice versa.
Make sure you identify the shortcoming of a van and decide if you can live with that.
Quality vans of that era were Buccaneer and Bessacarr, prior to being take over by the big boys. Both made sturdy high quality vans, that would perhaps be worth checking out. Like everyone else I strongly recommend an inspection.
Quote: Originally posted by adam79 on 20/6/2017
Very helpful suggestions thank you, I have found a company that do pre inspections for £70. Plus £25 for a Cris, what is a Cris?
Thanks
Adam
Rather than explain what CRIS is it is much easier to post the link so you can read it in detail and nothing gets missed that way. It pays to read it as the company wants to charge £25 for registering a caravan whereby you can do it yourself for £10 less at £15.
when we bought our first one i completely bypassed a caravan with bunks to build up every night as had been swayed by fixed beds etc, with only 2 youngish kids thought it would be a right pain
financially i agreed to go have another look and try and compromise turns out best van we have ever had, loved it as kids growing up
------------- Its great to soar like an eagle ...........but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines
My best advice Adam would be when you go to look at a van then take a damp meter with you even if you are buying from a caravan dealerbecause some of them are real sharks and every caravan advertised is free of damp a damp meter will cot about £20 and could save you a fortune.
------------- Sandy Gulls caravan site
Mundesley
North Norfolk
1st July to 22 July
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Caravan
