Hi everyone! I'm getting my first caravan, and currently looking at 2003 Bailey 460/2L, at T Giles Caravans if anyone knows them. They're asking £3,850.
I like the idea of the L-shape, as I do crafts and having a bigger "unused" front area sounds good to me. I am not concerned about having less table seating; I can't remember the last time I had 3 other people around at one time! I also like the lightness, as I am sharing towcars, so lightness gives me a bit more flexibility.
I'm aware that some of the naughties Baileys have damp problems, but if I'm understanding correctly, this tends to be only from 2005 onwards because they changed something about how the front windows are fastened?
I do know I will need to get a damp meter and check and poke every cupboard to avoid the dreaded damp. If anyone has this or similar models and can advise, or some general sage advice for a first time buyer, I'd very much appreciate it. Thank you!
Make sure there is no damp first. One of the big failings of that year is the Nordelettronica electrical system that was fitted with the charging unit failing. This is why Swift changed to Sargent equipment.
Thanks! I will be bringing a meter with me. They didn't seem shy with the pics, and the concertinas, inner cupboards, etc, look good from here, but I will see when I view it tomorrow.
Is that electrical system in Baileys or Abbeys, or both?
You mentioned that you will be sharing tow cars, have you worked out which caravans you can tow with the different cars? The Abbey is quite a bit heavier than the Bailey, would you still be able to tow it with the cars that you have available?
CRIS will tell you if the van is stolen, on finance or if it has been subject to a total loss insurance claim. It will also give details of the last registered owner but as there is no legal requirement to update the ownership information this is sometimes out of date. If buying privately and the CRIS ownership information was out of date I would ask a lot of questions about ownership.
Always ask when the caravan was last serviced and check the age and condition of the tyres. Tyres should be changed every 5 years due to degradation even if they still have plenty of tread left.
If in doubt about the caravan's condition you can get a local caravan engineer to carry out a pre purchase inspection including a damp test.
Wrong time of year to buy bargain vans, prices tend to be high at this time of year.
People will buy them for the season and resell towards the end.
I paid £4k for my van late August early September and about 6 years later i was going to part ex it and they offered me something like £500 less than i paid.
Yup, I know; to make a long story extremely short, essentially I don't have the choice of waiting. I haven't bought a caravan before, but I'm not new to mobile trailers as a whole.
I'd wait for a time when the market was less cluttered (potentially with problematic caravans) if I could, but I do need something now. So I'm trying to just do my best to navigate it.
Thank you so much for all your help, guys. Gonna go see the Abbey today, poke and prod, flip every switch etc. Wish me luck!
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Topic: First time buyer! Advice? Bailey 460/2L?
