Hello, I would love to seek some advice from you wise folk. I am going to view a perle orestes supreme van tomorrow, not sure of the year but from my research I think it's an '82 model. What do I need to pay attention to when I view it. They have said its dry and ready to tow but i would like to give it a good going over before I hand over my cash.
Many thanks
Damp.If you can , get a damp meter and check all around seams,windows etc. Also beware of any springiness or excess flexing on the floor
Get the owner to show you everything working too.
Good luck.
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
That is the caravan I used to have. Might even be the same one - lol.
They are lovely light and spacious little caravans and if it is in good, dry condition you should be pleased with it. If it is the same design as mine it will have a wardrobe, toilet room with sink (for a porta-potty), rear sink, oven and hob, and fridge and gas fire. Plenty of storage cabinets.
Mine didn't have mains electricity but I managed just on gas. It did have a 12v system worked directly off a leisure battery which I charged at home before every trip. It would be a fairly easy job to have mains installed I would think.
Mine had had previous damp in one front corner underneath the front seat but the leak had been sealed before I bought it and I had paperwork to prove it. This left a small area of dry but 'crunchy' panelling under the front seat but out of sight out of mind.
All I can suggest is checking all panelling for softness or 'crinkling'. Press hard on the panelling...it should be solid. Use a damp meter if you can. Don't forget to check the ceiling particularly around the vent and underneath and inside all wall and floor cupboards.
You also need to check the chassis, suspension, and in particular the 'A' frame and braking damper at the front to make sure it is all working nicely. Make sure all gas is working, electric cold water pump for the water and all interior and exterior lights. Check the exterior grab handles are firm (they are the cause of many leaks if they are loose). Check Tyres (although you may want to change those anyway). Check the corner stays are in good working order and the floor underneath is solid with no rot.
You could obviously go on forever checking stuff but don't let your heart rule your head. If you find serious problems, particularly damp, walk away.
Hope it turns out to be a nice one for you...mine was a beauty.
Incidentally, I wouldn't advise taking the children on first inspection. They may well be too much of a distraction and you may miss things...especially if the owner is trying to distract you as well. Better to check things on your own. Better still if you can take somebody who knows about caravans.
I would think you will likely find some damp in a caravan of that age, I haven't come across many that don't. Take a look at this damp test tutorial and you'll know what to look out for.
If it is clean and well looked after with no obvious damp ( bubbles on the wall, soft patches, black mold, or a nasty smell ) then it will be woth buying if the price is only a few hundred pounds the cheaper the better. Any more and walk away a van that age at that price and in reasonable condition will get you through a couple of years and is then almost a throw away item.
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
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Topic: Novice caravan owner
