So after lots of looking around, we think we found the ideal caravan for us. It's an early 90's 5 birth Avondale. It comes with lots of accessories but needs a small amount of work under the front window. It had some damp in the past, has been repaired and resealed out side and during a visit to it today (rained lots) it was all dry inside. The only real repair I've have to carry out is to replace the small panel under the window. My question is this; would it be advisable to pay for a mobile engineer to come and take a look at it properly or do I take a chance it will be ok? I'm paying less than £500 for it including all the accessories.
Personally - I assume you do not feel confident enough to check basics yourself and satisfy that it is roadworthy. This being the case I think you should have a competent person check it over.
Myself, I am confident that I could check a caravan sufficiently for it to be capable of being towed home legally and safely.
I say this reluctantly because I am a total devotee of caravanning cheaply. I wish I were nearer you as I would have come with you to inspect it.
Not quite the public-spirited approach, but any chance of having it delivered by the vendor?
Do you not have someone family or friend who could look? It is not like me to suggest spending money, but unless you are satisfied that it is safe and legal I see no alternative.
Oh it looks ok to me to tow. Tyres are legal and road worthy. I will be towing back to my house initially, only 10 miles from where I'm buying it from so will carry out more indepth checks then.
I agree costwise, but no two ways about it if you are not sure it is safe and legal it could cost you bigtime.
If you can visually check tyres, maybe take a jack to lift each wheel and spin it looking for nasties, and of course plug the electrics in and ensure lighting is legal, then yes I would tow it.
It's just that the "yeah, go for it, it's only a few miles" approach could, if given to a total numptie, cause a shedload of problems.
Common sense should prevail. If you can have someone at the back of you as you tow looking for problems it would help.
I must say I was on the point of saying "well, I would tow it", but not knowing the person or the caravan involved, there's a chance that I would be encouraging a potential mishap.
The Avondales look really classy, with their unusual roof shapes. There`s an early 90`s model in our local dealer for around £3k . . . it looks worth it. If you got yours privately, you won`t have a safety check done, so that might be a good idea.
Mine`s a `91 Daystar, and she rumbles well. You`ll soon fix the damp at the front; a few years out of her, and she`ll owe you nothing!
Have fun. We have . .
------------- Peripheral people don`t have as much excitement but they sure live longer
Quote: Originally posted by LobeyDosser on 28/6/2013
but if I was buying a van at £500, I doubt if I'd want to spend £180 on a service.
You might well need to if you want to tow it any distance. That will be £70+parts for chassis service & £80 or more for a couple of tyres. This is how you can sucessfully run a 'crappy old caravan' & tow it down to the sth of France reliably like I do. Most important is that running gear is ok & as long as that is all A1 the you are good to go wherever.
So no, don't pay for an 'engineer's report' whatever that might be. Check yourself that the bodywork is basically sound, ie not much damp, the cooker should work ok, not much to go wrong with that, you hope the fridge will work & get the running gear serviced as described before you go that far with it. Tyres if over 5-6yrs old should be replaced or you risk a blowout at motorway speeds & you have to hope your service parts bill is not to high, it may need brake shoes & bearings & you hope the hitch damper is ok.
If the handbrake is off then the wheels should spin ok but if it ain't been serviced for a few yrs they might rumble a bit. Chassis parts for even 80s caravans are still mainly available off shelf so you should have no problems once its serviced.
If testing the wheels for "rumble", I find it easier if I let the handbrake off. Van suitably chocked of course.
Mind you, a valid test is to see if the wheel spins whilst the handbrake is applied!
I would be looking more for bearing problems than braking problems. A short (very short!) test drive will show up any potential braking problems.
Lighting is an essential check though - keep the dibble off your back.
And don't forget your spare number plate!
I would also have a gas/electric safety check done just in case. I'm glad I did when I bought my lovely old caravan, as the gas pipes were perished and needed replacing, and the electric was live with no electric box and trip switches.
It cost a fair bit to sort it out but you can't put a price on safety.
This is the reason why I am shelling out £180 for the Full Service.
My life and that of my Missus plus our peace of mind, is worth a darned sight more than 180 quid.
And, perhaps, the cheaper the van, the more important it is to make sure it is safe. Once an initial proper safety check is done, you could probably do your own annual maintenance with the aid of a Haynes Caravan Manual thereafter.
Seen too many caravans on their sides to be complacent about safety,if your paying less then 500 for the van,another 180 for a service shouldn't be too much to pay for peace of mind,and you will get a few years pleasure for less then a holiday in Spain.As a lorry driver I have always maintained that Brakes,Steering and good tyres can save a lot of heartache,and lives,the knowledge of being safe has no limit regarding cost.
Yes I think it should be remembered a £500 ebay bargain may not have been serviced for yrs & the tyres could be 10yrs old. You usually have to take a chance collecting it & towing it home but at least take a wheelbrace to check nuts & a tyre pump or stop at nearest garage & check pressures.
Once home then get it serviced & change tyres if needed before you use it or you only have yourself to blame. Provided tyres & running gear are ok an old caravan can be totally reliable.
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: Engineer check before buying old `van
