Hi all....I am looking for a van for my wife but haven't a clue where to start really.
All I know is that we are looking for a 2 - 4 berth and have around £1500 to spend. Is there anything in particular to look out for with regards equipment, electrics and the like? Is one toilet "type" better than the next etc etc ?
Any particular models to look for....? The names mean nothing to me.
Van will be used occasionally and will be towed by her Ford Connect van.
The fittings, toilet, cooker, fridge & running gear, hitch/wheels/brakes are common to most makes of caravan so no real problems there, any caravan workshop can service them & spares are available. For £1500 you would be looking at mid 90s built caravan from a private sale off ebay etc. A dealer will charge more but a warranty for this age of caravan won't be worth much.
The actual make is unimportant, all that matters is condition & main problem with older caravans is damp in the structure that has not been picked up upon & repaired & allowed structure to rot. So this is what you really need to check for.
Cheers all, especially Tentz, helped to clear the fog in my wee mind :-)
With regards damp...How repairable is this, obviously I know this would vary according to how bad but the reason I ask is that I know a very experienced carpenter. I am assuming most caravans are ply veneered based ????
I suppose nothing is beyond repair, but for bad damp you have to be removing interior panels & replacing wooden frame work that can be completely rotten in places. Floor can also delaminate & rot. Water gets in through leaking seams or around windows where original sealant has broken down. You have to unscrew trim & reseal so can be a big job.
Not all caravans have damp & the above is just worse case scenario so its a case of checking before you pay. You can get damp meters cheaply enough.
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Topic: Caravan for a Newbie...
