Hi something that i have wondered about when you buy a new van how can it be fit for the purpose intened?
when in order for you to use it for the purpose it is intened to be used for you have to buy a water carrier thingy and all the other gubbins that you need such as a battery and a number plate?
I don't mean bedding etc.
Would you buy a car without a battery or petrol tank or oil in the engine??
Depends on your definition of fit for purpose and what the purpose of a caravan is. If it is somewhere you can sleep then it is fit for purpose without all the extras. You could go the other way and say an aqua roll is not fit for purpose because it didn't come full of water.
Fit for the purpose intended , Of course it fit for the purpose intended - to sleep in , to pump water through the system , to turn the heating on ,
you just have to supply the water container , bucket or whatever receptacle you want and the heating will work with gas or electricity but neither of these are free when you buy a new van some dealers may give you a starter pack but usually you have to buy the extras , aquaroll , gas bottle , waste master , battery these items are not made by the caravan manufacturer so if new it is fit for the purpose intended
Don't think it is such a silly question. I understand legislation now requires manufacturers to provide a step (Health & safety) and an electric hook up cable. Not really sure why the other essential pieces of equipment (clean and waste water containers and battery) should be deemed as extra to the list price. Having said that, you would probably end up with the cheapest water containers ever, and end up replacing them anyway!
Gas I can understand since it is a 'consumable' (and you would only expect to get fuel in a new car by negotiation).
Generally I think caravan manufacturers/dealers have a lot to learn from the car industry on quality of preparation. Our new Sprite still had saw dust in the cupboards, and surplus screws rolling around! ot something a car manufacturer would ever let off their forecourt!
It would be good if new vans came with all that stuff, I'm sure they could have an arrangement with the aqua roll people, or even if they came with the cheapest of the cheap alternatives, surely it would be better than nothing, usable and you could get away with trialling your van without having to troll around shops getting all the bits you need (as we've just done!!)before you can go anywhere!
Quote: Originally posted by hevonly on 13/5/2009
It would be good if new vans came with all that stuff, I'm sure they could have an arrangement with the aqua roll people, or even if they came with the cheapest of the cheap alternatives, surely it would be better than nothing, usable and you could get away with trialling your van without having to troll around shops getting all the bits you need (as we've just done!!)before you can go anywhere!
Hev
Wait until you get your second caravan and have to pay more for it to pay for all those extra items that you now already have.
What extras are essential? You might want an Aquaroll, someone else might want a mains water kit instead.
We have had to wait to order our new 'van so went round a few dealers just to see the 'van we wanted. The one furthest away from us had one in and they were offering a starter pack which included amongst other things an aquaroll, wastemaster, awning and battery.
We then discovered a dealer nearer home (thanks to reading posts on ukcs :) ) who had one in and they were offering starter packs on older vans but would give us a starter pack if we bought from them. When it came to ordering we went to our closest dealer and showed him what the other 2 would offer and he matched it.
But if we hadn't have had to wait we wouldn't have gone to other dealers and realised that by asking we could get them to throw in extra's.
I agree that either the manufacturers or the dealer should supply a few more basic items like an aquaroll and wastemaster.
When we looked for a new van we rang round all the nearest dealers and went with the one who gave us the best price and quickest delivery time. We saved £1400 of the list price for the sake of a phone call and got it within 5 weeks or so. We didn't ask for any extras and all it came with a mains lead, step & sample of toilet Pink & Green. We went to the accessory shop and got the Gas pipe, Gas Bottle, 110Ah Battery, Kettle. Got 30% off and few other bits thrown in. I had already ordered the Aquaroll & Waste for £35 each at riversway and then set for our first weekend away. I guess if you expect it to be ready to go you need to order a starter pack with it, But once you've got these things when you get your next van you'll keep the bits to use in the new one.
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Topic: Fit for purpose
