Hi, OH and I are usually go camping in our tent but we are thinking of buying a caravan so we can get away more in the colder months or keep it on a site in Cornwall as we go there often to visit family. We would be looking for a 2-4 berth and our budget will be only around 2k so we will be looking at an oldie.
We don't have a clue on what we should look out for when buying. I know we're not going to get that much for our money but are older caravans always prone to leaking or are there other things we should look out for?
We have a 2.4 Audi estate so we'll be OK for towing and we have a drive so storing it will not be an issue.
No - older vans are not always prone to damp. Also some newer vans are damp.
You should be able to get a decent van for your £2k but you do need to be careful. You probably won't find many for this money at a dealers but you will anyway get more fore your money privately. However, you must check it fully for damp and will really need to use a damp meter.
You can buy a decent old caravan for that money, just need to be patient and look at a few until you get the right one. Buy a damp meter and read on this forum about how to use it
Hi, we bought a swift 4 berth van, 1995 this year for 2K. It took us a long time to find a decent van but it has blown air heating, casette toilet, no damp, immaculate inside, usual marks outside and was complete with full awning, gas bottles, leads, water and waste containers, service history etc
There are good deals out there to be found for your price (private sale) just be patient, do your homework, be prepared to travel out of your area and don't be afraid to ask the seller lots of questions and check everything on the van. You will probably find vans cheaper this time of year also.
Thank you all do much for your replies so far. Very useful advise. I've got my eye on a couple on ebay at the moment which look nice. Oooh!! I'm getting really excited now!
Must remember to try and be patient. That's not really a quality I have
Quote: Originally posted by Margo + Jerry on 25/9/2010
Thank you all do much for your replies so far. Very useful advise. I've got my eye on a couple on ebay at the moment which look nice. Oooh!! I'm getting really excited now!
Must remember to try and be patient. That's not really a quality I have
Hi Margo + jerry, If you buy off ebay, see the van before you bid, as the pics of van can be better than the van when actualy seen, i have saw vans that look almost mint condition in the pics, and when viewed were nothing like the advert pics, pics must have been taken years before.Before you see van,ask owner for CRiS Number, and Chassis number, get thier name and address,Genuine caravaners will be only to happy to give you this information,(for check for stolen van, and so you can insure it if you wish), (Last thing you want is to buy van and try to insure it, then find out it is stolen, you lose the van and your hard earned cash).If all checks out,See the van and that every thing is working properly,lift covers,lids look every where in and around van,check fridge,cooker grill,lights,check tyres are good and not cracked, and most importantly take a damp meter with you,to check all the seams around windows, doors, cupoards,and under beds.hope this has not put you off,better safe than sorry, good luck in your search.
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Quote: Originally posted by Margo + Jerry on 25/9/2010Thank you all do much for your replies so far. Very useful advise. I've got my eye on a couple on ebay at the moment which look nice. Oooh!! I'm getting really excited now!
Must remember to try and be patient. That's not really a quality I have
Hi Margo + jerry, If you buy off ebay, see the van before you bid, as the pics of van can be better than the van when actualy seen, i have saw vans that look almost mint condition in the pics, and when viewed were nothing like the advert pics, pics must have been taken years before.Before you see van,ask owner for CRiS Number, and Chassis number, get thier name and address,Genuine caravaners will be only to happy to give you this information,(for check for stolen van, and so you can insure it if you wish), (Last thing you want is to buy van and try to insure it, then find out it is stolen, you lose the van and your hard earned cash).If all checks out,See the van and that every thing is working properly,lift covers,lids look every where in and around van,check fridge,cooker grill,lights,check tyres are good and not cracked, and most importantly take a damp meter with you,to check all the seams around windows, doors, cupoards,and under beds.hope this has not put you off,better safe than sorry, good luck in your search.
Thanks for the advice John. Very interesting read and lots of useful tips.
You should also get lots of extras included if buying private sale. Things like awnings, water hogs, wastemasters, EHU cables etc. etc. as these can be expensive to buy if you need to kit the van out yourself...easily around £1,000 if you buy new.
Also remember to check if there is a spare wheel included and what condition it's in.
Have you checked out the free adverts on this site to see if there is anything suitable in your price range?
I'm liking the Elddis Hurricane range so far. I had a look on the caravanfinder website and there's a 1993 one for sale for my budget. I like it that they seem to have a separate enclosed shower.
Probably sounds a daft question as I have no idea on which models are better than other's but are the Elddis vans a good trustworthy make?
Nina,
Amazon have one. Seems to have good reviews too under #20
I've just bought a lovely 1986 buccaneer elan 14 with an Isabella awning and loads of extras, bone dry and the people who have had it have really looked after her. that came off the caravan club classifieds section, from one of their members - for that i paid 500 pounds which i think is an amazing bargain.
mind you, it took a few months to find something, i gave up on eBay as there is a lot of tat and people get carried away and bid silly money; the one we bought we went and had a good look at. i suppose we were lucky as we were under no pressure to buy another "van and could take our time
look on your local ad trader or auto trader ,if you put in an acceptable travel distance you may be lucky and get one for a good price that you can inspect before you buy,there is sometimes a lot of tat on ebay but my friend got a fleetwood coulchester and brand new awning etc for £1,500 and its in mint condition and had been well looked after its about 18 years old and in better nick and quality than some new vans ive seen,so just take your time and look, seasons nearly over for this year so you should start to see some good bargains ,good luck and welcome to the forum
Thanks Wynnie. There are bargains to be had out there. My Mum and her partner went for a day out in Portslade not that long ago and stumbled across an advert for a 2 berth van for #700. They weren't looking to buying a caravan at all they were there just for a day out but couldn't resist calling the seller so they did and arranged a viewing there and then. They fell in love with it!
The owner was in his late 70's and he had bought it from new. He had the original brochure and instruction booklet along with all service receipts, etc. He never really used the hob, shower or loo and he cleaned the whole van religiously on a regularly basis and kept it in his huge garage when it was not in use. They bought it there and then and it does look as though it's come out of a showroom.
hi we have hurricane its ace the big bathroom at back is brill and elldis vans are excellent, we are just doing some work on ours new bathroom cladding as she had a bit of damp, but unfortuately we selling her as we need bigger van as we want to tke our grandson away next year and he cant atay in our bedroom pods (not old enough) so we need to get bigger van, dont really want too but needs must my hubby says!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love this van to bits its the best weve had, and is all we need apart from the extra bed !!!!!!!!!
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Topic: Newbie-Buying a Caravan.Advise Please...
