we are looking into getting a small caravan our budget is £800 we are looking at free ads and fleebay but it is scaring us to death when we read that there is a bit of damp or some say water ingress (what ever that means) we are seriously thinking we should stick to camping is there any nice clean cheap caravans out there???? Is a bit of damp a no no or is a little ok is there a place in the caravan where it is ok to get away with a bit of water ingress HELP
Water ingress is just another way of saying damp. I reckon there's good vans out there but I'm coming to discover that the only way to get one is to buy a damp meter and be prepared to spend a fair old while kissing a few frogs :-)
It all depends what you want it for... If you're an adult couple and just want somewhere to kip for a couple of nights every now and again (eg. steam rally, motor sport, horse show, custom car show, etc, etc then you'll generally be OK with a £800 caravan. If however, you are expecting a 2 week family holiday with kids and pets then you will need to tread VERY carefully...
We paid £700 (from our trailer tent sale) for our first caravan, an old 1987 Compass 2 berth, which came with everything (even crockery and cutlery).
When we bought it, we knew it had a bit of damp, but it did us for 2 years until we sold it for £800 and bought a newer model.
The damp had been sealed, and dried out, but had left a spongy bit near the front window, which the seller pointed out, and we in turn told our buyer about 2 years on.
I think the problem is when the seller conceals the problem, and an unwitting buyer pays over the odds.
If not totally terminal, as long as you are aware of the damp, and the price is adjusted accordingly you should be able to pick up a usable caravan in your price range.
Cheers
Paul
------------- "Whether you think you can, or think you can't... You're right"
A small caravan is less likely to leak than a large one due to less body flex. I got an 80s Monza off ebay for £400. Appears dry enough, I've squirted some sealant into seams that looked a bit dry. If you buy an old 'van, a chassis service, hubs/brakes, about £70 is essential, plus new tyres. Tyres may have plenty of tread but could be 10yrs old & liable to blow out at motorway speeds.
Once you've serviced & changed tyres you are ok to tow any distance. I've just towed mine to Holland 700mile round trip & we shall be off down to southern France Jul/Aug. With an old caravan you do need to be prepared to diy & regard it as an ongoing project.
They are certainly out there in your budget. Just make sure that whatever you buy, with or without any issues, your eyes are open to it. Good words from biosdoctor.
My old `van is a 1978 Avondale Wren . It too had a leak at the front via a loose manouvering handle which I filled with silicon and bolted up . There is a little sponginess there which has not progressed nor leaked . At the rear , behind the sink , water was leaking from the inlet and outlet pipes and caused a postcard size soft patch in the corner of the bathroom and where it had run the other side of the `van along the floor by the entrance a patch two inches wide and two feet long was soft . I replaced the pipes that were brittle and cut out the soft floor sections putting a 3x1 frame under and marine ply new floor sections , sealed and waterproofed the lot , no more damp . Cost of repairs = £25.00 maximum . The `van cost £250.00 plus new tyres and took us 3000 miles around UK last year . It will help minimise leaks if you find a `van with a one piece roof and no bump damage around the corners , seams are easily split . If the `van is pre 1980 it will most likely have a Peak or B&B chassis with joists . Very rigid and easy to do floor repairs on . Just check it has been kept painted . Don`t be afraid of a well used and cared for classic `van , they are most likely to be drier than late 80`s models and we do update the electrics and comfort items in most cases . Brakes are just as good as later models .
Hi craig. B Tentz has hit on the nail on its head its an on going thing and you have to be prepared to do all sorts of DIY repairs that you would never think you were capable of doing our first van vas a Thompson with no 240v electricity all the lights were on gas fortunatly we had no damp but it was an on going Diy project even when we were away on holiday with the van, something always stopped working or broke down but don't let that stop you, all you need is some basic tools and you will find there are loads of good caravaners out there only too willing to help so be prepared to ask but be carefull what you buy and good luck finding a van.
Below is a link to Wizards webpages , a member of this forum and The Fixed It Club . Here you can find so much help you just won`t believe it ........Thank`s Wizard .
Just go for it, you wont regret it. Best advice is if you see a van, make sure you are not paying over the odds by searching for similar vans and checking the prices like for like. A small amount of damp can be rectified, but you may be able to live with it for a season or too. Good thing is when you come to re-sell, if you bought it at the right price you probably wont loose out.
It all depends on your budget, level of DIY skills and if you are prepared to put in a a few days effort. We had a very small budget but there was nothing under £3000 that didnt have damp problems. Even some of the newer more costly caravans were dubious.
£600 for the caravan, and a couple of days work and three years later it still shows no signs of damp. Had several week long holidays and numerous weekends away and we hope there are many more to come.
>>its a pity your not a bit nearer because that sounds just the ticket
Its funny how people have different perception of distances. To my mind, Leeds and Leicester are practically next door to each other, They're on the same street, its called the M1!
100 miles apart, two hours to drive down, and three hours to return whilst towing. £40 in fuel for the whole journey.
You might spend far more time and petrol looking for what could be a worse caravan locally. But then that's just my opinion, and as they say YMMV.
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: scared of what i read
is there any nice clean cheap caravans out there???? Is a bit of damp a no no or is a little ok is there a place in the caravan where it is ok to get away with a bit of water ingress 
HELP 
