Went out today to a showground near us to look for a cheap van as we just want to try out caravaning as we might not like it.
They have about 10 under £2000 but they were really bad. Smelly, rotten floors, toilets you would not let your dog use and just crappy.
So we ended up looking at the £6000 range and were quite impressed. One we did like was a Baily Majestic 2 birth with end kitchen but did not like the bathroom part.
Our problem is we do not have a lot of space outside the house to park it so we need a small van.
Are we better off buying private or is that too much of a risk?
its choice davsko we bought our first five years ago from a caravan dealer for 3000 pound that was a bailey ranger fantastic condition and really loved the van .we put it in part exchange for a brand new one because we had some inheritance .this was only reason for selling .you can get some good ones at dealers as they have bargain basements .personally if floors ect wa bad id leave well alone
------------- Sandringham 22nd mar - 30th mar
thorpe park 27th apr - 1st july
thorpe park 1st sept 2015- 1st nov 2015
clumber park 29th dec -4th jan
You can get stung from a dealer too unless he has a very good reputation.At the end of the day the most important thing to buy is a damp meter and to learn how to use it,Its your money and trust no one,You can get a very good deal buying private if you know what to look out for.
Go to a dealer . They will have a good selection an may have something not too expensive. Caravan don't lose a lot when they are older . Buying from a dealer should give you a warranty.
So if you didn't like it I'm sure they will buy it off you again.
Ask on here for some recommended dealers in your area or near to you. It's a good time to look now.
Good luck.
Biggest problem with secondhand vans is the dreaded damp,anything else can be sorted quickly .whatever you buy take damp meter with you and use it in every corner you can find including under beds.if its a dealer ask for a full damp report before you pay over your money.see features above/ buying secondhand.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
to me it sounds like a 2 berth is all you require ,these tend to be a far better deal to buy privately than family caravans .a family van by its definition will have had the kids jumping all over it ,and most likely be well used .
a two berth is usually owned by older (probably retired) folks and will in most cases be kept in pristine condition ,often fitted with a motor mover etc AND they are usually if bought privately far cheaper .
as from the other members be aware of damp ,but don't get hung up about it there are extremely few caravans that have not got damp issues in one form or another ,its the nature of the beast .
look on the ads on here ,local papers ,e/bay by distance search criteria .look at a few .try to ensure that when you view you speak to husband AND wife this will probably ensure a proper private sale rather than a dealer making a quick buck .
there are bargains out there to be had ,but its possibly the wrong time of the year to start looking ,give it a few more weeks and lots will start to appear for sale .
and before closing any deal ask on here first .just in case of known problems with a make or model
I think thats a bit harsh to say there are extremely few vans without a damp problem, although we hear off people who have damp we dont hear off people who dont, weve been lucky, in over 40years weve never had a damp.
We bought our beautiful 4-berth Abbey privately after going to see some awful examples at a dealer who was supposedly well-known and respected locally.
All the ones the dealer had were well-used and without exception, they all smelled like a wet dog had lived in them! We believe that he had bought most of them at auction and tried to 'spruce them up' to make a bit of profit.
My suggestion would be: Go to a dealer to see inside a few 'vans and get a feel for what layout and size would suit you best. Write down a shortlist of any models/brands/layouts that you particularly like. Then look for the same model/layout being advertised privately.
Go and see the privately offered one, and compare it directly with the condition of the same 'van that you saw at the dealer. (It will probably be better and less money). If you can meet the owner face-to-face, you can ask all the awkward questions about the 'vans history that the delaer will usually gloss over (because he probably doesn't know it's history because he bought it at auction or took it as a trade-in).
Meeting the owner face-to-face allows you to see what kind of person owns it:
Older person generally = careful and looks after things (the wartime/children of the 50's/60's mentality of cherishing things that you have worked hard to buy).
Younger family generally = in a rush and not much spare time to maintain the 'van, equipment tends to get used more carelessly or be broken and repaired.
If the seller lives in a very rough neighbourhood with a very nice caravan on the drive that does not appear to be well-matched with their general living conditions/likely income, ask the question to yourself: is this seller legitmate or should I be suspicious!! (Ask to see proof of ownership in the form of the CRiS documents, in their names and registered at that address)
Good luck getting the 'van of your dreams!
Post last edited on 16/03/2013 13:34:42
------------- 2015 - our 1st year of caravanning with a new baby. Can't wait! :)
Apart from damp which is number 1 priority, if you decide on a dealer and you find the van you like, make sure it is serviced before you part with any money at least it will give some assurance. Also be cocky and ask the sales to throw in a starter pack if you are new to caravanning, because most dealers also make their money from accessories :-
1. Battery 2, Electrical Hook cable, 3.Aquaroll 4.Waste container. 5. towing mirrors. 6. Security item (wheel clamp) et. these items can get you going and gradually build up on other accessories awning table chairs etc
If private sale you can get all the above thrown in with price of van. Ask awkward questions CRIS docs any service docs with receipts.
Make sure your car will tow van i.e. weight of van does not exceed 85% of kerbside weight of car
For example car weighs 1000kgs van weighs 850kgs this is ok
You will know the van you will like---Enjoy the Freedom
------------- You'll Never Walk Alone C'mon you Reds
Quote: Originally posted by bnmuk on 16/3/2013
I think thats a bit harsh to say there are extremely few vans without a damp problem, although we hear off people who have damp we dont hear off people who dont, weve been lucky, in over 40years weve never had a damp.
Yup we just bought ours, a 2004 avondale 640/6 in absolutely mint condition and no damp at all.
We bought it privatly and done a CRis check on it just for the extra piece of mind.
It took us about 3 months of looking round the dealerships for used vans which were way over priced, and the lower priced ones were absolute rubbish, you could smell the damp as soon as you walked in them.
Just don't rush in to it, take your time, when you see the van you want you will know.
Just thought I'd put my 2-penny's worth in about the damp topic. Obviously, it would be great to buy a cheap van with absolutely no damp. But I would still not rule out a "bit" of it if the money was right. Our pals bought a van. Seller honestly pointed out that there was damp in the toilet area. Caravan was £1700 and about 14 years old at that time. They bought it anyway. Nine years down the line they still have it. Each year they talk about upgrading and each year they end up keeping it "for one more year". The best money they ever spent, damp and all.
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Topic: Been looking at caravans today
