We have spotted a 1982 Musketeer 4 berth near home, we called yesterday to look at it but as complete caravan novices we would really appreciate any advice anyone can offer please!
The caravan belongs to an older gentleman who says he has owned it for 5 years but has only used it once, it has been standing on the drive for 4 years. He tells us he has just bought a new VW Caravanette (I think that's right!) so is selling the 'van. He puppy walks for the Guide Dogs (and showed us the photos of all the dogs he has looked after) and says that's why he hasn't used it.
We turned up unannounced yesterday so he didn't have time to open windows, spray air freshener etc. There was an 'old' smell when he opened the door but within seconds this was gone and we couldn't smell anything we would associate with damp. The seat cushions felt dry and the seat lockers seemed dry and solid, as did the walls where we pressed. The only issue he mentioned was that he wasn't sure if the fridge would run off the EHU, but it definitely works from the battery or from the gas? If that's correct then I am assuming that wouldn't prove to be a problem.
The chap did say there was no damp, but my husband spotted that the inside wall on the door was bubbling/lifting slightly but if it is just the door I am again assuming that it's not a problem, as the door is a seperate unit? Would this be easy to repair/replace? There is no shower - am I right in thinking that this would help to 'prevent' damp developing?
For a 30+ year old caravan it seemed to be in remarkably good condition, clean inside and out and as I say, no obvious signs of damp. We don't have a damp meter so can't test with that. My father-in-law has been caravanning for years and has owned 6 or 7 caravans so he is coming to look at it with us today.
There is also an awning with the van which was unfolded on the lawn for us and it too is pretty much immaculate, the chap says he has never used it and it came with the van.
The price we talked about yesterday was £625, I am sure this is over the odds for the age but if it is as it seems on first impressions I would rather pay more than pay a few hundred quid then have to start spending more money to fix any issues, we really just want to be able to pretty it up a bit and go! The owner does not know when it was last serviced so I don't think he has ever had it done, but he does have the handbook at least!
We are two adults and three children, ages 6, 7 and 9 so the plan is to put the three kids in one bed and us in the other and just keep it for a year or two so that we can find out whether caravanning is for us.
If anyone can offer any advice I would be so grateful, I just keep thinking that 'if something seems to good to be true!.......'
Oh, also forgot to mention... We think it has had damp at some point as the wall panel behind one of the seat cushions had been replaced.
Don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing...(ie stopped in its tracks or worse to come!?)
IMHO it would be hard to find a caravan of that age totally damp free. I can't advise on how much it is worth but for 600 odd quid if I got a couple of years good holidaying in it I would be happy - damp or no damp. As long as it isnt falling to bits. Of course others may think differently.
Our friends bought a caravan for £2000. Too late they discovered the back was full of damp and other bits throughout. They masticked all the bits they could. Eight years on they still use it and every year they say we'll get another year out it - and they do, they consider they have done well. I agree.
Thanks that's a big help.
It certainly isn't falling to bits! And as you say, I'm sure we can live with a bit of damp. Been searching google and this forum like a mad woman since yesterday, and damp is so scary! But I suppose if it was bad it would be staring us in the face.
Would it be advisable to get it serviced asap if we buy and if so, how much can we expect to pay?
Thanks again. :)
For a 30 year old van you will be hard pushed to find a really bone dry one. That said it does happen, but if its not falling off the chassis or growing mushrooms or dripping wet, then for £600 if you get a good few years out of it it's worth it.
If you can borrow a damp meter it might be an idea to go and have another look for your own piece of mind, also if you do buy it get new tyres fitted, of he's not used it for four years and the tyres are the same as he bought then I would recommend replacing them. Perhaps negotiate that in the price.
Our first van was. 25 year old van, it had damp which we repaired a bit, we paid £500 for it to see if we liked it, we did so we sold that for what we paid. Old vans tend to hit their lowest price and stay there so you should always get roughly back what you paid.
Hope it turns out well for you :)
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
Quote: Originally posted by lmhaig on 14/6/2013
Thanks that's a big help.
It certainly isn't falling to bits! And as you say, I'm sure we can live with a bit of damp. Been searching google and this forum like a mad woman since yesterday, and damp is so scary! But I suppose if it was bad it would be staring us in the face.
Would it be advisable to get it serviced asap if we buy and if so, how much can we expect to pay?
Thanks again. :)
I would certainly get gas system etc checked out for peace of mind. We just bought a nearly twenty year old van and preferred to get it serviced. £149plus VAT. It had a gas leak so I am glad we did.
The price is too high really, £400 is more realistic if its reasonably damp free. I'd offer him £400 cash waved in front of him in twenties & go from there. If you do buy it you will have to get chassis serviced, ie wheel bearings, brakes etc(about £80) & also change tyres regardless of wear if they are well over 5yrs old.
So for the caravan to be reliable for long distance towing you will be looking to spend at least getting on for £200 above whatever you pay for it.
Thanks Tentz, I was thinking I would be more happy with £500 so it's good to know my instinct was right, that it is overpriced. We're told that the caravan has been on the drive but lifted/raised rather than standing on the tyres so will they still need replacing? Chassis etc - is that something that would be checked as a matter of course in a normal service? We are new to caravanning (in case you hadn't guessed!) but have been toying with the idea for the past year or so...
As an aside, does anyone have an idea of the cost of a towbar please? At the moment the van has twin sockets with the old 7 point plugs so will need upgrading to the current plugs (says my husband.) Price quoted for towbar including VAT was £285 for all the parts/labour which seems a lot of money to me. Not that I have any idea how much it should cost!
Oh and the tyres have been put on by the current owner so if what he tells us is correct, they are 5 years old maximum. I assume tyres would be checked in a service too?
Sorry, LOTS of questions! But I am so thankful for all you lovely people helping me out.
I'm not sure about the tow bar thing I leave that to husband lol, but the tyres I would still replace, for peace of mind and safety, they could have got perished or cracked and you might not see it. It's better to be safe.
Our tow bar cost £875 BUT that was from the main dealer when we bought the car and we did it in the deal, I do know they are a lot less from a towbar place or a mobile person though.
Was thinking a bit more I think £500 is more realistic price wise.
Does it have any gear like awning etc?
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
Oops sorry yes I see it does have an awning lol, taking into consideration the tyres, I'd start a £400 cheeky I know, but you can always go up, you can't go down if you start high.
Good luck, I remember how exited I was when we got our first van.
The kids will love it.
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
Thanks again all, well we did it! It turns out it's a 1987 Musketeer, it DOES have some damp - over the wheel arch inside the cupboard and toilet room on one side BUT we think it's coming in from outside - the seal on the wheel arch plastic is damaged almost all the way round and so it seems that the water is getting in there and settling around the wheel. At least that's what we're hoping! It just seems to make sense that the water is getting in there because the softness on the wall matches the shape of the wheel arch exactly and it is SOLID above it almost from floor to ceiling. I guess until we take the piece of wall off we won't know! Opinions please?!
Anyway we've gone and done it now so just need to pay and collect. I can live with a bit of damp in the cupboard/loo as long as the side of the van doesn't fall off! The rest of it really is tip-top, floor isn't spongey, walls are solid all around the windows and around the bottom of the van, inside overhead lockers/shelves etc...
I may be needing the help of the Fix It Club for our damp problem!
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Topic: 1982 Sprite Musketeer - any good?
