The twin plugs on the caravan are ok, you can get twin sockets installed on car, you don't have to have modern 13pin socket fitted but it is neater & you can get a 13pin plug that can be fitted to both caravan cables if you want but not essential.
A 'normal service' costs about £200 odd & includes check on interior appliances but any repairs needed will be extra. Most owners of older caravans tend to have some practical skills & keep a check of interior on an ongoing basis & just get running gear serviced every couple of yrs & save a bit of money.
If tyres are less that 5yrs old then they should be ok but you need to establish exactly when they were fitted, some sellers will describe hardly worn tyres as 'new tyres' when in fact they are yrs old with very little mileage so they could still be perished & go bang at motorway speeds. Examine carefully & if there are small cracks in sidewall then replace. There is a code on the sidewall that gives yr of tyre, google 'tyre age code' for info.
As for the damp, if you start stripping out interior you could land yourself with a massive job & this is just a cheap caravan to use now, yes? What I would do on a nice warm dry day with no chance of rain is to get a cartridge of Sikaflex 512 or similar polyurethane sealant(not silcone sealant it ain't very good)& go around outside seams filling every gap you can find, also reseal around front & rear grab handles.
Aww thanks Tentz, you've all been so helpful. I do hope the people we meet on our travels are such a friendly bunch!
Found a caravan engineer in Chorley and the website states £115 for single axle service so I'm going to add a new topic to ask if anyone has experience of him.
Back to the damp - does it sounds feasible to you that the failed seal would be the cause? I know it's hard to say without seeing it, when we collect the van I will post some pics. We were just thinking of resealing but hadn't thought as far as sealing everywhere! Good job one of us is on the ball.
The only thing that stops water getting in the seams is the sealant & in time it hardens & cracks & the moisture gets in. If it is reasonably dry inside then there is no need to remove trim strip on outside just try & bodge some sealant into the gaps if you see what I mean, its not an exact science, its about keeping the thing running. I'm into my third season with my old shed, £350 off ebay, off to France again soon, as long as wheel bearings, brakes & tyres are ok, its ok.
Thanks Grampian. As I said before, I can live with a bit of damp, it is 26 years old after all! But I do appreciate that it's not going to get better by itself so we'll definitely be looking at it rather than leaving it and hoping for the best.
I have looked at the Fixed It Club and it is scary what lurks underneath those walls!
I just have to keep all my fingers and toes crossed that it is the failed wheel arch seal letting the water in.
Well, we've definitely done it!
Been to see the chap today and paid for the van, sadly she is still sitting on his drive as we don't have a towbar yet. Would rather spend the money on a service for now and of course any work which may need doing.
We need to call in a favour and a neighbour has very kindly offered to bring her home for us at the end of this week. :)
We have the keys, the paperwork and the receipt. But no van! I just wish she was sitting on our drive so I could go out and pootle about in her! Feel a bit giddy, she's an old girl but aged well and I am so looking forward to giving her a bit of a revamp!
Will post up some pics once she's home.
Thanks again to those who have offered their advice.
Quote: Originally posted by lmhaig on 16/6/2013
Well, we've definitely done it!
Been to see the chap today and paid for the van, sadly she is still sitting on his drive as we don't have a towbar yet. Would rather spend the money on a service for now and of course any work which may need doing.
We need to call in a favour and a neighbour has very kindly offered to bring her home for us at the end of this week. :)
We have the keys, the paperwork and the receipt. But no van! I just wish she was sitting on our drive so I could go out and pootle about in her! Feel a bit giddy, she's an old girl but aged well and I am so looking forward to giving her a bit of a revamp!
Will post up some pics once she's home.
Thanks again to those who have offered their advice.
Lisa
Well done. Here's to many happy holidays. There is nothing quite like the excitement of a new van! And anything that needs doing? Look at it as a new hobby and revel in the satisfaction of doing it up. And the joy you will have buying new rugs, throws and cushions........
Thanks Teeny, she's an old girl but new to us... First big expenses will be a service and towbar for the Terracan, plus sorting the damp in the loo/cupboard over the wheel arch. I am really hoping that it is the failed sealant on the wheel arch trim to blame and if so easy to fix.
After that, well, she is very beige so am looking forward to revamping her! Painting the interior, cupboards, upholstery, new curtains, choosing new flooring and bits and bobs, blankets to crochet...its very exciting but scary too as we are complete caravan novices.
As it is she is perfectly usable so I think it will be a slow project but I can't wait to get started! So much to do and so many new skills to master. :)
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: 1982 Sprite Musketeer - any good?
