Hi everyone! After spending my childhood caravanning and many months of talking about it with my girlfriend we have just joined the caravan world! On my way to work each morning I noticed a caravan sat in a field which never seemed to move, so after doing some investigating I managed to track down the owner!!! He has not used the caravan for a couple of years, went to look and although it was very dirty and moss covered, it seemed solid bar one or two patches of what felt like damp but had dried up. To cut a long story short I now find myself the owner of a 1995 coachman genius s.e 520/4!! It is fully equipped with everything needed even the cutlery (this will be replaced though!!) all for £600!!! I rescued it from the field this afternoon and now have it in my dads front garden as he will help me get it back into life!! The guy wasn't bothered about selling and was just happy to let it rot away in his field. He was totally honest about the condition and said everything worked when he last used it but obviously it's my risk if it doesn't. I just need some help and advice on a few things:-
The brakes feel non existent at the moment, while towing it home of the brakes were applied, it just shunted the car, what could this be? Do you think they may just want freeing off as its been sat?
It has some "dry" (I think!) damp patches, patch on the ceiling in the wardrobe and in the front 2 corners. How hard will this be to sort? I am aware this caravan is 21 years old so not expecting to get it "as new"
The wardrobe door is missing, how difficult would it be to replace? Maybe even with one similar?
Some of the blind/flyscreen units are broken or need straightening, are these difficult to replace?
Some of the light lenses could do with replacing, I presume these are not difficult to replace from eBay etc?
What is the best cleaner to bring the exterior up to standard?
I'm sure I will be asking lots of questions in the coming weeks so be prepared! :)
Regarding the brake shoes it sounds like they are not operating as shunting the rear of the car is evidence of this. However, the reason could be several issues as the brakes could be ceased but you can normally tell when you apply the caravan handbrake as the caravan wheels should lock when applied and move when it's off or it could be a matter that the brakes are not set up properly or may even require new brake shoes. It's a job that can't be done by an amateur as there is a one shot nut on each wheel that has to be torqued up with a professional torque wrench with a high torque setting so a basic standard torque wrench will not be sufficient. The best solution is to have the caravan serviced and they will give you a list of what needs attention plus a damp meter check as well. You will have to shop around for servicing quotes as they can vary but a mobile service engineer will be cheaper than taking it to a workshop.
Possibly is the brakes, but more likely the damper. As for the damp, that can be very expensive to sort out and may not, in the long run be worth it. You've bought yourself a new(to you) 'van. Get it tidied up and road worthy.....new tyres are a must, put a new gas pipe in sterilise the water system. I recommend you don't drink from the taps inside, keep a container for drinking water(or just drink beer!!!) clean the fridge especially the seal. All the above are cheap and easy to do apart from tyres, help from a pro required there. You may or may not fall in love with the caravan malarkey, but if you do then pay to sort out the damp. Or pop off to a dealer and buy a brand spanker!! lots do. Most of all , enjoy!!!
Also test the tow hitch damper by pushing the tow hitch back, it should be stiff but will retract. If it does, it will, when released slowly return to full extension.
Quote: Originally posted by richiec on 08/5/2016
Possibly is the brakes, but more likely the damper. As for the damp, that can be very expensive to sort out and may not, in the long run be worth it. You've bought yourself a new(to you) 'van. Get it tidied up and road worthy.....new tyres are a must, put a new gas pipe in sterilise the water system. I recommend you don't drink from the taps inside, keep a container for drinking water(or just drink beer!!!) clean the fridge especially the seal. All the above are cheap and easy to do apart from tyres, help from a pro required there. You may or may not fall in love with the caravan malarkey, but if you do then pay to sort out the damp. Or pop off to a dealer and buy a brand spanker!! lots do. Most of all , enjoy!!!
Thanks! What's the easy way of checking to see if it's the damper? The tyres were new a couple of years ago but luckily I am a transport manager for a haulage company so can get ATS to check (who do all our truck tyres!) I can also get our trailer mechanic (who's a mechanic in all sorts) to help out with anything else! Yeah not too bother about the old leaks, just want to get it clean and make sure it doesn't leak anymore! It towed home lovely apart from the brakes not working but just went gently. All the external lights worked ok! I have got some water system sterilising tablets but won't drink out of the taps anyway! We never did when we were young, as done quite trust the pipes or the water containers. I know i will love it as I loved it in my teens and wanted to get my own ever since!! Not sure what to do about the old damp at the mo, my dad is a dab hand at all that sort of thing and actually half rebuilt caravans when he had them so will see what he thinks!
Quote: Originally posted by richiec on 08/5/2016
Also test the tow hitch damper by pushing the tow hitch back, it should be stiff but will retract. If it does, it will, when released slowly return to full extension.
I need a wardrobe door, do you think it would be ok to fit another the same size (as I know a lot of manufacturers hasmd similar layouts then) but from a different manufacturer? Also, what external cleaner would you recommend? (Someone has mentioned fairy liquid is actually the best!)
I agree with the damper assessment - it is the cheapest and easiest solution if faulty. If it is the brakes, it is relatively unlikely that the linkage mechanism needs adjusting, more likley the brake shoe to drum clearance, which is diy-able. However, since the van has been in a field some time, there may be some rust on the drums, so it would be prudent to have the drums removed for a full assessment.
You seem to have pushed the possible damp issue to one side, but this should really be the first priority. If serious issues are found, this could preclude any further spending. Depressing it might be but think iceberg - what you can see is 10%, the other 90% will be revealed later..
Quote: Originally posted by chrisn7 on 09/5/2016
I agree with the damper assessment - it is the cheapest and easiest solution if faulty. If it is the brakes, it is relatively unlikely that the linkage mechanism needs adjusting, more likley the brake shoe to drum clearance, which is diy-able. However, since the van has been in a field some time, there may be some rust on the drums, so it would be prudent to have the drums removed for a full assessment.
You seem to have pushed the possible damp issue to one side, but this should really be the first priority. If serious issues are found, this could preclude any further spending. Depressing it might be but think iceberg - what you can see is 10%, the other 90% will be revealed later..
Caravan breakers for your wardrobe door
Hi! Thanks for your reply! I will check the damper issue as soon as I can. As for the damp, I definitely haven't pushed it to one side, I saw it was there when I looked and knew it could be trouble which is why I asked the questions I did! I will have to take the seats and curtains out and see what I find. What I meant was as its not a new caravan by any stretch I am now expecting nor wanting to get it to as new condition as it will not be worth it, but I want to make sure it's watertight and repair any unsightly water damage!
It may be an idea to pay a mobile technician to give it the once over and then for you to do any repairs required. It would be more costly if you did it up only to find that there was an issue with the chassis or damp so bad that it is awrite off. The tech can advise you on what needs to be done to bring it back up to a roadworthy condition.
Problem is, I am naturally suspicious of garages and technicians, it would be all too easy to have one look at it and see the pound signs in his eyes as its an older caravan.
Could you advise what the best caravan cleaner is? And am I right in thinking that a pressure washer isn't ideal to use?
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Topic: Just joined the caravan world! Help!
