I toyed with campervan or small caravan??!...
my budget is so small i only have three thousand pound saved.
Anyone tell me the best very small caravan to look out for?.
I would like three berth so i can take friend or family with me.
I know its a small budget and no doubt some will scoff but limited funds is the way it is! any help to start my dream will be great help.
The first things to consider are what can your car tow and what does your licence allow you to tow. Until you have that information you can't get any further.
You can find your car's kerbweight and max towing weight from the handbook or it may be on the V5. If you got your licence after 1997 and haven't taken the towing test you will only have a B entitlement on your licence which will limit you to a plated gross train weight of 3500 kg. Come back with the details and we'll be able to make some suggestions about suitable caravans.
Don't limit your search to 3 berth caravans look also at 4 berth models as there are lots more available and they would give you more flexibility.
Theres plenty of good older caravans 1990s around for £1000. Look on ebay. You don't have to spend anything like £3k. You need money left over for service/maintenance.
It's best to buy private for that price. A dealer won't give you much of a warranty. Look at ABI Maruader or Monza or 1990s Elddis. They do 3 berth layouts on some models. Search those makes on ebay. Most of them are under 900kg all up.
You do need to check carefully for damp whether you pay £3k or much less. Check for soft spots inside. Budget for new tyres & a chassis service & be prepared to do plenty of diy if you want to run a cheap caravan.
The quickest if a very rough check for damp is to use your finger nails and drum them on the wall and roofs around the joins, especially in the corners up high and down low, under beds, storage areas etc. If its not singing back or you detect a change in pitch of the noise then walk away.
When buying private always ask reason for sale and get the owner to walk you round ALL the items and show you them working, ask about any scrapes, flaws or defects. On an older van there will be some. Then spend some time yourself rechecking all and checking for damp. If your not keen on the owner dont be put off but listen to your instincts.
Good luck. (for a few quid get a damp meter and use it rather than your nails)
------------- if your not living life on the edge your taking up tooo much room
Quote: Originally posted by Tessenta on 27/3/2017
Hello all.
I toyed with campervan or small caravan??!...
my budget is so small i only have three thousand pound saved.
Anyone tell me the best very small caravan to look out for?.
I would like three berth so i can take friend or family with me.
I know its a small budget and no doubt some will scoff but limited funds is the way it is! any help to start my dream will be great help.
£3,000 isn't a small budget by my standards! My caravan cost me £500. I've probably spent another £300 to £400 on it since, but then it is old and most of that went on tyres, a service, and an awning. Plus a few bits and pieces. I am now entering my 4th year of ownership and starting to plan this year's holidays. If you don't mind an older style of caravan, there are plenty around, but please do check thoroughly for damp.
£3k isn't a small budget, it's a decent budget, especially for a first caravan. My advice would be to go to some dealers, have a look at lots of different caravans, layouts, etc, to get an idea of what you like, what you could live with, and which ones you don't like at all. When you've narrowed it down, check the weight plates on the van - no point falling in love with a particular model then being gutted because it's too heavy for your car. Once you've decided the type of van you want, then look around eBay, FB etc for a private sale. If you're unsure what to look for on inspection, try and take someone with you who has more idea, or, you can get a pre-purchase inspection report done by a qualified caravan engineer. Probably cost about £70, but could save you a fortune.
thought of looking at a folding camper? could get a very good model for that budget.
i would say as above it is a modest amount for a first purchase just leave aside a small contingency fund, avoid going with your heart take your time and check/research online.
Hi.
Well many thanks for all you grrat advice.
I do check e bay a lot. The damp issue will be my priority.
Its great people are so helpful and point out the pitfalls.
Hello.
Thank you for your sound advice, esp pre purchase inpection report.
Its amazing the advice i have gained on here people are so kind with their advice.
Tessenter- if you go over to the trailer tent forum, there is lots of discussion about folding campers. If you are interested, then have a look at something like a Pennine Countryman or Fiesta. They're a cross between a caravan and a tent!
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Topic: small 3 berth caravan
