Quote: Originally posted by towedyears on 07/10/2019
Having a few old caravans still going is no indication of general reliability. Most leaky old caravans have long since gone as shelters on building sites, stables , allotments Etc. The odd old caravan is a very small percentage of the thousands and thousands that have rotted , been scrapped , discarded or too old to be of value. Caravans are all much the same and share many of the same components. Some new caravans will still be around decades from now some will not. There are posts on this site of leaky rotten old caravans still being used and repaired as they go. I was on a CL this year when the adjacent caravan was being revamped on the pitch. The refit was looking good but major damp was evident and wall panels rotted.
More a case of the opposite I feel. NO old caravans of a particular make means that they don't last. However if there are a few around in good condition, like ours, it means that they do last IF they are looked after.
I agree though there is some rubbish still around, as you can soon see if you go and look at some of the ones advertised.
We did the same thing - moved from a tent to a caravan after decades of camping.
When moving to a van it's not always easy to decide which layout would suit you best (this isn't really an issue in tents) so the best thing to do is to spend a fair amount on time visiting dealers sit in as many different layouts & work out what is important to you.
Perhaps the most important question is
Do you want a fixed bed?
They take up an awful lot of space in the van, which means something else has to be squeezed in order to make room (usually the kitchen and/or bathroom).
P.S. Few, if any, fixed beds are as big as a domestic double, do make sure it fits you - both length & width.
Yes from rubbish to little gems. I was taught when buying caravans never offend the seller if the vans rubbish say you are still looking. If the van has faults dinks or wear simple touch it don't offend the seller by commenting. I have bought in little gems and resold them instantly to waiting buyers. The people who bought my last van had been looking for months they had viewed so many worn tatty vans they had almost given up. The couple happened to visit our local pub and heard of our van a compass corona. The couple bought it on the spot and a happy teary lady left with their first van.
Quote: Originally posted by towedyears on 07/10/2019
Yes from rubbish to little gems. I was taught when buying caravans never offend the seller if the vans rubbish say you are still looking. If the van has faults dinks or wear simple touch it don't offend the seller by commenting. I have bought in little gems and resold them instantly to waiting buyers. The people who bought my last van had been looking for months they had viewed so many worn tatty vans they had almost given up. The couple happened to visit our local pub and heard of our van a compass corona. The couple bought it on the spot and a happy teary lady left with their first van.
Yes of course, there's no need to offend anyone. There's always the old "I'll let you know, I've got several others to look at". I used that one many times when I encountered rubbish that I had been told was "in perfect condition". The one we have now we bought on the spot from a local dealer. Apart from the styling it's like a 3 year old van.
I would say a 2 berth would be best cared for especially if owned by an elderly couple.
Next a 4 berth where mum and dad have a fighting chance of controlling the kids.
Worst a 5 or 6 berth where they don't.
Thanks all, really good. I”m still looking, 4/5 berth. The layouts all appears okay, as for beds, I’m 6 foot 6, I never get a bed to fit anywhere!!
I’ve been looking at insurance comparison sites, and got a few ideas, it’s not as bad as I thought. I’ll keep on looking at trade/private prices to see what they are like.
Very true the more occupants + frequency of use + age of user all take a toll. Caravanning can be a luxury escape for 2 or a get away from it all freedom for families. Its easy to get hooked on caravanning.
Quote: Originally posted by woodcock_s on 06/10/2019
All,
Many thanks for the comments, this is all great stuff and invaluable. We have towed trailers for years (big trailers) so no problems on the logistics front, and I’m afraid neither myself o my wife are spring chickens, so license is not an issue :-)
We are looking at second hand at first, non dealer as we have heard a few ‘horror stories’ of dodgy dealers. We are looking max about the 5K mark, 4/5 berth. We have looked at a few, all private, and the people look genuine. This all helps me in knowing what to look for in more detail before I spend.
Does anyone know any good insurance companies? I need to get some costs for this as well.
Thanks.
I'm with Adrian Flux, who are brokers, we got cover and protected excess, £111. Camping and caravan club were a bit dearer. But the cover was more or less the same, but not claimed yet so can't say if they are good or not.
Quote: Originally posted by navver on 07/10/2019
I would say a 2 berth would be best cared for especially if owned by an elderly couple.
Next a 4 berth where mum and dad have a fighting chance of controlling the kids.
Worst a 5 or 6 berth where they don't.
Not always the case many people buy a 6 birth so the kids have fixed beds and the layout includes a garage for the bikes,
That’s why we bought one and our friends did the same. Sold at 7 years old with not a mark on it
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: Caravans to avoid - second hand
via mobile 18/10/2019 at 8:59pm
