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hello all. I need some advice on what to look for when buying a second hand van.

All my childhood holidays were taken in my parents tourer, and now after a few years of a tent, I'm getting my own family to give carvanning a go instead.  can you give me any ideas of what to look for in a good second hand van ? The budget wont stretch to more than about £3000, is that enough ?  How do I tell a good van from a bad one ? any tips would be appreciated. I intend to take my father to see any prospective purchase before we make it, but dont want to drag him round hundreds of vans ! I need to keep him sweet to store the van on his driveway

we currently have a 55 reg Hyundia Santa Fe ( diesel) which i dont think will restrict any van we are likely to be looking at touring wise ? 

You can get a damp detector off ebay very cheap. worth getting if you are buying second hand. this budget should get you something ok. i imagine with a family you would need a 4 berth. remember the extras like water butt, waste, electric hook up etc - that can cost. also you will need to spend around £100 on a wheel lock and hitch lock (you will need one for insurance).

This time of year is worth hitting the dealers. i wouldnt go near private sales as a beginner. dealers, especially the big ones will look after you. ring them up, tell them what you want and the budget. they will ring you when a PX comes in.

Look inside the van. If it looks battered, with chunks missing out of doors, and as the other poster said - if it smells fusty or full of air freshener then damp is around, tthen you have a van which hasnt been cared for. some people treat their vans so well they dont age badly. its like getting a 2nd hand car, if it looks worn and battered then it has been owned by people who havent cared and wouldnt have looked after things like servicing and sorting out damage as it happens.

As for the vehicle, find out the kerbwieght (usually stamped or in the book of the hyundai). Aim for no more than 80% van weight of the car. So if your car is 1000KG kerbweight, then a van with no more than 800KG (WITH stuff on board). Add about 100/200 KGs for stuff on top of the van.

Try this site - its great .. http://www.whattowcar.com/ - you havent put the model number in. But a standard Santa Fe comes in at about 1600kgs. A Van with a full weight of about 1200/1300 would be a good idea for good towing. That shouldnt restrict you - even my 23ft German babe is only 1500 fully loaded!

Here are a couple in your area I have spotted

http://www.webpurchase.co.uk/graham/cf2.nsf/9348596362e4bed4802571cc005bf0e7/4af4324008fbb7b1802571d2003fe69e!OpenDocument

http://www.webpurchase.co.uk/graham/cf2.nsf/efb12005c478d087802571cd000a5a20/2540df43f681738b802571cc00824b50!OpenDocument

http://www.webpurchase.co.uk/graham/cf2.nsf/efb12005c478d087802571cd000a5a20/7812d532a478b3c8802571f4004ad9fc!OpenDocument

Try and get the youngest van you can, and a brand with plenty of spares. the 3rd here is a swift so parts are good. I particularly like the Avondale (2) - looks nice. Get down to the dealers and have a good day!

Oh, and I spotted this one in Lancashire - http://www.webpurchase.co.uk/Graham/cf2.nsf/aec76266aba273e2802571cd0004cc60/3646b7d45a078772802571cd00106007!OpenDocument - Very nice indeed and 5 berth too!

Hope that helps - welcome to the club.

hi good read here

	Avoid Caravan Crime
	Buying Secondhand