Whats The Best ?

[stevie m]

I'm looking for my first caravan. I have

[Mary]

Hi

 

I have a Bailey its a 4 berth and 10 years old but its in pristine condition. When buying check out for damp. If you go into a caravan and there is an airfreshner then best to avoid that van as its probably been put there to mask damp smell. The handles at the back beware the outer shell is not cracked around there and if you buy from a dealer you will get it serviced and probably a warranty to. Get the dealer to fit it up to the mains, gas and water and check it all out befor you buy to just to make sure everything works.

 

Hope this is of some help

 

Mary :lol:

[tdi90]

1) The best caravan to buy, would be one with an internal layout to suit your needs, The correct weight for your car to tow. And the best CONDITION you can find. Age isnt really that important with caravans, its how they are looked after. Look in caravan mags, go to local dealers etc to find the layout you fancy.

 

2) It does'nt matter if private or trade bought, condition is no1 on the checklist.

Check for damp (stained wall boards, soft wall boards, musty smells, rusty internal metal work)

Check upholstery & carpet condition

Check door hinges, catches, window stays etc etc

Check everything works (taps, water heater, battery charger, fridge, oven, grill, hob, heating, inside lights, road lights)

Check work surfaces for dents/broken trim

Check tyres are'nt cracked and or worn

Check brake system has been maintained

Check corner steadies work smoothly

Check it isnt nicked. all vans after around 1990 ish, have a number etched onto the windows (CRIS number iirc)

Check what extras you get with it. Water/waste carriers, hook up leads, step, battery, awning, water pump, pots pans, plates etc etc, are gonna cost upwards of a

[Smilge]

Agree with the above comments ... but you really need to buy a damp tester. This is a small instrument which has a couple of really sharp prongs that you gently insert into the inside walls of the caravan and measures current. With damp, you get more current flow and shows up on the instrument. I have a caravan that I have stripped one of the side walls back to the insulation and believe me it's a mess! It would have cost me

[gregers]

bleeno hire out a dehumidifier to help reduce the condensation in your van(close all doors and windows)that way you might be able to salvage some of the internal fittings etc.

[mk2vr6]

may I suggest http://farm1.static.flickr.com/17/20509366_f6660c76c8.jpg

[jkspoff]

Good advice above, I bought a Bailey Ranger 5 birth last year off ebay, it had full service every year and came with Bailey warranty, cost me about 6k I think. Just make sure that caravanning is definately what you want to do, try borrowing one first and trying it out, we found out the hard way after a few times away that it was just too much of a hassle. I would love a camper van though. I sold my caravan after 6 months at a loss, at least I tried it !

[stevie m]

Thanks for all your advice so far. Mk2vr6 are you trying to encourage me to start smoking again ? :D :lol: . I have been bidding on some on ebay but as yet have been outbid (i must be too tight to pay more). I am sure i want to get one as some of my friends do it already and i am getting one with my mate so there will be 2 of us sharing the cost and using it and looking after it. I have 3 kids who are looking forward to it also. We never go away together as they live with their mum and i work 6 days aweek most weeks. I see this as a way of spending time with them away from the house doing things together.

[Mary]

Thanks for all your advice so far. Mk2vr6 are you trying to encourage me to start smoking again ? :D :lol: . I have been bidding on some on ebay but as yet have been outbid (i must be too tight to pay more). I am sure i want to get one as some of my friends do it already and i am getting one with my mate so there will be 2 of us sharing the cost and using it and looking after it. I have 3 kids who are looking forward to it also. We never go away together as they live with their mum and i work 6 days aweek most weeks. I see this as a way of spending time with them away from the house doing things together.

 

good on ya old son. My kids simply adore going away in the caravan. Even if we dont have time to go away for a weekend we take them to sleep in the caravan in the garden and to them (6years and 4 years) that is a holiday. Hope you find something that suits and I am sure you and your kids will have loads of fun

 

Mary