Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[omega3000]

Been looking around for caravans .. thoughts on this one anyone and what to look out for ?

Lunar clubman

 

[Entwood]

Before I even thought about that I'd be making sure I had a good, working damp meter, and it would get a lot of use ... the van is well old and has a broken window .. both lead to water ingress and damp/rot is impossible to get rid of easily ..

[taitinson]

Looks ok from photo's, depends what you are looking for really. The main issue on older caravans is damp ingress, once it's taken hold there's a lot of work to put it right, also that it has been gas safety checked.
Carpet not a problem, i have always taken it out and replaced with hard flooring/lino in the past, window is easily replaced. Always best to view before buying just to be certain what you are getting.

Must type faster

[omega3000]

Damp meter would be a good thing to get hold of  One other thing that worries me is the wheel bearings ect on caravans .. just thoughts of a wheel coming off or something  Will keep looking for something with less damp .

[hercules]

lets be realistic 
its a cheap van so what the hell if its got some damp (it prob has) anything upto a grand is a you get what you pay for but there is some cheapys out there very decent and even vans out there pulling big money with ingress issues.if you ask me have a punt and if you get it for around £600 you can afford to have it serviced so its gas and leccy safe and if it needs tyres get a pair slapped on it,what have you got after that-a safe starter touring van for a grand if you get it any cheaper then alls good.the above advice is good but don't worry bout damp unless its really bad or your spending a number with a few noughts on the end 

[Entwood]

Wheel bearings are not usually a problem, as vans don't do that many miles, if its been stood for a while then brakes binding on can be a problem, and worn brakes can only be properly checked by removing the drum. The normal comment of "a good service history" probably doesn't work on a van of that age/price !!

Not that much to a van chassis to be honest, if you want to check that the "rubber in tension" suspension is good then a tape measure at the wheel arches is easy .. if there is a MAJOR difference in height that could indicate a problem.

Tyres should be changed every 5 years regardless of wear .. so a knowledge of the DOT code to check dates on tyres helps.

I doubt the seller will let you power everything up, including the water/water heating/central heating/fridge/cooker systems ... but they are all things that do go wrong and can be expensive to fix ... 12V electrics is actually quite easy / cheap to mend .. unless master control panels fail ...

HTH 

[omega3000]

Fair enough  I did kind of think that nearly all caravans would have some damp issues , but like you say for less than a grand there could be some bargains to be had .. dont mind a bit of restoration sprucing up ect 

[omega3000]

Wheel bearings are not usually a problem, as vans don't do that many miles, if its been stood for a while then brakes binding on can be a problem, and worn brakes can only be properly checked by removing the drum. The normal comment of "a good service history" probably doesn't work on a van of that age/price !!

Not that much to a van chassis to be honest, if you want to check that the "rubber in tension" suspension is good then a tape measure at the wheel arches is easy .. if there is a MAJOR difference in height that could indicate a problem.

Tyres should be changed every 5 years regardless of wear .. so a knowledge of the DOT code to check dates on tyres helps.

I doubt the seller will let you power everything up, including the water/water heating/central heating/fridge/cooker systems ... but they are all things that do go wrong and can be expensive to fix ... 12V electrics is actually quite easy / cheap to mend .. unless master control panels fail ...

HTH 

Thanks for that Entwood , very helpful 

[hercules]

Wheel bearings are not usually a problem, as vans don't do that many miles, if its been stood for a while then brakes binding on can be a problem, and worn brakes can only be properly checked by removing the drum. The normal comment of "a good service history" probably doesn't work on a van of that age/price !!

Not that much to a van chassis to be honest, if you want to check that the "rubber in tension" suspension is good then a tape measure at the wheel arches is easy .. if there is a MAJOR difference in height that could indicate a problem.

Tyres should be changed every 5 years regardless of wear .. so a knowledge of the DOT code to check dates on tyres helps.

I doubt the seller will let you power everything up, including the water/water heating/central heating/fridge/cooker systems ... but they are all things that do go wrong and can be expensive to fix ... 12V electrics is actually quite easy / cheap to mend .. unless master control panels fail ...

HTH 

always a difference on used vans Mr E,one side of the van usually has fridge/oven/water heater 

[05omegav6]

Be wanting a tow bar next

[biggriffin]

You,buy a pikey box.  i wont speak to you again ..

[omega3000]

Be wanting a tow bar next first

Fixed 

Well not had a holiday for over 15 years and want to have a few before i pop my cloggs.. life is for living and if i dont do it now will always regret it 

You,buy a pikey box.  i wont speak to you again ..

Promise i wont hold any traffic up 

[VXL V6]

Have a caravan for sale here.

Probably a bit to big though as it's a five birth and rather old.

[omega3000]

Have a caravan for sale here.

Probably a bit to big though as it's a five birth and rather old.

PM sent 

[05omegav6]

Have a caravan for sale here.

Probably a bit to big though as it's a five birth and rather old.

He's already got one Omega, although an estate isn't a bad shout