1996 Twin Axle Coachman VIP 500/5 question

[Hippymonk]

Hi all, As a complete novice to caravan ownership i bought a 1996 Twin axle Coachman VIP 500/5 off Ebay at a reasonable price, However i can not for the life of me find any specs on this unit anywhere (only the single axle unit). I was wondering if anybody knew the unladen and laden weights on this van as i would like to know before i have to go and pick it up. My towing vehicle is a Mitsubishi Challenger (also known as the Shogun sport) with towing capability of 2.8 ton and i am a HGV Class 1 driver so i haven't got a problem towing but i really do like to know what weights i am up against if that makes sense. I have asked the seller but he hasn't got back to me
Thanks in advance

 

[Raywood]

I do not have the figures but Coachmans are usually fairly heavy, I would guess geting on for 200kg. The weights should be on a plate on the caravan probably next to the door but possibly on the drawbar. If the plate is missing I would be suspicious. Ask for proof of ownership and service records.

 

[Sproket]

Is this the van you are going to buy hmy:

 

[Hippymonk]

Yes Sproket it is. Is this a bad one or do you know something i don't?.....We decided we didn't want to spend to much on our first one in case we didn't like the caravan lifestyle and i don't mind getting my hands dirty in doing repairs as i am mechanically minded and quite good at body work plastic or metali'm also a dab hand at diy so i didn't see anything that frightened me away.......but then again.....as i said.....i am a novice...lol

 

[Hippymonk]

Will do Raywood.....I will be going over it with a fine tooth comb as they say

 

[Sproket]

In one of the photo, the one with the blue tank... at the furthest corner it looks not right good to me if that floor area is damp that could just be the start of it, also why are the windows covered on the inside with clear plastic & duct tape ????

Why no Jockey wheel ?

How old are the tyres they might need replacing ? have a read here at tyresafe

Buy yourself a damp meter & have a good prod about it might be the best item you buy before parting with your cash for the van,

It's easier to walk away as there will always be another van to go look at.

 

[Hippymonk]

Thanks for the advice Sproket and i will get a damp meter....if damp is found i will walk away as it is advertised as No Damp. As for the tyres and towing condition.....I drive for a living and need my Licence so i would never do anything to put that in jepordy

 

[Sproket]

Make sure that you press the pins right through the vinyl flooring and any wall covering to get a correct reading, check it in as many places as you can, i would also check the floor from underneath around the steadies and wheel arches with the meter.

 

[Raywood]

I agree use a damp meter but do be aware that you can get false readings.The toilet is probably the worst. What you can get is simply condensation on plastic surfaces so if you get a reading there wipe it with kitchen towel and try again. We also got a reading on the window frames on one caravan but this was simply condensation under the rubber and again only needed a wipe to clear it. At the same time there are plenty of caravans out there for sale so if you have doubts walk away.
The wooden frame does have a moisture content so if you are using one with a scale up to 15% is normal and figures at or over 20% are where you start to worry.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I can't argue with Ray's words of wisdom, but simply to reiterate, a moisture meter is easily fooled, so you really need to know how to use one properly, and how to understand the readings you do get.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

I can't argue with Ray's words of wisdom, but simply to reiterate, a moisture meter is easily fooled, so you really need to know how to use one properly, and how to understand the readings you do get.

Doesn't £625 seem about a thousand pounds short of a van for that year in good condition? Doesn't that say something?

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Camper,

I agree £625 doers seem very cheap, but occasionally a real bargain does come up, and without being able to inspect it personally whether its the right price or too cheap is purely conjecture.

 

[Dustydog]

He bought it on E Bay. Usually a lot cheaper than traditional market places.
Note the seller specifically says no rot no damp.
Agree with Ray et al get it checked out asap for any problems not listed especially the dreaded damp.
On the face of it from the pics not bad for £625.00.
One small point . You are sure the seller had good legal title?

 

[SmnByt]

How's the van coming along? Any pictures?

 

[Sproket]

How's the van coming along? Any pictures?

Looks like the OP decided to walk away .....

 

[SmnByt]

Damn, I was looking forward to this thread,

I was hoping to pick up a few tips on stuff on older vans like mine...