Advice on buying

[ckerr34]

Hi, we have been thinking about upgrading to a caravan for a while now, completely new to them/don’t know anything about them, so I wanted to ask for some advice on what old/used caravans are reliable etc. and what to watch out for. Hopefully someone can help
Some info:
- Budget up to 5k
- 4 berth
- Needs to have a fixed double bed at the back (preferably the full bed that goes horizontally in rather than the vertical one that slants in the at the side)
- Would prefer an L shaped couch at the front area

Have seen a 2005 Bailey Pageant Vendee that ticks all of these boxes, are they any good? Are there any other makes/models that I should be looking out for?
Tia

 

[otherclive]

Hi, we have been thinking about upgrading to a caravan for a while now, completely new to them/don’t know anything about them, so I wanted to ask for some advice on what old/used caravans are reliable etc. and what to watch out for. Hopefully someone can help
Some info:
- Budget up to 5k
- 4 berth
- Needs to have a fixed double bed at the back (preferably the full bed that goes horizontally in rather than the vertical one that slants in the at the side)
- Would prefer an L shaped couch at the front area

Have seen a 2005 Bailey Pageant Vendee that ticks all of these boxes, are they any good? Are there any other makes/models that I should be looking out for?
Tia

I had a Bordeaux S5 and a neighbour had a S5 Vendee with the transverse bed. Of the vans we have had I rate the Bordeaux as the best. We kept it for 9 years. Only issues were cracks on front and rear panels due to Bailey manufacturing faults. Both panels replaced FOC under warranty. One area to check, but I’d suspect any Vendee will either not have any cracks or most likely will have had the panels replaced. My cracks appeared in years 1 and 2.

Make sure you have an up to date damp check or commission one yourself.

 

[birdman101]

Check the floor for rot especially front and back corners,as even to the present day Bailey still don’t seem to have cured it.

 

[Mel]

You don’t say if this is a Dealer or a Private sale. Whichever it is ask to see all service records and make sure it has a very recent damp check. Get the dealer to do it in front of you if possible. If it is a private sale it is well worth getting an inspection from an AWS mobile caravan technician. You can find one in the webpage below

https://www.approvedworkshops.co.uk/?UTM_source=GBP_listing&UTM_medium=organic

 

[otherclive]

Check the floor for rot especially front and back corners,as even to the present day Bailey still don’t seem to have cured it.

I don’t think that S5s were unduly affected by floor corner damp or rot. Mine never showed any indication nor did our neighbours. It seemed to crop up with the introduction of alutech construction. But if it’s got a recent damp survey that should cover that area too.

 

[birdman101]

We had it back end of ours always wet after each rain,but sold it when 4 years old before rot set in

 

[otherclive]

We had it back end of ours always wet after each rain,but sold it when 4 years old before rot set in

What model was yours?

 

[Hutch]

Have a look for a Sterling, Eccles Jewel, that has the rear bed across the back, toilet and shower in the middle.
What are you thinking of. Towing with.

 

[RogerL]

I think that age of Bailey was their golden era of build quality - since then they've gone for volume and design/build quality has suffered.

For peace of mind, pay to have an independent inspection before finalising the deal.

 

[birdman101]

What model was yours?

Can’t remember exact model but the last year before Alutec was launched. Think it was called series 7

 

[otherclive]

Can’t remember exact model but the last year before Alutec was launched. Think it was called series 7

The OP was asking about a Vendee and if my memory is correct they were only produced under Series 5 then discontinued as they were not that popular compared to the more conventional layouts.

 

[birdman101]

Remember it was Pageant series 7 but not the name. But the actual body would of been the same just different layout and interior.

 

[Beachball]

Have a look for Avondale Eagle L 4 berth Caravan, L shaped lounge and a fixed bed at the rear toilet and shower near the middle .

 

[otherclive]

Remember it was Pageant series 7 but not the name. But the actual body would have been the same just different layout and interior.

The bodies of the S5 and S7 were different in that the S5 was 7ft 2inches wide, whereas the S7 was 7ft 6 inches and like for like the S7 Pageant Bordeaux was 0.6 m shorter than the equivalent S5 Bordeaux. So given the differences in size and the time gap between the S5 and S7 it’s most likely that design and fabrication processes would be different. So just because your S7 may have suffered a wet rear external floor it doesn’t mean the S5 Vendee would. Nine years of S5 Bordeaux ownership for mine did not show any such shortcomings.

 

[RogerL]

The bodies of the S5 and S7 were different in that the S5 was 7ft 2inches wide, whereas the S7 was 7ft 6 inches and like for like the S7 Pageant Bordeaux was 0.6 m shorter than the equivalent S5 Bordeaux. So given the differences in size and the time gap between the S5 and S7 it’s most likely that design and fabrication processes would be different. So just because your S7 may have suffered a wet rear external floor it doesn’t mean the S5 Vendee would. Nine years of S5 Bordeaux ownership for mine did not show any such shortcomings.

The OP is looking for a transverse island bed layout - as the S5 is only 7'2" wide that would be quite a short bed - no problem for shorter people but would be for some.

 

[otherclive]

The OP is looking for a transverse island bed layout - as the S5 is only 7'2" wide that would be quite a short bed - no problem for shorter people but would be for some.

When choosing a new caravan we looked at the Vendee and the transverse bed would have been fine for me at 6ft 4 inch but we didn’t like like the L shaped lounge arrangement. So we chose a Bordeaux with the conventional fixed bed with its left hand corner cut off. My wife slept on the outer section adjacent to the caravan wall and I slept on the section with the angled end section. In fact the only restriction was the bed end bulkhead but by sleeping at a slight angle I had no problems. Had I not been comfortable I would either have used the front double or changed the caravan. But we kept it for nine good years.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Buying a caravan for the first time is big step, and you must use your head not your heart when choosing!

With your quite restricted budget, you will definitely be looking at fairly old caravans, and it's sad fact that all caravans do deteriorated with use and age, so you do need to know what to look out for, and as novices to the hobby, there are some things ready to trip you up.

You already received a number posts with some good advice.

When looking at second hand caravans, it can be great help to take someone along with you who is already a seasoned caravanner, as they may spot particular points that you as a novice might miss. Do you have a family member or trusted friend who caravans? Most caravan hobbyists would be proud to be asked to help with your quest.

Dealer or private sale. This is often asked because on the face of it, a private sale seems to be 15 to 20% cheaper than a dealer, BUT, when you but privately you generally have no back up if things start to go wrong, but by using a dealer, you will probably get a limited warranty from the dealer, but more importantly you will also automatically get the protection of the Consumer Rites Act, which applies to S/H and New sales. and this is a very important point , it's worth researching for general information.

A dealer is expected to use their expertise to help the customer make a good choice.

A full service history with all the up to date tickets stamped and signed, and carried out according to the manufactures schedule is a good sign, and hopefully will show previous owners have taken care, and more likely that any repairs have been done professionally.

Prepare a written list of "open" questions, for example :
Don't ask "Is the caravan damp?" preferably ask "Has the caravan have any history of damp?" You need to get the seller talking about the details, not just a Yes ,No opportunity. What the seller tells you is considered in law to form part of the items description, Keep a note of any such answers. It really helps if a some one else is also present to remember all the key descriptions you have been given.

Most importantly, if anything does not add up between what you see and what you are told, use your head and wonder what the seller may be hiding. If you are not 100% satisfied be prepared to walk away.

Edited for clarity

 

[Dustydog]

Have seen a 2005 Bailey Pageant Vendee that ticks all of these boxes, are they any good? Are there any other makes/models that I should be looking out for?
Tia

We had a Series 5 Vendee from new in 2005.The full width, high up , end transverse bed was massive and very comfortable. The centre wash room was a bit cramped. The L shape lounge not something we prefer now but in it’s day very comfortable. This is a very long well appointed Clubman class unit. By today’s poor standards it was well conventionally constructed.
Alu-tec appeared in 2010. Watertight? Read the anecdotal evidence for yourself.

If you follow all the advice given in the earlier posts, you will find a sound Vendee which will serve you well