buying a used caravan

[ian_5129694]

hi everybody hope someone can help?.we are totall novices to the caravan scene and are looking to buy a used van.i have been offered a 1990 4 berth abi award globestar with full awning and all accesories/all paperwork etc for £1500.i am going to view it on wednesday any tips or advice on this model would very grateful. cheers ian

 

[Ian.L]

Hi Ian

welcome ian to the forum you say you are going to view a caravan on wednesday are you going to a dealer or private if so you will what to take a damp detector with you and check in all the corners top and bottom in the cupboards and in the toiletor shower or better still take somebody who knows about caravans if you can ,check handbreaks working ok and ask when was it last serviced somebidy else from the forum will probs tell you more but most of all check for damp.all the best .Ian.L

 

[Lol1]

If it's a private deal, checks become doubly important.

Try all the locks to make sure that they do indeed lock and you have the correct keys.

Move anything that is on the caravan floor (awning for example) and stand there. You're looking for a spongy floor, walk away from the deal if you find this.

Ask for all appliances to be shown working, this can be a bind for the seller, but it's worth the time.

As Ian says, check for damp. If you don't have a damp meter (more than likely) trust your nose and eyes. Look for discoloured panels everywhere including below the bed boxes. If the caravan has been sprayed with air freshener or anything that might overpower a damp smell, be suspicious.

Look on the outside, are there any trim pieces missing (hard to source) or body damage. Small dents are worth noticing because although they may not affect water ingress they are a bargaining point.

Ask for a short tow of the van, you're looking for correct operation of the brakes, if you feel the caravan banging into the back of the car you will know attention is needed to the caravan brakes.

Make sure that the seller is the owner. A 1990 van may not be registered with CRIS, make sure you have the seller's home address.

These are basic checks; taking along someone that uses a caravan is a good idea. Apart from that, if all is OK,

 

[ian_5129694]

Hi Ian

welcome ian to the forum you say you are going to view a caravan on wednesday are you going to a dealer or private if so you will what to take a damp detector with you and check in all the corners top and bottom in the cupboards and in the toiletor shower or better still take somebody who knows about caravans if you can ,check handbreaks working ok and ask when was it last serviced somebidy else from the forum will probs tell you more but most of all check for damp.all the best .Ian.L

hi its a private sale and thanks for the advice.cheers ian

 

[ian_5129694]

If it's a private deal, checks become doubly important.

Try all the locks to make sure that they do indeed lock and you have the correct keys.

Move anything that is on the caravan floor (awning for example) and stand there. You're looking for a spongy floor, walk away from the deal if you find this.

Ask for all appliances to be shown working, this can be a bind for the seller, but it's worth the time.

As Ian says, check for damp. If you don't have a damp meter (more than likely) trust your nose and eyes. Look for discoloured panels everywhere including below the bed boxes. If the caravan has been sprayed with air freshener or anything that might overpower a damp smell, be suspicious.

Look on the outside, are there any trim pieces missing (hard to source) or body damage. Small dents are worth noticing because although they may not affect water ingress they are a bargaining point.

Ask for a short tow of the van, you're looking for correct operation of the brakes, if you feel the caravan banging into the back of the car you will know attention is needed to the caravan brakes.

Make sure that the seller is the owner. A 1990 van may not be registered with CRIS, make sure you have the seller's home address.

These are basic checks; taking along someone that uses a caravan is a good idea. Apart from that, if all is OK,