How do you find the age of a caravan eg: ABI Globetrotter

[TheTravelMan]

How do you find out how old a caravan is, which is not chris registered and getting old....

My friend is in the process of getting their ABI Ace Globetrotter ready For Sale.

However he is unsure of its age!! He thinks it is around 1991/92. I disagree as i think it is more mid to late 1980's. Going off the style of furnishings, being dark wood and brown flowers pattern to seats.

It is a 4 berth model with the entry door towards the front of the van, small front dinette. with an offside kitchen area consisting of only a 3 burner hob and grill, sink and fridge.

to the near side rear of the entry door is a settee situated lengthways up the van which has a bunk above.

Bathrrom is basic with small corner sink and shower tray and porta potti.

So where can I look to get a more accurate idea of the caravans age.

also what sort of price should he be looking for, it does not seem to have damp, however the front window is partly misted over, and the outside has a few dents and scratches.

All comments much appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[rayc]

Andrew, look on ebay and you will get a good guide to the shapes and designs of caravans for particular ages e.g the introduction of integral gas bottle lockers, cassette toilets etc.

In any event whether the van is 17 years old or 22 years old it's not going to have any bearing on what somebody will give you for it. At that age condition is everything and from your brief description I think that

 

[ValA.]

Years ago we had an old caravan - and the seller didn't know the age - but we found a plate on the chassis, and another just under the door, which gave details of the manufacturing date. I'm not sure how the numbers were laid out, but have a good look around and your friend might find something.

 

[TheTravelMan]

Hi guys, thanks for your replies so far....

After a further inspection the only other info i can find is the following....

Plate next to door:

Ace Globetrotter - AB MK 2 216445 900kg.

Hitch end of A- frame:

various foreign looking words with; AL-KO 90 S 2 avsf B. BC 88 1595585

Heater: plate basically says tested to British Standard of 1965. (now I know the caravans not that old)

Carver Trumatic SB1800.

Water Heater:

Carver Cascade 2 - states year of manufacture : 18 Jul 91. - however loking at the fitting and location of outside flu vent which realy skims tight against bottom skirt rail - I guess this may be an add on.

Don't know if this helps but hope you can advise me further.

Also what price should he be asking for to sell the caravan.

Interior condition fair ok. Outside condition ok with a couple of biggish dents and many stratches.

Overall OK for age, if we ever find this one out.

Cheers

Andrew.

 

[johno1]

It looks like your friends 'van is a 1988 model, "BC 88 1595585" the 88 after BC is usually the year of manufacture, hope this helps

 

[Lutz]

You are correct in saying that one can identify the year of manufacture by the VIN plate but what AlKo have plated is pnly a frame identification number, not a VIN. The VIN plate is applied by the vehicle manufacturer and AlKo are only the chassis frame manufacturer.

The VIN is always a 17 digit number. The last 6 digits are the actual chassis number. Digit number 10 is the model year according to the following code:

A 1980

.

.

H 1987

J 1988

K 1989

L 1990

M 1991

.

.

X 1999

Y 2000

1 2001

.

.

9 2009

It then starts all over again with A being 2010. But this code only applies to vehicles which have a true VIN plate. This is the case with imported caravans because they have to registered as vehicles in their own right in their home countries. As mandatory vehicle registration does not apply to caravans in the UK, they may not have a true VIN plate.

 

[its_a_twiglethotmail.com]

You are correct in saying that one can identify the year of manufacture by the VIN plate but what AlKo have plated is pnly a frame identification number, not a VIN. The VIN plate is applied by the vehicle manufacturer and AlKo are only the chassis frame manufacturer.

The VIN is always a 17 digit number. The last 6 digits are the actual chassis number. Digit number 10 is the model year according to the following code:

A 1980

.

.

H 1987

J 1988

K 1989

L 1990

M 1991

.

.

X 1999

Y 2000

1 2001

.

.

9 2009

It then starts all over again with A being 2010. But this code only applies to vehicles which have a true VIN plate. This is the case with imported caravans because they have to registered as vehicles in their own right in their home countries. As mandatory vehicle registration does not apply to caravans in the UK, they may not have a true VIN plate.

There is a thread on preloved that will tell you. It has a dealer (Mark?) that will help you if you give him the details.

 

[CameronBurns]

most abi ace globetrotter's have different coloured stripes and designs; it's not very accurate but:

plain white box design - 1984