Hi, My names Matt. I am really Interested in buying my first caravan and thought it would be best to get some advice before diving in. I have a saab estate so hopefully it will be a good tow car. I am on a really tight budget. I would have to buy a old van but have spent the past week reading up on what to watch for and keen to learn as much as possible.
New Member New to Caravanning
- Thread starter samantha2012
- Start date
Hi Matt, welcome to the forum.
You first need to look at your vehicle registration document to see what the vehicle can tow, If that has blank fields then look at the weight plate on your door pillar or in the engine bay.
You first need to look at your vehicle registration document to see what the vehicle can tow, If that has blank fields then look at the weight plate on your door pillar or in the engine bay.
Hi Matt, welcome to the Forum! You are sure to be on the receiving end of lots of helpful advice here, as I have found.
Can I offer a bit of advice? You say you're on a tight budget - me too. I was fortunate to have enough money in my savings account to buy a caravan from a dealer, in good condition for its age. (It's 16 years old!) The problem now is jiggling my budget around so that I can actually get out and use it! It really is a lesson in deciding on your priorities in life. If you can go to a dealer, all the better, as the law insists they sell items that are 'suitable for purpose', and usually offer a short warranty even on an old 'van. You haven't got much come-back if you buy from a private owner. There are so many things that can be troublesome in a used 'van for the inexperienced buyer.
Having said that, you can save lots of money by buying all the accessories needed from a car boot sale, or E-Bay or other on-line sales sites, and it's very exciting gathering all the necessaries ready for your first outing!
Don't be afraid to post any question on the site, I repeat, there's a wealth of friendly and helpful information to be had on this Forum. The more research you do in the early stages the less chance there is of coming unstuck. I wish you happy times ahead!
Can I offer a bit of advice? You say you're on a tight budget - me too. I was fortunate to have enough money in my savings account to buy a caravan from a dealer, in good condition for its age. (It's 16 years old!) The problem now is jiggling my budget around so that I can actually get out and use it! It really is a lesson in deciding on your priorities in life. If you can go to a dealer, all the better, as the law insists they sell items that are 'suitable for purpose', and usually offer a short warranty even on an old 'van. You haven't got much come-back if you buy from a private owner. There are so many things that can be troublesome in a used 'van for the inexperienced buyer.
Having said that, you can save lots of money by buying all the accessories needed from a car boot sale, or E-Bay or other on-line sales sites, and it's very exciting gathering all the necessaries ready for your first outing!
Don't be afraid to post any question on the site, I repeat, there's a wealth of friendly and helpful information to be had on this Forum. The more research you do in the early stages the less chance there is of coming unstuck. I wish you happy times ahead!
Parksy
Moderator
Hi Matt, welcome to the forum and website. 
Click Here to have a look at the buyers guide and use the pictorial guides and the links from the boxes on the left to find out the things you should look out for both good and bad.
If you have any questions no matter how trivial they may seem don't hesitate to ask.
Click Here to have a look at the buyers guide and use the pictorial guides and the links from the boxes on the left to find out the things you should look out for both good and bad.
If you have any questions no matter how trivial they may seem don't hesitate to ask.
Mel
Moderator
Hi Matt welcome to the forum. Remember that condition ismore important than age (something I tell myself constantly when I look in the mirror ). If you are serious about buying a particular van privately and are not technically minded then take a mobile caravan tech to give the van a once over before parting with cash. It will cost a little but better than buying a damp riddled shed on wheels.
Have fun and good luck
mel
). If you are serious about buying a particular van privately and are not technically minded then take a mobile caravan tech to give the van a once over before parting with cash. It will cost a little but better than buying a damp riddled shed on wheels.Have fun and good luck
mel
Welcome to the forum Matt.
I hope you manage to find what you want with regards to a caravan.
Best wishes Brian
I hope you manage to find what you want with regards to a caravan.
Best wishes Brian
Hi Matt
Welcome.
We all started somewhere.
Take a tour of as many dealers as you can. They all have a " bargain basement corner".
Most will come with a three month guarantee.
Damp , water ingress is the death knell for a caravan.
As Mel said it's not all about age.
Good luck In your quest.
Welcome.
We all started somewhere.
Take a tour of as many dealers as you can. They all have a " bargain basement corner".
Most will come with a three month guarantee.
Damp , water ingress is the death knell for a caravan.
As Mel said it's not all about age.
Good luck In your quest.
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. I aim to stick around and gather as much technical info and knowledge as possible. Hopefully in time I can offer advice on here too. I have checked my cars towing data in the manual it says 1800kg braked (750kg not). I live in south birmingham and have found a few caravan centres online in burton upon trent and halesowen that sell old vans for under a grand (my budget for my first van). I would like to get a newer van if I really enjoy vanning and I am confident I will. I am not rushing into anything yet. Just getting an idea what is out there and where to look.
Hi Matt
Have a word with Broad lanes. They have a few centres around the South Midlands and often have a bargain basement section.
Also speak to Swindon caravans who also have low cost bargains.
Good luck in your search.
Have a word with Broad lanes. They have a few centres around the South Midlands and often have a bargain basement section.
Also speak to Swindon caravans who also have low cost bargains.
Good luck in your search.
Hi Matt
Welcome to the forum as others have said you will get a wealth of knowledge and advise on here, and never be afraid to ask. I have just been through this experience with close friends who were also on tight budget, we looked at dealers both large and small and also vans from ebay and local sites.
They asked me to help and me being mad about caravans and been doing it for a few years I was in my element so if you have friends that caravan ask their advise too!
I spent many an hour sniffing around looking under the bunks looking in cupboards! Walking up and down the caravan with my shoes off and occasionally jumping!! If people don't like you really looking at the van my motto is they are either not telling the truth or may have something to hide.
Have fun and you will know when you find the right one.......but please don't be tempted to stretch the budget you know what your budget is and stick to it.
Many older caravans come with a lot of accessories which is great but don't feel you need to buy everything from a camping retailer!! Think the more you save the more trips out you can take.
Di
Welcome to the forum as others have said you will get a wealth of knowledge and advise on here, and never be afraid to ask. I have just been through this experience with close friends who were also on tight budget, we looked at dealers both large and small and also vans from ebay and local sites.
They asked me to help and me being mad about caravans and been doing it for a few years I was in my element so if you have friends that caravan ask their advise too!
I spent many an hour sniffing around looking under the bunks looking in cupboards! Walking up and down the caravan with my shoes off and occasionally jumping!! If people don't like you really looking at the van my motto is they are either not telling the truth or may have something to hide.
Have fun and you will know when you find the right one.......but please don't be tempted to stretch the budget you know what your budget is and stick to it.
Many older caravans come with a lot of accessories which is great but don't feel you need to buy everything from a camping retailer!! Think the more you save the more trips out you can take.
Di
Hi Matt, welcome to the Practical Caravan forum and to the world of caravanning. As you've already learnt, there are many experienced caravanners here who are happy to share their wisdom, so I hope you get all the help you need. Every year, we run the Tow Car Awards and this year we launched a brand new website which includes advice on how to choose a tow car which might help? Eight years of tow car reviews are also on that website, so there's plenty of food for thought!
Hi Matt, welcome to the forum.
Take your time, read up and research as much as possible, before taking the plunge and parting with your hard-earned cash.
If you are within striking distance of Rushden, White Arches Caravans have dozens of older pre-loved caravans. If you've never towed before, the Caravan Club tow-course is invaluable for giving knowledge and confidence. Becoming a caravanner is a decision you will never regret.
Take your time, read up and research as much as possible, before taking the plunge and parting with your hard-earned cash.
If you are within striking distance of Rushden, White Arches Caravans have dozens of older pre-loved caravans. If you've never towed before, the Caravan Club tow-course is invaluable for giving knowledge and confidence. Becoming a caravanner is a decision you will never regret.
Hi Matt and welcome to the forum. There is a lot of good advice here.
If possible, take somebody experienced with you when you are looking at caravans.
And, when you go in a 'van take a good intake of breath through your nose.
Does it smell damp, then leave it alone?
With older secondhand vans there is always a small risk but get the dealer to give you some sort of warranty against damp for three months, that gives you a chance to get it checked out.
But once you have been away once, you will get the bug. Best lifestyle in the world.
Best Wishes,
Sir Brian of Stevenage B)
If possible, take somebody experienced with you when you are looking at caravans.
And, when you go in a 'van take a good intake of breath through your nose.
Does it smell damp, then leave it alone?
With older secondhand vans there is always a small risk but get the dealer to give you some sort of warranty against damp for three months, that gives you a chance to get it checked out.
But once you have been away once, you will get the bug. Best lifestyle in the world.
Best Wishes,
Sir Brian of Stevenage B)
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