Old caravans and refurbishment

[Deejuk]

Hi all we have a 1993 Sprite Super 450c that we have lovingly done up over the last 18 months, we only bought it cheap (£550) and it's now water tight and looking great, feeling warm, dry and cosy.

Having recently spoken to a second-hand caravan dealer and looked at the newer vans circa £10k - £20k we realised that although more modern you don't get much more in facilities and comfort than we already have for a lot more money.

For the record we have

• Motormover
• Solar panel
• Gas heating
• 4 berth
• Shower, sink and toilet
• Full-size awning
• 3-way power fridge
• Hob and grill
• Kitchen sink
• Digital aerial
• USB power points
• 13amp power

Now I know we are novice caravaners, but love it all the same but I wondered what others thought of the following question

If there were a supply of good quality restored and fit-for-purpose vans circa £1k - £3k would people buy them?

 

[otherclive]

At that price you could recover your purchase cost in 1-2 seasons. Beats B&B and becomes your home from home. Any pictures of your caravan now it’s been restored?

 

[Deejuk]

I wouldn't call her restored more 'lovingly done up' all the same she's a lot better than she was with all new sealant some body work repairs etc, even a new custom Sprite badge on the front I created.

It's not the best restoration but we love the van all the same

 

[otherclive]

I wouldn't call her restored more 'lovingly done up' all the same she's a lot better than she was with all new sealant some body work repairs etc, even a new custom Sprite badge on the front I created.

It's not the best restoration but we love the van all the same

View attachment 6514View attachment 6513

A nice looking caravan.

 

[ProfJohnL]

....

If there were a supply of good quality restored and fit-for-purpose vans circa £1k - £3k would people buy them?

I can only really point you to one of our contributors "beachball" whose tag line is

"To Each His Own...."

I may have something of an advantage here, because of my background, and I have seen many older caravans and other trailers , and apart from the dated styles and the odd ding here and there, the caravans owners have kept them looking immaculate,

But what they didn't understood is how some of the fixings have corroded or worn out over time and by the time I saw them the caravan body and chassis have had as Space X say "an unscheduled disassembly"

For that reason alone I would be very suspicious of a touring caravan of that apparent age that looked shabby on the outside but immaculate inside.

 

[Deejuk]

ProfJohnL ... it's a super fair point indeed. I know from working on this the fixing can be bad unless the skin is totally removed and you rebuild it bit by bit.. .then of course it becomes a new van.

So now I have on my mind the potential "unscheduled disassembly" as I go out on my next trip. :-(

All the same great point well made.

 

[woodsieboy]

It doesn't matter how old your caravan is, or the condition, the weather will be the same for everyone on whchever site you choose, years ago we went away with friends and we both had new caravans, on the second day a family arrived with an old caravan,on talking to the owner, he had bought the caravan 2 weeks before , checked it over and gone on holiday in it for2 weeks and when he got it home he intended to sell it for what he had paid for it,we never found out if he did but my bet is that he probably did, also he wasn't too worried about the kids kicking balls against it etc

 

[toad a caravan]

Prof Does reasoning apply to all vehicles used on the highway or is it only pertinent to the owners of older caravans?

 

[Deejuk]

Thanks for that Toad again a blumin fair point ...

 

[ProfJohnL]

Prof Does reasoning apply to all vehicles used on the highway or is it only pertinent to the owners of older caravans?

The discussion was about caravans and i also include box trailers.

But if the cap fits, apply due dilligence when looking at older road vehicles

 

[Beachball]

I wouldn't call her restored more 'lovingly done up' all the same she's a lot better than she was with all new sealant some body work repairs etc, even a new custom Sprite badge on the front I created.

It's not the best restoration but we love the van all the same

View attachment 6514View attachment 6513

Look great have you any pictures inside of caravan

 

[Deejuk]

I need to take some inside pictures but I keep taking it to bits inside to make adjustments then we go away. It's been painted antique cream inside with white walls, nothing garish a gentle nod to older caravans really

 

[trevormonty]

Hi all we have a 1993 Sprite Super 450c that we have lovingly done up over the last 18 months, we only bought it cheap (£550) and it's now water tight and looking great, feeling warm, dry and cosy.

Having recently spoken to a second-hand caravan dealer and looked at the newer vans circa £10k - £20k we realised that although more modern you don't get much more in facilities and comfort than we already have for a lot more money.

The modern vans have central systems which can be nice use but when (not if) it dies you loss heating, HW and maybe lighting along with waterpump. Also that control system needs 12V continously which could be issue if trying to manage battery offgrid.

Older vans systems are all separate and in case of heaters don't need 12V to operate.

 

[toad a caravan]

Prof but what if they do understand that there may be instances when the structural integrity may be compromised and take relevant remedial action.I for one don't know factually how many post 1990s caravans have had catastrophic failure that have been well maintained, perhaps you know differently..it is good practice to keep all vehicles in a safe condition irrespective of age or use...Gary

 

[ProfJohnL]

Prof but what if they do understand that there may be instances when the structural integrity may be compromised and take relevant remedial action.I for one don't know factually how many post 1990s caravans have had catastrophic failure that have been well maintained, perhaps you know differently..it is good practice to keep all vehicles in a safe condition irrespective of age or use...Gary

If a upcycler does take appropriate action and does what necessary to secure the on going integrity of a caravan All well and good.

BUT .......

The problem is that not ALL upcyclers might understand or be prepared to do what's necessary which pollutes the pool of up cycled items and the consumer has no obvious way of knowing whether the work was necessary or if its been done whether it's been done correctly, or whether the seller is conning them.

 

[Deejuk]

Hmm fair point again Prof ... much the same as buying a second-hand car I suppose. I suspect you buy most things brand new from your comments otherwise you'd be risking buying from the 'polluted pool of upcycled items'
All that said even new purchases come with risks given what I read in this tread - https://forums.practicalcaravan.com/threads/2023-bailey-damp-already.67293/
It seems like the new caravan market has it's fair share of 'polluted product' too.

To each their own I suppose.

 

[toad a caravan]

Prof ..If's buts and whether's don't count much in reality,facts count.How many is ,"not all"0.001 percent or 99 percent .At what age then would a caravan be exempt from the owner needing to understand if ,"they" should be concerned about if it's below par

 

[toad a caravan]

Deejuk My caravan

 

[Hutch]

Two photos from Dejuk and toad a van, showing very nice classic vans.

 

[toad a caravan]

Thank you for your comments much appreciated ...Gary .. I'm on with it now..removing top two front marker lights and replacing with dual led marker/indicator lights .. I've put my yellow and green cables I got for wiring them up somewhere safe a while ago..it must be safe I can't find them..🙂