Should i or shouldn't i

[agreen11]

Looking at buying my first van and have got my eye on a 2003 elddis avante 534. It's in great condition besides the front windows which have seen better days. I have attempted to see if I can get replacements but no joy there.

Do you think these are beyond rescuing?

 

[Buckman]

Have you tried caravan scrap yards?

 

[audiorob]

Presuming as the van is now 20 years old that this will be a private sale. The main concern of course is damp and as in other threads it could be worth finding a local AWS technician to assess the van before you part with any cash. In any event ensure that everything operates on gas and electricity, look out for any signs of damp like staining or sponginess or smell. Check the date on tyres (four digits first two week and second two year - so 0121 would week one in 2021 - ideally should not be over 5 years old). From the photo it is not clear exactly what the problem is - there are specialist cleaners like Fenwicks Windowize for surface problems or has been said you can have copy windows remoulded (costly) or maybe google caravan breakers.

 

[Beachball]

Replacement caravan and motorhome windows

Replacement Caravan and Motorhome Windows - EECO

Specialists in the Manufacture and Repair of Caravan and Motorhome Windows - providing replacement and rebonded windows for Caravans and Motorhomes.

eeco-ltd.co.uk

 

[agreen11]

Hi,

Everything checks out but the cracks and delamination around the windows are a concern. It's a shame the current owner let them get in such a sorry state. I have tried breakers with no success.

 

[Raywood]

If it is internal condensation you should be able to repair it, look on you tube for several videos on this. If it cannot be repaired you can get replacements made to order but they are expensive, try EECO and caravan crazy but I would try dismantlers first.
SCM are possibly he biggest but if you google caravan breakers there are several others. The window should fit all the Avante range for that year, as it is common to all of them and probably other years when that model run was made. Like cars they do have model runs for several years with minor updates. If it is for another year though make sure you have the measurements to check it.

 

[agreen11]

I have tried caravan crazy but no joy

 

[Beachball]

You could try ebay but you will need the measurements of the windows good luck

 

[agreen11]

Tried that too, these things are rare. I got a quote from EECO and that was coming in at £1332 including VAT and they need the old windows and the turn around time is 8 weeks which is a problem as I have no indoor storage. I think I might have to let this one go. It's such a shame this caravan will probably end up as scrap for the sake of some new windows.

 

[Beachball]

Tried that too, these things are rare. I got a quote from EECO and that was coming in at £1332 including VAT and they need the old windows and the turn around time is 8 weeks which is a problem as I have no indoor storage. I think I might have to let this one go. It's such a shame this caravan will probably end up as scrap for the sake of some new windows.

Why not put a caravan cover on it while the windows are away ?

 

[agreen11]

Why not put a caravan cover on it while the windows are away ?

I guess that is an option, whether it's worth spending 1300 on an a 20 year caravan is another matter.

 

[Bluetonic]

̶W̶a̶l̶k̶ Run away from this one. Something better will be around the corner

 

[agreen11]

I think its too far gone and beyond economic repair tbh

 

[Dustydog]

I think its too far gone and beyond economic repair tbh

TBH it looks like it has been badly neglected over recent years. Unless you are certain there is no water ingress and all habitation stuff is fine I’d walk away.

 

[agreen11]

It's a real shame, I guess some people just use them and don't maintain

 

[Beachball]

This time i would walk away something else might come along good luck

 

[Raywood]

I have tried caravan crazy but no joy

EECO can take the old window and reproduce it if they do not have the mould in stock, but only at a cost and it will leave you with a security problem. I doubt the cost can be justified. If they have the mould from a previous sale this could work though.
If everything else is right then it may be worthwhile but I would only go ahead with caution and you need to deduct the cost of the window replacement.

 

[agreen11]

I did ask if they had any moulds but no joy.
If I can get it for the right price I will take it, I will use the price of the replacement costs of windows as a basis for my offer.

 

[Buckman]

I did ask if they had any moulds but no joy.
If I can get it for the right price I will take it, I will use the price of the replacement costs of windows as a basis for my offer.

It may be better to simply walk away as you will still have the hassle of replacing the windows?

 

[Mel]

Have you looked at https://sfmcaravans.co.uk/search?q=Elddis+windows

looks like they are very low on stock though


Tricky decision, go over the rest of the van with a fine toothed comb and a damp meter and an engineer, before deciding

Good luck.

 

[Clydesider]

Strangely enough it was an Eldis Avante we nearly bought about two months ago after we fell in love with it.
The Pre Purchase Report from the mobile engineer changed all that though. Ingress/damp around the front Windows being one of the issues ......

 

[Notmyvan]

Old caravans are a bit like old cars, I recently bought a 20 year old Toyota Rav 4, for £1200. It failed the MOT with a faulty Catalitic Converter which from Toyota cost £1250. So even if I paid the £1250 it would not increase the value of the car. Perhaps you need to spend a bit more and get a newer caravan which does not need any windows.