What caravans 2011-2014/15 are most leak or rot free?

[Jamesi1983]

I’ve already posted a somewhat similar thread previously so this is the version 2, shall we say, of that.

We’re after a used 4 berth, fixed double around the 2011-2014/15 years as that seems to suit our budget of £10k. Obviously the later vans have a more up-to-date interior & asthetics so those would be preferred.

Theres Bailey Ali-tech and Swift smart etc but they have all mixed reviews so I’ve no idea what to go for.

Really what I’m asking is an almost impossible question but what’s the best van or manufacturer I should look at.

 

[otherclive]

Coachman seem to get somewhat better reports than others. But they are heavier and more expensive. Adria have a good reputation but again heavier. To be honest most British vans at some time or other may show damp, or cracks in panels or skylights. But there are a lot out there that will be okay and any defects will have been rectified. I would base my decision on its overall condition, has it been looked after. A recent full damp report and a full service history with associated damp reports.

 

[RogerL]

At that age it's a matter of luck - and depending on previous owners to deal with any issues quickly - remember that anyone who has a "perfect" caravan of that age will probably be keeping it for themselves!

 

[Mel]

If you look at reviews for any brand you will find them very mixed. As has been raised on this forum many times, the build quality of caravans is woeful. Adria get a better press than the others bur there are no guarantees that even Adria will be fault free.
However given the age of van you are looking it, you should evaluate any you look at on its individual quality. Go over it with a fine toothed comb, make sure it has a recent damp report and, if possible, get an independent engineer from the AWS scheme to check it for. Yes it will cost you to do this, but better than an expensive mistake.
Suggest you pick your van based on condition, layout and price rather than stress over which brand is better.
Mel

 

[borderbilly]

Lunar 👌

 

[Buckman]

Lunar 👌

Yep that will really test your patience and DIY skills.

 

[JTQ]

Given that the van's on your list will be at least ten years old, any built in leak will have become evident as well as any early life cracking of the ABS mouldings, predominantly here these being the front and rear panels.
The next hurdle would be if the manufacturer exists today to be able to supply body spares, if not, as with Lunar is there a third party source. However, if the issue is cracking of the ABS then given the van's age replacing these will be a fast becoming uneconomic option.
So, as said one of the principal drivers in choice at this age is the actual condition of the van rather than brand.

 

[borderbilly]

Yep that will really test your patience and DIY skills.

Funny how all the recent posts about leaks, Lunar isn't mentioned. 🦧

 

[Buckman]

Funny how all the recent posts about leaks, Lunar isn't mentioned. 🦧

Probably because Lunars went into administration and have not been sold for several years, the exception being second hand. Our second Lunar which was a 2004 in its second year had to go back to the factory for repair. Our 2011 Lunar was no better with leaks and 60% damp. It also ended up with corrosion around the flush tank inlet due to a reaction between the rust on the nails and the aluminium skin.

 

[RogerL]

Funny how all the recent posts about leaks, Lunar isn't mentioned. 🦧

They haven't been built for 5 years!

 

[borderbilly]

They haven't been built for 5 years!

I know that.

 

[borderbilly]

The dealer that I use gets them in now and then, and they don't hang around, they get snapped up very quickly. Think that tells you something.

 

[RogerL]

The dealer that I use gets them in now and then, and they don't hang around, they get snapped up very quickly. Think that tells you something.

They're lightweight and good value with depressed prices - strong selling points.

 

[trevormonty]

While European caravans like Adria tend to have better reputation and lot of them miss out on stuff that is common in UK vans.
My 2009 Adria doesn't have oven, only gas heating but electric HW. UK vans are all dual fuel. No battery, external battery locker or 230v charger, battery lives under a seat if fitted. Swaps in dining area aren't as comfortable as UK ones. Window latches don't have knob adjustment UK ones do, European self latching ones are crap. In saying that can be easily replaced. Ours didn't come with TV aerial but it may've been removed by previous owners when fitting solar panel.

On plus side doesn't leak and build quality is lot better than two leaky 2010 bailey's I looked at which had rotten floors.

Any caravan that has plastic mouldings on outside look at very closely for fine cracks, common in Eddlis and Swifts.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I have yet to see any conclusive evidence that any UK brand of caravan (and likely Continental or even USA made) can claim to have an unblemished record of damp free products over the first 5 years. So you have to consider every make has a propensity towards damp problems, and sadly rather like taxes and death, damp is almost one of the certainties of caravan ownership with increasing probability with age.

Consequently by looking at caravans that will be 10 or more years old if by any chance a van has avoided damp issues, it increasing more likely to have some in the near future.

In some respects I would consider a caravan that has had a previous damp issue sorted and had all its seams resealed properly , is likely to be a better bet! but the problem is you can have no realistic idea of how well such work has been done, and was it all fully resealed or was it just a section that had failed and was repaired, meaning th eother sections are still original and getting even closer to failing.

I agree with others who have said trying to buy such an old van on the basis of who manufactured it is a false premise, its better to find th elayout and model that suits you best, and to buy from a dealer so you get some useful warranty and legal cover should things begin to go wrong.