Which caravan to purchase

[otherclive]

As per the OP their budget is about £10k.

Agreed but the link provides details of that type of caravan and an asking price of £12495 will have some margin for negotiation, or if the OP were interested they could search for slightly cheaper ones. But anyway the OP has now said they don’t favour a pop top.

 

[Dustydog]

Hello everyone, I am looking to purchase a used 2 berth caravan, cost about 10k, I have a vw t-cross with a max towing of 1080kg Which type and model caravan should I look at and which should I avoid What should I look outt for when viewing Many thanks in advance Dave

• worsley947

If you buy a hard copy of Practical Caravan Magazine towards the rear you will find a comprehensive list of most caravans , style layout weights etc. I am sure there will be plenty of suitable choice.

 

[Raywood]

Given the low towing capacity you will be very limited as very few caravans are lower than that. You can find the Lunar Arriva and Eldiss Xplors that fit the bill, plus a few other models possibly from Bailey and Swift, but I cannot think of the exact ones at the moment. There are a few European makes that are under your limit, but they tend to be more specialised and not conventional. Adria have a good reputation for reliability but I am not sure they have anything light enough.
Given the age you will be looking at possibly the first thing once you settle on a model is condition. You will need a recent damp test as hat is generally the main potential problem with older models, make sure everything fitted works and get a good demonstration of the systems. A good dealer will do all this and for a novice they are the safest bet. Buying privately is very risky unless you know what you are doing.
I did note the reference to a dealer advertising a caravan before it arrives in stock. I would not worry about this as one reputable firm near us does show trade in models arriving soon. At the same time there s no point going until it arrives, but if you are interested they will normally take your details and let you know when it is there.

 

[Mel]

Bailey Pursuit?

Used Bailey Pursuit 400 2014 caravans for sale, Oxford Caravans, Oxfordshire | Caravanfinder

www.caravanfinder.co.uk

caravalair?

Used Caravelair Antares 335 2018 caravans for sale, Highbridge Caravans (Devon), Devon | Caravanfinder

www.caravanfinder.co.uk

Bailey Orion?

Used Bailey Orion 400 2013 caravans for sale, West Midland Caravans and Motorhomes Ltd, Warwickshire | Caravanfinder

www.caravanfinder.co.uk

xplore 304?

Used Xplore 304 2016 caravans for sale, Beez Leisure, Norfolk | Caravanfinder

www.caravanfinder.co.uk

These are the sorts of vans out there. Good luck in your search.
Remember that condition is more important than age. Look out for a good service history and a comprehensive damp check.
mel

 

[Beachball]

Sprite ?
Used Sprite Lite 2 2012 touring caravan for sale Torksey Caravans Lincolnshire
https://www.qualitycaravans.com>used-caravans> 20...

 

[trevormonty]

Bailey Pursuit?

Used Bailey Pursuit 400 2014 caravans for sale, Oxford Caravans, Oxfordshire | Caravanfinder

www.caravanfinder.co.uk

caravalair?

Used Caravelair Antares 335 2018 caravans for sale, Highbridge Caravans (Devon), Devon | Caravanfinder

www.caravanfinder.co.uk

Bailey Orion?

Used Bailey Orion 400 2013 caravans for sale, West Midland Caravans and Motorhomes Ltd, Warwickshire | Caravanfinder

www.caravanfinder.co.uk

xplore 304?

Used Xplore 304 2016 caravans for sale, Beez Leisure, Norfolk | Caravanfinder

www.caravanfinder.co.uk

These are the sorts of vans out there. Good luck in your search.
Remember that condition is more important than age. Look out for a good service history and a comprehensive damp check.
mel

These Bailey's don't have front lockers, spare wheel and extras (some of which can be wet) that normally go in locker are under one of beds via external hatch. Other bed has hotwater cylinder so not lot of under bed storage. Not that we found it issue on one we hired as plenty in overhead lockers and bathroom closet, plus there is always car for extra storage.
Also worth checking what gas cylinder sizes separate gas locker supports.

We hired new 2 berth which had little hinged table in front as pursuit, OK for cupof tea but to small to eat at and had to pull out main table. Our older bailey ranger has larger slide out table which is big enough for two to eat at. Orion looks big enough for 2 to eat at.

Separate showers are good if plan on using van shower regularly. Wet room ones are a hassle but better than no shower.

 

[Richard Avensis]

HI, when viewing a used caravan privately make sure to see that everything works for example the boiler and motor movers. And as far as damp goes., trust me even if its soaking , you will not smell anything .
I recently purchased a 2013 lunar venus and nievely took the owners word that it was dry and that everything worked .
A new whale boiler will set you back around £700 and damp floor repairs and leaks are costly .
Phone ahead and arrange for the owner to connect up the water supply and check everything. Also try to negotiate a price for all extras if this is your first. Mine came with nothing . You'll need an aqua roll , hose , steps , hitch lock , mirror extenders , gas bottle etc etc . Also ask to see the annual service/ maintenance records . Good Luck.!!

 

[Richard Avensis]

Hi again , With reference to your choice of a Lunar .They are no longer in business and certain factory parts are difficult to come buy. Check the bathroom floor well for damp , ie on your hands and knees . The Thetford cassette toilet door is very prone to leaking and water can easily enter and rot the bathroom floor.

 

[trevormonty]

HI, when viewing a used caravan privately make sure to see that everything works for example the boiler and motor movers. And as far as damp goes., trust me even if its soaking , you will not smell anything .
I recently purchased a 2013 lunar venus and nievely took the owners word that it was dry and that everything worked .
A new whale boiler will set you back around £700 and damp floor repairs and leaks are costly .
Phone ahead and arrange for the owner to connect up the water supply and check everything. Also try to negotiate a price for all extras if this is your first. Mine came with nothing . You'll need an aqua roll , hose , steps , hitch lock , mirror extenders , gas bottle etc etc . Also ask to see the annual service/ maintenance records . Good Luck.!!

I always assumed it came with, power lead, Aqua roll, cassette and Grey water tank as they are essential fittings not optional extras. Same can be said for 1 gas bottle and battery but these could be out of test or stuffed, which was case when I bought mine. Wasn't issue as I new about it and deducted replacement costs from purchase price.

Hotwater can be hard to test on both gas and electricity unless you have time run tank cold before switching to other heating sources then wait for it to heat up.
One of my stovetop burners doesn't work, can't remember if owner mentioned it but given we rarely need 3 let alone 4 at time has never been an issue.

 

[Buckman]

I always assumed it came with, power lead, Aqua roll, cassette and Grey water tank as they are essential fittings not optional extras. Same can be said for 1 gas bottle and battery but these could be out of test or stuffed, which was case when I bought mine. Wasn't issue as I new about it and deducted replacement costs from purchase price.

Hotwater can be hard to test on both gas and electricity unless you have time run tank cold before switching to other heating sources then wait for it to heat up.
One of my stovetop burners doesn't work, can't remember if owner mentioned it but given we rarely need 3 let alone 4 at time has never been an issue.

The aquaroll and grey water containers are not standard and neither is gas bottle battery. The grey water waste container is only added if the caravan has an onboard tank and that is only since 2011.

 

[Parksy]

I actually deleted my post as it wasn’t accurate comment. So might be useful if you deleted #36 please.

We don't delete posts on request Clive

 

[Dustydog]

The aquaroll and grey water containers are not standard and neither is gas bottle battery. The grey water waste container is only added if the caravan has an onboard tank and that is only since 2011.

Nit picking!🤪.My new Wyoming 2009 came with a useless scissor Jack, a tiny black5 litre waste container ( it has an onboard tank), a chopping board , and a 25 mtr orange mains cable ,nothing else. No free lunches with new caravans

 

[Buckman]

Nit picking!🤪.My new Wyoming 2009 came with a useless scissor Jack, a tiny black5 litre waste container ( it has an onboard tank), a chopping board , and a 25 mtr orange mains cable ,nothing else. No free lunches with new caravans

Since 2011 we have had 3 caravans with onboard tank and always had a wastemaster supplied. The waste container had to be able to hold the same amount of water that was held in the onboard tank.

 

[Dustydog]

Since 2011 we have had 3 caravans with onboard tank and always had a wastemaster supplied. The waste container had to be able to hold the same amount of water that was held in the onboard tank.

Yes that’s right but Bailey were doing this with their Senator range from 2008. My plastic waste still resides in the loft!

 

[ProfJohnL]

... and which should I avoid What should I look outt for when viewing Many thanks in advance Dave...

Hello Dave,
When considering secondhand caravans the biggest issue in terms of condition is going to be the risk of damp which has found a way into the caravan through damage or panel joints that have worked loose, perished window or door seals. No manufacturer has an unblemished record in this respect, and it is a lottery as there is no way of predicting if any caravan will be damp free - even new ones. It is essential that you ask the seller for all the damp survey results and if there has been any history of damp in the caravan. You can only hope the seller is honest with their reply. if you are unhappy with any of the sellers replies - walk away.

Whilst damp is a serious issue, if a repair has been carried out correctly a caravan may be perfectly satisfactory, but as a novice how would you know. Should you find a caravan you like, then before you agree to buy it, it makes a lot of sense to use an Approved Workshop Scheme engineer to carry out a pre purchase inspection on you behalf. Be suspicious if the seller refuses or makes it difficult to have this done.

As others have written, unless you can call on family or friends who are experienced caravanner's to look over the caravans with you, it can be a false economy to buy privately because there will be no dealer guarantee or effective recourse through the Consumer Rights Act (2015). The extra cost of going to a dealer gives a level of protection should anything go wrong.

It's also worth considering using finance to buy the caravan, as this will bring additional protection through the Consumer Credit Act.

Only you can decide if the layout or features of a caravan will be right for you.

Good luck

 

[otherclive]

We don't delete posts on request Clive

Thanks Parksy, I wasn’t expecting Mod action But Buckman and I are now aligned.

 

[Richard Avensis]

Stay clear of Lunars . I have one and wish I hadn't.

 

[Hutch]

Stay clear of Lunars . I have one and wish I hadn't.

The Older Lunars always had the tag "Leaky Lunars" but look at any caravan and they have a leak problem.
Oh, happiness, for a totally dry reading after a service, our Coachman has been dry since new, nothing more than 15 % all round.

 

[Richard Avensis]

You're quite right .. it's hard to keep them water tight . It's only whenever you carry out big repairs and really discover how poorly some have been put together. The Alko chassis is super but you'll find sadly that's where the quality stops.

 

[Hutch]

You're quite right .. it's hard to keep them water tight . It's only whenever you carry out big repairs and really discover how poorly some have been put together. The Alko chassis is super but you'll find sadly that's where the quality stops.

I have decided to seal all the roof joint with this tape.

Rooflock Tape - Self-adhesive Waterproofing - Rooflock

Create long lasting roof repairs with Rooflock Tape - a self-adhesive tape for roof waterproofing and repairs. Minimum 10 years durability.

www.rooflock.com

Other have mentioned "oh people will think your van has had a leak. " as an older van and a carefull owner it can only help when selling.

 

[otherclive]

Roof lock tape is very good. Another that I have used is Eternabond tape. Both are readily available from various outlets.
Videos on YouTube show the range of applications. Video in link below

EternaBond RoofSeal 10cm x 7.6m - Repair Products

Plastic Repair and Acrylic Repair Kit

www.repairingproducts.co.uk

 

[Buckman]

I have decided to seal all the roof joint with this tape.

Rooflock Tape - Self-adhesive Waterproofing - Rooflock

Create long lasting roof repairs with Rooflock Tape - a self-adhesive tape for roof waterproofing and repairs. Minimum 10 years durability.

www.rooflock.com

Other have mentioned "oh people will think your van has had a leak. " as an older van and a carefull owner it can only help when selling.

It looks like duct tape? Not sure how you would apply it so that it does not look unsightly?

 

[otherclive]

It looks like duct tape? Not sure how you would apply it so that it does not look unsightly?

There’s a video in the link in my post above. I guess it all depends on which seams it’s applied to. Transverse roof straps or roof seams won’t be visible from the ground. Some already have tape on from manufacturing. What’s more important on an older caravan that the owner want to keep damp free “ firm or function ”?

 

[Dustydog]

Richard
You are on the right track, but possibly the wrong material for a caravan.
A number of people on a Bailey Forum have used this stuff to seal their leaking roof straps, sky lights etc. It is white and I’d say looks professional.

Amazon.co.uk