freddie Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 I need advice: the no. 1 son windsurfs and we're doing it all yr through now, and the thought of Wales in 3 weeks in a tent is not a thought I care to think.... Can anyone advize on small, cheap, easy to deal with caravans? What to look for , what to look out for, where the bad bits are likely to be etc. I know nothing about caravans, at all. Thanks so much, in advance!! (when I say cheap, I mean under £500. In caravan terms I think this is the basement buying price?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 You can get a perfectly decent usuable caravan in that price bracket. We sold ours on ebay. Worth looking on there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 It's the Omlet effect again- I want a caravan. If you all had met me a year ago this thought would never have entered my head, but you have all changed me I pass a caravan on my bus journey to work, it's up for sale for £350 ono, it's very old. Hubby just went like this when I mentioned it to him. We do have a (downward sloping) driveway to store it on , & I'm not a caravan s"Ooops, word censored!" at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucky1 Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Our caravan is VERY old. It is 18 years old. It is a compass amega. We have had it for 2 years and it is great. We brightened it up with cath kidston print material for the curtains/bedding etc. It looks great - my two kids love it. We have been away in it about 6 times, including last Easter when we were wearing t-shirts ! My Oh says that you should be aware that some may be being sold with 'flood-damage' . Mainly to look out for damp and any paint touch-ups. Also if it has been recarpeted ask for a corner to be taken up - to look at the floor. Check window seals for signs of leaks. Check underneath for rust. All that being said - you can still get really good bargains in that price-range and it IS Great fun ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Or what about a trailer tent? Again look on ebay. Easier to tow than a caravan and a bit quicker to pitch and more substantial than a tent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 we bought our caravan from here - www.caravanfinder.co.uk private and traders selling and you can type in your price bracket. Its the ideal time to buy a caravan now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 What do you think to this? It's literally around the corner from me. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=270220026611&Category=32633&_trksid=p3907.m29 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucky1 Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Doesn't look bad. Certainly worth a look (and check over). Meant to mention earlier about heaters. As it is an old carvan (like ours.) Don't use 'ever' the internal heaters. We bought a low wattage air heater from a caravan store, it does the job well. The ebay seller - sounds like a private seller and not adealer - always a good sign. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted March 21, 2008 Author Share Posted March 21, 2008 Thank you!! keep the comments coming; it's helping... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudgley Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 The e-bay van looks a good buy jules. bessacar are a good make. I wouldn't go for a trailer tent if it's for short breaks. we had a trailer tent for 2 years - they take forever to put up & you can't pack them away wet, so it's either stay longer if it's raining or pack away wet & then put up again at home to dry the canvass. We bought our caravan about 4 years ago and it's really easy to set up. We often go away Fri night - Sun afternoon. Wouldn't do that in a trailer tent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 Don't forget to check that your towing vehicle is up to the job. It should say in the car's handbook the weight it is capable of towing. We don't have a caravan but we do tow a dinghy and had to check that before the man would fit the tow bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted March 22, 2008 Author Share Posted March 22, 2008 OH did that, they think of things like that, whereas all I worry about is whether it's big enough/warm enough/dry enough!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BERTIE MCSQUIRTY Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 go onto ukcampsites.co.uk - theres a caravan forum - they have a number of threads running about what to look for in an old caravan such as damp etc. if you're lucky - someone will offer you one!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Thanks BMcS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Hi - our first ever ever caravan was bought off ebay for £500!!! It was a Swift Rapide & totally brilliant condition - everything in it & everything worked! The thing was, we had seen it on ebay & it was only at Lymm - not far away from us...so we emailed the seller to look at it. We went & the old lady wanted it sold asap as it was upsetting her seeing it on the drive - as she had recently lost her husband. There were no bids yet on it - so she said - just pay me the starting bid & she will end the auction early. So we payed £500 & took it there & then. We had it for nearly 3 years - then bought a different one & a different one etc etc & we loved caravanning sooooo much that we bought a brand new one last year. I personally would go for a trailer tent. They seem a bit flimsy & a bit of trouble to put up, clear away etc. I think a normal tent is better!!! I do quite like those pop up caravans you can get. But keep looking & you will find a cheap caravan - now is the time to look around end of March - because people buy their new caravans this time of the year (like cars). I think you can get a Freedom caravan quite reasonable price, but they are very little ...good though. Keep looking! Good luck! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted March 25, 2008 Author Share Posted March 25, 2008 We saw a freedom on the weekend... Wow.... We never thought we were tall until we went in a Freedom!! Have seen a lovely one, all serviced and from a reputable place, with an awning, ready to go, but it's £1000... Bit much for a 1991? Its a Swift 4/5 berth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
