One of the greatest holidays you can have is in a caravan, you can just go whenever you feel like it and don't have to worry about hotels or apartments. There is so much freedom and you can pitch up in some very nice locations surrounded by natural beauty, mostly far better locations than you could have if you were staying in a hotel.
To take a caravan holiday is very cheap, but to actually buy one isn't quite so cheap. It's not surprising that there are so many folks in the market for a used caravan, but when purchasing second hand there are definitely some things that you need to watch out for.
First and foremost should of course be...how does it look? If it looks tatty and neglected then the chances are it's not just the paintwork that's suffering. It's quite possible that you may want to repaint your caravan anyway so a bit of missing paint is no big deal, as long as there is no major bodywork rust.
You can look online at advertising sites and also in local newspapers and magazines for used caravans for sale and once you have found some that interest you, the next thing is to arrange a viewing appointment. Check the interior, unless you are specifically planning on doing a restoration job then you want something half decent. Often the seats are worn in second hand caravans although this need not be a major concern as it won't be too expensive to have the fabric replaced, or even replace the seats from a caravan that is being scrapped.
All of the electrical systems in the caravan should be in good working order and you must check this out. Hiring an electrician to sort out any problems there may be can be expensive and time consuming. Check all the other appliances as well like water and drainage. Also check the condition of any fitted cupboards and beds.
If everything in the interior checks out ok then give it a thorough inspection outside. You should be looking out for any major patches of rust as these could present a problem, plus check the overall paintwork condition. Small areas of bad metal can easily be remedied. The walls of the caravan should also be properly sealed, so as to keep out water, it's possible to repair bad sealing but preferably you want to avoid this if possible.
When you go to view a caravan, take a lamp along with you so that you can do a proper inspection of the underneath as this is critical. Check the condition of the wheels as well, tyres are easily replaced so don't worry if they are worn. The most important thing is that the metal frame underneath is structurally sound otherwise you could be looking at some expensive repairs.
Check the tow hook as well, make sure it's in good working order and free from corrosion.
There are lots of used caravans for sale so don't think you have to jump at the first one you see if it's not exactly what you're looking for, but on the other hand don't miss out on a bargain!
To take a caravan holiday is very cheap, but to actually buy one isn't quite so cheap. It's not surprising that there are so many folks in the market for a used caravan, but when purchasing second hand there are definitely some things that you need to watch out for.
First and foremost should of course be...how does it look? If it looks tatty and neglected then the chances are it's not just the paintwork that's suffering. It's quite possible that you may want to repaint your caravan anyway so a bit of missing paint is no big deal, as long as there is no major bodywork rust.
You can look online at advertising sites and also in local newspapers and magazines for used caravans for sale and once you have found some that interest you, the next thing is to arrange a viewing appointment. Check the interior, unless you are specifically planning on doing a restoration job then you want something half decent. Often the seats are worn in second hand caravans although this need not be a major concern as it won't be too expensive to have the fabric replaced, or even replace the seats from a caravan that is being scrapped.
All of the electrical systems in the caravan should be in good working order and you must check this out. Hiring an electrician to sort out any problems there may be can be expensive and time consuming. Check all the other appliances as well like water and drainage. Also check the condition of any fitted cupboards and beds.
If everything in the interior checks out ok then give it a thorough inspection outside. You should be looking out for any major patches of rust as these could present a problem, plus check the overall paintwork condition. Small areas of bad metal can easily be remedied. The walls of the caravan should also be properly sealed, so as to keep out water, it's possible to repair bad sealing but preferably you want to avoid this if possible.
When you go to view a caravan, take a lamp along with you so that you can do a proper inspection of the underneath as this is critical. Check the condition of the wheels as well, tyres are easily replaced so don't worry if they are worn. The most important thing is that the metal frame underneath is structurally sound otherwise you could be looking at some expensive repairs.
Check the tow hook as well, make sure it's in good working order and free from corrosion.
There are lots of used caravans for sale so don't think you have to jump at the first one you see if it's not exactly what you're looking for, but on the other hand don't miss out on a bargain!
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