Caravan purchase advice pls

[CTO]

Evening all,

Following on from our project house thread, we are now planning to move onto site whilst our house renovation/building is undertaken.

Initially we were looking at a static van, but site access is likely to be an issue and we have revised our plans to buy a twin axle tourer and sell on once done with it.

We are based in Worcestershire (Wyre Forest). Do colleagues have any recommendations for reputable dealers or bright ideas for how to go about finding a decent van.

I’ve read plenty of the horror stories regarding habitation and damp etc and we are in a ripe position to be fleeced

Budget is around 6-8k. Permanent bed a must as is a proper shower. We are going to be living in it for around a year, hopefully less…..

Thanks all

[ConnectionError]

Can you not get a static, and a crane?

Or you need a travellers van.

[nagsheadwarrior]

Damp is the main thing.
I run a Motorjone dealership who are also Britain's biggest wobble box dealers.
Problem is there is so little stick around stiff sells instantly particularly In ypur price bracket.

£6-8k buys you something I'm the 05-08 age range like my own Elddis Scirocco, I'm a motorhomer bit we wanted a tourer for a seasonal pitch for my partners work, hate the things personally!
Trouble is to full time for a year British vans won't be that warm, German vans are better but if the wrong sort sees it it will get stolen which is a shame as a big Hobby is a great thing and less likely to be damp.

Buy from a reputable dealer, look as as many as possible and get ypur local friendly mobile caravan engineer to do a pre purchase check or damp check at least it won't cost much if buying private.

Prices are strong, stock is low and that will get worse so move quick if you find a good one.
Buy right and ypu can resell and get most of ypur money back in a year

[CTO]

Hmmm, our search continues…

So far, we have been offers through contacts/friends of friends

An Abbey Vogue 517 GTSX 2004 (two owner) @ 5k

A Lunar Lexon 2009 SE Island bed @ 8k (definitely opportunity to chip this price heavily due to sellers circumstances)

Both single axle..

I have no idea whether any of the above represents good brands/value etc

And also… why do caravans have such ludicrous names?

Thanks all

[nagsheadwarrior]

All British caravans are ostensibly built to the same average quality with Coachman having a borderline edge.
Main thing is buy the size and layout you like and avoid the damp ones.
Be careful about knackered windows and shower trays too as they are hard to source.

Lunar is a bit toppy price wise for a private sale and shockingly damp Prone, Abbey is about right price wise.
CaravN names are marvellous, I have an Elddis Crusader Scirocco mixing the reversed name of the company founder with a middle ages religious adventurer and a wind in a geordie built wobble box lol

[Robotron70]

Probably the worst time to buy a caravan? I assume prices will eventually soften, but unless you buy from somewhere reputable then £8k won’t buy you much of a caravan I’m afraid.

[fuzzymonkey]

Does the driving license change also mean increased demand going forward?

[Welshbeef]

On the assumption covid eases now will demand soften in the UK for Statics and vans?

Or do you think there is another year which will be impacted / fear of going in planes etc due to covid OR cost of living squeeze leaning people canning overseas hols for UK ?

[ColinM50]

Bearing in mind that you want to live in it and it's going to be home for a year at least, I relly think your better bet is a static.
Ebay throws up loads of them. This for £4500 ish?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254870785571?hash=item3...

Can pick up a good one for your sort of money, likely to be better insulated and £300-400 or so for transport and maybe a local crane chappie to lift it in?

ETA Just found these people in your neck of the woods.
https://www.worcestershirecaravansales.com/

Edited by ColinM50 on Tuesday 8th February 10:51

[Robotron70]

Swift aren’t even bothering to set up at the caravan, camping and motorhome show. Apparently 2022 stock all sold out so no point attending.

[nagsheadwarrior]

Robotron70 said:

Swift aren’t even bothering to set up at the caravan, camping and motorhome show. Apparently 2022 stock all sold out so no point attending.

Same with most brands who are still going bit many will open up the order books for 2023, going to be a weird show!
Of the 8 motorhome franchise we sell there's no stock left from most and a smattering left from others

[Welshbeef]

Robotron70 said:

Swift aren’t even bothering to set up at the caravan, camping and motorhome show. Apparently 2022 stock all sold out so no point attending.

In so many ways this is great news.
A business sector booming in a time when plenty have struggled.

When you say sold out does this mean there is simply no potential to increase the production line/ full capacity or buy another production line to build more.

[Wacky Racer]

Rule 1 Check everywhere for damp.

Rule 2 Never forget rule one.


Same applies to motorhomes.