Buying Used Caravan Advice Please

[Hades]

Thanks for all the helpful replies guys, duly noted!

Weight wise I'm good with my mpv, the caravans I'm looking at are about 3-400kg under my max tow weight.

Will take my damp meter, and have watched some youtube videos on where to check etc.

I'm just going to keep it covered behind my garages so no worries there. Will dehumidify it before I store it like with my cars so should be fine.

And yes Mr Feek, I'll join

I don't own a caravan as I don't like dags. So I may be completely wrong here. But does the towing weight include everything you pack into the caravan as well? Could that push it over the max towing weight (in the unlikely event it gets checked one day)?

 

[NVP]

Not close to the cars max towing weight, but it would creep over my license combined max of 3.5t (and anyone who got a license after 97) because my chrysler is already over 2t.

 

[darael]

The things you find on Google, but the last paragraph is particularly surprising:

If you are new to swinging or seasoned swingers the aim of the club is to allow you to attend rallies and meet like-minded people for sexy, fun packed weekends.

The club is open to couples of any mix, single guys and girls, over the age of 18.

Just a quick mention that we are a dog friendly club but site rules apply.

 

[Firestar_3x]

Not close to the cars max towing weight, but it would creep over my license combined max of 3.5t (and anyone who got a license after 97) because my chrysler is already over 2t.

Thought that rule was scraped, everyone got B+E added as the test was abolished during covid.

UK towing laws for trailers and caravans: What you need to know

If you are planning to hitch a trailer or caravan to your car, then it’s vital to know what the legal requirements are before setting off.

www.carwow.co.uk

If you passed your driving test before 1 January 1997 then you have always been allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer with a combined maximum weight of 8,250kg.

However, if you completed your driving test on or after 1 January 1997 you would have to pass an additional car and trailer driving test to tow heavier caravans or trailers. The changes to the towing laws on 16 December 2021 mean that you are now allowed to tow trailers up to a 3,500kg MAM (up from 750kg MAM) and mandatory car and trailer driving tests have now been stopped.

Previously, driving licences issued between 1 January 1997 and 18 January 2013 allowed for a maximum of 4,250kg for the vehicle and trailer, where the trailer weighed no more than 750kg. If the trailer was heavier than 750kg (but not more than the unladen weight of the towing vehicle) a 3,500kg MAM for the trailer and towing vehicle was imposed.

 

[Chris Wilson]

Hope it pours down with rain just before the viewing, so you can check meticulously for damp, sorting water ingress can be very time consuming and costly.

Chassis' can rust spectacularly even on young models. Plumbing can leak and rodents can play havoc with wiring. Brakes can seize up through lack of use.

A week in a decent hotel every so often can seem a bargain long term

 

[NVP]

Thanks all.

Bought one yesterday. Looks almost new, no damp readings, everything works. The old couple owned it for 12 years and are now selling up due to their health problems, and so are including loads of additional stuff eg. Locks, dinner sets, two sets of awnings etc.

Condition was great, literally everything looked new, and no damp. These guys had apparently been caravaning for 30 years so knew how to take care of the caravan, and I could tell the old guy really did like to keep it in tip-top order


It's a 4 berth Ace Award Morningstar - Ace are made by Swift so that's a bonus - with a large end bathroom (so separate shower and toilet etc.), double bed and single bunk beds, skylight, and a motor mover is fitted.

I haven't taken any pictures yet, but did find a random video on YT of the same model (just to show my parents lol) if anyone is curious on the inside layout:

3 grand. Will have recouped the costs (from avoiding hotels) by Christmas easily lol. At dealers this model was between 6-8k so think I've done alright, fingers crossed...

 

[AnastieByte]

Pleased your now sorted. Enjoy!

 

[NVP]

Thank you

Thanks for the help and advice everyone x

 

[Chris Wilson]

Thanks all.

Bought one yesterday. Looks almost new, no damp readings, everything works. The old couple owned it for 12 years and are now selling up due to their health problems, and so are including loads of additional stuff eg. Locks, dinner sets, two sets of awnings etc.

Condition was great, literally everything looked new, and no damp. These guys had apparently been caravaning for 30 years so knew how to take care of the caravan, and I could tell the old guy really did like to keep it in tip-top order


It's a 4 berth Ace Award Morningstar - Ace are made by Swift so that's a bonus - with a large end bathroom (so separate shower and toilet etc.), double bed and single bunk beds, skylight, and a motor mover is fitted.

I haven't taken any pictures yet, but did find a random video on YT of the same model (just to show my parents lol) if anyone is curious on the inside layout:

3 grand. Will have recouped the costs (from avoiding hotels) by Christmas easily lol. At dealers this model was between 6-8k so think I've done alright, fingers crossed...

When do start offering to Tarmac people's driveways?