What to look for when buying a used Caravan

What to look for when buying a used Caravan
In todays video which is aimed mainly at People New to Caravanning. Phil will explain what to look out for when buying a used Caravan. You could save some money and a lot of heartache.
Thanks to Stewart Longton Caravans for allowing me to film.

[HowardB]

Another great video Phil - had our (2011) caravan 2 years now and fortunately had no issues, but videos like this are invaluable to new buyers especially first time caravanners.

Wish I had looked at tyre markings as at the time I didn’t know about them and ended up getting new tyres a year in as they were then 5 years old .

If I’d looked before buying I would have got the dealer to change them as a deal breaker.

I took my wife’s nose around the dealers and it sussed out all the damp smelly ones. Mine is not so refined !

Think next time I’ll take my damp meter with me - not expensive and worth a poke around inside a van with.

I also looked at A frame as dealers put stickers on after each service .

Excellent advice and well presented - thanks for taking the time to do this video.

[zombiediscosounds]

Love your videos but why do I always think of gerry from.pheonix nights...lol..xx your accent love it

[holidaysinthehumma]

Hi Phil, really helpful video for new people to Caravanning..well done..All the best Rob

[colinrimmer]

Simple things seasoned caravaners take for granted but lots to take in when starting out, nice one Phil.

[kevandrews]

Hi phi good sound advice it so easy to walk into a caravan dealership and get carried away and purchase a van with out checking it over as we know vans aren't cheap these days as u pointed out what things to look
out for on a van and what to be aware of .well put together good info and advise .kev

[MediocreMolly]

I am trying to convince my SO that we should get a mobile home/caravan. His biggest qualm is where to keep it when it isn’t being used and if we could loan it to family members so they can use it when we’re not. We have a great deal of research ahead of us, and this video has been saved for future reference. The video was great quality! Very helpful!

[Jevandtieriel]

A deal breaker for me is if there is ANY GAPS between the cabinets/panels & the wall. They should be a tight fit, especially in an English caravan as the cabinetry is part of the bracing/structure of the caravan and not easy to repair. No matter how much you like the caravan, don’t even think about buying it - yes we’ve had the experience.

[martinkitchin]

Interesting.
Some years ago we purchased a used caravan from a dealer in the North West.
The extensive rear end rot had been hidden by fresh matching wallboards which of course, were dry.
There was no smell.
It was only when we got the c'van home and I went probing under the shower tray did I find the rot!
Thankfully my then Father in Law was a dab hand with timber and we fixed it but what a lesson learnt ! ☹️

[paulsheehan]

Start on the outside

The biggest thing

You can be taken in when looking at the inside, miss cracks or damage that will cost you thousands.

[ForTheLoveOfCaravans]

Great advice Phil... I rushed into buying my caravan and nearly paid the price when I found all the front to be rotten. Luckily the seller refunded my money and told me to get the repair done and give them what money was left over. Lesson learned for the future... cheers... Ian👍

[ItchyFeetcaravanners]

Brilliant Phil, cracking video mate; good advice. We picked up the tow car yesterday with tow bar so we're getting there! Slowly but surely.

[TheCaravanNut]

Some good advice for buying a used van Phil 👍

[gavinstreetie]

Great film for anyone looking to buy, sometimes it’s so easy to get caught up in the moment and do something quickly ( have been there ) good sound advice 👍 well done, like the reference to investments at the start 😀

[marklittler]

Buying a safefill gas bottle £170 to use LPG for heating and cooking especially if your living in it or using it a lot in the cold season seems a good investment considering the vast price difference of calor propane electric or diesel to LPG and the plastic bottles a lot lighter too with it easy to see how full it is being another advantage as well as being able to fill in situ at petrol stations yourself before its even empty.

[CaravanChitChat]

Really useful tips for beginners looking for a caravan, great video Phil! 👍🏻

[barbarametzler]

Enjoyed your review; it was refreshing!

[lensmanonline]

Great tips and advice Phil, we got caught out when we bought our first caravan many many years ago, even on our second caravan that we bought from relatives we got stung which caused a family rift. Using the sniff test is probably the best test you can use, also ask for any service history. To be honest I would now always buy from a dealer I know you would pay more but as they say once bitten twice shy on in our case twice bitten.
Best wishes
Jon and Karen

[jonnorris]

I would very much recommend looking under the caravan around the toilet and shower area

[amandabcnn]

Thank you for sharing this information! :)

[czechthisout]

First thing you need to ask when you find a van you like is WILL MY CAR TOW THIS VAN SAFELY so many people buy vans to heavy for their vehicles