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.
Yeah its a good point with caravan and campervans the tyres might have even gone flat in the past whilst it was standing or the wheels not rotated periodically while stored, maybe its worth getting a tyre place to take them off and check them.
@@lostweekendscaravan wow thanks very much for sharing we watched also here in Africa hope you will check out to my channel am Thierry I teach music to youths here in my country
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 ! ☹️
Hi Martin. Thats a sad and bad story. I would like to think most if not all are honest these days. If you get a bad reputation you can loose your franchise these days. Glad you got it sorted but that should never have happened in the first place. Thanks Phil. 👍🙂
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.
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!
Hi Molly Thanks. If you are thinking of a static caravan, the site fees can be very expensive and there are a lot of restrictions. A cheaper option is to buy a large Touring Caravan and place it on a seasonal pitch. I will be covering this subject in March. Glad you liked the video. Thanks again Phil.🙂
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.
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👍
Thanks Ian. It is a big investment and they are not cheap. We looked 100's of used vans before making our choice. I am glad your van got sorted in the end. Many Thanks Phil👍
Hi Rob, Thanks. I have been meaning to make the vlog for ages and finally recorded it yesterday as I had some free time. I do hope it is heplful for others. Thanks again. Phil
Thanks Martin and Joanna. I heating was driving me mad. We go away soon so can't wait to test it out. Glad you have got your New Car. Not long now and you'll on your way. Hope you liked my previous video too. Cheers Phil👍
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
Thanks Kev. I had been meaning to record this a while ago but wanted to get a bit more info under my belt before recording it. Thanks as always for your comment and support. Phil👍
@@lostweekendscaravan I’m working my way through your vids 😀 some excellent content really enjoying learning. The only reason I mentioned the tow car was because I came unstuck on that very issue. Bought the van I fell in love with only to realise it was outside of my towing weight. Luckily for me the the manager was happy to work with me to find a van I could tow but I’m guessing a private sale wouldn’t be as accommodating
Hi I really do agree with you it cost me dearly I had an Audi A4 Avant thinking it would tow the Sprite but I didn't so I had to change to the Skoda. I lost a lot of money in changing the Car. I hope you enjoy my videos. I try to keep them short and to the point. Thanks Phil👍🙂
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 😀
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
Hi Jon and Karen. I have to admit I would only buy from a Dealer. We looked at so many used Vans. We only bought new because of my retirement DOSH. Otherwise we would have bought used. Thanks again Hope you are both well. Phil👍
Don't forget to have a look at the roof if possible. Walk away from strangely positioned GB stickers or random reflectors They are usually hiding bad repair work
Thanks Barbara. We love helping folk and hopefully they will not make the same mistakes that could cost them $$$. Nice to hear from you again. Phil and Juliet🙂
Hi Good point. Not all used vans are cris registered and there is no other way to check the vin. They not yet on PNC. Hence no mention on the video. I hope this helps. Phil. 👍🙂
Fabulous and informative. So much to learn. Thinking we like the fixed twin beds just for the extra space it gives...but wondered if they were not so popular when reselling.
Hi Julia. Buying a van is not the easiest decision. You have to buy what suits your needs and tastes. Twin beds suits some but not all. I do feel there will always be a market for them. Thanks Phil👍🙂
Nice video. I live in holland at the moment i am thinking about to buy a caravan in GB. I phoned and mailed some dealers to ask what is in the MRO weight of the Van. For instance is the spare wheel, and battery and a gas bottle included in the MRO. I did read that some water in the heating system is also included as from a van of 2011. Could anybody give us an correct answer.
Hello Han welcome to my channel. If you are coming over for a caravan may I suggest Caravan Dealers close to the Ferry Port you use. This would be handy should you have to re-visit the Dealers with your Caravan. In response to your question about MRO and items within the Van. I would treat the MRO as not having the items included as part of the weight. Each Manufacturer and Models (including age) can be very different. I would choose your Price you want to pay and the Models you are interested in and then ask the Dealers all the questions that you need to know to help you make your mind up as to which Caravan you purchase. I hope this helps. Thanks Phil🙂 Also make sure your Tow car has a decent weight and towing capacity.
please ancvering what document mustt be when you buying caravan pasport or same lkike car documentts if i buy caravan whatt document i must have please thanks
Hello. If the Caravan is registered on CRIS the current owner will have their copy. If not you will just get a receipt from the Former Owner. The is no Log Book like there is for a Car. Thanks Phil.🙂
Hi all, I'm thinking about buying a used caravan and need all the help I can get. I wouldn't buy from a private seller only from a reputable dealer which I visited recently. I liked the look of a 2007 Bailey Ranger - 6 berth, but I'm not keen on a tiny washroom which has the shower base and toilet beside it, do you get boards to cover the base? Thanks.
sandee Beech hi sandee! You can buy boards but I am not aware of any to fit that particular van. If it was me I would use the foam flooring. This can be purchased from must van dealers. Hope this helps. Ps make sure it comes with a damp check and better a bit of a warranty. Thanks Phil👍😉
+Home from home With the Shackleton’s Hi Yes you are right the Tyres are a important thing to look at when buying a used van. The Dealer where we filmed do take the spares out as they have been known to go missing. Cheers Phil