We are looking to purchase a 17'6" to 18' poptop with a shwr. Would love to purchase a newy but finances dictate 2nd hand. Not too many on the market tho. Thought of looking for older shell and refurbishing the inside. I have the skills req. Any body else done anything similar? Would appreciate comments, suggestiuons. Thanks

My neighbour bought an old Millard caravan (without a shower) and did a fair bit of work to it before he went away in it.  He basically put in a new cooker and fridge as well as putting in new curtains and re-covering the seats.   Although it still looks pretty old outside it is very nice and functional inside.  He takes it offroad, even though it's not a 4WD model, and says he reckons it was a great investment.  Good luck with your renovations!

We bought a 2nd hand A'van pop top 18'6" just before Christmas.  It had two single beds which was the model we thought we wanted.  After two short trips away we decided that we, or I should say, my husband, would do some renovations.  We will be getting on the road long term once the house has sold and wanted to put a double bed in so it went from making the decision one Sunday morning to having the front gutted by dinner time.  Allan carefully took everything out except the overhead cupboards and has manged to use just about every piece he took out to redesign that half of the caravan.  He cut the wardrobe in half and built that back in beautifully at the end of the settee on the side and built a corner cupboard on the side of it.  We had the new inner spring double mattress and that is now across the front of the van with a blanket box fitted at the end of the bed to fill in that gap.  It all looks great.

So if you are handy you will be able to adapt a caravan you like to what you know you want for comfort when you are travelling.  It has been great seeing the van take the shape we want.  So enjoy the challenge.

Thanks for that Kath. Good to hear your reno was successful.