Buying a used caravan tips.

LUCKY LOZ · Veteran Member

Buying a used caravan tips.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Welcome to the gang Lucky Loz, enjoy here and out in the playground.

I know what you mean about single beds. When I had my aluminium teepee built they looked at me stupid. Never sell they reckon. I have seen heaps around in my travells.

As for info, make sure the tug can pull the van with eze and ALL weights are under their max's. The people with pen and paper are getting tougher by the day.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

-- Edited by Dougwe on Monday 15th of October 2018 07:07:15 PM

Cadpete · Guru

G'day Lucky Loz and welcome to the forum. Don't forget to try the two ongoing games here - 'Who is This' in the 'I Digress' section and 'Pick this Place' in the 'General' Section - a great source to find new places to visit. Usual warning on checking all weights for both van and tug to keep legal. I'm sure possum3 will be along with his link to the caravan council website as well - but if not then google them as lots of advice and tips there as well.

Pete & Marion

Possum3 · Guru

Welcome Loz, It's a minefield out there regarding the lemons - have a look at www.caravancouncil.com.au/compliance use the checklist from the site Don't rush in to buying - Water ingress is the biggest problem with newer caravans - if you see or smell mould, run away. Have any van you look at have a complete inspection from a caravan expert (not connected to dealer) and obtain a new weighbridge ticket - make it a condition of sale.

Tony Bev · Guru

A warm welcome from me also, Lucky Loz

I can only describe what I have previously done

I had a list of what I would like, in the caravan
I also had a maximum amount finance, I was willing to spend

I then went looking, up to 200 kilometres of my home town

Eventually, after about six months, looking, looking, and looking some more
I purchased a second hand caravan, which ticked the most boxes, without breaking the bank

I changed a few things to suit my needs, but in the main, I adapted to what I had, and used that caravan on short trips, and then one lap

Eventually the wife wanted a vehicle, which the cat could walk from one end to the other

After about another six months, of looking, looking, and looking some more
I have the motorhome, in my Avatar

Once again it was purchased second hand, and did not tick all the boxes
I have once again changed a few things, to suit my need, and I have adapted to it

Possum3 above has given you some good advice

Enjoy looking around, and hope to see you on the road one day

LUCKY LOZ · Veteran Member

Thank you ALL for your welcome and advice. It certainly seems like a minefield out there. Just trying to avoid grief. Thanks Possum3 ,always appreciate your wisdom on line. And thanks Guru , I am doing exactly the same as you did ,so In guess its just a waiting game. But we have a 19 year old ****atiel(the oldest one we could see on line lived to 20). He will be 20 in Feb. So i hope the two don't meet. (cat and bird. lol. )
We just had a bad experience with a three letter 4x4 company (T-M) at Nerang. Quoted us $ 5200 to fit an Aeroklas canopy and 150kg roof racks.Can buy a second hand car or tinny for this price! Rang the Ford dealer and they could get it done for $645 less. This company said they would match this after some whining.
Took 2 hrs off work, with wife to go and pick it up. Had drilled hole in canopy in wrong place and put a white plug in it. Didnt mention it, JUST HOPED WE WOULD NOT NOTICE. Canopy was not pulled down correctly at front so sloping backwards. Gap for water and dust obvious. Roof rack nuts loose and cut way too much out of tub liner to fit internal bars. JUST TERRIBLE WORKMANSHIP. When I asked how many canopies they had fitted he said hundreds. God help them all. They have ordered a new canopy and will keep my car for another 3-4 days. Also the competition 4x4 (A-B) have stuffed up the front sensors when putting on bullbar. Now front and rear sensors don't work.Apparently they are linked. Another shoddy job. All these guys are supposed to be professionals. What a disgrace.
Thinking of changing my name from Lucky Loz. Trying to lol. Grrrr...