If you are intending on visiting a caravan sale on the weekend to
purchase a van for your family's enjoyment, you might be feeling a
little apprehensive about what to expect. These nerves are likely to
increase tenfold when intending on visiting or bidding in an auction.
With the following tips, however, you should find that you are able to
survive the sale with very little fuss.
Bring your mechanic
If possible, employ the services of a mechanic who is highly experienced and qualified with caravans who will be able to help you look over the vehicle before sale. They will be able to check that everything is in good working order and will not have any nasty surprises.
If possible, employ the services of a mechanic who is highly experienced and qualified with caravans who will be able to help you look over the vehicle before sale. They will be able to check that everything is in good working order and will not have any nasty surprises.
Bring a friend
If this is the first time that you will have purchased a caravan or even travelled in one, you might like to bring along someone who has done both of these things before. They will know what to look for in a good quality van that will meet your needs perfectly.
If this is the first time that you will have purchased a caravan or even travelled in one, you might like to bring along someone who has done both of these things before. They will know what to look for in a good quality van that will meet your needs perfectly.
Check all paperwork
Before signing on the dotted line and handing over any money, make sure that you carefully inspect all associated paperwork. Make sure that all of the documents match the caravan that you are interested in buying and make sure that you are aware of all major repairs.
Before signing on the dotted line and handing over any money, make sure that you carefully inspect all associated paperwork. Make sure that all of the documents match the caravan that you are interested in buying and make sure that you are aware of all major repairs.
Check its history
By determining where the caravan has been used in the past, you can get a good idea of whether it is likely to experience problems, like rust. If the previous owner spent a lot of time travelling in wet locations (like the beach), for example, then rust is definitely going to be a possibility.
By determining where the caravan has been used in the past, you can get a good idea of whether it is likely to experience problems, like rust. If the previous owner spent a lot of time travelling in wet locations (like the beach), for example, then rust is definitely going to be a possibility.
Check the electrics
You should make sure that all of the appliances included are in good working order. If the caravan comes with a generator, make sure that they all work using this power source, too. Never take the word of the seller, as there are plenty of dishonest ones out there.
You should make sure that all of the appliances included are in good working order. If the caravan comes with a generator, make sure that they all work using this power source, too. Never take the word of the seller, as there are plenty of dishonest ones out there.
Open and close
Make sure that you open and close every cupboard, door or locker that your caravan might feature. This will ensure that you have access to every section of the van and that the doors don't stick. It will also allow you the opportunity to inspect these sections.
Make sure that you open and close every cupboard, door or locker that your caravan might feature. This will ensure that you have access to every section of the van and that the doors don't stick. It will also allow you the opportunity to inspect these sections.
Check for damp
Unfortunately, a large portion of caravan sales occur because the owner has detected damp. Make sure that you carefully inspect every inch of the van for signs of damp, such as spongy floors, mold in the backs of cupboards and a musty smell.
Unfortunately, a large portion of caravan sales occur because the owner has detected damp. Make sure that you carefully inspect every inch of the van for signs of damp, such as spongy floors, mold in the backs of cupboards and a musty smell.
Check the body
Make sure that you walk around the outside of the caravan and look for signs of damage or damp. Warping of the panels is often an indicator of damp, whilst discolouration is often a sign that the van has been in an accident and patched up.
Make sure that you walk around the outside of the caravan and look for signs of damage or damp. Warping of the panels is often an indicator of damp, whilst discolouration is often a sign that the van has been in an accident and patched up.
Whilst there are, of course, plenty
of other factors that you should be taking into account when purchasing a
leisure vehicle of any kind, the points that have been listed above are
definitely going to be useful in helping you to survive a caravan sale.
So, put your apprehension and nerves aside by making sure that you have
all bases covered.