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Damp
Check all the corners, bed boxes and
roof lockers and cupboards for signs of damp. This can be done with a damp
meter, available from DIY stores and could save you time and money.
Check
the grab handles and give them a hefty tug. If they appear to be loose, it’s
a sure sign that the seals have gone and water has entered the van. Beware,
as a damp caravan could cost you twice as much to repair as you paid for it.
To replace the whole front end panel would cost approximately £3000; smaller
repairs start from £300.
Possible cost £300-£3000
Seals
Various types of sealant are used in caravan production; acrylic, silicone
and oil-based, which can last between five and 20 years. Have a good look
around the panels for signs of perished, missing or penetrated seals, water
ingress and rusting screws. To re-seal a whole caravan would cost
approximately £940.
Possible cost £940
Doors and Lockers
Check that all the doors open and shut properly, including the main door and
the lockers. Do they fit snugly or can you see daylight through the seals?
Check the hinges are secure and that the locks work and turn freely. Spare
cupboard doors on a caravan more than 10 years old would be hard to find,
Modern equivalents can be purchased through the dealer from £60. Hinges and
screws are available from your local DIY store.
Possible cost £60 per door
Windows
Check around for cracks in the windows and seals.
A common problem is that the plastic trim around the inside of the windows
cracks as it gets older. Check the window locks. Make sure they work and
watch out for signs of rust round the screws. If the windows are
double-glazed, look for signs of condensation between the layers.
Replacement windows aren’t cheap and start from £180 for the smallest
window.
Possible cost £180
Floors
Take a walk round the caravan to see if the floors are weak or sagging. Pay
particular attention around the door,
kitchen and seating areas, as these are the main areas of use. These signs
would indicate the floor is starting to
de-laminate. This is expensive and not easy to repair. The usual method is
to inject an expanding foam material
every 4in throughout the floor. This is a very labour intensive and costly
business, best carried out by a caravan
repair centre. Prices start at £150 for a small section, up to £600 for the
whole caravan. Our advice is to stay aware
unless the price reflects it and you have the budget to get it fixed.
Possible cost £150-£600
Electrics/gas
Get the dealer to check that the gas and electrics comply with safety
standards. Get him to show you how the
appliances work. Spares for old water heaters are scare and a replacement
including taps and fitting would
cost £600.Check that all the gas appliances operate and burn with a blue
flame. This indicates that the gas is
being burnt efficiently and is free of carbon monoxide. Also check that all
the gas flues are in good condition on appliances such as the fridge and
heater.
Possible cost £600
Hitch and chassis
Although the hitch and chassis should have been serviced by the used dealer,
it doesn’t hurt to check that the mechanism moves freely, the push bar moves
correctly and that they are both well-lubricated. Check the condition
of the rubber gaiter that covers the push bar between the hitch and A-frame.
If the caravan has an AL-KO hitch
stabiliser, this should not be greased or lubricated or else it will be
rendered ineffective. A replacement hitch
would eat £200 from your budget, including dampers and fitting. As for the
chassis, check the steadies wind up and
down freely and that the A-frame isn’t bent. Modern chassis are designed not
to be drilled – check that
there is a stabiliser bracket.
Possible cost £60
Stabiliser
Replacement pads are available on some models but they need to be set at the
right torque to be effective.
New stabilisers retail from £60.
Possible cost £60
Jockey wheel
Check first that the winding mechanism is functioning correctly and is
well-greased. Check that the wheel is not worn or punctured if it’s an
inflatable, and check that the securing pin or bolt that attaches the wheel
is intact and allows the wheel to rotate freely.
Possible cost £30-£70
Tyres
When checking tyres you need to be concentrating less on the tread and more
on the condition of the tyre walls. Severe cracking of the tyres’ walls
means the side walls are damaged and could blow any time. The cost to
replace would be £30 to £70 per tyre.
Possible cost £30-£70
Brakes
Does the handbrake move freely and is effective? Also check that the
breakaway cable is in good condition and has secure connection to the base
of the handbrake. Put it on and off and watch for signs of drooping or
bucking when the handbrake is released. This could show that there may be a
problem with the brakes such as binding. Your caravan would have been
serviced before collecting, but expect to pay from £120 for a full service
which will include the brakes.
Possible cost £120
Breakaway cables
These are often overlooked, but are a vital point of safety if the
caravan comes detached from the car. Make sure they are secured and replace
if rusty.
Possible cost £5
Thanks
to B Willox For above information.
Addition Info
Take a step ladder with you
and check the condition of the roof.
Look at the back of the mattresses and cushions for signs of damp and even
try the mattress by lying on them.
Pour some water into the sinks
to check that the drain pipes are not blocked or restricted.
Thanks
to Peter Kellett for the extra useful advice above
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