Owning a caravan from new for 5 years or more.
Carvaners can be a fickle lot . So who out there has stuck with their purchase for 5 or more years . What have been the pros and cons ?
There seems to be a growing interest in restoring vans from the 60 s and 70 s. So are people sticking with vans bought in 2010 ?
Comments
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We have had our present van since 2008 and bought it new. The previous one we bought new in 1998, we only changed because we wanted a fixed bed.
Pros........
the layout is ideal for us, seats and bed are comfortable
we have not seen anything new that we like better
we have fitted quite a few extras, or updated some things so it all works as we want it to
It is just low tech enough for me to be able to fix any problems
Cons.......
Our Alde heating is only the 2kw version
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I bought our 2007 Abbey in 2012 and only sold it in 2017 as we were switching to a motorhome. Had we not gone over to the dark side, I would have likely had it for another five to ten years. If it ain't broke.....
I've just realised the criteria was "from new" so ignore me.
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A record so far in this thread! Eighteen years to date - bought new in 2000 and still going strong.
Pros: Still love it, no leaks, no damp, some axle problems in the first week (sorted within a fortnight by Swift and Alko and reported on here). Not only that but all the original equipment including the fridge, hob, water heater, blown air, etc., is still working, no hinges or handles have been replaced,, the doors all fit correctly, the sliding door still shuts, the shower compartment door isn't warped.
Cons: We have had to replace some things - a cracked basin (my fault) and a cracked shower tray (OH's fault) - and both were replaced at a decent cost. Oh, and a cracked front window caused by a large stone on a French autoroute - replaced by ourselves after ordering a replacement from EECO in Shelf, Yorkshire. We also replaced the lock after the caravan was burgled (but not damaged) on a tiny site in France on the one night it wasn't occupied. The tow hitch had problems about six or seven years ago when the bolts were found to be loose, but OH got new bolts and replaced the whole hitch and we've had no subsequent problems. (Edited in afterwards - we have replaced a bathroom tap, damaged due to icing up inside the tap - but didn't replace the shower head as we've never used it in eighteen years). Our only replacement item this year was the cover for the lock on the toilet cassette compartment at a cost of £1.50.
In the scheme of things we've spent a very modest amount over the years, and as I said still love the layout, the colour scheme, the space, so why fix it if it isn't broken.1 -
We kept our first van an Abbey for almost 9 years. There were no problems with damp and we really only replaced it because we wanted something a bit bigger. During its 9 years we had a few problems, such as the 240 volt system failing on our first long trip. A couple of taps and a sink waste failure. Plus bits of trim and the odd knob. However all the major appliances were still in working order when we traded it in for a new Unicorn 2 Cadiz. This is currently almost 6 years old and we are very happy with it. Again no damp problems to date and very few other issues. Although the one we had was rather expensive, a new circuit board for the Alde heating at circa £300.
We are looking at selling it next year. However, only because we are looking to change to a MH. Otherwise I think we would probably keep it for the foreseeable future.
Personally unless I had significant problems with something, I would never change it before about 5 years. Caravans, cars, tech included. It just costs too much money and I can find much better uses for it than having the latest model.
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Eriba 420 since 2007. Bathroom tap microswitch failed a while ago, new tyres as an 8th birthday present, and recently I had to change an interior light bulb.
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We have had our van a abbey 495 from new in 2007, apart from a few minor problems the van has served us. we have discussed changing for a transvers bed design as it is becoming more difficult to exit the bed for the one sleeping by the window.
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We keep ours for longer than 5 years, the current one is now over 10, the shortest ever was 7.
We spend a long time researching what to buy so only buy what we want, and by and large what we want never changes. Never been impulse buyers of anything much more than a coffee and bun.
If the van remains "solid" then IMO there is no reason unless circumstances change to get rid of it, and being solid is a huge incentive to keep that one IMO.
These days the truly pathetic payloads of most new offering make changing from our lovely but maturing van with its just sub 300 kgs, basically a non starter.
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Our current van is now 10 years old - it has everything we need for enjoyable breaks and we've never had more than minor problems, easily sorted (and, yes, it's a Bailey!) We've looked at other makes and models but found no reason to change from something which works well and suits us fine. So here's to many more years in the same van!
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coachman amara 2008 model bought 2nd hand 2010, never buy new, let somebody else do the snagging. replaced a couple of window struts & kitchen tap, charger, Oh! & as a special xmas treat put in new carpets. Shower only ever used as storage, recently svcd, minimum damp e.g. 10 - 15 pct otherwise ok, have replaced tyres but they are a given re age. Great layout for 2 people, make front lounge up into double bed and leave up, live outside, or in rear lounge if weather not great, downside, heavy van, but it has most of what you find in todays vans, but if you look at construction of new vans they are so inferior, balsa wood fittings with some cheap laminate, not for us.
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Yes, of course it also runs off gas, and we have a gaslow system, so we do often use it on gas too, especially abroad.
But you know, since EHU is included on CMC sites.........
3kw would give us even faster warm up on arrival, but we carry supplementary/back up heating anyway, so not really a problem.
It is however the only thing I can think of that we would ideally want and that a newer van might have!
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Yes....payloads! That also is a big factor in our decision to stick with what we have as long as possible. We did look at downsizing last year, but the payloads in most smaller vans are truly pathetic.
The current van has not been without problems over the years, though no damp.
The Alde needed a new circuit board, and I had to repair a leak in the system. ( poor installation by Swift)
The electric toilet flush was an ongoing headache which I think I have finally solved.
The AlKo hitch and associated bits had to be replaced due to fatigue cracks.
We had a break in the plumbing to the kitchen sink.
The trigger type shower head failed after 9 years.
Fridge mains element failed in 2014.
We are on our third water pump and our second accumulator.
But then, nothing lasts forever, and we have towed it over 35000 miles in the last 10 + years
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Our first " brand new" van we kept for 9 years, brilliant van, suited our family perfectly. In some ways wish we still had it, no major problems with it, just a couple of minor ones, which were easily fixed.
We bought our second new van last year, a couple of small faults, hoping to keep it for a good few years.
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Had a string of 'pre-loved' ie 'used' vans since starting back in the 1980's. We bought our 2009 Bailey Pageant Sancerre(Series 7) new and its still in excellent condition. We thought about changing it a couple of years ago but when I looked at the cost to change I questioned Why?
Love the space for the 2 of us and the must have fixed double bed together with the end washroom with plastic shower cubicle - brilliant.
- Front window and extractor fan changed under warranty.
- water heater element packed up after I forgot to drain it one winter!!
- the shower cubicle cracked last year but was changed remarkably cheaply by Lowdhams of Nottingham.
Apart from that there has been very little else to report and it goes abroad every year for its holidays. We'll probably keep it now until we give up caravanning at some point in the far future.
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I think that irs a bit unfair to complain about balsa wood laminated construction in a thread which also bemoans low payloads. Second World War Mosquitos were faster than Battle of Britain Spitfires and more resilient to damage with their balsa wood laminated construction. Laminated, foam core caravan construction is far stronger than anything made from wood framing at the same weight. Modern cars are becoming progressively lighter through efforts to improve economy. Of course, if weight isn’t important, nor is fuel economy, and you are driving a heavy car, then your van could be made stronger, with thick timbers to hold heavy screws, and lined with heavy plywood. But for many of us, sophisticated engineering solutions and modern adhesives provide more practical caravans today.
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point taken, but judging by the many posts on this forum re new caravans with damp/leaking I still remain to be convinced, re "sophisticated engineering solutions and modern adhesives provide more practical caravans today." but i guess the numbers on this forum are relatively small to the number of caravans in the wider world. But I will be sticking with my tried and tested.
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We bought a 'new' van in 2009, changing it this year for a 'new to us' van. We won't buy new again. What we thought was a new van, turned out to be dealer stock they were trying to get rid of. It certainly wasn't the van we'd ordered at the NEC. Despite this, we took the van as we loved the layout and didn't realise some of the problems
Sterling Eccles Moonstone 2009
Pros - the layout, huge walk in shower, good sized washroom. Good storage.
Large kitchen worktop
Light airy fabric.
Cons - needed new toilet from start as faulty (fixed at home by Thetford under warranty)
Damp in washroom after 2 years, fixed under warranty by dealer
Damp in washroom after 8 years (fixed by local mobile engineer)
Fridge failure at 8 years (repaired by local mobile engineer)
Lots of niggly faults, including cupboard catches, window blinds etc
Always maintained this was a Friday afternoon van, thrown together as a show van for dealers.
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We had a Swift from new for 7 years and upgraded to a Bailey Valencia which we found too clumsy for towing in Europe and had massive damp problems. The Swift was the only one of four vans that we owned that didn’t have damp but there were many other problems to make up for no damp!
If you’ve got a good one, keep it.
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We will be into our 5th year next March, we purchased new in 2014. Must be lucky(ish), no damp at all. Fittings might be a bit iffy with the fixings into soft wall lining but other than that and a new charger unit it has been good.
It's a Lunar and like other makes, it must all depend on who was interested in their work on the day it was assembled.
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Bought our Sterling Elite Searcher new in 2013. Had factory repair in first year due to bulge in O/S wall near fridge vents. Changed alarm unit & solar panel regulator again in first year. Never had damp problems always comes back with dry readings at service. As cost was way over 20k we are in no rush to change as we still love being away in it, also can't really justify cost to change
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I guess that we all speak as we find Rufs. However, people are more likely to speak if they have something to complain about, which creates a skewed version of reality on small forums like this. When you start to research large scale surveys of experience, you are likely to find little difference in the incidence of leaks over quite a few years. Having owned caravans since the 1970s I can report appalling failures in vintage designs. But it’s romantic to extol the virtues of a rose tinted past, Maybe the best advice is to keep a dry one as long as possible, because of all faults, damp can be the hardest to rectify.
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We bought our caravan second hand in 1996. It was already 12 years old, but in fabulous condition. We’re hopefully going to be giving the old girl a coat of exterior paint, and some new fixtures and fittings this year. New heater already in, new water heater ready to go in, new fridge installed, new cooker needs some thoughts as we can no longer get the same combined hob and sink bowl unit. Then it’s the best bits, the soft furnishings......
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We had a TA Swift conquerer from 1996 until 2004 when we changed and apart from two floor delaminations,one awning rail that had to be replaced and severe damp in the front we had no "problems
" and still got £9500
when we bought our coach built Auto Cruise which we kept for seven years until we "saw the light" and returned to tugging,and have had one Elddis (nightmare) and are now on our second Bailey both of which have been watertight0
