Buying a first used caravan
Hi we are used to caravanning in my in-laws caravan, which is small and quite old but well kept.
we are hoping to buy a bigger newer caravan but not sure which makes are most well made and least problem makes also which are sturdiest and will last a while as we are looking to keep for several years I have seen people postin that German caravans are more well built and need less repairs
we are just info gathering at the moment before deciding which make we want Any ideas from other owners, particularly makes to keep away from 😂 thanks
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Seeing as no one has replied as yet, and at the risk of boring other regulars on here, I am very much a fan of our Knaus Starclass. Having owned caravans from the 2 main UK stables in the past, the build quality of the Knaus is in a totally different league. Everything is solid, totally over-engineered and clearly built to last. That said, the MIRO (Mass in Running Order - i.e. without any 'kit' in it) with this Knaus is actually 10 kg lighter than our previous Barcelona. Don't know how they've done it!
The Starclass was only made for 3 or 4 years, unfortunately, - because it's full UK spec with the door on the 'correct side and all the 'bells and whistles' of a UK van (and more) except for a solar panel.
What has let ours down - has been third party equipment - used by all manufacturers. For example, the Dometic toilet was useless and unreliable and I had it swapped for a Thetford. I would never buy another van with a Dometic loo fitted. The Truma heating system is great - until it goes wrong and it's expensive to repair. The heating elements have a limited life span which isn't long. I would opt for Alde if buying again simply for that reason.
The van has microswitch taps - the switches have failed in two of the taps and they are a bit of a pain to repair and expensive to replace. A pressurised system, in my opinion, is a far better bet.
BUT - we've had our van nearly five years now - and until recently were out in it every month, all year round - nothing has dropped off, laminate hasn't peeled off, screws haven't dropped out or been missing - so in terms of the structure of the van - I can't fault it.
Where continental vans definitely do score is that, generally, they have a sensible payload (ours is 365kg) as compared with the typical 160kg or so, of UK vans. An important practical and safety consideration.
I don't think the current Knaus range is as good - not such high quality. If I were looking again (and I'm not), one of the first manufacturers I would be looking at is Adria - although I have no first hand experience of them.
Hope this helps
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It looks like J&D might have been caught up in the approval system for new posters.
I can’t speak for German caravans but with regard to UK ones, there’s little to choose between brands as there is good and bad in them all. Get yourself a damp test meter as damp is the killer of caravans.
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Having caravanned for most of my life, we’ve owned most of the UK makes over the years. Apart from one, we’ve been satisfied with them all but our current Fendt is in a different league. The German and Slovenian vans are likely to be more expensive but are definitely more robust and less vulnerable to damp and structural problems.
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Another vote here for German vans. When you hear the tales of woe on forums and campsites, the Germans do seem to come out better. Only problem is the dealer network available, but luckily you should not have to see them so often.
You will also generally have a decent payload instead of the to my mind dangerously small allowance seen on most UK vans.180kg on a C&MC award winning six berth twin axle, before fitting a mover is a typical example. On Wednesday I collect my next van, which has a 400kg payload once all the factory fitted options are allowed for along with the dealer fitted motor mover.
Colin
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We've had caravans for 40+ years, 1 was a German manufacturer. Well made but very heavy, that was in the days before movers. Since then we have had 2 Coachman. 1 Elddis, 1 Abbey, 1 Lunar and our first ever caravan was an Eccles Topaz.
We have never had any damp in any of our caravans, the Eccles and the Abbey were old vans wooden roof etc. Both vans lived to be over 30. We may well have been fortunate with all our vans as we've not had any build or third party equipment issues either.
The only leisure vehicle we have had, that we did have numerous issues with was our first MH which was a Bailey. It suffered water ingress at floor level 3 times. All fixed under warrenty, fridge had to be replaced on buying it new, as there was a hole in the inside lining. The shower wall cracked and was replaced, various screws had to be replaced as they were not long enough to do their intended purpose. The fitments were flimsy. The beds/seats however were lovely and comfy and still like new 6 years on when we sold it.
One word of caution with foreign vans is that insurance can be quite high due to the likely hood of them being stolen plus repairs tend to cost more.
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What I know of German caravans is-they are very heavy due to the solid construct which is excellent but narrows down your choice of tow cars, potentially expensive Caravan & expensive tow car. They lack many extras but offer them as post van purchases. They look very boxy too. The best one I’ve used is Swift. Swift have their knockers for sure but I never had any issues with mine nor has any of my acquaintances. It isn’t easy to help you J&D as it is a super personal thing as it is basically your 2nd home. Don’t rush it, check out many & research until your eyes ache. The prices are coming down now so you will find folk accommodating on price. Ask many, many questions & take notes. I wish you well👍🏻
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We had a variety of caravans, Abbey, Avondale, Dethfleft and at least one other. The worst was the Dethleft. (a German van of course) It had a rear lift up fixed bed and was really difficult to load sensibly. Also problems with the cooker, and towing. Went to Germany on holiday, towing problem (partly the appalling west German motorways) discovered the wheel had buckled, had to get a new one which had to be shipped out from England! We didn’t keep it long. There are good and bad in all makes I believe. Our current pvc is German.
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You ask about used vans. Our German friend told us that German caravans are built with a 30 year life expectancy He also said avoid a Monday built caravan, as Germans turned up for work on Monday morning the worse for wear!
. Our current Fendt, we have had from new, is 15 yers old and on annual service the damp meter shows less than 8%.we have had odd problems with toilet flush but not insurmountable.as with any caravan it’s useful to be able to check things yourself - I recently replaced the water heater thinking it was faulty but all it needed was the filters in the tap heads cleaning!
looking round a caravan shop in Spain the owner (a Fendt and Spanish caravan dealership) said He always saw the Spanish caravan a few times after sale but rarely saw the Fendt.
Best of luck with your hunt for a caravan to suit.
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just to break the German trend here, we are on our second Coachman VIP and would recommend one any day. It's a personal opinion of course but I think the build quality is better than most other UK builders.
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Perhaps an important thing, whatever brand you choose, is to buy from a dealer. One that has a good reputation and you think you can trust. There are some good ones and not so good ones, size or big name being no guide to good support. They at least can offer you a guarantee of some sort. Buying privately might be cheaper but you have no recourse if you have a problem if any sort. You may be able to get a survey of your chosen caravan.
As others have said, damp is the main enemy of caravans, mechanicals can be sorted. With respect to another poster, buying a damp meter is not a good idea, a reliable one will cost you, always assuming you know how to use it. Sellers may not take kindly to you sticking probes into the walls of their caravans. A good dealer will show you the damp testing report they issued when the used van was traded in. Our Swift Elegance (2021) has a lifetime damp warranty, as it’s all plastic with no timber to rot. A design perhaps worth considering.
I don’t know where you are, but I can recommend Salop Leisure in Shrewsbury, we’ve dealt with them for many years, outstanding service. I hasten to add that we have no connection with them.
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"What I know of German caravans is-they are very heavy due to the solid construct which is excellent but narrows down your choice of tow cars, potentially expensive Caravan & expensive tow car. They lack many extras but offer them as post van purchases."
Sorry - but I have to disagree with you Rocky - certainly in the case of our Starclass. It's MIRO is actually 10kg lighter than our previous Barcelona but it has a 365kg payload - unlike the Bailey which had a paltry 160kg. Yes, it can be heavy when fully laden - but that's down to the owner - at least you've got the choice. Given the solid construction of the furniture etc and the totally over-engineered hinges and catches, I really don't know how they've done it.
In terms of 'extras' - it has everything and more than a UK van - other than a solar panel. In addition to Truma or Alde heating - underfloor heating as well - higher level of insulation, microwave, dual fuel hob and oven, huge fridge/freezer, hailstone-proof roof, locking window catches, security bolts as part of the main door lock, ATC etc etc.
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Yes we have a 2008 Coachman, we bought when 3 years old for £10k and it has been great, a little bit of damp but nothing to write home about, and it has most of what the modern vans of today have, and inside the finish is probably better than a lot of vans of today.
Something I have not seen mentioned is your budget or how often you intend to use your caravan, not much point in spending £20K + if the van is going to be on your drive or in storage for 6 months of the year, so you could skip things like central heating, electric flush toilets (more prone to failing) , internal water pump which can be expensive if they go wrong, external pump you can buy new for £70, floor to ceiling fridge and many more, after all if you intend only to use during the summer months or perhaps a trip to warmer climates you will probably only use the caravan as a bedroom with a little bit of cooking inside maybe. some on here use their RV possibly 300 days per year and go for the full monty but my guess is they are in the minority.
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Our British built Bailey of 2009 heritage has been brilliant and still going strong! and will be going on the continent again in September.
I haven't looked for particular makes but on what they have to offer which of course is very personal. For instance one of the reasons we bought this one was the fixed double bed and the large end washroom.
I would definitely get one with some warranty. Enjoy having a good look round before you commit.
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