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[ninjapirate]

Yes ive decided to clog up the roads a little more and get myself a cheap little caravan!
Im hopefully moving to isle of wight soon so to start im going to leave it over there for somewhere to use as a base whilst i house hunt and stuff.
then most likely move it down to cornwall and leave it there. dont think i will be touring much but wull be using it all over winter.
any help and advice on anything else i need to buy, towing/loading etc or if you know anything about the manufactures.
these are cheap and local so will be having a look tomoz
ones a swift challanger 470 about 1994 2 berth, has a awning but doesnt seem to come with anything else, has blow heating and a casset toilet.
other is a lunar clubman 460 1990 ish 2 berth, same has awning but not much else, heater (not blown air i dont think) and porta loo.
and a abi ace ambassador 4 berth about 1990 again.

so any help please guys!
is it easy to retro fit a casset toilet and blown heating? or is it better to stick with a 240v heater?

[millwall]

ohh god another do as you likey

[hercules]

loads of cheapies about now its the end of the so called season even though peeps caravan year round now.if you get a van with the carver fanmaster in theyre great while it works but parts are hard to come buy so most folk get little fan heaters,cassette toilets can be retro fit but on an old cheapie i personally wouldnt bother and when your buying an old cheap van there is only one thing to look for and that is your own personal likeing to it cos most will have some damp(maybe not if your lucky)but so what your not buying it to last years.main thing is you want good tyres on it and make sure its gas safe and electric safe.whatever you get its your own bits and bobs that make it home

[ninjapirate]

Im ok with a little bit of damp, ive got a dehumidfier i can use, with the heaters i wasnt sure if it would be a benifit over the other 'van or not, they are only £690ono i spend more then that renting a cottage for a week so if it lasts a couple bargain lol i know they were used recently so im kinda hoping they have been gas checked recently, i guess i should really get that done if not lol

[alfie]

Hi,there are lots of people looking for cheap vans at the moment ,so if you find a nice one snap it up quick. The other thing that you seem worried about is blow heating,useless  a complete waste of money,just leave your gas space heater on low,or if on ehu use a fan fan heater.
                            Alfie.

[geoffr70]

Check condition of wheel bearings. If it's got a carver type gas heater, they have steel gas pipes underneath exposed to the elements. Mine was all rusted through so I took the heater out which left a big hole in the floor, refurbed it and put it back. Check plastic fastenings on windows as these seem to perish and could make windows insecure in transit

[blackviper90210]

I've only ever bought one 'van (still got it)  ,  I would check to see if it's had any water leaks, check under the seats and all the corners & seals. Ask if and when it was last serviced and ask to see the report. Check the tyres too as they can go hard and crack if the 'van hasn't been used much.
Lastly, make sure EVERYTHING works!  Fridge, heating system, cooker etc as they are expensive to repair/replace!

HTH's 

[Martin_1962]

Check for damp.

Cassette toilet is best.

Tyres are cheap enough so replace regardless unless changed in last couple of years.

[ninjapirate]

well missed out on those caravans.
so changed my plans around going to cottage in cornwall for next week, will have a little looky down there, then nov up the budget a bit more.
have been watching many on ebay for what they end at looks to be some bargains, maybe after half term there will be a few more

[Lazydocker]

This is a good time of year to buy a tourer... If another member (who has first refusal on mine ) decides against it I'll happily send you the details

[TheBoy]

www.pikeys-anonymous.co.uk

[henryd]

 

www.pikeys-anonymous.co.uk

Now why did I click on that bloody link

[TheBoy]

How about this one?

www.cheap-caravans.co.uk

[ninjapirate]

pmsl had to click 

[henryd]

How about this one?

www.cheap-caravans.co.uk

Pmsl