free caravan - need advice/reassurance

me_and_me_monkeys

Our local freecycle has a 4/6 berth caravan that must be gone by friday - looks like i'm the only one interested at the mo,
The body is sound, its got a broken window (about £30) and tail light, its rather old and the inside needs gutting
We haven't got much money or time but I have a relatively cheap place to store where we could work on it. And TBH I'm tempted but wonder if I would ever have the money to make it good.
what do you think - go for it? or leave it??

linzz_2

Have you seen the caravan? Before you decide I would take someone to check that the body really is sound and also ring round for a few estimates of re-fitting it. It sounds like it could be expensive!

I saw something similar on our local freecycle and my partner said no way, (and that was without even looking!) they are not giving it away for no reason!

If you're after one and don't mind it being old you can pick them up pretty cheap on ebay and maybe check your local paper.

If you check it out and it's not going to be too expensive I'd go for it. Any doubt in your mind maybe best to leave it this time!

me_and_me_monkeys

thanks - I always work on the principal if it sounds too good it probably is.we would have probably gutted it anyway to get bits in for me and monkeys disability stuff. But, thanks for the reassurance that i'm doing the right thing leaving it

ooo000ooo

I'd suggest having a look/joining the forums at ukcampsite.co.uk there's a forum there dedicated to refurbishing caravans. Some of the people on there have renovated/rebuilt some complete sheds.

Grumpysally

If its an old caravan it could be in fairy good condition but belonging to an elderly person who can no longer use it. My MIL's caravan is old and weighs a ton which costs a fortune in petrol, but is basically sound. However we know that when she is finally unable to use it it will be a freecycle job. I doubt very much that it will be a newer model as they do not loose their value like cars.
There are various regulations about caravan to car weight ratios, I suppose one of the camping/ caravan websites will have guidelines.
why not contact the freecycler offering it and ask for more info. Of course as it's free they are no under any ( except moral ) obligation to tell you the truth.
A

jopsey

I would go for it...,you could ask member can you come and have a look at it , but make sure your car can tow it .
Our first caravan was an old borrowed one from my parents it had damp inside and DP couldn't stand up in it ,but we had some fantastic holidays, and weekends away , what have you got to lose ? I too recommend ukcampsite .

If you don't like it there is always somebody who will take it off your hands , eg workmen,teenagers for garden hut ect

reheat

The main thing to watch out for in a caravan is damp, it can be fixed but if you're not able to do the work yourself can run into a lot of money ~ damp repairs are very labour-intensive. There are all sorts of places damp can get in, but especially where the aluminium-strip seams are round the outside. Look particularly inside the caravan where the walls meet the roof. Is there any obvious water staining? Does it feel damp (but not always reliable as could be condensation). Push gently but firmly into the wall just below the roof with your finger, if the wall material gives under finger pressure then just walk away! You also need to do similar checks from inside along the other seams too. Floor / wall, corners, etc.

If it's sound water-wise then most other things can be sorted.