Buying a caravan any tips?

[Broadside]

I sometimes use the UKCampsite forum, (I’m a tent camper not caravan) but the amount of feedback on there and people buying damp duds that have cost a lot of money is quite amazing.

I think the offers from @JOG and @Tourershine are both very kind and I would be hoovering up all the advice I could get from them including visits to look around at stuff. It’s often only when you see it and talk to people with the right experience that it all makes sense. With caravans it’s a turn up and touch sort of shopping experience rather than doing it all online.

 

[Jay586]

Also find your nearest AWS guy & have them look at any purchase too. I'm usually a "nah, it'll be fine" person but this recent experience with a new caravan & having a good natter with the service dudes means this does not now extend to caravans.

It would have been even worse with a used caravan, I think.

If it's in warranty, don't miss the window for servicing.

 

[RyanGerry]

So I'm going to look at one this afternoon at my local dealer Webb's. After reading all these posts and some research I have done I definitely wont be going private.....

 

[Jay586]

On a more positive note, towing with a T6 is great!

 

[JOG]

Like this!

 

[RyanGerry]

Not the best of pics but it seemed ok hooked up

 

[Tourershine]

Not the best of pics but it seemed ok hooked up

View attachment 148406

I know guys that tow single and twin axle Caravans with lowered Transporters and no issues providing they are loaded correctly.

I'd say a twin axle will be more suitable simply because of the more balanced physics. Knowing you're on Solows, and they aren't on the lowest setting, they should be ok but I guess the proof will be in the tow.

 

[dubber36]

I can't quite make out as the fella's leg is in the way, but my only concern would be the jockey wheel grounding on aggressive speed bumps. It looks a bit low.

 

[ChrisBell]

I can't quite make out as the fella's leg is in the way, but my only concern would be the jockey wheel grounding on aggressive speed bumps. It looks a bit low.

If it was low I'd be extra careful loading up caravan! Best practice over axles but very easy to get nose weight down! Not sure how a T6 copes with lowered suspension..... May be OK and less 'floaty' than x trail?

 

[RyanGerry]

Slightly different to towing this beauty, the wife says I have to sell it now we’ve bought the caravan!

 

[JOG]

Slightly different to towing this beauty, the wife says I have to sell it now we’ve bought the caravan!

View attachment 148589

That is so quirky and cool! I hope you get a good price for it

 

[Carbon13]

Having become a caravanner 7yrs ago and a campervanner 4yrs ago the best advice I can give is that caravan dealers can be total d!(k5 when it comes time to have them serviced..........once you have it get it looked after by an approved service engineer who'll register the service with the manufacturer and never go back to a dealer unless a warranty claim is required......when you'll probably have to threaten smalls claim court to have it resolved. Other than that I love having the options a caravan and campervan brings to travel.