A necessary evil ...

Originally Posted by carelesschucca

i don't have a van myself but spend as much as you can on it. i've sat in a few caravans in my time because of motorbike racing and you can always feel the difference...

I can ask a few of the guys that race up here and try to get some info for you.

yeh that would be great thanks. I am thinkin i can spend about 1,500 ish. Not a big budget in any way for the caravan world

HPI it before you buy.

http://www.hpicheck.com/caravans.html

No it isn't. For that you'll inevitably get a bit of a shed on wheels. The main thing is - can your car tow it. Check the maximum towing weight.

Few other pointers off the top of my head:

Has it got an anti-snaking device fitted? Check underneath - any rust?? Is it serious?? Park brake OK? Check the tyres and whether there are run flats fitted. Check the lining for water stains, will show if it's leaking. Do the windows and the door close properly? Do the electrics and gas work, when was it last serviced? Gas cyliner there or do you have to get one? Is a water barrel included, and a sewage container? What about the loo? Does the water pump work? Cushions (colloquially known as 'biscuits') OK? Is the van on the CRIS scheme?

Originally Posted by Ed

No it isn't. For that you'll inevitably get a bit of a shed on wheels. The main thing is - can your car tow it. Check the maximum towing weight.

Few other pointers off the top of my head:

Has it got an anti-snaking device fitted? Check underneath - any rust?? Is it serious?? Park brake OK? Check the tyres and whether there are run flats fitted. Check the lining for water stains, will show if it's leaking. Do the windows and the door close properly? Do the electrics and gas work, when was it last serviced? Gas cyliner there or do you have to get one? Is a water barrel included, and a sewage container? What about the loo? Does the water pump work? Cushions (colloquially known as 'biscuits') OK? Is the van on the CRIS scheme?

Thats great advice, thanks ed. Didnt even think about the water barrel.

I know i will have to get one that is a fair few years old but as long as its dry and smart enough it should be ok. when i have made millions on colrai i will buy a dead flash one

Are there any particular makes to stay clear of?

Not that I can think of.

Check whether it comes with a mains connection lead. They aren't cheap!!

[Bibio]

swift corniche 2 berth

not the cheep cheep end but not the pricey end. they are light and well equipped vans.

make sure that the Leisure battery is in good order.

make sure it has a 240v hookup cable with it

make sure that the hot water actually works.

check for rust (if i remember they have a galv frame)

check that its not been laid up on its tow nose (bent at hitch)

get as many accessory's as you can with it inc water bottles and waste bottle.

the water pumps are expensive make sure there is one and it works. also check that where the pump attaches outside that its not cracked.

ask the owners to go threw fitting things with you and where everything goes.

good condition tyres with spare and jack.

try and get them to throw in the stabiliser bar and hitch lock.

take your time and dont rush while inspecting it. ask for receipts of any work done or if it has had a recent service.

and the big one, IF YOU SMELL EVEN A WHIFF OF DAMP OR STAINS ON THE WALLS WALK AWAY.

All you need is a small two birth caravan. So long as the chassis and electrics are sound and the shell is waterproof, that's all that matters. Make sure it's capable of twin hookup and has leisure batteries in good condition. That way, you can hook it up to the van and the van will charge the batteries on the go. If the batteries are good, they should see you through the night easily. All the rest of the bits and pieces you can sort out as you go.

I had such a caravan and used it for accommodation when I worked away from home. I didn't really care where I stayed so long as I could hook up to mains electrics if I were staying any length of time. I picked up a heap of stuff needed from ebay and such. Cheap as chips. Considering your are only going to use it for trackdays over two or three days, I'd say that was your best way forward.

My caravan was perfectly serviceable but a bit of an eyesore to some more upmarket camping sites and used to get refused entry or I promised I would hide out of the way in a corner of a field or something. It met an end when a van reversed into it and pushed it into a concrete post which caved in both ends of the caravan. But the point was, I got the caravan for very little money indeed and spent a couple of hundred pound to kit it out and that included an awning. It had everything I wanted inside. TV, DVD, Playstation, microwave, cooker, toilet ect...

[embee]

My Dad used to do caravanning, he has an Avondale something or other.

It's almost worth considering budgetting for new tyres anyway unless they are practically new, especially if their history is unknown. They need to be the right items, they have a very high load per wheel generally and regular car tyres won't do. If you have a blow out at speed you'll wish you hadn't.

[andrewsmith]

Make sure the chassis aint rusted worse than a commuter hack.
Cheaper the better tbh 2 berth seems to be adequate to park one in.

You planning to sort the bike in the Caravan when your moving it or you using a van for that pleasure?