Typical faults of caravans - check before you buy

Typical faults of caravans - check before you buy – main image

In the case of caravans, most buyers follow some of the same rules as when choosing a car. When deciding on a brand new product, we can be sure of the clean history of the equipment as well as a guarantee. Unfortunately - not all of us can afford an expense exceeding even PLN 100,000 .

The aftermarket comes to the rescue, offering trailers for practically every budget. By using second-hand offers, we can not only save a significant amount, but - against our will - find an extremely worn-out copy with numerous defects typical for caravans.

Visual control

Years of use almost always leave a mark on the trailer body panels. Scratches, dents , and sometimes even tears in the skin testify to the approach of the previous owner and the care he had for the caravan. Therefore, we should start the inspection with a thorough inspection of the condition of all panels, joints, seals, windows and decorative strips - repairing this type of damage is never cheap. If in the past the trailer has undergone any sheet metal repairs or some of its elements have been replaced, then with a little self-denial, we should recognize the area of specialist intervention. In the future, carelessly performed repairs will force us to rebuild .

Let's check the interior

Most of us decide to buy a caravan only after we have positively assessed the interior and the operation of the on-board systems . We should start the inspection of the interior of the caravan similarly to the case of the car body. First of all, it is worth taking a look at the upholstery - worn-out seats, satiated or damp mattresses immediately reveal the rich past of a given copy. While the upholstery elements are easy to replace , worn or scratched furniture is not. We must check the correct operation of the opening cabinets, the condition of the hinges , and look for any damaged surfaces - scratches or chipped edges. Even minor leaks in the bodywork can lead to serious damage to the interior in the long run. Moisture in the cabin degrades not only the wooden finish , because the electrical installation will also suffer, so let's look for signs of mold, fungus and stains.

Equipment and traction

While inside, you should also pay attention to the operation of electrics and equipment . We will check the lighting or audiovisual systems (if the trailer has them) in a few moments. We will equally efficiently verify the condition of the refrigerator, gas stove, heating and water installation (in this case, it is worth looking for any leaks both in various corners of the trailer and under it). The impeccable appearance of the load-bearing elements, drawbar and trailer suspension should also be in our interest. Traces of rust herald expenses related to the necessary maintenance , as well as not very favorable winter conditions for the trailer. The technical condition of the chassis and braking system has an obvious impact on the safety of driving with a trailer.

Caravans, like any equipment, are subject to wear and tear. When buying a trailer that is several or a dozen years old, we must take into account the typical faults that we will have to deal with.

Maciej Mokwiński
Maciej Mokwiński

I follow the latest trends in the automotive industry, not only in caravanning

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Motorhome accident repairs – image 1
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Motorhome accident repairs
When we have a motorhome with a minor or larger accident, or we intend to buy a collision car, it is always worth contacting a proven service, specialized in repairing motorhomes. The Elcamp company from Krakow, known as a manufacturer and seller of motorhomes and a distributor of car parts and accessories, also runs a camping car repair service. Not only what's outside Most often, during a collision, elements of the outer skin of the car are damaged. The effects, however, can be much more serious. It is always worth checking if the equipment inside the vehicle and installations: water, gas, electricity, TV and others have not been damaged. The next stage of repair is the replacement of damaged parts . It is safest to get a specific, new part directly from the manufacturer. Elcamp gives a guarantee for all work performed, unless the repair at the customer's request was not carried out in accordance with the recommended technology. Then no one will take responsibility for any future faults. The biggest enemy of any building is its leakage . The vast majority of motorhomes have "sandwich" coverings. After a collision, check if there are any leaks through which water enters the interior, causing the frame to rot. In the event of damage or leakage of the roof, we will usually have nothing else to do but replace it with a brand new one. This usually takes a lot of time and money. Is the repair worth it? In the autumn and winter period, the workshop is working at full speed. A company with as much experience as Elcamp undertakes every repair of a damaged vehicle . Clients usually ask two questions: about the cost and duration of the work. Unfortunately, post-accident repair can take up to several months . This is due to the fact that not all parts are available "out of stock". The cost obviously depends on the degree of damage to the vehicle or its equipment. When the initial cost , which is usually estimated at the first inspection, exceeds the value of the car, it makes no sense to undertake repairs. Repair expenses are, of course, a river topic. They can be up to 100% of the market value of the vehicle. It is worth emphasizing, however, that it is not synonymous with the actual selling price - well-kept cars, repaired with the use of original parts, reach prices above average market prices. Please check before buying Sometimes it's a good idea to buy a used vehicle. However, be careful with new (or almost new) cars at bargain prices . Then we can almost be sure that they have had an accident. Of course, you can do something with them, but it is important to know about a possible collision. The purchase of an accident motorhome can even be profitable, provided that the vehicle is thoroughly inspected and, during the inspection, as much damage as possible related to the incident (or even earlier) is noticed. It even happens that the cost of post-accident work is lower than in the case of non-damage repair. Remember that previous defects are easy to hide in a damaged car, in which the seller will not allow us to connect, for example, electricity or gas during the inspection, explaining that the installations may be out of order. Sometimes it is of course true, but in this way we are deprived of the possibility of checking individual pieces of equipment. Haste is a bad advisor To find a used motorhome in good condition, you need to spend some time searching for it. It is rare that the first copy that catches our eye is actually worth buying. Here there is a small problem - buying a car abroad. Since we are going far and spending money to see the car, even if it does not correspond to the description, we often decide to buy it anyway. This is a serious mistake. When we are not specialists ourselves, it is best to opt for an advisor - it is an expense much lower than the unexpected repair later. Elcamp's experts often advise on the purchase of damaged or used cars, both at the company's headquarters and at the seller, at the request of customers. However, as they say themselves, nothing can replace a car inspection in a professional service prepared for the comprehensive service of camping vehicles, which has all the necessary equipment. Thanks to them, it is possible to detect defects that even an experienced specialist will not notice with the naked eye.