A secondhand caravan or camper trailer can be great value — or an expensive mistake. Many of the problems that cost the most to fix aren’t obvious on a quick walk-around. Here are ten things to check before you hand over your money.
1. Water damage and leaks
Water is the biggest enemy of any caravan. Look for stains, bubbling or soft spots on walls and ceilings, especially around windows, hatches and roof vents. Press gently on the floor near doors and in corners — any softness can mean rot underneath. A musty smell is a warning sign too.
2. Chassis and drawbar
Get down low and look underneath. Check for rust, cracks or welding repairs on the chassis and drawbar. Surface rust can be normal on older vans, but flaking, holes or cracking are serious.
3. Wheel bearings and brakes
Ask when the bearings were last serviced and the brakes last adjusted. Grinding noises, hubs that run hot, or brakes that pull to one side all point to work that needs doing.
4. Tyres
Check the tread and look for cracking on the sidewalls — but don’t stop there. Check the manufacture date stamped on the sidewall too. Caravan tyres often sit for long periods and age before they wear out, and tyres around 10 years old can fail even when the tread looks good and there’s no visible damage. Tyre age is often not picked up on a roadworthy certificate, so it’s worth checking yourself.
5. Suspension
Look at the springs, shackles and bushes for cracks, wear or damage. Uneven tyre wear can also point to suspension or alignment problems.
6. Electrical systems
Test every light, power point and 12V outlet. Check the battery’s age and condition, and that the breakaway system works. Messy or DIY-looking wiring is worth a closer look.
7. Roof and seals
Many roof leaks start at perished seals around hatches, air conditioners and the roof edges. If you can do so safely, check the condition of the sealant up top.
8. Awning
Roll the awning out and back in. Check the vinyl for fading, tears or stretching, and make sure the arms lock properly.
9. Appliances and plumbing
Run the taps and check the water pump, fridge, hot water system, air conditioning and any other appliances that come with the van.
10. Paperwork
Check the registration, VIN and compliance plate match the van, and ask for service records and receipts. A van with a good service history is usually a safer bet.
Don’t want to do it alone?
Checking all of this properly takes experience — and some of the most expensive problems are the hardest to spot. Our pre-purchase inspection covers everything above and more, with repair cost estimates on the spot so you can negotiate with confidence. We come to you, at a dealer yard or a private seller’s address, across Brisbane, Redlands and the Bayside.
Got questions? Give our friendly team a call on 07 3823 3520 — we’re happy to talk you through what to look out for before you buy.