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Buying A New Caravan
Buying a new caravan can be a rewarding experience but if you're not too careful teething problems could have you running back and forth to the dealer's workshop to have things straightened out and ruin this experience for you all together. So it's best to thoroughly check the van over before and after you buy it to make sure you identify these teething problems early and well before you ever take it any where of distance.
Caravans are almost entirely made by hand so it goes without saying that human errors can occur and despite the manufacturer's own pre delivery inspections and the dealer's inspections some minor faults can creep in and still leave you in anguish. But hopefully most of these minor faults would have been picked up early on.
When you come to collect any new caravan after purchasing it, you should ask your dealer to hook it up to the gas and mains electricity and show you how everything works, this is a good opportunity for you to check that everything does actually work in the first place. It is important that if you do notice anything at this point to report it immediately to have it rectified as it would be most unpleasant if lets say your fridge's 12S wiring wasn't working when you were driving across the continent and that all your perishables had gone sour!
After buying and collecting the van, staying the night some where close to the where you bought it from might not be a bad idea as staying the night in the van could highlight any more problems and you would easily be able to go back and have them rectified the next day.
It's also a good idea to remember that any corrective work that has to be done might take some time as the dealer's workshop maybe very busy especially if it is a large dealership and it is just before the touring season, pre-season is the busiest time for any caravan dealership so my advice is simply to buy in autumn or winter and take delivery as soon as possible. This should then give you ample time to test and sufficiently acquaint yourself to your new van before the summer.
Some key points to check on your caravan:
Externally:
- Check the tow-hitch and handbrake: This should be solid and easy to move.
- External lights: Make sure that they all work properly and simultaneously with your car.
- Mains input socket: Check the RCD switch and any voltage switches.
Internally:
- 12V system: With the mains unplugged test the lighting and water pumps
- Toilet: This is easy to test
- Refrigerator: Check it on Battery, Mains and/or gas.
- Hot/cold water systems, Water pump, and drainage
- Cooking appliances Hob/Oven/Grill: Check they work, also check the safety cut off valves and that the gas tank is secured properly.
- Heating: Check your space heater works on all functions and that the stop cock works as well to prevent gas leaks.
- Entertainment systems: CD/radio/TV: Put your ear to all the speakers to ensure that they're all wired up correctly. Make sure that the aerials and any boosters work.
Most new caravans have at least a 2 to 3 year warranty these days so don't worry if you don't find everything at first as you will still be covered. But at least if you check and test as much as you can before you take it away it will prevent stress later on when you are trying t relax in your new caravan.
We are sure that you will enjoy buying and touring in your new caravan and you will continue enjoy it for many years to come.
Caravans - Other Information:
