Static Caravan

[Truly Skint]

OK, apologies in advance for mentioning the unforgiveable word on a motoring forum but I do need somewhere to

drive to on a week-end!!

I am considering a static caravan and went to view one on the week-end. 1998 model, had minor damage to roof whichhas been repaired, falling branch cracked fibreglass in one area. I have been through the van with a damp meter

and its bone dry. However, when looking at the roof I noticed that the panels appear to be undulating a lot ie: itis not completely flat. The roof is flat ie: not pitched and seems to consist of a number of individual panels.

Given such a large area, I would expect some undulation but is this normal or should I steer clear?

If you are embarrassed to own up to being a caravan owner, feel free to PM me !!

Thanks in advance

Mike

[Lawrie]

Sorry, mines a tourer with an aluminium roof, which is flat, subject to the odd dent.  But have a good look at the fibreglass on the Westfield, my bonnet sags.

 

Does it move/flap, and any signs of cracking?

[BenD]

i didnt think static caravan roofs were flat i thought they had a slight radius to them to help disperse the water. my mother and father in law have on in bridgenorth its really nice even tho its only down the road it feels like a different way of life

[jeff oakley]

I would caution you to be very careful with the fees and the fine print for the site. One of my managers bought an expensive van but when they wanted to sell it they found out it had to be sold by the site at a price they decided. You could have it moved but then you have to find a site that takes vans they have not sold.

Also for me the idea is great but unless there is a specific reason for going to the same place every weekend why do it?

[blue ass fly]

As jeff says,its a lovely thought but really look into it

We thought about getting a cheapie - about 5k - within a hour or so of home to go to at weekends etc

Factor in the site fees etc and it all starts getting expensive , then you feel obliged to go everytime your free to make it worth while

We decided to rent little cottages / lodges or b&b as and when we want

you can get lots of weekends away for 5k !!

[Lyonspride]

I've heard some horror stories about static caravans and site owners/landlords, there appears to be little or no regulation to stop them doing whatever they want.

[John K]

Ditto... Something about you need the pitch owners permission to sell it on and often that is withheld so you have to sell it to them for a 90% discount.

The next day they sell it on for full whack...

Please be careful on this one.

[Truly Skint]

I appreciate all of your posts. Fear not, I am not one to part with my money unless I am completely
comfortable with what I am buying and the reasons behind it

Cheers

[Paul Edden]

I've heard some horror stories about static caravans and site owners/landlords, there appears to be little or no regulation to stop them doing whatever they want.

We looked into owning at static on the North Wales coast - some real rip-off merchants out there who will only let you buy / sell the van through them - you have to pay to have it moved every two years as they only want the new ones on their prime pitches - and when you come to sell - they sell it for you and take a massive cut. This was true of the five sites we looked at - the only one where we could have a degree of freedom was a pokey little privately run place up a dirty old farm track.

We used our money to buy a flat in Conwy - cost less than the overall annual cost of a static - and it is (after five years) going up in value not down.

[pistonbroke]

We looked into owning at static on the North Wales coast - some real rip-off merchants out there who will only let you buy / sell the van through them - you have to pay to have it moved every two years as they only want the new ones on their prime pitches - and when you come to sell - they sell it for you and take a massive cut. This was true of the five sites we looked at - the only one where we could have a degree of freedom was a pokey little privately run place up a dirty old farm track.

We used our money to buy a flat in Conwy - cost less than the overall annual cost of a static - and it is (after five years) going up in value not down.

And some great blatting up the Conwy valley