Awning Repair

Awning Repair

Finding the Suitable Used Caravans for Sale and Good Caravan Repairs

Finding decent used caravans for sale can be as tricky as buying a good second hand car – particularly for someone who has never owned a caravan before.  Trying to find somewhere that does reliable caravan repairs, too, is an undertaking beset with difficulty – and with caravan ownership more popular than ever before, both are getting harder.  The problem is this:  when something is in demand, lots of businesses pop up to service that demand.  And with multiple businesses offering a service (in this case, used caravans for sale or caravan repairs), the law of averages unfortunately dictates that a lot of them are going to be less than perfect.

So how does a person go about finding used caravans for sale that they can trust, or caravan repairs that are worth what they are paying?  In part, unfortunately, the answer comes with simple experience:  once someone is familiar with caravans, the things that go wrong with them and what to look out for when buying them, they'll be in a better position to judge whether the used caravans for sale they are being offered, or the caravan repairs they are being quoted for, are worth the money asked.  Again, the whole experience is very similar to that of used cars:  until a person knows what tends to go wrong with second hand cars, they're unlikely to be able to make a good judgement on whether the vehicle or repair they are being offered is a good one.

Here, then, are a few simple things to look for – both when considering used caravans for sale and when accepting or rejecting a price for caravan repairs.  Like cars, caravans are subject to an easily identifiable roster of recurring gremlins.  Look for those, and talk to whoever is offering caravan repairs about them and it will be a lot easier to work out whether the prices being quoted are fair or not.

The first and most common killer of caravans is damp.  With the exception of Gypsy caravans, which are built "dry" all caravans have seals and seams that eventually fall prey to water ingress.  Once damp has got in it's very hard to repair or maintain:  so any used caravans for sale that bear evidence of damp (mould patches, seam repairs, discoloured curtains or strong musty smells) should be treated with caution.  Ceilings and floors are the most likely candidates for damp damage:  when viewing used caravans for sale, look for bubbles on the inside of the ceiling, and stamp on the floor to test for weak spots.  Also, press the walls.  Any soft patch under the wall covering is a likely indicator of damp ingress.

Caravan repairs are harder to quantify, though a good basic rule also applies to damp.  A caravan with minor damp ingress can be dried and repaired:  a caravan where damp has settled in wall, floor or ceiling is impossible to save without rebuilding the shell.  Really, the best rule of thumb when considering quotes for caravan repairs is how far the company concerned seems prepared to go:  fixing windows or tow bars is one thing, but promises to repair a caravan with serious damp problems should set alarm bells ringing.

The best advice anyone can give on the subject of both caravan repairs, and viewing used caravans for sale:  talk to people who have owned and lived in them.  Take someone along who has long-term experience of caravans.  They, more than an article or even a book, can prevent holidays from being ruined by caravans that should never have been sold.

About the Author

Homestead Caravans and Outdoor Leisure, provides good used caravans for sale and fairly priced caravan repairs. For more information please visit http://www.homesteadcaravans.co.uk/.

Where I can you get a caravan awning repaired?

I purchased at the start of the year an second hand awning, i checked to make sure that the there were no holes and all the poles, panels, etc were there.We went to put it up the other day to find the 2 of the pegging points have been stitched to the inside!!! and should be on the outside.
I was wondering if anybody knows where i could get this repaired, I live in scotland.

Anyone who handles canvas etc should be able to do it easily. Try going through your local Yellow Pages for tent repairs.

Canvas Awning Repair - Broken Seam - Dallas Fort Worth TX 817-577-9454