7. Chassis: Inspect underneath and physically shake and knock. Look for cracks and signs of rust in welds, corner stabilisers, all steel fittings, suspension and brackets. Is the coupling in good condition?
8. Gas: Check the date of the gas compliance certificate, and run all gas appliances at the same time while inspecting all pipes, hoses, and cylinders for damage.
9. Wheels and tyres: Check condition for uneven wear, signs of leaks, rust and excessively noisy brakes. It might be worthwhile jacking it up and giving the tyre a shake to feel bearing tightness.
10. A day in the life: Spend some time with the van as if you are on holiday with it. Open and close cupboards, open the awning, operate appliances, hitch it up to your vehicle to make sure it sits level – will you need to invest in a drop hitch or some other towing aid?
If you’ re on a budet, consider a smaller van with a combo bathroom.
Request to see all documentation relating to the caravan, including warranty documents where applicable and the service history.
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