Hi -
We have three kids, a 4yr old, a 2 yr old and a baby. I have been looking for a caravan for weekends or fortnights away. We are unsure if it will be a nightmare with three littlies, so I have been looking for something under $10K, that we can resell if it doesn't work.
I have caravanned with one baby, in Europe, and also as a kid. One thing I hate is complicated set up, and putting beds up and down. With the chaos of three littlies -we don't need that!
Anyway - we found a caravan. It's a 1984 Coromal, with triple bunks at rear (in an L shape) and kitchen on one side, dining on other and a lounge/double bed at the front (which can be left made up all day! Yay!)
It's poptop, 17ft, single axle, and in good condition... All in all the functionality of the van is perfect. It is $8.5K.
Problem - there are signs of water damage around some of the windows and one of the corner seams. Not enough damage to poke your finger through, but it is stained. It doesn't smell musty.
Should I get it? It's damn hard to get the right bunk layout for a family of five, and still have a relatively small van...
I don't want to let it go if it can be fixed.... Also - I am not looking at a ten yr investment, just a two year investment, with some resale at the end. The furthest we will tow it is 600k's, the longest stay is a fortnight.
The salesman said that the van has an aluminium frame on the sides, and was only wood frame at the front. The worst damage was under one of the side windows.
Any thoughts anyone? I was thinking that if it's an aluminium frame, then the damage is only cosmetic... is this right?
Thanks in advance for any advice.....
C