My 'new' caravan arrives tomorrow! Does anyone want to help plan it?

[KatyMac]

Straight to the workshop 😔

But that gives me time to plan it's inside

It is dual purpose, shop and living for marketa and festivals

So I need to keep the weight down to allow for stock but I'm a bit disabled so I need to think about ease of use as well as storage - so it'll be no problem sorting it all out 🙄

I'm prioritising these jobs first:

1. Check everything
2. Seal or replace the roof vent
3. Fix puncture/check ages of tyres (3)
4. Fix lighting
5. Fix battery/inverters/sockets/Hook up
6. Lock on the door

And I need to start thinking about my bed - maybe a murphy bed or something that folds up? Any ideas

My brother suggested a bench to sleep on with a section that lifts up for a small toilet.....hopefully at the foot end of my bed and only for emergencies!

So excited!

I know nothing about caravaning, I like my tents too much. But instead of a microwave could you get a small camping stove (mine fits in my hand) and tiny gas cylinder?

I'd be worried about towing stability. If you are adding double doors or anything really to one side then that will have a big effect on the stability as one side will be heavier than the other and will cause towing issues.
It's crucial for it to be balanced when towing so bear that in mind when designing the layout.
Also get the chassis checked for rust, and old caravans can let go of the chassis as they rust/rot so that would need checking too.

We bought an old one years ago and had to basically take it apart and rebuild it, even the framing was rotten in places.

@Englishrosegarden

I'd be worried about towing stability. If you are adding double doors or anything really to one side then that will have a big effect on the stability as one side will be heavier than the other and will cause towing issues. It's crucial for it to be balanced when towing so bear that in mind when designing the layout. Also get the chassis checked for rust, and old caravans can let go of the chassis as they rust/rot so that would need checking too.

We bought an old one years ago and had to basically take it apart and rebuild it, even the framing was rotten in places.

Me too that's why I am paying people who do this for a living rather than getting the garage round the corner to do it

I have a little gas ring already so it'll be microwave too

I think with weight you need to have 'some', I don't know anything about caravans other than my dad occasionally towed one for work and because it was set up for 'show' it was light and that made it harder to tow.

I found out on here you can get all sorts of appliances that run off a car 'cigarette lighter'. Apparently they are made for truckers.

www.kudauk.ltd.uk/shop/electricals

In my imagination you have a single size bed along the 'wall' where the daisy is but it is hinged so you can lift up the base and mattress so it blocks the window and underneath is your 'kitchen' which is a cool box a kettle and a microwave - but can be added to later - you may need to cook sitting down. There is also a washing up bowl and towels, cloths etc - you can wash up outside or in, there is also room for some clothes / spare blanket. Keep the storage cupboards that are already there for personal things.

At the end is a different hinged bit with your portaloo in (or a bucket with a lid).

A (fire retardant )curtain separates this from your shop which has rails of clothes and a sort of seatbelt thing to keep them on the rails when travelling.

I may have to set up my own stall and buy a van.

Well I am speechless; it arrived this morning and wham the door opened and this:

I feel such an idiot and I've lost a fortune

I have calmed down a bit - I am entirely gutted and I have to start looking again

Bloody gutted

oh no , what happened ? has the door fallen off ?

No the caravan fell off the floor!

WHAT ! oh no , how the feck does that happen ?
Now I can see the photo better ( on laptop not phone ) it looks like the wood was rotten , I know bugger all about caravans but surely the must be road worthy to be sold , which that clearly is not ?

Did you pay by card ? can you claim your money back though them as it was sould as a faulty / was not as described goods .
I am clutching at straws a bit here on your behalf

Straws have all been clutched

It looks like I stuffed up - bought on fb, payed by bank transfer, he delivered it by tow as there was a problem getting it on the lorry to be delivered (which may have caused it)

But I guess it's buyer beware and my fault

Me and my daughters boyfriend jumped up and down in it to test for a damp floor & either we don't know what one feels like (rejected previous caravans for springy-ness) or it wasn't detectable

And sadly despite losing that money I need to go ahead and get another caravan ASAP in order to continue with my business

Oh Christ , not good .
Can the garage you took it to for the refit can do anything or is it to far gone ?

They have never seen anything like it!

Scrap they think and I'll prob have to pay to take it away

oh thats a real kick in the teeth !

I know money will be tight now but perhaps going through second hand deal ships while more expensive at least they should hopefully come with some kind of warranty.

Or have you heard of / been to police auctions ? they sell, reposed / stolen / found etc stuff , everything from very expensive yachts, trainers to dolls. BEAWARE some things are sold sight see, no guarantees , but you can get some very good bargains.
MY DB bought a brand new pair of DM boots for £7 in Jan last year

A word of advice tho if you google Police Auctions there are quite a few scam sites that will tell you so sign up / share your info .to be the first to hear about xxx'

Oh, I'm so sorry!

When you get a new caravan, don't forget you will be towing it in a car, and so will have the back seat and boot to carry stock around too. If you get a caravan with an annexe you could use that as a shop front, store the rails and stands in the caravan as they will be there permanently and carry stock which you will hopefully be rotating and resupplying on a regular basis, in the car.

OMG that's terrible.

Have you contacted the seller? I'm sure there are laws about selling and things being 'fit for purpose', the legal board could help.

Leave a review at the very least.

Still a bit shake this morning but coming to terms with it

Now I have to deal with all the crap and then start again

@KatyMac good luck

Thanks @sashh

Feeling stupid

You are not stupid, the seller was dishonest, we all fall for a scam at some time or other.

I know it's not roadworthy but could it be used as something like a play house or an office? Could you sell it as that type of project?

Maybe I spend too much time on pintrest

www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/725783296173528316/

Sorry to hear this KatyMac. It must be really gutting. I hope you manage to find something quickly.

Totally gutting!

BUT and it's a bloody big but; I have had a message from someone on here with an offer of help

It probably won't be practical to take them up on it but the kindness and generosity has filled me with happiness and hope after such an awful experience this week

Wow!

This nest of vipers is so bloody brilliant at times.

This nest of vipers is so bloody brilliant at times.

I totally agree

I honestly felt kicked in the teeth and then this mumsnetter came out of nowhere

So touched and grateful!!