Dibsy Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 We have been looking for our first motorhome for a few months. We have decided on the layout (after borrowing one from a friend); bunk beds, half dinette, swivel seat and a side bench with overcab bed and budget (absolute max of £20000). Anyhow we have now found one locally which we are going to view later this week. It is for sale privately. It is a Pilote Atlantis A5 (2003). So being an absolute beginner with minimal mechanical knowledge what should I look for? I obviously need to make sure everything is working/see it in action. I have so much running around my head it is difficult to come up with some sensible sort of list... Also does anyone know if this motorhome is suitable for winter use? Thanks in advance Dibsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerC Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 As a basic rule of thumb make sure everything, and I mean everything works as it should and the includes fridge, cooker, water heater, heating, windows, seat swivels etc, etc, etc. It's your money so don't be afraid to have a real good check of everything functioning. However before doing any of that ask about base vehicle servicing records (self explanatory), habitation service records and damp check reports. Habitation checks show the MH has been given a 'living' side 'health check' and the most important is the damp check report which will highlight if there are damp issues....and if there are I would walk away because damp can seriously 'damage your wealth'. However if there is no damp check report and you are seriously wanting the MH ask the seller if they would object to you having it checked which if agreed to will give weight to the buy or run away decision. One last thing...on a vehicle that age take a look at the age of the tyres (google for tyre age identifying information)...it may be they are relatively new. However if older than 5 yrs or so it gives a point of haggling should you want to buy. This is because it will soon be needing new tyres as the 'recommended' life for tyres on a MH is around 5-7 years depending on what/where you research. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibsy Posted October 19, 2015 Author Share Posted October 19, 2015 Thanks for your reply. And the information about the tyres - looking about them was on my list but I didn't know you could tell how old they are! Could I check for damp myself or would it be better to get someone else (who?) to do it? Dibsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerC Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 It is possible to carry out damp checks yourself as long as you:a. Have a good quality damp meterb. know how and where to use it to cover the most likely affected areas. In essence as you admit to being (in effect) real time novices as far as MH's are concerned I would (if not already available from the vendor) arrange to get it done by an 'expert'. If there are MH dealers in your area you could ask them or as with all things google is your friend. At the risk of overstating the importance of this check, failure to ascertain if there is damp or not has the potential to, should you buy and then find damp needing repair, cost you thousands or even make the MH unuseable due to failure of structural integrity (internal frames are of wood construction and rotten wood is....well need I add more?).....and that is no exaggeration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibsy Posted October 19, 2015 Author Share Posted October 19, 2015 OK. Thank you! I'll see what the seller says when we go later this week... Dibsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billggski Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Careful with the damp meter, the ones with two prongs are really for wood or plaster and will leave a mark if you push them in. OK for corners and around windows. Check your payload, actual weight taken away from the weight on a metal plate under the bonnet, many leave little over to carry all your goodies. A weighbridge should charge about £7 for both axles and the total if the owner hasn't done it. See what accessories they are leaving, I assume gas bottles, but you may want levelling ramps, insulating screens for the windscreen, etc.. Mileage is really irrelevant as too little use is worse than high mileage. There is a "buying a motorhome" section on this site, and don't fall for the usual scams over transferring money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randonneur Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 We used the following people a few weeks ago for a Habitation and Damp Check. The cost was £105 and worth every penny as we were able to show what had been checked when we sold our privately a couple of weeks ago. http://www.mobilecaravanengineers.co.uk/find-an-engineer/ You can put your area in and select an engineer who are near to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 One thing no-one else has said. Why not take the friend , who you borrowed from with you? The friend would have knowledge of what to look for, surely? PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAS Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Don't forget to look underneath and on the roof. Just because it's a motorhome it doesn't mean it won't be going rotten on the chassis somewhere. The roof could be cracked or bubbled leading to potential damp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Hi Dibsy - personally if I were looking to buy a used motorhome, I wouldn't even consider carrying out a Damp Check myself. If the seller is serious & confident he would provide the test from an independent party. Doing it yourself & would eliminate all responsibility from the seller, if you then find you got it wrong. Similarly the same applies for the weighbridge ticket. PJay's advise to take your friend would not only save you time checking the motorhome, but will also give you an understanding of how the equipment works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibsy Posted October 20, 2015 Author Share Posted October 20, 2015 Thanks everyone! All very helpful... Dibsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibsy Posted October 20, 2015 Author Share Posted October 20, 2015 This http://ads.caravansforsale.co.uk/motorhome/hobby-toskana-670-8999-6-berth-berth-2010-used-good-conditio/530287?utm_source=emailWebsite&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=new_ad_question&utm_term=http_www_caravansforsale_co_uk_motorhome_hobby_tos is another one we are interested in (not the one we have arranged to view) - is it too good to be true? Dibsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 Tried the link & scrolled through but unable to find the Hobby Tuscana 670, 6 berth, I would be very surprised to find a 2010 model within your £20k max budget. A case of buyer beware ??????????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibsy Posted October 20, 2015 Author Share Posted October 20, 2015 Yes, it's vanished now. I think you are right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyg3nwl Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Hi, as well as the checks already mentioned, I would recommend a thorough underside checkover, looking at such things as mountings for water and waste tanks, are they showing signs of rust, and is there a spare wheel, and what condition is it in..are the spare wheel carrier fittings rusted up and can wheel be accessed without using a jack,..is a jack present.. what is condition of habitation battery, test by checking voltage at start of visit, then turn on internal lights for a minimum of 1 hour, and remeasure voltage of battery on load..I would expect battery voltage readings to be same both times, and 12 volts or above. check the drain valve on waste tank..is it easy to turn on and off. Put some water down waste .and see if it flows out freely, likewise with shower and bathroom fittings. Similarly, check the condition of toilet and ease of emptying. hope this might be useful. tonyg3nwl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibsy Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 Thank you all. From your suggestions and other stuff I found on-line I've made myself a very comprehensive spreadsheet! It's 7 pages long!! Off to see it tonight but I'm trying not to get too excited... Dibsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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