Buying a used camper: what to look for?
Are you looking for a camper? Currently, used campers are almost impossible to keep in stock. And that also applies to new ones, by the way. At CampersCaravans.nl you have a wide choice of used campers. Do you want to buy a second-hand camper? We give you tips on what to look for when buying one.
Which type suits you best
Before you buy a used camper, first determine which type suits you best. Because there are different types of campers. The bus camper, the alcove, the integral and the semi-integral camper. And then there are still the necessary layouts you can choose from. For example, do you want a French bed, a transverse bed or single beds? Or would you prefer to sleep in a well-ventilated pop-top roof?
Many aspiring campers choose to first rent a camper before buying one. That's quite sensible. You won't be the first to discover after a rental period that their preference is for a different type of camper or layout than previously thought.
Moisture ingress
Anyone who has finally found their dream model certainly doesn't want to buy a lemon. But what should you actually look for when buying a used camper? We give a number of tips to prevent disappointment.
The very first is moisture ingress. This is not always easy to detect. The walls of a camper consist of a sandwich construction often using wood. When this becomes damp due to a leaking sealant seam, poorly executed repair or leaking window, it will smell musty and mold has a good chance of spoiling your holiday fun. In addition, this rotting process also affects the strength of the construction. Have a moisture measurement performed by an independent expert to prevent this disappointment.
Tires
Campers travel far fewer kilometers than the commercial vehicles they are based on. Therefore, tires don't wear out from driving; they age, meaning a new set is needed after 6 years, even if there's still more than enough tread. To find out the age of the tires, look for the DOT code, which is on the sidewall of the tires. From the year 2000, the last part of the DOT code consists of four digits. The first two digits are the week of production and the last two are the year. For example, DOT code 2108 means week 21 of 2008. Check your insurance for its requirements regarding tire age; damage from a blowout due to old tires will not be covered.
Maintenance
Many used campers are imported as the supply of second-hand Dutch-origin campers is too small to meet demand. Therefore, in not all cases is the maintenance history known. If stamped maintenance booklets are missing, pay close attention. When the timing belt needs to be replaced, it is usually indicated on a sticker under the hood. If in doubt, it's better to do this preventively to avoid irreparable engine damage if it breaks.
You can have the engine oil analyzed to determine the health of the engine block. Also, compare the mileage with the overall condition of the camper. If the odometer shows only 20,000 km but the pedals are quite worn, let the temptation pass. How do the sealant seams look? Do you see color differences from poorly executed repairs, or was the camper the brainchild of a failed tinkerer resulting in a sparking wiring harness?
The most important thing is to remain objective without blinding thoughts of how nice it would be to park this particular model at your favorite vacation spot. Even better is to have a pre-purchase inspection done at the slightest doubt about the state of maintenance.
Euro?
The Euro standard of a car determines the emission class of vehicles traveling on roads in European Union countries. The Euro standard distinguishes between passenger cars and trucks, and between diesel and petrol. The standard is determined based on the date of first registration of, for example, a camper. With this standard, you may or may not enter an environmental zone. At the moment, Euro4 is still just acceptable.
So if you mainly want to visit cities, it's better not to buy too old a camper. But it can also be that you have no business in a city, then the standard matters a little less. Still, a higher standard is always better. If only to be able to sell the camper well again. In addition, there is of course also environmental gain with a camper that does not put the entire campsite in a blue cloud of soot when you set off again.
Emission standard Date of 1st registration
Euro 0 Before 1/07/1992
Euro 1 From 1/07/1992 to 31/12/1996
Euro 2 From 1/01/1997 to 31/12/2000
Euro 3 From 1/01/2001 to 31/12/2005
Euro 4 From 1/01/2006 to 31/12/2010
Euro 5 From 1/01/2011 to 31/08/2015
Euro 6 From 1/09/2015 to 31/08/2019
A camper is a complex camping and transport vehicle. Quite a few systems are integrated to make holiday fun possible in this way. In addition, the various manufacturers build as lightly as possible so that we can hit the road with a B driving license. This also makes a camper quite vulnerable. In addition to paying close attention, you should therefore also try out everything for correct operation. If that is the case and the budget fits, nothing stands in your way of experiencing wonderful adventures with the camper you always wanted.
Looking for a used camper? Then take a look at CampersCaravans.nl
