Help checking a van out in North Merseyside

[kurvengeisst]

Hello all, I feel slightly embarrassed asking this but here goes, shy bairns get nowt as my mum used to say. After a few months searching, I've found a van with a dealer in the Preston area that fits our needs and budget; it would be our first MH. Ive read some horror stories here and other places about potential for getting this decision seriously wrong, and also read some advice to ask this group for help. So I was wondering if there's anybody experienced in the area who would be kind enough to help a newbie give a van the once over? - Free beer as much as a person can drink, our eternal gratitude and anything else I should offer in return!

 

[Riverbankannie]

Doing a bump up for you. Good luck.

 

[Figaro]

Hello all, I feel slightly embarrassed asking this but here goes, shy bairns get nowt as my mum used to say. After a few months searching, I've found a van with a dealer in the Preston area that fits our needs and budget; it would be our first MH. Ive read some horror stories here and other places about potential for getting this decision seriously wrong, and also read some advice to ask this group for help. So I was wondering if there's anybody experienced in the area who would be kind enough to help a newbie give a van the once over? - Free beer as much as a person can drink, our eternal gratitude and anything else I should offer in return!

I can't help with your request but if you put up a link to the van you will get some constructive comments

 

[Peterd82]

It might help if you amended your title to reflect that you have seen one in Lancashire if indeed it is in the Preston area. There are a number of dealers round Preston and some are rated as amongst the best but sadly this can’t apply to them all. Are you able to give more info ?

 

[kurvengeisst]

Doing a bump up for you. Good luck.

Thank you!

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[Just smiffy]

Hello all, I feel slightly embarrassed asking this but here goes, shy bairns get nowt as my mum used to say. After a few months searching, I've found a van with a dealer in the Preston area that fits our needs and budget; it would be our first MH. Ive read some horror stories here and other places about potential for getting this decision seriously wrong, and also read some advice to ask this group for help. So I was wondering if there's anybody experienced in the area who would be kind enough to help a newbie give a van the once over? - Free beer as much as a person can drink, our eternal gratitude and anything else I should offer in return!

I wish more people would do this that haven’t got much experience, a little embarrassment is worth it considering losing potential thousands…

I’m sure someone will be along soon… good luck and keep us informed..

 

[Spriddler]

I feel slightly embarrassed asking this..........

No need to; if anyone can help then this is the place to ask, but a link to the ad would help.

 

[The Coops]

As Spridder said a link would be a big help

 

[Cal54]

I have bought from a couple of dealers in the Preston area and would rate one as excellent and the other passable. I don’t know sufficient about the technical side of vans to offer any insight other than take your time, get the layout right and read the warranty details closely.

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

One thing to consider is pay the AA to do a full vehicle check they are very good.

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[Spriddler]

An easy check on the base vehicle basics is to put the reg'n into the Gov't website to check its MOT history.

Check the MOT history of a vehicle

Check the MOT history of a vehicle from 2005 onwards, including if it passed or failed, its mileage and why it failed, download MOT test certificate

www.gov.uk

 

[kurvengeisst]

One thing to consider is pay the AA to do a full vehicle check they are very good.

I think that would be smart, I’ve seen posts on here with MH specific pitfalls to look out for, but at least peace of mind in the engine which failed its last MOT with an extreme oil leak, then passed a few days later…

 

[kurvengeisst]

An easy check on the base vehicle basics is to put the reg'n into the Gov't website to check its MOT history.

Check the MOT history of a vehicle

Check the MOT history of a vehicle from 2005 onwards, including if it passed or failed, its mileage and why it failed, download MOT test certificate

www.gov.uk

Cheers yes has a good look and relatively clean bill of health till the last but one!

 

[kurvengeisst]

Here’s a link hopefully this works:
For sale

 

[davanne]

We have used 2 dealers in the Preston area when I lived in Lancashire 1 would rate as excellent the other not so good .
Just seen your last post and Red Lion are near Southport not Preston

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[kurvengeisst]

It might help if you amended your title to reflect that you have seen one in Lancashire if indeed it is in the Preston area. There are a number of dealers round Preston and some are rated as amongst the best but sadly this can’t apply to them all. Are you able to give more info ?

Cheers Peter I posted a link to the van. It’s with red lion caravans, their poscode is P8 and they have their address as Preston, Merseyside, obviously for the cache of a Merseyside address

 

[kurvengeisst]

We have used 2 dealers in the Preston area when I lived in Lancashire 1 would rate as excellent the other not so good .
Just seen your last post and Red Lion are near Southport not Preston

Yes that’s the one, they say Merseyside, but I guess they’re on the cusp in Southport.

 

[kurvengeisst]

I can't help with your request but if you put up a link to the van you will get some constructive comments

For sale here it is!

 

[davanne]

Yes that’s the one, they say Merseyside, but I guess they’re on the cusp in Southport.

Yes Southport used to be in Lancashire but it’s now Merseyside. We used to live about 10 miles from there but sorry haven’t any info good or bad regarding Red Lion.

 

[kurvengeisst]

Yes Southport used to be in Lancashire but it’s now Merseyside. We used to live about 10 miles from there but sorry haven’t any info good or bad regarding Red Lion.

Thanks for the support Anne

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[davanne]

Thanks for the support Anne

No problem wish I could have been more help. I’ll ask my grandson if he has any info on the company but he’s away until weekend.

 

[kurvengeisst]

No problem wish I could have been more help. I’ll ask my grandson if he has any info on the company but he’s away until weekend.

Good to hear if he does thanks

 

[CherylnMick]

Our very first Motorhome was a 2006 Hymer on a 56 plate. I loved it. It had a double floor so nice & warm in winter with tanks in between so never froze. That era was good for build quality plus you have the added bonus of Hymer quality. It looks in good condition from the photos.

My husband hated the belly lockers because he has back problems and we didn’t like the overcab drop down bed, we didn’t have a roof light above it so I got claustrophobic and slept on the sofa, Mick hated the ladder so we sold it

One thing we learnt was to ask for a ladder to check the roof and when you sit in it and look at lockers imagine where you would store stuff including table, chairs, hoses, BBQ & wind break.

I think it’s exciting for you. Good Luck

 

[Just smiffy]

For sale here it is!

It looks clean and well looked after, not sure what is on the floor though, looks wet…?

I like the layout. They are usually good solid vans of that era… do you know how many owners..?

 

[Figaro]

Good reliable van, 2.8 engine with no egr or dpf sensors to spoil your holiday.
I'm sure someone else on here posted a link to this van last week as they were looking at it ?

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[kurvengeisst]

Our very first Motorhome was a 2006 Hymer on a 56 plate. I loved it. It had a double floor so nice & warm in winter with tanks in between so never froze. That era was good for build quality plus you have the added bonus of Hymer quality. It looks in good condition from the photos.

My husband hated the belly lockers because he has back problems and we didn’t like the overcab drop down bed, we didn’t have a roof light above it so I got claustrophobic and slept on the sofa, Mick hated the ladder so we sold it

One thing we learnt was to ask for a ladder to check the roof and when you sit in it and look at lockers imagine where you would store stuff including table, chairs, hoses, BBQ & wind break.

I think it’s exciting for you. Good Luck cheers Cheryl, that’s useful Intel, sorry to be dim, what’s

Our very first Motorhome was a 2006 Hymer on a 56 plate. I loved it. It had a double floor so nice & warm in winter with tanks in between so never froze. That era was good for build quality plus you have the added bonus of Hymer quality. It looks in good condition from the photos.

My husband hated the belly lockers because he has back problems and we didn’t like the overcab drop down bed, we didn’t have a roof light above it so I got claustrophobic and slept on the sofa, Mick hated the ladder so we sold it

One thing we learnt was to ask for a ladder to check the roof and when you sit in it and look at lockers imagine where you would store stuff including table, chairs, hoses, BBQ & wind break.

I think it’s exciting for you. Good Luck

Cheers Cheryl, that’s some good insight, is the belly locker on the outside on the side?

 

[kurvengeisst]

It looks clean and well looked after, not sure what is on the floor though, looks wet…?

I like the layout. They are usually good solid vans of that era… do you know how many owners..?

Four owners… the carpets were up Andrew it was wet outside, and that’s a vinyl floor I think. Yea it’s the layout we like, but the van looks the worse for wear in real life I think it’s been sitting for a bit. Wouldn’t put us off though!

 

[kurvengeisst]

Good reliable van, 2.8 engine with no egr or dpf sensors to spoil your holiday.
I'm sure someone else on here posted a link to this van last week as they were looking at it ?

Cheers Figaro that was prob me, just gathering Intel. Yes I like the idea of no adblue etc, keeping it simple.

 

[Peterd82]

A couple of points I feel worth raising: that weight requires the C1 on your licence which might not be a problem. Secondly the last V5 was issued June 2022 and then it was untaxed in January which makes me wonder if that was a change of address or a new owner who decided not to keep it long. This isn’t necessarily an issue as knowing from experience having changed our first after 4 months !. Also some do stay in stock at dealers for months.

Personal impressions: We felt that Red Lion are more focussed on caravans that motorhomes. When we visited in August 2022 the motorhome “display” was untidy and most were dirty and not cleaned outside. This reinforced our decision to go back to the dealer in Lytham that we had visited before Red Lion. In the end this worked out well, if not in layout terms, as all were inside and clean. The one opted for (very little choice at that time) needed a number of items sorting but to their credit they were all completed well when we collected. Just my personal impression.

Apologies, I don’t feel competent to offer any advice on this one as I haven’t looked at any and other people will give you better advice than me. Whatever you decide I hope it works out for you.

 

[CherylnMick]

Cheers Cheryl, that’s some good insight, is the belly locker on the outside on the side?

Yes they are. It means squatting down to reach into them. I was happy to do it, but hubster didn’t like it.

Ask the salesman if the one your interested in has a double floor, it’s good to have as warmer in winter.

Check every cupboard, lift all the cushions to check for damp, their likely won’t be any but don’t be rushed by the salesman take your time. Check the taps and heating too. Oh and the roof lights & windows.

Just imagine yourselves on holiday in it, how you would use it. Storage is key.

If it was further South we would come to help you but alas it’s not.