What to check when buying a 2012 Northants

Hopefully, we're about to purchase a 2012 Northants (is this the same as a Bourton?) which will be our first MH. Would be really grateful to know if there's anything in particular we should check on the vehicle.

Also, it doesn't have a reversing camera, only parking sensors on the back bumper. Are these likely to be sufficient, along with the rear-view mirror, or do we need to factor in the cost of having a camera fitted? We've been quoted £600 - £700 for this, which seems a lot.

It's only got Grade 1 insulation - is this likely to be sufficient? We'll be travelling mostly in Scotland, probably not in the winter.

Really a total newbie at this - we've never even been away in a MH - so very grateful for any pointers!

Cheers

Julie

Sorry Julie, don't know enough about that model to offer you any constructive advice about what to look for before purchasing. The reversing sensors will be a help but I've found the rear view camera (which provides a rear view whilst driving as well as reversing) very useful and I would struggle to be without it now. Unfortunately you, like us, live in this part of the world and that limits the choice of companies who can provide and fit the equipment.

Hi Julie, never heard of that van but I would say reversing sensors are good but a camera is better! That does seem like s silly amount to fit a camera . I fitted a camera and monitor on our  previous coachbuilt and all in it was about £30. Cracking picture from a good quality camera and ran flawlessly for over 6 years of ownership.
         If I could pass on one tip it would be check for damp , then check again , and again! If buying from a dealer ask for written proof of damp checks being carried out. Any claim in future from an insurance backed warranty would demand this as a first step to repair. Insulation should be fine as current grade 3 seems to rely on having a big enough heater installed to counteract losses anyway! 
          I see you are from Ayrshire so may be buying locally from A/s dealer ?  I still have my damp meter and if you would like the van checked to put your mind at rest let me know and I will try and help .

kaspian wrote:Hi Julie, never heard of that van but I would say reversing sensors are good but a camera is better! That does seem like s silly amount to fit a camera . I fitted a camera and monitor on our  previous coachbuilt and all in it was about £30. Cracking picture from a good quality camera and ran flawlessly for over 6 years of ownership.
         If I could pass on one tip it would be check for damp , then check again , and again! If buying from a dealer ask for written proof of damp checks being carried out. Any claim in future from an insurance backed warranty would demand this as a first step to repair. Insulation should be fine as current grade 3 seems to rely on having a big enough heater installed to counteract losses anyway! 
          I see you are from Ayrshire so may be buying locally from A/s dealer ?  I still have my damp meter and if you would like the van checked to put your mind at rest let me know and I will try and help .

Thanks for that.

Did you manage to run the cable for the reversing camera inside the bodywork?

Does a regular damp meter you would use to check a house work for a van, or does that require a particular type? Think we may have a house one around here somewhere. Is it possible to check for damp without damaging the interior of the vehicle (our meter has wee spikes you need to stick in to get a reading)?

We would get a 12 month warranty - will find out exactly how that works and what it covers on Saturday.

Never tried one but don't forget there are a lot of digital wireless reversing cameras available now if you are worried about wiring one in, £600 to £700 sounds extremely high to me!!

groundhog wrote:Never tried one but don't forget there are a lot of digital wireless reversing cameras available now if you are worried about wiring one in, £600 to £700 sounds extremely high to me!!

Presumably a wireless camera still needs some wiring to get power to it though?

Sorry can't answer that but someone will be along soon who can.

julieonajourney wrote:

groundhog wrote:Never tried one but don't forget there are a lot of digital wireless reversing cameras available now if you are worried about wiring one in, £600 to £700 sounds extremely high to me!!

Presumably a wireless camera still needs some wiring to get power to it though?

With a wireless  unit they are dependant and a sender and receiver unit.
How you wire it depends on what you want to use it for
1. if to be used as a reversing camera only the norm is to take the power from the wire to the reversing light and this is the easier [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] (if however you have  CAM electrics you might have to put a relay in the circuit  like this 
2. if used as a full time camera you will need to find a ignition live wire at the back of the van (again a relay may be required)

The monitor (unless you have a screened radio unit)  will need to be matched i.e. if for 1, to the fused wire for reversing or 2. an ignition live only spare (again a relay might be required dependant on what power the unit takes.

The sender and receiver should ideally be able to "see" each other i.e. nothing to block the signal.

Wired systems will usually give a better more consistent result and apart from getting the wiring all the way from the back to the front usually with the half decent systems will only require one lot of connections (usually from the front of the van so easier to locate which connections required).
I have had several e-bay specials and find that they don't last long.
I stumbled across
 http://www.2seetv.co.uk/
and found them most helpful and although what they sell look similar to the e-bay cheapos I have foundthem different class for not a lot more
Hope this helps
David

Thank-you, David. Will check all that out!