What I Find Underneath a Used Caravan When It Goes Up on the Hoist (A Mechanic's Take)

Everything a seller shows you is above the floor, and almost none of it decides whether the van is a good buy. The trailer underneath is what stops, tows and carries the weight. The inspection in the order I do it, what it costs, and what comes off the price. What I cover: The compliance plate, Tare vs ATM, the weighbridge A-frame welds, the rusted hitch plate, rated chains Galvanised chassis: where rust starts, the tap test Leaf vs independent: parts supply beats ride quality Bearings: the spin, the rock, the hot hub A drum off: shoes, magnets, the breakaway battery The tyre date code: vans age tyres out, never wear them out The underbody sheet, the tide line, the respray FACT-CHECK: Payload is ATM minus Tare, and Tare is the as-built figure, so later options come out of it. Under current VSB1 guidance vans over 2t need a breakaway system, brakes on all wheels, held 15 minutes; chains must meet AS4177.4. Bearings are commonly repacked at 10,000km or 12 months, sooner on corrugations. Tyre date codes are week+year — advice is 5–7 years, replace by 10. Prices indicative and vary. DISCLAIMER: General information and my honest opinion — NOT mechanical, legal, compliance or insurance advice. Rules differ by state and change over time. Read the plate on the actual van, weigh it as you travel, and have any caravan professionally inspected before you buy. Gas, plumbing and 240V work must be done by a licensed tradie.