How to Renovate a Caravan Affordably

Renovate a Caravan

In a world of waste and constant consumption, sustainability is becoming more important than ever. This trend has led many customers to recycle and repurpose previously dilapidated vehicles, with an increasing number of people wondering ‘how to renovate a caravan’.

Lovers of the open road, at Spinney we specialise in providing new and used caravans for sale alongside exemplary motorhomes and campervans.

Passionate about sustainable travel? Explore our blog below, which delves into how you can re-energise your old caravan and transform it into a tranquil home away from home.

Five steps on how to renovate a caravan

Renovating a caravan from start to finish can be a challenging experience, but it can also be hugely rewarding. Once you’ve used some elbow grease and have spent the necessary cash to transform your caravan, you’ll be left with a distinctive space that showcases your personality.

Empty the caravan and create a floor plan

To begin work renovating your caravan, no matter its condition, gut it of its contents. Remove every possible fixture, including furniture, shelves, beds and bathroom appliances, being particularly careful with gas pipes, water outlets and electrical cables. Salvage any fixtures worth keeping (furniture can often be upcycled), but be sure to throw away anything damaged and beyond repair.

Next, clear the space of any remaining debris, dust or dirt to give yourself a clean workspace. Once everything you wish to remove has been taken out, it’s wise to take full measurements of your caravan’s dimensions, including height, width and other specifics, to draw up a floor plan of the space.

Check for and repair major damages

Once everything has been removed, it’s important to check for damage that will need to be immediately investigated and repaired. Inspect your caravan to check for the following issues:

• Water Ingress: This can lead to mould growth and issues to the caravan’s structural integrity. Use a scraper to remove old sealant on the exterior and interior, and replace using a sealant gun.
• Rust: If not properly addressed, this could destroy the strength of the metal surface. Remove rust with a wire brush or liquid rust remover and consider applying a layer of rust-proof paint after doing so.
• Mechanical Wear: The underframe, chassis, axle, suspension, brakes and other mechanical features should be checked for rust or corrosion.  Reinforcement and replacement of parts may be needed.
• Damaged flooring: Moisture can make the floor of the caravan rot and sag. Vinyl flooring is a durable and lightweight replacement.
• Insulation: Deteriorated insulation should be replaced to improve the efficiency and sustainability of your caravan. The best caravan makes on the market have high-quality insulation throughout the whole vehicle, making them cosy no matter the season.
• Damaged windows and doors: Inadequate windows and doors will allow moisture and cool air in, steadily compromising the caravan’s structural integrity. This can be fixed by replacing the broken openings and re-sealing the borders.

Depending on the extent of damage, you may find yourself paying a considerable amount to carry out these changes. Many choose to carry out these fixes themselves, however, which, although time-consuming, ultimately results in far less expenditure.

Interior fixes

Once you’ve taken care of the major structural problems, you can turn your attention to the interior features that might need a bit of TLC. Depending on the level of neglect, these changes may be considerable or minor and can include:

• Electrical fixtures: The electrical safety of a caravan should be made a major priority to protect yourself and your vehicle from serious harm.  Assess the electrical efficiency of the caravan by checking the wiring, connectors and fuse box. Lights should be checked and replaced with energy-efficient LED light fixtures where necessary.
• Plumbing: From the bathroom to the kitchen sink, the plumbing of the caravan should be meticulously checked for leaks and inefficiency. Water-resistant adhesive can be used as sealant and Teflon tape can be used as an added layer of protection when used around PVC or PEX piping.
• Gas appliances: If applicable, check the durability of gas appliances. Make sure your caravan is kitted out with a carbon monoxide detector and a smoke alarm.
• Cabinets: Replace broken cabinets or repair them using sandpaper, wood filler and wood glue for extra reinforcement. Also, consider replacing outdated drawer handles with sleek, metallic handles for a premium look.
• Ventilation: Check the ventilation fixtures, replacing any broken covers or fans.

Painting and decorating

Once you’ve put in the hard work to gut and repair your caravan, you deserve a more enjoyable task. Stamp your personality onto your renovation by beginning the painting and decorating process.

Painting the exterior

Before you begin, it’s imperative to give your caravan a clean to create a grit and dirt-free canvas on which you can express your colourful side, then, apply masking tape around seals and cover windows with newspaper. Start with two white acrylic-based undercoats before you go in with the colour, armed with a roller or spray gun.

Painting the interior

It should go without saying that the interior walls of your caravan should only be painted on if they have first been adequately repaired and checked for signs of damp. Once this has been done, apply two undercoats of white paint, just like the exterior, add a layer of white semi-gloss and then apply your chosen colour, using  brighter shades to help extend the size of your space.

Top tip: You can purchase small rolls of stick-on vinyl for as little as £30, this looks great in kitchen areas, giving that high-end touch without the price tag.

Renew the soft furnishings

One of the final steps when renovating a caravan is to renew the soft furnishings. This includes adding some zest to the blinds or curtains and replacing them with brighter colours or designs. You may find, thanks to the awkward size of caravan windows, curtains can be difficult to source, so sometimes it’s both easier and more enjoyable to dig out your sewing kit and design your own.

In addition, grab any fixtures you may have kept after gutting the caravan, including sofas or benches and upcycle them with new cushions and covers. Choose a durable upholstery fabric that doesn’t wear over time such as leather or cotton, with both options providing different styles that will brighten your space in opposing ways.

Why not look to Coachman caravans for inspiration throughout this process, with the British-based manufacturers having long specialised in premium comfort?  See how the neutral tones and soft textures against the dark wood bring an air of luxury and warmth, perfect for cosy and relaxing evenings.

Can’t figure out how to renovate a caravan? Buy a new or a used model

Costly and time-consuming to do, caravan renovations can be rewarding, but they aren’t for everyone. If you’re looking for something a little more accessible, the used and new caravans we offer at Spinney are high-quality vehicles made to last the test of time. Assessing the interior and exterior of all our vehicles before they’re made available for sale, we provide a 170-point check and full valet before you purchase.

To explore all the vehicles we have on offer and discuss our range with one of our many industry experts, contact us online or visit one of our branches in Cheshire, Warwickshire, Northampton, Staffordshire or Flintshire.