Hi All

I have been offered a compass omega 400/4 (1989 or 1990) which is 
claimed to be in good condition, one owner from new. £1450 ono

I know pretty well nothing about individual caravans or their individual 
build qualities

So the question is what reputation do compass caravans have and what are 
the virtues or vices of the omega 400/4 in particular.

I need to get clued up before I go to see the caravan at the weekend.


All sage words of advice humbly accepted!

regards


Arthur

should have added that I have a Peugeot 307 estate as a tow car - the 
1600 diesel 110bhp model



arthur daley wrote:
> Hi All
> 
> I have been offered a compass omega 400/4 (1989 or 1990) which is 
> claimed to be in good condition, one owner from new. £1450 ono
> 
> I know pretty well nothing about individual caravans or their individual 
> build qualities
> 
> So the question is what reputation do compass caravans have and what are 
> the virtues or vices of the omega 400/4 in particular.
> 
> I need to get clued up before I go to see the caravan at the weekend.
> 
> 
> All sage words of advice humbly accepted!
> 
> regards
> 
> 
> Arthur

I would go along and have a good look for yourself, look in all the corners 
and crannies for signs of damp and see if everything is working and the 
condition of the seat coverings etc. consider layout and if it is what you 
are looking for offer them what you think it is worth.  We have always 
bought our caravans this way and have never had a bad one.
Liz


"arthur daley"  wrote in message 
news:7HNFl.17894$oi.11014@newsfe17.ams2...
> Hi All
>
> I have been offered a compass omega 400/4 (1989 or 1990) which is claimed 
> to be in good condition, one owner from new. £1450 ono
>
> I know pretty well nothing about individual caravans or their individual 
> build qualities
>
> So the question is what reputation do compass caravans have and what are 
> the virtues or vices of the omega 400/4 in particular.
>
> I need to get clued up before I go to see the caravan at the weekend.
>
>
> All sage words of advice humbly accepted!
>
> regards
>
>
> Arthur

"Liz Hall"  wrote in message 
news:nLSdnUwwq9PpKHXUnZ2dnUVZ8gednZ2d@pipex.net...
>I would go along and have a good look for yourself, look in all the corners 
>and crannies for signs of damp and see if everything is working and the 
>condition of the seat coverings etc. consider layout and if it is what you 
>are looking for offer them what you think it is worth.  We have always 
>bought our caravans this way and have never had a bad one.
> Liz
>
>
> "arthur daley"  wrote in message 
> news:7HNFl.17894$oi.11014@newsfe17.ams2...
>> Hi All
>>
>> I have been offered a compass omega 400/4 (1989 or 1990) which is claimed 
>> to be in good condition, one owner from new. £1450 ono
>>
>> I know pretty well nothing about individual caravans or their individual 
>> build qualities
>>
>> So the question is what reputation do compass caravans have and what are 
>> the virtues or vices of the omega 400/4 in particular.
>>
>> I need to get clued up before I go to see the caravan at the weekend.


Apart  from the obvious such as condition - damp - electrics - plumbing etc 
etc - Don't forget towing - a four berth will be a heavier  and will need a 
suitable vehicle to tow it - very unlikely that a small family car will 
suffice - so be careful.

"Tom" <nospam@ten> wrote in message 
news:ge6dnZ-6NMDzRHXUnZ2dnUVZ8s-dnZ2d@bt.com...
>
> "Liz Hall"  wrote in message 
> news:nLSdnUwwq9PpKHXUnZ2dnUVZ8gednZ2d@pipex.net...
>>I would go along and have a good look for yourself, look in all the 
>>corners and crannies for signs of damp and see if everything is working 
>>and the condition of the seat coverings etc. consider layout and if it is 
>>what you are looking for offer them what you think it is worth.  We have 
>>always bought our caravans this way and have never had a bad one.
>> Liz
>>
>>
>> "arthur daley"  wrote in message 
>> news:7HNFl.17894$oi.11014@newsfe17.ams2...
>>> Hi All
>>>
>>> I have been offered a compass omega 400/4 (1989 or 1990) which is 
>>> claimed to be in good condition, one owner from new. £1450 ono
>>>
>>> I know pretty well nothing about individual caravans or their individual 
>>> build qualities
>>>
>>> So the question is what reputation do compass caravans have and what are 
>>> the virtues or vices of the omega 400/4 in particular.
>>>
>>> I need to get clued up before I go to see the caravan at the weekend.
>
>
> Apart  from the obvious such as condition - damp - electrics - plumbing 
> etc etc - Don't forget towing - a four berth will be a heavier  and will 
> need a suitable vehicle to tow it - very unlikely that a small family car 
> will suffice - so be careful.

By having a look at www.whattowcar.com it seems that the van may be a bit 
too heavy for your car. I could not find the exact models, but the figures 
can be adjusted to fine tune the matching.

Hope this helps.

John B

"arthur daley"  wrote in message 
news:zJNFl.17895$oi.9435@newsfe17.ams2...
>
> should have added that I have a Peugeot 307 estate as a tow car - the 1600 
> diesel 110bhp model
>
>
>
> arthur daley wrote:
>> Hi All
>>
>> I have been offered a compass omega 400/4 (1989 or 1990) which is claimed 
>> to be in good condition, one owner from new. £1450 ono
>>
>> I know pretty well nothing about individual caravans or their individual 
>> build qualities
>>
>> So the question is what reputation do compass caravans have and what are 
>> the virtues or vices of the omega 400/4 in particular.
>>
>> I need to get clued up before I go to see the caravan at the weekend.
>>
>>
>> All sage words of advice humbly accepted!
>>
>> regards
>>
>>
>> Arthur
By having a look at www.whattowcar.com it seems that the van may be a bit
too heavy for your car. I could not find the exact models, but the figures
can be adjusted to fine tune the matching.

Hope this helps.

John B
(I have re-posted here as the reply is more relevant to the original 
content)

"arthur daley"  wrote in message
news:zJNFl.17895$oi.9435@newsfe17.ams2...
>
> should have added that I have a Peugeot 307 estate as a tow car - the 1600
> diesel 110bhp model
>
>
>
> arthur daley wrote:
>> Hi All
>>
>> I have been offered a compass omega 400/4 (1989 or 1990) which is claimed
>> to be in good condition, one owner from new. £1450 ono
>>
>> I know pretty well nothing about individual caravans or their individual
>> build qualities
>>
>> So the question is what reputation do compass caravans have and what are
>> the virtues or vices of the omega 400/4 in particular.
>>
>> I need to get clued up before I go to see the caravan at the weekend.
>>
>>
>> All sage words of advice humbly accepted!
>>
>> regards
>>
>>
>> Arthur
By having a look at www.whattowcar.com it seems that the van may be a bit
too heavy for your car. I could not find the exact models, but the figures
can be adjusted to fine tune the matching.

Hope this helps.

John B
(I have re-posted here as the reply is more relevant to the original
content)

On Sat, 18 Apr 2009 09:43:42 +0100, "John B"  wrote:

>
>"arthur daley"  wrote in message
>news:zJNFl.17895$oi.9435@newsfe17.ams2...
>>
>> should have added that I have a Peugeot 307 estate as a tow car - the 1600
>> diesel 110bhp model
>>
>>
>>
>> arthur daley wrote:
>>> Hi All
>>>
>>> I have been offered a compass omega 400/4 (1989 or 1990) which is claimed
>>> to be in good condition, one owner from new. £1450 ono
>>>
>>> I know pretty well nothing about individual caravans or their individual
>>> build qualities
>>>
>>> So the question is what reputation do compass caravans have and what are
>>> the virtues or vices of the omega 400/4 in particular.
>>>
>>> I need to get clued up before I go to see the caravan at the weekend.
>>>
>>>
>>> All sage words of advice humbly accepted!
>>>
>>> regards
>>>
>>>
>>> Arthur
>By having a look at www.whattowcar.com it seems that the van may be a bit
>too heavy for your car. I could not find the exact models, but the figures
>can be adjusted to fine tune the matching.
>
>Hope this helps.
>
>John B
>(I have re-posted here as the reply is more relevant to the original
>content)
>
>

I got somewhat different information from the same site I got this and
I used a somewhat larger caravan of the same era. 

>
>Peugeot and Compass
>	
>The towing capability for the Peugeot 307 II SW - 1.6 HDI
>with a Compass Omega 432: 	
>
>Performance on levelled roads
>Top speed
>Usability 5th gear
>Acceleration and take over	Performance in mountainous regions
>Drive off uphill
>Driving on motorway slopes
>Driving on steep roads
>
>Peugeot 307 II SW - 1.6 HDI (80 kW/107 bhp)
>Date of manufacture: october 2005 - up to now
>
>84%
> 
>
>1260 kg     1508 kg
>	  	The match between car and caravan is perfect in accordance with a mix of European standards. However, according to the British Towing Code the percentage (loaded caravan / kerbweight tow car) is 84%.
>
>The towing performances of this Peugeot with your Compass are satisfactory (performance index = 90 km/h or 56 mph).
>
>You may expect adequate performances from this outfit. On flat roads you can come along provided you've selected the right gear, in which case top gear is applicable under normal circumstances.
>
>On motorway inclines you will be able to come along provided you've selected the right gear. On steep roads you have sufficient power to keep going. On hill starts there's most prabably sufficient power to get going, provided the wheels have traction. 
Bill Lord
I've taken a vow of poverty To annoy me send money

e-mail messages to bill dot lord at uku dot co dot uk 
( Get rid of the spaces  and use symbols for the hyphen at and dots )

thanks for the replies - all very useful.

I think i have a good idea of what to look for in the way of damp etc. 
However, Ihave no idea of how well built the Omega is - were they 
'budget'caravans which were very much built down to a price?  Or is the 
Omega a well built van and acknowledged as being at the top end of the 
quality scale.

Am I going to go and look at an East German Skoda or a hand built 
Bently?  Both are quite capable of getting you from A to B but thats 
where the similarities end ;o)





regards



Arthur

On Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:42:48 +0100, arthur daley 
wrote:

>thanks for the replies - all very useful.
>
>I think i have a good idea of what to look for in the way of damp etc. 
>However, Ihave no idea of how well built the Omega is - were they 
>'budget'caravans which were very much built down to a price?  Or is the 
>Omega a well built van and acknowledged as being at the top end of the 
>quality scale.
>
>Am I going to go and look at an East German Skoda or a hand built 
>Bently?  Both are quite capable of getting you from A to B but thats 
>where the similarities end ;o)

IIRR the Compass Omega was the top of the Compass range, but I could
be wrong. I thik Compass at that time had just become a part of the
Explorer group and as such were made by the same company that made the
Eldis caravans. They were pretty much run of the mill caravans but as
with all the companies the higher up their range you went the less
chance there was that they were built to a price. 
Bill Lord
I've taken a vow of poverty To annoy me send money

e-mail messages to bill dot lord at uku dot co dot uk 
( Get rid of the spaces  and use symbols for the hyphen at and dots )

"bill lord"  wrote in message 
news:7lcju4le24gvfpb9nv0o7qd6uqjhv0d92n@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 18 Apr 2009 09:43:42 +0100, "John B"  wrote:
>
>>
>>"arthur daley"  wrote in message
>>news:zJNFl.17895$oi.9435@newsfe17.ams2...
>>>
>>> should have added that I have a Peugeot 307 estate as a tow car - the 
>>> 1600
>>> diesel 110bhp model
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> arthur daley wrote:
>>>> Hi All
>>>>
>>>> I have been offered a compass omega 400/4 (1989 or 1990) which is 
>>>> claimed
>>>> to be in good condition, one owner from new. £1450 ono
>>>>
>>>> I know pretty well nothing about individual caravans or their 
>>>> individual
>>>> build qualities
>>>>
>>>> So the question is what reputation do compass caravans have and what 
>>>> are
>>>> the virtues or vices of the omega 400/4 in particular.
>>>>
>>>> I need to get clued up before I go to see the caravan at the weekend.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> All sage words of advice humbly accepted!
>>>>
>>>> regards
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Arthur
>>By having a look at www.whattowcar.com it seems that the van may be a bit
>>too heavy for your car. I could not find the exact models, but the figures
>>can be adjusted to fine tune the matching.
>>
>>Hope this helps.
>>
>>John B
>>(I have re-posted here as the reply is more relevant to the original
>>content)
>>
>>
>
> I got somewhat different information from the same site I got this and
> I used a somewhat larger caravan of the same era.
>
>>
>>Peugeot and Compass
>>
>>The towing capability for the Peugeot 307 II SW - 1.6 HDI
>>with a Compass Omega 432:
>>
>>Performance on levelled roads
>>Top speed
>>Usability 5th gear
>>Acceleration and take over Performance in mountainous regions
>>Drive off uphill
>>Driving on motorway slopes
>>Driving on steep roads
>>
>>Peugeot 307 II SW - 1.6 HDI (80 kW/107 bhp)
>>Date of manufacture: october 2005 - up to now
>>
>>84%
>>
>>
>>1260 kg     1508 kg
>>   The match between car and caravan is perfect in accordance with a mix 
>> of European standards. However, according to the British Towing Code the 
>> percentage (loaded caravan / kerbweight tow car) is 84%.
>>
>>The towing performances of this Peugeot with your Compass are satisfactory 
>>(performance index = 90 km/h or 56 mph).
>>
>>You may expect adequate performances from this outfit. On flat roads you 
>>can come along provided you've selected the right gear, in which case top 
>>gear is applicable under normal circumstances.
>>
>>On motorway inclines you will be able to come along provided you've 
>>selected the right gear. On steep roads you have sufficient power to keep 
>>going. On hill starts there's most prabably sufficient power to get going, 
>>provided the wheels have traction.
> Bill Lord
> I've taken a vow of poverty To annoy me send money
>
> e-mail messages to bill dot lord at uku dot co dot uk
> ( Get rid of the spaces  and use symbols for the hyphen at and dots )

I bow to your superior search.

John B

thanks Bill




bill lord wrote:
> On Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:42:48 +0100, arthur daley 
> wrote:
> 
>> thanks for the replies - all very useful.
>>
>> I think i have a good idea of what to look for in the way of damp etc. 
>> However, Ihave no idea of how well built the Omega is - were they 
>> 'budget'caravans which were very much built down to a price?  Or is the 
>> Omega a well built van and acknowledged as being at the top end of the 
>> quality scale.
>>
>> Am I going to go and look at an East German Skoda or a hand built 
>> Bently?  Both are quite capable of getting you from A to B but thats 
>> where the similarities end ;o)
> 
> IIRR the Compass Omega was the top of the Compass range, but I could
> be wrong. I thik Compass at that time had just become a part of the
> Explorer group and as such were made by the same company that made the
> Eldis caravans. They were pretty much run of the mill caravans but as
> with all the companies the higher up their range you went the less
> chance there was that they were built to a price. 
> Bill Lord
> I've taken a vow of poverty To annoy me send money
> 
> e-mail messages to bill dot lord at uku dot co dot uk 
> ( Get rid of the spaces  and use symbols for the hyphen at and dots )