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It can be confusing when looking at caravans and which type to buy. Here we look at the crucial factors to make your caravan journey an enjoyable and successful one.
If you’re buying a caravan for your own adventures, there are several key points to keep in mind to ensure a successful and enjoyable experience. Some of these are so important, they will even affect if the towing setup is legal or not. Here’s a breakdown of important factors to consider:
Identify Your Needs: Before purchasing a caravan, define your specific requirements. Consider factors such as the number of travellers, desired amenities, and intended use to find a caravan that suits your lifestyle.
Set a Realistic Budget: Determine a budget that aligns with your financial capacity. Factor in not only the initial purchase cost but also ongoing expenses for maintenance, insurance, and potential upgrades. At Get You Finance, we specialise in providing tailored caravan finance. To maximise your budget and savings, contact us now, and our Melbourne-based team will assist you promptly – it only takes a minute.
Choose the Right Caravan: Explore various caravan options available in the market. Consider factors like size, layout, features, and construction materials to select a caravan that meets your preferences and offers comfort during your travels.
Select an Ideal Tow Car: Ensure your towing setup is legal and safe by choosing a tow car that matches the caravan’s weight and towing capacity. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines and consider additional features like towing accessories and braking systems.
Caravan Buying Checklist in Detail
The Fundamentals
Before making any decisions, ask yourself some fundamental questions. Consider your travel plans, including the destinations you have in mind, the duration of your trip, and whether you’ll be navigating off-road terrain or sticking to highways. Additionally, think about whether you’ll be travelling with family or fellow adventurers.
Check if the places where you plan to park your caravan offer adequate accommodations with features such as site power, and if not, you might need a good solar and battery system.
Check Your Budget
This is the big one. Assess your budget thoroughly. It’s not just about the upfront cost of purchasing a caravan but also ongoing expenses. Account for maintenance, insurance, and operational costs to determine what you can realistically afford.
Getting a great finance deal can also be the difference in your budget and what you can spend. To understand your borroing potential, use our handy caravan finance calculator.
Consider whether to buy a new or second-hand caravan and be sure to stay within your budget. Second-hand caravans can be more budget-friendly but require a comprehensive inspection to ensure they meet your needs and safety standards.
Once you have a firm budget, it is time for shopping. If you need quick and easy finance for a caravan or are looking to add to a cash budget, we can help with our easy caravan finance options.
What kind of caravan?
Caravans come in various types, each catering to different needs and budgets, from the luxurious to the off-road-ready compact campers.
Entry-Level Caravans are smaller and well-suited for beginners. They typically feature basic amenities, such as a double bed, a side dining area, a small kitchen, and sometimes a bathroom. These are cost-effective options, particularly for those on a tight budget, and the lower weight means that they are, generally, easier to tow and will be towable by a larger selection of vehicles.
An Off-Road Caravan, also known as an off-road camper or off-road trailer, is a specialized type of caravan designed for travel on rough and rugged terrain. These caravans are built to withstand the challenges of off-road adventures and are equipped with features that make them more capable in such environments.
However, they are less likely to have a bathroom and nicer features, although there are premium off-road campers too.
Family Caravans are more spacious and designed for larger groups or families. They often come with a double bed, double or triple bunk beds, a good kitchen, and a generous dining area. They can also come with relatively large bathrooms including shower and toilet, and are designed to handily accommodate a lot of people.
Upmarket Luxury Caravans feature a spacious bedroom, a well-equipped kitchen inside, stone benchtops, luxury trims, a big dining area with leather seats, a full bathroom, and entertainment such as in and outside TVs with a sound system. These are some very nice (and expensive) caravans, but they do weigh a lot and require a suitable tow car.
Tow Capacity
Determine the maximum weight your towing vehicle can safely handle before purchasing a caravan. It’s essential to be aware of your vehicle’s towing capacity to select a caravan that aligns with your vehicle’s capabilities.
While dual-cab utes are generally suitable and a popular choice for towing caravans, larger vehicles may be better suited for towing heavy caravans with greater weight and added amenities. Sometimes, a full touring setup will include the purchase of a new caravan and a new car. If this sounds like you, we can make great use of both our caravan finance options plus our very easy car finance which is supported by many lenders.
These four factors are important in helping you choose the right caravan that will suit what you need. While it can be somewhat complicated figuring out the right size and weight for your tow car, getting it correct before you set off will make sure you are safe and towing the legally right-size van.