Caravans are a great way to holiday, travel and see Australia. They help make holidays affordable; offering you access to beautiful beachside towns, homely country hideaways and remote locations. With more and more Aussie’s enjoying the relaxed pace of travelling with a caravan, we are seeing an increase the demand for new and used caravans. Leading into summer is the perfect time to start looking for a caravan that suits your needs, whether that be on-road, off-road, big or small. There are so many options to choose from within the new and second-hand caravan market.
If you are considering purchasing a caravan, here are a few tips to help you make well-informed decision:
The top five tips that will help you pick the right caravan are:
Pre-purchase inspections:
Did you know you could buy a pre-purchase inspection? Pre-purchase inspections are essential when purchasing second-hand caravans. They are conducted by experts within the caravan industry (check credentials before employing an assessor) who look over the caravan and identify any issues that could be a cause for concern. The biggest issue assessors look for is water damage – are there signs of rot, does the caravan smell mouldy, are there water stains on the walls or around the shower or toilet? They will also check electrics, plumbing, gas, appliances, lighting and condition of the roof, exterior, tyres, windows, canvas, and chassis etc. No matter the location, a pre-purchase inspections overall assessment will give you an indication of the caravan’s current condition compared to the expected condition of a caravan of similar age. They are designed to give you specialist advice to make a well informed purchase with peace of mind. Caravan Care is located in Bayswater North, Victoria, and is able to assist customers looking to purchase caravans for sale in Melbourne.
How does your tow car rate?
Do you know what your car is rated to tow? This is very important as it determines the size of the caravan you can purchase to travel safely. You will need to know your cars:
Tow ball weight or Tow Ball Mass (TBM): is the weight applied from your caravan to the tow ball on your car. You can check your car manual for the manufacturer’s specifications as to the maximum weight on the tow ball that you can legally apply. Remembering that a caravan weighted heavily behind the axel will have a low tow ball weight, and if it is heavy at the front, it will have a heavy tow ball weight. The idea is that you want even distribution of weight to improve the stability of what you are towing. If the tow ball weight is too light, you could end up with terrible sway issues. If you are using a 4WD and travelling off-road you also need to take significant care to ensure you are towing within legal guidelines; over loading the tow ball can bend your chassis if you hit a hole or significant drop. You must be within legal guidelines to ensure you are covered by insurance should an accident occur. You can buy tow ball scales at most automotive shops, or you can have your tow ball weight weighed at a weigh station.
Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM): is the combined weight of the caravan and its contents when it is not coupled to the tow vehicle.
Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM): is specified by the vehicle manufacturer, it is the total load a vehicle can carry on its own wheels. This is the total weight when fully loaded, including passengers, luggage, bull bars, roof racks, winches and canopies etc. It is important this weight is within manufacturer guidelines and is distributed evenly over the axles to improve safety and efficiency.
Gross Combination Weight (GCW): is the total weight of the vehicle, and the caravan and its load combined. This combined weight can be weighed at a weigh station. Jump online and search up your local weigh station and fees.
Travelling around Australia? Best to be sure of all of these weights and parameters as it affects your safety, the ease of towing, insurance, risk of damage and fines as different states also have different tolerances.
A great resource to review when understanding weight distribution, tolerances and allowances is:
http://australiaontrack.com.au/
How many people do you want to sleep?
Did you know the term ‘berth’ means how many people caravans sleep? A 2-berth caravan will sleep two people. It is important to know how many people you need to sleep when looking at caravans for sale. Once you know this, you can then start researching different brands and layouts that will suit your requirements. Do you want single beds, a double bed, a queen bed or a caravan with bunks as well? Do you want to sleep everyone within the caravan or find a caravan with an annex? While considering the best-suited sleeping arrangements, it is also important to consider storage. Does your caravan have external storage for chairs, tables, tools and a BBQ if you prefer to travel with one? Do you have adequate internal storage for food and clothing? These are all good things to keep in mind when researching caravans for sale.
Where will you store your caravan?
Another consideration point is where will you store your caravan? This may determine the height and length requirements of your caravan. It is worth measuring the height of garage doors, sideways, driveways and backyard locations to ensure you have clearance and enough space to manoeuvre your caravan. Also, consider the ground you are parking your caravan on. Will it be easy to access during the wet months? These simple checks will reduce the risk of you damaging your caravan when storing it, or not being able to store it where you intended.
If you do not have the capacity to store your caravan at home, you could look into local storage yards. Be sure to carefully research storage rates, and pick up and drop off requirements to ensure they meet your expectations. Some caravan parks also offer storage for a fee. Perhaps you could store your caravan offsite at your favourite destination? Alternatively, a family member might have space for you to store your caravan on their property. It is best to confirm where your caravan will be stored before purchasing one.
What functions, capabilities, appliances and accessories are a must?
Finally, you need to have a clear idea of what functions, capabilities, appliances and accessories are a must, a shortlist of items that you do not want to compromise on. Have a think about the following:
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Does the caravan comply with your cars tow rating?
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Do you need a caravan built for on-road or off-road?
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Does the caravan’s length and height allow for adequate storage?
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Does the caravan meet your sleeping requirements?
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Do you require an annex?
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Does the caravan have an ensuite – shower and toilet, combined shower/toilet or without is okay?
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Does the caravan have hot water?
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Does the caravan have an outdoor kitchen?
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Does the caravan have adequate storage?
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Does the caravan have a cooktop, grill and oven? Do you require all?
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Is the caravan set up to allow travel off-grid – what is the solar/battery set up like?
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Does the caravan have air conditioning / heating?
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Does the caravan have an entertainment system?
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Do you need a washing machine?
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Do you want a large refrigerator?
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Does the caravan have reversing cameras?
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Is the caravan fitted with Electronic Stability Control (ESC)?
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Is the living area your referred layout – L-shaped couch, café style etc?
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What is the water tank size? Does it have a grey water tank?
Check if the kitchen is easy to use and clean; if the floor is in good condition; if all the appliances you may need are in there and they work; if there are smoke detectors and a fire extinguisher; if the water sources work properly; and if the main door locks properly. The easiest way to find out more about the functionality of the caravan is by comparing it to your home.
The caravan you purchase may not suit all of your needs perfectly, but the foundation needs to be there. Carefully assess the RV, Caravan, Camper, Camper Trailer to see if you can make future modifications to it as per your liking. Make a list of the changes you want to make, see if it fits within your budget, and only then make a decision.
Final words
Going on a holiday with your caravan is not just about adventure; it has to be comfortable, suitable, functional and capable. In addition to that, it needs to fit within your budget, caravans can be expensive, and you want to make sure you are purchasing a reliable, well looked after, functioning caravan. Make sure it is exactly what you want, fits your budget and passes a pre-purchase inspection to give you confidence when making considerable investment.
If you are looking for great quality second-hand caravans for sale, look no further than Caravan Care. We can assist you with a pre-purchase inspection, purchasing, servicing and installations. We love helping people choose the right caravan to suit their lifestyle. Give us a call at 1300 380 048 to discuss your needs.