Top Tips for Buying a Caravan:
What to Look Out For
Buying a caravan is a big decision, and with so many options out there, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or upgrading your current setup, here are the top tips to help you make the right choice.
1. Check Your Car’s Towing Capacity First
Before you fall in love with a caravan, the first thing you need to do is make sure your car can legally tow it! It’s essential to know your vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and Gross Combined Mass (GCM) to ensure your setup is safe and legal. If your car doesn’t have the capacity to tow the caravan you want, you may need to invest in a GVM/GCM upgrade or rethink your choice of caravan. Weights and towing limits are key factors you don’t want to overlook.
2. Avoid Getting Sucked in at Caravan Shows
Caravan shows are a great way to explore different models, but they can also be a dangerous place for impulse buys! It’s sooo easy to get caught up in the excitement. Instead, go in with a clear idea of what you want and a list of extras you’d like fitted. If you have your priorities sorted before you attend the show, you’ll have much more bargaining power. Keep in mind that every little extra or customisation you decide on after you’ve made the purchase will cost you a pretty penny, so plan carefully!
3. Decide Your Non-Negotiables
There’s no need to splurge on the latest, brand-new caravan if it’s not necessary. Think about what your non-negotiables are. Do you need an ensuite? How important is off-grid capability to you? Figure out what you absolutely must have and what’s just nice to have. Sometimes, less is more. A well-maintained second-hand caravan can do the job just as well as a shiny new one, and you might even save thousands!
Buying a caravan is an exciting venture, but taking the time to research and plan will save you from headaches down the track. Prioritise towing safety, avoid getting carried away by show displays, and stick to your essentials. Whether you opt for new or second-hand, the right caravan for you is out there—it just takes a little savvy shopping!
Lessons Learned: Choosing the Right Caravan for Your Needs
When we first decided to buy a caravan, we went all out, ordering a 22ft Semi Off Road, all-singing, all-dancing model from a caravan show. But as time went on, we realised it wasn’t practical for our situation at the time. Neither of us intended to work on the road, we weren’t selling our house, and we wanted the caravan to fit in our shed for storage. So, we downgraded to an 18.6ft couple’s van, planning to convert the table into a bed for our 4-year-old. At that point, we were only going away for six months.
Fast Forward a Year...
By the time the van arrived—yes, we waited a full year!—everything had changed. We had sold our house and were working remotely, meaning the caravan became our full-time home. After less than a week of living in the 18.6ft van, it drove us *insane*. We had no workspace, as the table was converted into a bed for Evan, and I was constantly tripping over the dog, who had no space of her own.
The Solution? A Bigger Van!
We wasted no time. We went straight to a local caravan showroom in Wangaratta VIC, traded in the 18.6ft van, and snagged a 2024 C Class Off Road Essentail Caravan. It was a 21.10ft demo van that had only been to one show. The difference was incredible! The extra space made it feel like a palace compared to the old one, and we were finally comfortable living and working in the van full-time. Evan had his own bunk bed and dog had her own space.Three days later, we picked up the new van and were on a boat to Tasmania that same evening!
Choose the Right Business
If there’s one thing we learned from this experience, it’s that choosing the right business to buy from is crucial. The level of service we received from Wangaratta Caravans & Marine was absolutely top-notch. They were responsive, helpful, and made the whole process easy—something we couldn’t say about the big Melbourne company we initially bought from (I’ll name no names!).
So, if you're thinking about buying a caravan, do your research and make sure you're buying from a business that truly values customer service. It will make all the difference in your caravan journey!