The Ultimate Guide to Buying Your First Caravan

You have decided to buy a caravan. But where do you go from here? Caravans can be a big financial and time investment, so you want to make sure you get it right. This guide offers some advice for first-time caravan buyers by helping you make well-informed decisions, ask the right questions and consider what your requirements are before you take the leap.

Touring vs Static

You first need to decide if you’d like to purchase a touring or a static caravan. How you plan to use your caravan will determine which option is right for you as well as your preferences and lifestyle.

Touring

If you prioritise exploration and find being committed to one location restrictive then touring caravans are for you.

However, before you purchase a touring caravan, you need to do some research about your car’s towing capabilities. If you are not willing to buy a whole new car as well, you will need to buy a caravan that your car is capable of towing.

Another thing to consider is that with touring caravans you often sacrifice space for mobility. If you are planning caravan holidays with families or large groups of friends, then you need to bear in mind the fact that they are less spacious than static caravans.

This compact size does mean that they are slightly more affordable to buy up front. Having said that, you can rack up hefty costs in fuel if you plan to regularly tow.

If you have never towed before, this is something else to consider. Towing can take time to master so you need to be willing to put in practice so you can tow confidently and safely. There are lots of towing courses out there that will be worth booking on to.

If you have the space at home to store your caravan you will be able to save some money as you won’t have to pay storage fees. If you don’t have the space to keep your caravan at home, factor this into your costs when buying a tourer.

Ultimately, touring caravans are ideal for people who enjoy exploring new places at their own leisure. Tourers allow you to decide last minute you want to get away somewhere, without the stress of finding, booking and paying for accommodation.

Static

Static caravans are ideal for people who have a favourite spot they like to revisit over and over again.

Please be aware that static caravans should only be used for recreational and holiday purposes. Permanent residence is often not in a holiday’s park remit and if you did live in there full time, you would likely be breaching your license agreement.

As static caravans are more permanent living spaces and often have room for all your home comforts, you can easily make them feel like a home away from home. However, with more room comes a bigger price tag upfront. You will also incur annual pitching and maintenance costs which is something to consider if you only plan to use it once or twice a year. You will save money on fuel costs though as they aren’t towable.

Before purchasing a static caravan, you will want to do lots of research into the site where it will reside. Have a look at the fees to see your annual expenses and factor this into the overall cost of buying a static caravan. If you want to visit your static caravan in winter, you will also need to look into parks with 12-month licenses as parks without them have to close over the winter period.

With static caravans you also eliminate the hassle of packing and unpacking each time you go away. Instead, you are able to enjoy the comfort of home with amenities like a fully equipped kitchen, comfortable beds and a cosy living area.

Static caravan parks also often have a fantastic community atmosphere.

However, it is important to be aware that static caravans are harder to sell second hard; the second-hand market for touring caravans is a lot bigger.

Static caravans are ideal for people who have frequent weekend getaways to a single location.

How Many Axles?

If you have settled on a tourer, you will now need consider how many axles you want to be fitted to your caravan. Caravans can be fitted with either a single axle (one pair of wheels) or twin axle (two pairs of wheels).

Single Axle

A single axle will help you manoeuvre once you are on the caravan site. They are easier to tow and cause less wear on your towing vehicle. They also have lower running costs due to being more fuel efficient to tow. However, they may be less stable on the road especially at higher speeds or in windy conditions. Single axel caravans are smaller, meaning they have limited space, so may not be ideal for larger families. Single axles are best if you are beginner at towing and if you have smaller car.

Twin Axle

Larger caravans need twin axles to bear their fully laden weigh as two tyres either side of the caravan give it better grip and stability. Twin axle caravans are heavier so only suitable for large towing cars – always check your car’s towing capacity before buying a caravan. Twin axles distribute weight better making the caravan more stable whilst towing. They are often more spacious too and are better suited for carrying heavy loads and for long-distance travel. They do, however, put more strain on your tow vehicle and can be harder to park and reverse.

If you are new to caravanning and only plan to use your caravan occasionally then a single axle caravan might be best for you. If you want more space and stability for longer trips, then consider a twin axle.

How Many Berths?

The number of berths (beds) you need in your caravan depends on how many people will regularly use it, as well as the level of comfort or flexibility you want.

It firstly depends on how many people will be using the caravan. If you are a solo traveller or a couple, then a 2-berth caravan will be sufficient. If you are small family or group of 4 people, then a 4-berth caravan would be ideal. For larger families or groups of 6 people, than a 5 or 6 berth caravan is better as there will be more sleeping arrangements and living space.

Also consider if you want fixed beds which can take up a lot of space or if you are happy with convertible beds which require setting up nightly, but do maximise daytime space.

Is It Better to Buy New or Second Hand?

Choosing between a new or second hand caravan depends on your budget, preferences and how you plan to use it. You can buy second hand caravans from caravan dealers, private sellers or at auction. When you are buying with a private individual, the rights under the Sale of Goods Act in relation to the quality of the product does not apply meaning you must check you are happy with the caravan before you buy it.

Buying New

If you buy a brand new caravan, it will come with manufacturer warranties meaning peace of mind when it comes to repairs or replacements.

New caravans will also be equipped with the latest technology and feature more modern layouts.

There will be no hidden issues or wear and tear meaning you are less likely to encounter any mechanical or structural problems.

New caravans are obviously much more expensive and, like cars, can lose value quickly. If you are wanting to own caravan for a long time this won’t be an issue as the depreciation cost can be spread over many years.

Buying Second Hand

Second hand caravans are cheaper to buy upfront and you can avoid the sharp depreciation of a new caravan. You will also have access to discontinued models or unique layouts that are no longer in production. However, older models are likely to lack modern comforts like USB ports or energy efficient heating.

Previous owners may also include extras such as awnings in the sale.

You do risk wear and tear, and may inherit issues like damp, mechanical problems or outdated appliances. Make sure to thoroughly check for damp, chassis condition, electrics and the appliances.

Check It Isn't Stolen

When you are buying second hand you will want to do some checks to verify that it hasn’t been stolen. Look out for signs of damage around the hitch, on the wheel rims or on the tyres as this may suggest a security device has been forcibly removed.

It is worth also asking the seller to show you any receipts or documents that relate to the ownership or servicing, including caravan registration and identification.

If you are asked to view the caravan away from the seller’s house or away from an authorised storage compound then it would be right to be suspicious.

Also check the Central Registration and Identification Scheme number (CRiS) to identify whether the caravan has been reported as stolen as well as the age of newer caravan models. You can also see if there are any outstanding finance payments. Check the details of the CRiS registration document align with the number on the caravan. Be sceptical of any caravan built in the UK after 1992 that does not have an obvious CRiS identification number.

When choosing between buying a new or used caravan, you need to consider how much you can afford including maintenance and potential repairs. If you are new to caravanning, then a second hand caravan can help you learn what you want and need in a caravan to suit you. Then once you become more experienced you might decide to upgrade to a new caravan that suits your preference best.

Consider Tow Vehicle Compatibility

Before committing to buying a caravan you need to check your vehicle’s towing capacity and match it to the caravan’s maximum technically permissible laden mass (MTPLM).

Learn more about tow vehicle compatibility in our How to Tow a Caravan guide.

Additional Considerations

You also need to consider key features that match your lifestyle:

• Kitchen: Does it have the necessary cooking facilities for your needs?
• Bathroom: Do you want it to be fully equipped or are you happy to have basic facilities?
• Storage: Is there enough space to store all your luggage, food and day-to-day essentials?

Things to Budget For

When working out a budget for buying a caravan, there are things you must consider beyond the upfront cost of it. You need to also factor in the following:

• Servicing and maintenance
• Accessories (awnings, levelling blocks)
• Campsite fees
• Fuel costs

Final Thoughts

Before purchasing your new caravan, it is important to test-drive several models to evaluate how they tow. It’s also a chance to determine if the layout will suit your needs. If you are considering a static caravan, pay close attention to its layout, the site it is located on, nearby attractions and the level of security offered by the site.

Once you have decided which one you will buy, insure your new static or touring caravan with us! Protect your new investment against theft, accidental damage and natural disasters such as storms, fires, and floods. Get peace of mind with our coverage today!