Caravan Buying Guide

A caravan is the perfect partner for holidaymakers who want a home away from home. Whether it’s a short weekend trip or a full-fledged adventure across the Australian outback, there’s a caravan that can make your journey more convenient and comfortable.  

Want to buy a caravan but don’t know where to start? Use the caravan guide below to help you find the ideal leisure vehicle for your holiday! 

Before you buy a caravan: How do you set a budget? 

Buying a caravan isn’t as simple as picking one up from the store. It’s a serious and likely expensive purchase that needs a lot of consideration. Here are some things you need to do before you start caravan shopping: 

Review your finances thoroughly 

Look into your finances to figure out how much you can afford to spend on a caravan. Evaluate your current savings, income, monthly expenses, and outstanding debt to work out a comfortable price range. If you’re having trouble making sense of your finances, getting advice from a professional could be a good idea. 

Getting a pre-approved caravan loan can help you figure out a suitable budget. With pre-approval, the lender will let you know how much you could potentially borrow making it easier to work out a good price range. 

Think about your running expenses 

Aside from the initial caravan purchase price, you must also think about running expenses and maintenance costs. You’ll have to pay for insurance, registration fees, stamp duty, and more. Caravans also require more upkeep compared to your standard sedan, so you need to include those costs when establishing a budget. 

A caravan’s sale price may fit your budget perfectly, but the loan repayments and maintenance costs can be more than what your monthly budget allows. You need to find a caravan that fits perfectly within your financial means to avoid overspending. 

Choosing a caravan: What should you keep in mind? 

Caravans come in different shapes, sizes, and layouts. Finding one that suits your needs best can be a challenge when you have so many options. When deciding on the perfect caravan, consider how often you’ll be using it, where you plan on taking it, and what amenities you need. 

Different types of caravans 

Different caravans serve different purposes. Finding one that suits your needs is important. Below are some of the most common caravan types: 

• Classic caravan or regular caravan – This is a basic caravan with four walls and a full-height roof. Length varies per model but can go up to 10 metres and comes with one or two axles. It typically has all the basic amenities such as sleeping areas, cooling and heating systems, cooking appliances, as well as toilet and shower facilities. 

• Off-road caravan – This caravan, as the name suggests, is great for holidaymakers who want to go off the beaten path. Off-road caravans have extra suspension and higher chassis to support rougher terrains. 

• Pop-top and pop-out caravans – These caravans have mechanisms that can be folded in or out when they’re not being towed. Pop-top caravans have a folded roof that you can extend while pop-out caravans have a foldable side. Caravans like these are easy to store because of their smaller size. 

• Fifth wheeler – A large caravan that’s usually equipped with spacious living areas and luxury amenities. Because of its size, you’d need a powerful vehicle to tow it.  

Caravan layouts, sizes, and amenities 

The number of people using the caravan will play a big role in the layout and size. The bigger the caravan, the more people that can fit in it. You need to ensure that everyone has ample space to move around and feel comfortable.  

If you’re a solo traveller, having a light and compact caravan would be great. Meanwhile, bigger groups travelling long periods at a time would require a larger caravan with a spacious layout and complete amenities would make more sense. 

When it comes to amenities, you have to consider your budget. Usually, more amenities mean a more expensive caravan. Make a list of non-negotiables and filter out your caravan options from there. 

Note your garage size and the towing capacity of your vehicle 

Consider the size of the caravan and the size of your garage. Ensure that you’ll be able to store it properly to lessen the wear and tear when not in use.  

Double check the towing capacity of your vehicle and make sure it can comfortably pull the caravan of your choice. If not, you may have to rent a towing vehicle which can add to your overall expenses. 

Buying a caravan: How do you get caravan finance? 

Once you’ve found the perfect caravan, it’s time to buy it. Here are a few tips to help you find a good caravan loan: 

Compare caravan loans 

The ideal caravan loan is one that fits your financial needs perfectly. Ideally, you want a loan that has a competitive interest rate and flexible loan terms. Here are a few different kinds of caravan loans: 

• New caravan loans – for those buying brand new caravans. 

• Used caravan loans – for those buying second-hand caravans. 

• Private caravan loans – for those buying used or second-hand caravans through a private sale. 

• Refinance caravan loans – for those with existing caravan loans who want to refinance. 

Use an online caravan loan calculator 

An online caravan loan calculator can help you better understand your potential loan repayments. You’ll see how much the interest rate, payment frequency, deposit, and other factors affect the repayment amount and the total cost of your caravan loan.  

Apply for caravan finance at loans.com.au  

If you’re looking for low interest caravan finance, loans.com.au offers plenty of options to choose from! Apply online and get approval within days or get in touch with us by calling 13 10 90! 

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