Buying a secondhand caravan can be a smart way of making your budget stretch further - and of taking less of a hit on depreciation. But as with any big purchase, it’s important to go into the buying process with eyes wide open.If you’re new to caravanning, it can be useful to have a seasoned caravan owner on hand to help identify any potential red flags. Equally, you need to know the right questions to ask. So whether you’re considering buying from a dealer or private seller, here are 10 of the questions to put forward as you look at each of the units on your shortlist.
Buying a new caravan is a big decision. It is not uncommon to see “nearly new” caravans on dealers’ forecourts (traded-in within a few months of purchase), simply because the buyer didn’t take the time to weigh up the pros and cons of the particular caravan model to ensure it best suited their needs and intended use.
How do you go about choosing your ideal caravan?
UK caravan manufacturers’ new vans do offer a good choice of layouts, specification - and importantly, caravan construction methods (that aim to reduce the caravan’s weight and minimise the possibility of any “water ingress”)....
VW’s official camper – the California SE – is the UK’s top-selling campervan hitting sales of over 500 a year. Stuart Craig finds out why.
Unless you are very new to the world of motorhomes and campers, you’ll know that the California is Volkswagen’s original full factory-designed campervan and the only one made by VW themselves.
But what makes it such a desirable machine? Could it be VW’s unrivalled heritage of campervans? Could it be the car-like standards of build quality and refinement? Or could it be the ingenious use of every inch (or shou...
There are great choices in holiday homes from just £15,000.
Owning a holiday caravan in your favourite locality can be a worthy investment. “We want a holiday property which we can invest in”. A familiar statement from many families looking at holidays in the UK and wanting one that will offer value and can be used whenever they choose. Let us introduce you to the static caravan. Well actually that term went out with gas lamps and two- burner stoves! Holiday homes as they are now referred to, reflecting the modern sophisticated units they are.
Before choosing your touring caravan, there are steps you may need to take in order to pass certain rules and regulations that enable you to tow. Then you’ll have to decide on exactly what you want from your caravan, thinking about layout, size, style and service cost. Sounds overwhelming? Read on and we’ll help you make the right decision.
What can I tow?
If you have a 4x4 or large estate, you should be able to tow anything available in the UK. If not, you’ll need to workout what it will legally and safely be able to pull.
The key figures here are your car’s kerbweight and the carav...
Looking to buy a previously owned motorhome? Why not start with a list? Once you’ve determined your budget and preferred layout, just list the features and fittings you want in your ideal motorhome – then decide whether you consider them essential or just desirable.For help choosing the right layout for you, check out our handy guides to the best motorhome layouts for families and the most suitable motorhome layouts for couples.
We’re assuming you know what type of motorhome you want (panel van conversion or coachbuilt, up to American RV), as well as what your driving licence entitles y...
Given the choice available, it helps if you know the make you want.Thinking of taking the plunge and buying a brand new motorhome? Read on, because the following might not only save you thousands of pounds, it could give you a whole lot more peace of mind.
Do your motorhome research
Unlike caravans, there is a massive choice of motorhome out there, so you need to be extra aware of the make and model you want and what exactly you are getting for your money. Information is king, at every point of your purchase journey.
Regular reading of the specialist motorhome magazines such as MMM, P...
