If you’re new to caravanning or are finally taking the plunge and buying a caravan, there are a few things you should keep in mind that will save you a lot of hassle in the short (and long) term. Not only is it important that you make sure you choose the right caravan for your needs, but you also need to ensure you have the correct equipment and are fully qualified to use the caravan.
To get a better idea of what caravans are available and what configurations they come in, start paying visits to your local dealerships and second-hand yards. Make sure you’re clear about your needs – how many people will need to sleep in the caravan, what food and water storage will you need, what sort of bathroom and toilet facilities you would prefer, and so on. Although you may be tempted by a cheap deal on a great caravan, you’ll be frustrated later down the line if you can’t fit your family comfortably.
There are a number of well-known and highly regarded caravan makes available in the UK, most of which have dealerships and manufacturers within the UK. Names such as Ace, Bailey, Coachman, Elddis, Sprite and Swift are all popular, and many dealerships and second-hand yards will stock their models.
Aside from purchasing your caravan, you also need to bear in mind the must-have accessories – gas cylinders, cookers, water storage and waste storage. Some caravans will come with these in-built, others will need to be purchased separately.
When it comes to purchasing your chosen caravan many dealerships will offer you finance deals if you can't afford to buy the caravan outright but sometimes they can work out very expensive because of the high APR. Personal loans are worth considering as there are great rates out there at the moment like abbey national at 6.5%, this is much lower than 15% - 20% that some deals will charge.
To get a better idea of what caravans are available and what configurations they come in, start paying visits to your local dealerships and second-hand yards. Make sure you’re clear about your needs – how many people will need to sleep in the caravan, what food and water storage will you need, what sort of bathroom and toilet facilities you would prefer, and so on. Although you may be tempted by a cheap deal on a great caravan, you’ll be frustrated later down the line if you can’t fit your family comfortably.
There are a number of well-known and highly regarded caravan makes available in the UK, most of which have dealerships and manufacturers within the UK. Names such as Ace, Bailey, Coachman, Elddis, Sprite and Swift are all popular, and many dealerships and second-hand yards will stock their models.
Aside from purchasing your caravan, you also need to bear in mind the must-have accessories – gas cylinders, cookers, water storage and waste storage. Some caravans will come with these in-built, others will need to be purchased separately.
When it comes to purchasing your chosen caravan many dealerships will offer you finance deals if you can't afford to buy the caravan outright but sometimes they can work out very expensive because of the high APR. Personal loans are worth considering as there are great rates out there at the moment like abbey national at 6.5%, this is much lower than 15% - 20% that some deals will charge.