In order to end up with the caravan best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.
Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of caravans are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in a caravan.
Researching the Market: Caravan essentials
The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the caravan market. The range of options can seem daunting, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:
Legal Towing Size and Weight: One of the first things you need to establish is the maximum allowable weight that your vehicle can legally tow. This figure will determine the type and size of caravan that you should actually buy. If the maximum allowable towing weight for your vehicle is too low for most caravans, you might have to consider replacing your vehicle or upgrading your vehicle's towing capacity. If your vehicle is capable of towing several models, you'll have to decide on the length of the caravan. As a rule, longer caravans weigh more and thus are more difficult to handle. However, longer caravans tend to be more comfortable and they can accommodate more people.
Vehicle Capabilities: Another consideration is your vehicle's ability to sufficiently handle the extra weight. For example, if you're going to be travelling over mountainous terrain, make sure that your vehicle has the power and the extra capacity to pull a heavy caravan up long hills. The caravan dealer should be able to give you a feel for the practical limits of your vehicle.
Van Capacity: Most manufacturers will advertise a caravan as being capable of handling a specific number of people. Hence, if you plan on taking along five adults and one child, you wouldn't want a caravan built for two. The biggest limiting factor, as a practical matter, is the number and type of available beds. Some manufacturers count beds that are so small and uncomfortable, only a small dog could sleep on them. Make sure that the caravan can handle people comfortably. Also, remember that most people like a private bathroom, even when camping, so make sure the bathroom has a real door.
Hard Body or Pop-ups: One of the primary distinctions among caravans is the manner in which they're designed. Fully enclosed units (with a hard shell body) tend to be larger, heavier, easier to set up, and more expensive. Pop-up units (called pop-up campers) are usually smaller, lighter, harder to set-up, and less expensive. In addition, multiple slide-outs (expanding rooms) available in fully enclosed models are beginning to reduce the significance of length as a measure of comfort. In fact, many 'smaller' models are actually roomier than longer models because of slide-outs.
Conventional vs. Toy hauler: One of the hottest trends in caravans is the growing popularity of toy haulers or SURVs (sport utility RVs). These caravans look like conventional models except they have an open area in the back that is used for storing all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, and other similar “toys”. Access to the storage area is via a large rear door that doubles as a loading ramp. The floor is typically durable rubber with multiple tie-down rings for securing the equipment. Many include fold-down beds in the storage area.
Interior Amenities: Look carefully at the type of interior amenities available in the caravan. Some install very basic amenities such as chemical toilets, dorm-sized refrigerators, vinyl flooring, and near-useless kitchens. Others use high-quality appliances, solid counter tops, flat screen TVs, luxurious flooring, and leather furniture. It all depends on your taste, needs, and budget.
Major Accessories: Major accessories like air conditioning, an AC generator, satellite TV, levelling jacks, and a washer and dryer may seem excessive, but if you spend serious amounts of time in your caravan, they will prove to be essential.
Researching your needs: Questions to ask yourself
Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a caravan. For example, will you use the caravan only on an occasional holiday, or are you thinking about living in a caravan permanently as you travel your country?
You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.
| Have I used a caravan before? |
| | If you have used a caravan, work out what you did or didn't like about the caravan. You may be looking for one exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient. |
| How will I be using the caravan? |
| | Think about how often you will be using your caravan - for weekend trips only or for extended holidays. You might expect to live in your caravan for long periods of time - if so, you would probably be staying in campgrounds with water and electricity. |
| Who will be staying in the caravan? |
| | Consider if anyone is disabled. Think about how many (and what size) beds you will need. |
| What type of caravan can my vehicle handle? |
| | Caravans are generally categorized on the basis of their gross weight. |
| What type of vehicle will be used to tow my new caravan? |
| | Consider how much weight your vehicle can legally tow, and what the maximum amount of weight is that your hitch can handle. |
| What level of comfort am I seeking? |
| | You might require electricity - air conditioning and television could be important. The type of floor covering you want (carpet or tile) is also significant. |
| What about set-up requirements? |
| | Some caravans are self-enclosed units that are quite straightforward to set up. On the other hand, other models have relatively complicated set up requirements that must be carried out whenever you arrive or get ready to leave a campground. |
| How much can I afford to spend? |
| | Fortunately, most caravans are affordable. There are high-end models that can match the price of a luxury home, but these are the exception, not the norm. The actual price that you'll pay for a new caravan will usually be based on the manufacturer, the model, the size, and the type of accessories installed. Relevant questions include: How often will you actually be using your caravan? How much cash can you put down? What kind of monthly payment can you afford? Can you qualify for a low interest loan? Are interest rates currently high or low? Is the dealer (or manufacturer) offering any incentives? How much will the caravan cost to register and insure? |
Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.
Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of caravans and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.
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