Preface  So, who loves the great outdoors? There is no better feeling than getting away to your favourite camping spot or caravan park and let all the worries of the world disappear and feel your stresses melt away. Imagine the feeling of hitching up your new caravan to the back of the car and taking off on a new adventure, creating some amazing memories.  In this eBook I cover some handy tips and what you need to know when looking for your new caravan. The information I explain are from questions I’ve been asked by people just like you while working in both the Finance and Caravan Industry.  If you’re able to buy a caravan or you’ve been thinking about getting one don’t put it off any longer and buy one, you won’t regret it. We live in one of the best countries in the world and there is so much to see and do. Caravanning is for all age groups young and old, for families and couples and everyone in between.  I love seeing the happiness people have when they pick up their new pride and joy knowing I’ve played a part in putting a big smile on their face. If you have any questions after reading this, please feel to contact me via email, nathan.taylor@foxfinancegroup.com.au.     Yours in Camping.  

Nathan Taylor         

What to know when buying a Caravan 

With so much choice out there today, it’s easy to become overwhelmed when trying to buy your first caravan. It’s important to be armed with all the information to make the right decision as it’s a big investment, so you want to make sure you’re getting it right the first time. 

Where do you plan to go in your new van? 

This may seem like a silly question however it’s one of the most important things you need to ask yourself, as the set up you may need will greatly depend on what type of caravanning, you’re going to be doing. There is a big difference between staying in caravan parks right through to free camping and of course full off-road camping. This affects decisions including the type of suspension and wheels, the amount of batteries and solar panels, the amount of water you hold, the need of a grey tank, the type of fridge (3 way or compressor) and much more. From Big 4 Caravan Parks with the kids around the country to off the highway on to the dirt roads of Cape York or in to the High Country of Victoria we’re so blessed to be able to travel this beautiful country we live in and create a lifetime of memories. 

What vehicle do you have to tow your van? 

Now that you know where you plan to go caravanning you must make sure you have the right size van to tow behind your vehicle. You must remember you’re going to be towing a house on wheels behind your car so its important to be safe and tow legally. Make sure you know what your vehicles towing capacity is then you can decide on the size of van you can start to look at. This is where things can get tricky or even a little confusing, with Tare’s, ATM’s and GVM’s where do you start?  

The combined GCM is the weight between your car and van all fully loaded including all passengers and fuel in the car and water in your van. There is a maximum of 6000kg GCM depending on the GVM and towing capacity of your vehicle and the ATM of your van. For example, if your car has a 3000kg GVM, a 3000kg towing capacity and the ATM of your van is 2500kg then the max combined GCM is 5500kg, you must ensure that the weight is dispersed correctly between the two making sure correct weight is in both your car and van. If you have a vehicle GVM of 3000kg, a towing capacity of 3500kg and an ATM of 3500kg you still need to be at a maximum 6000kg GCM. The advantage of having a car and van with these weight limits is you can load up accordingly as you need for travelling while meeting the legal requirements. For those with big vehicles such as a Ford F Truck or a GMC the GCM is higher than the normal 6000kg, so please check the limits to ensure you have the correct information. 

Next is the tare weight which is the weight of your van empty as it comes from the manufacturer and the ATM is the max weight legally allowed once fully loaded. The difference between these two is the pay load, the weight your allowed to legally load up the van with all your food, water, clothes etc. This is important to know as there are some vans out there that have a small pay load and once you put water and the essentials in, you’re not left with room for much else. If you consider one 95 litre water tank is 95kg you will be left with only 205kg for all your extra’s with a van with a 300kg payload compared to a van with a 600kg payload you can have two full water tanks and still be left with 410kg. This is extremely important as you want to be able to take away everything you need to make your caravanning holiday a comfortable and enjoyable experience and most importantly doing it legally and safely. 

Please check with your local Department of Transport to make sure your limits are correct for both your vehicle and van if you’re unsure or have any questions.  

Please see below link to the Queensland Government page on towing caravans. 

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Vehicle-standards-and-modifications/Loads-and-towing/Safe-towing and click on The safe towing guide (PDF, 155 KB) 

On-road Van vs Off-road Van? 

So now you’ve thought about where you want to go and you know the size and weight of the van you can buy, the decision is on-road or off-road?

These two vans can vary in many ways but to start off let’s talk about wheels and suspension. On-road vans usually come with 15 inch wheels and leaf suspension so if it’s bitumen and caravan parks for you, then this is all you need. If you’re looking to explore a little more than you can look at semi-off-road vans with leaf suspension and 16 inch wheels for a little more clearance in case you see a dirt road that you have been told has an amazing campground at the other end. Last on the list are the off-road vans with 16 inch wheels and independent suspension. This is great to explore those secluded destinations and get off the beaten track however please be aware this adds more weight.   

The usual on-road pack comes with one solar panel (150 watt), one battery (100 amp), one water tank (95L) and a 3-way fridge (gas, 12-volt, 240-volt). Obviously, this is all you need if you plan to be going to parks and connected to water and power while on your holidays.   

If you’re looking for more adventure and going off the grid than the off-road pack is your go to. You’ll need a minimum of two solar panels (300 watts), two batteries (200 amps), 2 water tanks (190L), a grey water tank (required for National Parks) and my personal preference of a compressor fridge. A compressor fridge is the same as you have at home and circulates the air around the fridge better keeping things cooler and food fresher. Compressor fridges are noticeably colder than a 3-way fridge while running in tropical climates and high temperatures. The only disadvantage is not being able to run on gas however with the correct amount of solar and batteries you won’t have any dramas as they draw very little power.   

Lastly is the type of hitch with running a standard hitch on an on-road van or a D035 hitch on an off-road van. The D035 hitch gives a better range of motion while towing over varying terrain you’ll find while driving off-road. 

 

See below link for information on suspension. 

https://rvdaily.com.au/the-facts-behind-caravan-suspension/ 

 

The Caravan Layout 

The layout of the van doesn’t really differ too much in design with options of front door or rear door entry, east west or north south bed, full ensuite, combo toilet and shower or no ensuite at all, club lounge, café style or L shape lounge, all these things are personal preferences as anything can usually be done depending on the size of the van you want. Speak to the Dealer and let them know what you’re looking for and find the right layout for you. Pick your colours and all your extras you need so you’re ready to go. One suggestion I would make is hold off on buying the walls for the annex, you would be surprised on how many vans get traded in with annex walls that have never been used. Go and use your van a few times and see if you need the walls. 

Two big debates 

There are two big debates out there when it comes to caravans and this comes down to who you ask to get the answer. Question 1, Timber vs Aluminium and Question 2, Dual Axle vs Single Axle. Both questions have pros and cons on both sides of the debates and the answers will vary depending on who you ask. The best advice I can give is do your research when it comes down to timber vs aluminium to ensure your making the right decision for your needs. There are many things to consider including weight, strength and construction and finally it comes down to cost and getting the best value for your money. Dual axle vs single axle really depends on the size of the van and again a weight issue with dual axle obviously creating more weight. Some people say they prefer the dual axle in case they get a flat while driving while others say otherwise. The jury is still out on these two debates, so I’ll leave you to make your own conclusions with these. 

 

Choosing the right Dealer 

One of the many great things about living in Australia is we’re spoilt with choice. There are so many caravans out there with so many of them being similar in the way they’re built and how they look. So, if they’re all so similar how do you know which one to buy?   

The answer is the Dealer. Finding the right Dealer is up there as one of the most important decisions you’ll make when buying a van. The reason for this is the after sales service. As I mentioned early in this article, you’re buying a house on wheels and the reality is there is a possibility that something will go wrong. Don’t be concerned with this, your concern should only be whether the dealer will be there for me to make sure your warranty issues are sorted quickly and properly. Just like doing your homework on the van do the same for the dealer and while you’re at it the manufacturer. Go to their Facebook pages and check out their reviews on both the Dealer and Manufacturer, read reviews and most importantly ask lots of questions. A good dealer will always be very helpful and totally transparent in everything they discuss with you. Ask the Dealer if the caravan brand has an owner’s forum that you can jump on and speak to people who are out there using these vans. These people will give you honest feedback good and bad on the van and the Dealer. I can’t stress enough how important it is to have the right Dealer and Manufacturer as this will make all the difference between a great experience and a nightmare. 

Financing your Caravan 

Just like buying the right Caravan you also need to get the right finance deal. There are many different lenders out there which can make it just as tricky as finding the right Dealer. If you have a good relationship with a Broker, you’re in luck as they’ll do all the work to get you the best deal and keep the banks honest. A good broker will explain everything to you every step of the way, educate you around your credit score and make sure you have a great experience throughout the process. Many Caravan Dealers have relationships with Brokers they trust to look after you if needed. Please feel free to contact us to help you arrange the best pre-approval for your caravan at https://www.foxfinancegroup.com.au/caravan-loans.html or to ask any questions. 

Final Thoughts 

Finally, and most importantly buying a Caravan will allow you to have some of the best holidays you could imagine and create memories to last a lifetime. We have such an amazing country to explore so whether it’s a weekend getaway or a lap of Australia I encourage you to do it.   

If you’re buying a van with a big trip in mind, make sure you get it early and do a couple of short trips first to iron out any bugs and get to know your van. This will save you heartache if you set out on your first big adventure and something goes wrong when you’re a long way from your Dealer.   

The last thing to remember is just like a car your caravan requires servicing too so make sure you keep up the service schedule. 

About the Author  Nathan Taylor has a love for the outdoors and everything that goes along with that, whether it’s down at the beach, hiking in the hinterland or holidaying with his family the outdoors is his happy place.  Nathan has been involved in the leisure industry for over 15 years and has a passion for helping clients with a genuine care for their needs while always focusing on providing exceptional service. “Nothing gives me a better feeling than connecting with a customer and giving them a great buying experience throughout their purchase. I love seeing the happiness people have when they pick up their new pride and joy knowing I’ve played a part in putting that big smile on their face”  As the Sales and Marketing Manager of Fox Finance Group Nathan gets to use his skills from years of running successful businesses while developing and growing relationships. He spends some of his weekends working at Caravan and Camping Shows throughout SEQ as his love of helping people find their new pride and joy is as strong as the day he started.