With staycations changing into a popular variety for summer season plans in the UK, buying a caravan is a great way of touring the country and not using a want to employ public delivery. It’s going to give you freedom and luxury – what’s not to love?
With such a large amount of different types and varieties of caravans to choose from, it can be difficult for first-time shoppers to know which one to make a choice. No wish to fear, we’ll solution some of these questions and additional proper right here.
Do I need a high-powered car to tow a caravan?
Not necessarily, even though this relies on the size of the caravan you’d like to shop for.
While you’ve passed a category B test for vehicles and small automobiles after 1st January 1997, you can tow:
- Small caravans weighing no more than 750kg with a car or van that has a maximum accepted mass (MAM) of 3,500kg
- Caravans over 750kg if the combined MAM of your automotive and caravan does no longer exceed 3,500kg
For individuals who passed previous than 1st January 1997, in case you have a category B the use of licence you can tow caravans:
- Weighing up to 750kg MAM with a automotive of up to 3,500kg MAM
- Over 750kg if the combined MAM does no longer exceed 3,500kg MAM
Please understand that the MAM should be measured when each and every automobiles are loaded. While you’d like to tow a caravan with the following MAM, you’ll wish to move a car and trailer the use of test.
What to consider when buying your first caravan
When making a larger achieve, like a caravan, you’ll want to do your research and consider the elements that you simply’re on the lookout for. You are going to have already got an idea of the associated fee degree, structure, and additional amenities you wish to have, then again there are each different questions that you want to ask yourself.
A static or touring caravan?
While you’re interested by buying a caravan you can tow and prepare anywhere, a touring caravan is what you’ll need.
A static caravan should most straightforward be thought to be if you want to holiday within the equivalent place every year or you wish to have to use it as your number one area as it cannot be towed merely by way of your car. Many holiday parks have static caravans to rent/hire so that is always an selection too.
A second-hand or new caravan?
Most new caravanners tend to begin out off with a second-hand caravan as towing a caravan takes reasonably getting used to! A used caravan may even grasp its price for longer than in the event you have been to buy a brand spanking new caravan – very similar to vehicles, a brand spanking new caravan’s price will depreciate as soon as you are taking it off the forecourt.
If when you have children or pets you’d like to take on your journey, a used caravan is also a very good selection. It’s because you almost certainly won’t be so fussed about any small nicks or placed on and tear that can occur.
There are lots of antique caravans chances are you’ll want to invest in then again do know you can wish to put in rather reasonably of TLC to get the caravan in whole working order. It’s worth noting that antique caravan insurance plans can be very reasonably priced.
This isn’t to definitively say new caravans are a bad variety. They’ll come with the newest mod-cons and will have a additional pleasing aesthetic, so, if that’s something you prioritise, it’s worth bearing that all the way through ideas.
A dealer or independent broker?
Buying a caravan via a dealer will ceaselessly get a hold of additional protection than a private sale. You may be able to get a warranty from a dealer, which you almost certainly won’t download in the event you opt for an independent sale. If truth be told, some personal sale provides can be very tempting, then again do understand that if it seems too good to be true, it will merely be too good to be true!
While you do decide to take the private sale route, bear in mind to ship a checklist of areas of the caravan to try, and double-check the bureaucracy you’re confirmed to verify they’re respectable. Give yourself some peace of ideas and pay explicit attention to the areas listed beneath.
What to check when buying a used caravan
There are a variety of not unusual issues found in used caravans that you simply should look out for so as to avoid buying the improper one.
Damp
Caravans are susceptible to damp, maximum regularly because of they’re normally laid up for lots of the wintry climate. Consequently, it’s very important that you simply give the caravan an in depth take a look at for damp before you buy as buying a caravan with damp might lead to further issues like mould or rust.
You’ll be able to take a look at for this by way of each purchasing a humid meter or getting the caravan serviced. Take into account to take readings spherical house home windows, doors and roof lights as the ones areas are most susceptible to damp.
Registration amount and signs of damage and tear: is it stolen?
Sadly, caravan thefts are on the rise in the UK so it’s very important to verify the whole lot about your caravan is above board.
Make sure there are not any signs of damage and tear around the hitch, door locks or house home windows. You’ll have to moreover take a look at the Caravan Registration & Identifications Scheme (CRIS) amount, which is normally displayed on the caravan house home windows and stamped on the chassis. Maximum steadily, if the caravan has been stolen, thieves will take a look at to remove the CRIS as this amount identifies the caravan.
You’ll be able to get a CRIS take a look at to verify the whole lot is bureaucratic. A CRIS take a look at is the business usual background take a look at for pre-owned touring caravans. You do want to pay for it and it takes 6-8 weeks, then again it is going to will will let you know if the automobile was stolen or has ever been written off.
The provider history
You’ll have to moreover take a look at the caravan’s whole provider history. This may occasionally increasingly more have information on any issues the caravan has up to now had with damp, electrics, wheels, brakes and additional.
Best possible imaginable sorts of caravans to buy
If that’s the number one time you’re buying and the use of a caravan, if when you have a large number of questions about which type of caravan is best. The reality of the subject is that this may increasingly vary a very good deal depending on your scenario, family measurement, and the amenities you want.
Single-axle caravans
For one of the crucial segment, single-axle caravans are ceaselessly probably the most inexpensive to buy, then again the ones are smaller and because of this truth normally most straightforward suitable for single folks, {{couples}} or small families. Single-axle caravans additionally don’t seem to be prone to have as so much storage space and might no longer have as many amenities.
It’s going to should be well-known, even though, that as single-axle caravans are normally smaller and lighter, they’re ceaselessly more straightforward to manoeuvre. Consequently, they may be able to be a very good selection for those who are new to caravanning.
Imported caravans
The ones are normally more expensive each and every to buy and insure, so it may not be the best option for first-time shoppers, then again we know how it feels when you fall in love with an American or European caravan and you can’t get it out of your head – without reference to what choice of British caravans you take a look at!
Import tax is another large expense, even though the associated fee varies from country to country. You won’t be able to take a look at the automobile for faults until it’s already imported, in order that is very important to remember too.
While you’re looking to commute this summer season, chances are you’ll want to take a look at other possible choices this time spherical as importing a caravan normally takes longer than in the event you have been to buy one in the UK.
Small two-berth caravans
Most often, the ones are the easiest to keep watch over and are ceaselessly probably the most inexpensive to insure. If truth be told, two-berths won’t art work in case you have a large family, then again they’re great for a couple.
Folding caravans
The ones compact caravans are also rather affordable to insure – we offer very rather priced caravan insurance plans for a few of these different caravan types.
Folding caravans art work in so much the equivalent way as an extraordinary touring caravan, except for they may be able to be “folded” when you’re travelling or when you store your caravan inside the garage.
Once on-site and expanded, they’re ceaselessly fairly sizeable, despite the fact that they don’t always come with toilet facilities. One thing to note is that they do normally take a twinkling of an eye to organize, because of this chances are you’ll no longer be able to get admission to your kitchen facilities while on the boulevard.
How so much is a used caravan to buy?
Caravans don’t will have to be ridiculously expensive, then again their worth will vary depending on a lot of parts. This incorporates the year it was manufactured, its measurement, and its berth (i.e. the volume of people that can sleep in it). Prices may even vary depending on the caravan’s choices.
Common caravan choices
- Each and every caravan kind is unique, then again the most common choices include:
- Between two and six beds
- Shower facilities
- Toilet
- Stovetop
- Sink
- Kitchen art work surfaces
- Fridge
- Microwave
- Space for storing
Should I buy a caravan?
As with the remaining in life, there are execs and cons to buying and proudly proudly owning a caravan that you will wish to weigh to decide if it’s the right variety for you.
Execs:
- The ability to roam all parts of the UK without the nuisance of booking delivery or resorts
- Once you have your caravan, staycations can transform a lot more cost-effective
- Caravan homeowners are very crew driven and you can meet many new friends during your journeys
- While you don’t use your caravan in all seasons, you can rent it out to get some extra money
- Pet owner? You’ll in no way have to worry about pet-friendly accommodation another time with a caravan
Cons:
- Travelling in a caravan isn’t completely free, there are maintenance costs and internet web site fees to pay for
- Towing caravans can be tough and it would be best to observe. You may additionally need a better car to do it
- Caravans do have limited storage so you will have to be careful with packing
- If your caravan has a bathroom, you are going to possibly have to empty it at different spots
- Pitching a caravan can take some time, in particular in the event you’re new to it
Best possible imaginable first caravans to buy
Now that we’ve run via the whole lot you’ll have to learn about your first caravan, now it’s time to buy one. On the other hand which should you choose? With a big selection of caravans available, it can be difficult to decide. We’ve put together a listing of the best first caravans you can acquire.
Best possible imaginable small caravan underneath 750kg: Freedom Caravans
Desire a small caravan underneath 750kg so you can tow it without getting another licence? Freedom Caravans are a very good selection.
Price when buying new: £13,995-£25,995
Used worth: £8,995-£20,995
Freedom Caravans advertise a variety of small caravans, most of that experience won awards inside the lightweight trailer magnificence. The majority of Freedom Caravan models have an unladen weight beneath 750kg, then again you nearly wouldn’t understand how compact the ones caravans are as they’re packed full of choices.
Take the Freedom Jetstream Twin Sport (two-berth), for instance. The caravan has an unladen weight of 700kg, but it surely incorporates the following items as usual:
- Oven/Grill
- Fridge
- Hob
- Kitchen and bathroom taps
- Toilet
- Shower
- Overhead lockers
- Phase-length fabric cupboard
- Seating house, which can be reworked to each:
- 2x single beds, or 1x super-king sized double
While you’re travelling alone or as a couple, you’d be hard-pressed to find a comfier caravan than one from Freedom Caravans.
Best possible imaginable caravan for newcomers: L. a. Mancelle Fantaisy 360 CL
While you didn’t have a family caravan on your early life, the L. a. Mancelle Fantaisy is for you. Simple then again top quality, this small caravan is discreet to tow and gives all the usual comforts you wish to have from your first caravan.
Price when buying new: Starting from £27,995
Used worth: Previously purchased for spherical £25,995-£27,995
It sleeps 3 and, for a smaller caravan, has a spacious design – the structure is a fan favourite section that makes this a popular variety. The design makes it a captivating selection for more youthful families.
Models may include:
- Combined gasoline oven and grill
- TV pre-equipped
- Electric swivel cassette toilet
- Combined shower & swivel washbasin
- Two-burner hob
- Exterior BBQ
- Stainless steel tank
Best possible imaginable caravan for {{couples}}: Elddis Affinity 520
There aren’t many caravans additional unexpected than the Elddis Affinity 520.
Price when buying new: Starting at £29,499
Used worth: Starting at £19,495
Described as a ‘luxurious couple’s retreat’, the 520 is beautifully designed with numerous storage and other choices. This 2-berth caravan offers a sumptuous look without the associated fee tag and it’s moreover lightweight.
The caravan incorporates:
- Mixture oven, grill and dual gas hob
- Microwave with microwave isolation switch
- Audio gadget and TV problems
- Completely bonded roof
- Electric flush toilet & heated towel rail
- Kitchen locker doors with concealed catches
Best possible imaginable used caravans: Swift Challenger 570 and Bailey Pegasus 462
Swift and Bailey are two of the most popular caravan manufacturers, so it’s no surprise that a couple of in their models are great second-hand caravans. What’s additional, used models for the ones two caravans are in abundance and you can to search out some implausible provides in the event you take a look at online steadily.
Swift Challenger 570
Used worth: £7,500 to £14,995
This four-berth caravan is an older kind, then again it’s nevertheless complete of a few great choices and is fairly spacious for the associated fee. Designed with many house home windows, the caravan we could in a large number of natural mild too, which helps make the Challenger 570 look even roomier. Although the design is reasonably out of date compared to the other caravans on this file, it may well be difficult to find a additional rather priced used four-berth.
The Swift Challenger 570 incorporates the following choices:
- End washroom with a tub, toilet & sink
- Rear double bed
- Front living room house can convert into each: 2x singles, or 1x double bed
- Oven and grill
- 4 burned hobs
- Fridge with freezer compartment
- Microwave
Bailey Pegasus 462
Used worth: £7,995-£22,000
As a two-berth, the Bailey Pegasus is a brilliant selection for solo travellers or {{couples}}. Without reference to its compact measurement, the caravan has a large number of seating area, because of this 3 to 4 folks might very easily chill out inside the van at a time.
Although the Pegasus 462 is a fairly out of date kind, it nevertheless has reasonably a large number of amenities that may make your holiday enjoyable. This incorporates:
- Gasoline heater
- Double glazed house home windows
- Grill and oven
- Microwave
- Fridge
- TV aerial
- End washroom with a bathroom and shower
Insuring your new caravan
Once you have picked out the caravan of your objectives, you’ll want the right insurance plans. At Adrian Flux, we will be able to will will let you to search out the appropriate caravan insurance plans protection based on your needs, helping you skip all the fuss. Title us on 0800 369 8590 for a quote or ebook a callback at a time that matches you.
