Dummies' guide to caravan buying

Despite recent headwinds, caravanning has never been more popular in Australia.

Last count there were more than 700,000 registered recreational vehicles in Australia (many of them caravans) -- a figure likely to grow in coming months as flights and overseas holidays are put on hold and Aussies seek 'safer' options closer to home.

But if it's your first caravan, which one should you buy? New or used? Locally-built or imported? Which brand? What design and construction? What accessories do you need? How much should you pay?

And what other things do you need to consider, like safety and towing rules when out on the road?

Before taking the plunge (and to avoid ending up with either the wrong van or one that might cause you headaches), you do need to do some homework and spend a bit of time learning the basics around purchasing and owning a caravan.

Certainly more time than you might when buying a (often cheaper) and less complicated or confusing product like a car.

Here are some 'must-read' and 'must-do' recommendations for any conscientious first-time caravan buyer...

A good starting point for 'newbie' caravanners is an entry-level book or guide that covers the basics of buying and owning a caravan.

One good option is the just-released beginners' guide from well-known RV writer Collyn Rivers, "How to Choose and Buy an RV'. Available in print and digital versions from RVBooks, it's a short and easy read (less than two hours) but covers the basics well.

Another excellent introductory book written a few years ago by another Australian writer but still highly relevant is 'Caravan Buyers Guide' by Andrew Woodmansey.

Some of the best (and free) information is online, including a large number of advice articles aimed at beginners at Caravancampingsales.com.au. The best starting point is this 'Ultimate guide covering a wide range of topics, including 'lemon' caravans.

But if you really want to tick all the buying boxes, spend some time perusing all the detailed advice and checklist guides at the Caravan Council of Australia website.

You don't need a licence or any special training to tow a caravan, but some professional tuition like a one-day towing course is highly recommended if you want to stay safe, protect your investment and fast-track your caravan education.

You can also learn a lot by talking and listening to like-minded and experienced travellers  through either an RV club, or one of the many online forums or special interest groups for caravanners on social media.

Two of the bigger clubs with chapters throughout Australia are The Australian Caravan Club and Caravan and Motorhome Club of Australia, which includes caravan owners.

Talking to chatty caravan owners on the road and at parks is another good way to get your questions answered, as well as gain some inside-knowledge and tips around purchasing a van.

Well before you set off on your first trip, it's also a good idea to do some basic research around your travel plans, including where you're planning to go and stay.

Once again, there's plenty of free information online, including state tourism sites, grey nomad and free camping forums, and full-time families highlighting their day-to-day travels on social media. Just be aware that some of this is undeclared 'paid' content and not always unbiased information.

For those thinking of doing a 'Big Lap', there are some entertaining and informative books written by those who've learnt the hard way, like 'Adventures in Caravanastan' by Greg Bearup and 'Wrong Way Round' by Lorna Hendry.

You can also get a headstart on being a responsible caravan 'citizen' by checking out some of the excellent 'share the road' websites.

Finally, no modern traveller would be without a smart phone app or two, designed to save fuel and money when camping, as well as provide useful assistance with things like levelling your caravan on uneven ground.

Comprehensive printed guides like Camps 10 are also money well spent for those planning to spend a lot of time at cheap or free campsites; as is the cost of annual membership to a large holiday park network like BIG4 for those who plan to frequent caravan parks.

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