Price isn't right for many caravan buyers

Many Aussie caravan shoppers are only looking at a handful of brands when deciding on a new model, while overall condition and build quality remain important factors when it comes to the final purchasing decision.

According to a CIL Buyer Survey conducted by caravancampingsales in mid-2025, many buyers consider only three or four brands when looking to purchase a new or used caravan, while the overall condition of the 'van and its perceived durability/quality/reliability, are key criteria when it comes to signing on the dotted line.

When it comes to reasons not to purchase a new 'van, many respondents said finding a suitable model with the right design and style, as well as one that they could afford, are main barriers to purchase.

Hinting at the lengths buyers will go to try and snag a bargain, a majority of respondents (59 per cent) said they were willing to travel interstate to buy a caravan/RV, with the number increasing (to 69 per cent) when they have more than $60,000 to spend.

A number of local caravan dealers we spoke to confirmed the findings of the 2025 CIL Buyer Survey, with price a big factor for many buyers in today’s market according to Parravans Windsor proprietor Steve Edwards.

“The main thing is that the market is price-driven at the moment," Edwards said. "There are two distinctive markets: the price-driven buyer, and those going to their second or third caravans, who are comfortable and can spend $100K or more.”

“The middle market in the $75k to $95k bracket is very hard. There are so many players now.”

Located in Windsor, NSW, Parravans Caravan World sells Melbourne-built Nova and My Dream RV caravans, with prices ranging from $70,000-$140,000, as well as used 'vans.

RV Connection Dealer Principal Adam Walker agreed that price is driving today’s market, more than a caravan’s condition or quality.

“At the minute, it’s price and features. When we lose a sale, it’s to unknown cheaper brands but ones that are feature packed. They have no sales history or quality history," he said.

RV Connection runs three outlets in NSW, retailing well-known caravan brands including Millard, Viscount, Olympic and Franklin, many of which sell in the hyper-competitive $70K-90K bracket.

Edwards said in his experience buyers were more willing to travel interstate for used rather than new caravans, while Walker said he observed a surprising number of buyers willing to travel far for the right 'van.

“They’ll go anywhere. We just did the Queensland show, where we sold to someone from Newcastle, NSW. The caravans are generally cheaper in Victoria, where most of them are made. When I come up against competition, they are generally in Victoria," Walker said.

Both caravan dealers noted that the regional outlets are doing better in sales than their capital city counterparts, with Walker pointing out his just-opened Nowra branch has had more floor traffic than he expected.

Both agreed that most buyers were spending $60,000 or more on a new 'van, but that’s no surprise.  

“The $60K point is very much a base model for a new 'van now,” explained Edwards.

Walker said that buyers are spending more, but that's because new 'vans have gone up in price too.

"We are selling more new 'vans now, that’s true, more than we are second hand ones," he said.

According to the 2025 CIL Buyer Survey, 48 per cent of caravan buyers plan to spend more than $2000 on accessories, with solar panels and batteries the most popular purchases.

Edwards noted that "solar and battery systems are all the buzz at the moment”, while Walker added that: “Nearly every 'van comes standard with solar now. People want to be self-sufficient though, so if necessary they might go for extra solar, because they want to do free camping. A power upgrade, whether it’s solar, batteries or something else, is the most common upgrade. “

Both dealers agreed that dropping a few thousand dollars on accessories, particular for a new caravan was not uncommon.

“Nearly all of them will spend $2k. But it doesn’t take much to add $2k to a caravan," Walker said.