Ultimate caravan buying guide

How do I get the best price from a dealer? Do I really need an off-road caravan? How can I avoid buying a lemon? Aluminium/timber or fibreglass construction -- which is best?

There are countless things to consider when buying a caravan, and as one of the biggest investments you’re likely to make, any caravan purchase shouldn’t be taken lightly.

We've published a number of articles aimed at first timers as well as experienced ‘vanners, offering helpful tips designed to make the buying experience both easier and less stressful.

The relevant articles are listed below in various categories, to make it easier to find the right advice for your buying situation. Good luck!

What type of van?

Is an off-road van worth it?
- When is a so-called off-road caravan, really suitable for off-road travel?

The truth about off-road caravans
- Some ‘off-road’ caravans are not really meant to leave the bitumen for long

Should you buy a composite caravan?
-  Why your next caravan should have one-piece walls, roof and floor

To pop or not?
- Pop-top caravans remain popular but they’re not always the best option

Which caravan construction is best?
- Caravan bodies are divided roughly into two types, aluminium/timber and composite, but which is better?

Caravan chassis explained
- Everything you wanted to know about caravan chassis but were afraid to ask

Are aluminium caravan frames better?
- Are aluminium frames better than timber or full composite?

Single or double beds?
- You don’t have to be a solo traveller or of a certain age or inclination to go single

Top-10 caravan conveniences
- Age and health are no barrier to a long caravanning life, thanks to the latest travel tech

How to heat your caravan
- What’s the best way to heat your camper - electric, diesel or gas?

RV battery and solar guide
- All you need to know about 12V power in your RV

Changing face of caravan interiors
- Old-world or new-age caravan décor – where do you stand?

Choosing a caravan awning
- Awnings can more than double your van’s sheltered living space but they're not all the same

Is wireless RV tech a smart move?
- Smartphone Apps can make life easier on the road, but is it really camping?

The lowdown on caravan toilets
- It’s the topic that most divides travellers, but there are other issues to be flushed out

Do you need air suspension?
- It smooths out the ride on your RV but is it worth the extra cost?

Top-5 caravan tow hitches
- What are the best all-round tow couplings on the Australian market?

Top tips for beginners

First caravan buyers guide
- What you need to consider before purchasing your first caravan

Biggest caravan buying mistakes
- Choosing the right rig will save you big dollars you can spend on your travels

How to avoid paying too much
- Wanna save a few bucks when buying a new van?

Hidden costs of caravanning
- Make sure you budget for all the extras when buying a caravan

How to avoid a caravan crash
- Ten tips to help you stay out of trouble when driving a big rig

Why are there so many caravan makers?
- How come there are less than half the number of car brands in Australia than caravan builders?

A few good options

Top-10 family caravans
- Family buyers are spoilt for choice when it comes to kid-friendly caravans and hybrid campers

Top-10 off-road caravans
- Some of the best off-road caravans in the world are built in Australia

Top-5 small caravans
- Easy to store and light to tow, small caravans are gaining traction

Top-5 teardrop campers
- These Aussie-built mini vans are hard to resist

Top-10 hybrid campers
- Looking for a hybrid camper? Here are some good options...

Top-10 priciest caravans
What are Australia’s most expensive caravans?

Top-10 box campers
- Compact and lightweight, hard-walled box campers are growing in popularity

Top-10 toy haulers
- No need to leave the toys at home with these multi-purpose campers and caravans

Avoiding a lemon

How to avoid a lemon
- Make sure your new caravan buying experience is sweet and not sour

Quiz dealer to avoid buying a lemon
- If the RV dealer isn't prepared to answer tough questions,, buyers should walk away...

A question of quality
- Why should you pay $60,000-plus for a caravan that’s poorly finished?

The truth about RVMAP
- It’s the industry ‘seal of approval’ but what does it mean and is it worth it?

Other things to consider

Do you need an extended caravan warranty?
- New caravan warranties are getting longer, but what are you actually covered for?

How to prevent caravan theft
- You need to take action to stop a thief from stealing your pride and joy

Do you need caravan protection?
- We test RVGard,caravan exterior protection in the dusty Outback

Getting covered
- Having the right RV insurance can make all the difference

FAQs: RV buying and COVID-19
- Shopping for an RV during the coronavirus pandemic

How to modify your caravan
- The pros and cons of upgrading or adding extra features to your caravan

How fit a caravan mover
- Step-by-step guide to installing a remote control, wheel-driven caravan mover

Why you should get an RV safety check
- Many caravanners are surprised to learn their rig is either unsafe or illegal

How to stay connected in the Outback
- There are a few options when it comes to communications in remote regions.

Buying used?

Buy used, not abused
- Buying a second-hand van can save you money but you still need to do your homework

Should you restore an old caravan?
- Old vans are cheap and look cool but are they worth restoring?

Top-20 used camper buying tips
- There are a few things to consider when buying a pre-loved camper trailer

Safety and legal issues

The truth about overweight caravans
- Queensland mobile weighing specialist sheds light on overweight caravan epidemic

The truth about overloading
- How much weight can you really tow when loaded up for a holiday?

The truth about caravan Tare weight
- How can you really know what your caravan weighs unloaded

Is your caravan legal?
- Experts believe around 90 per cent of caravans and campers sold aren’t fully legal

A weighty issue
- Why are Australian caravans so heavy and do they need to be?

Once you’ve bought it

How to choose a tow vehicle
- These are a few things you need to consider before buying a tow vehicle

How to upgrade your tow vehicle
- There are various ways to enhance your tow vehicle's performance and durability

Caravan newbie survival guide
- 10 tips to help keep you out of trouble in your first year of caravanning

How to avoid a roll-over
- 10 top tips to help keep your van’s shiny side up

Are you towing illegally?
- Towing laws differ across states, and there can be big fines if you break them

Should you share your caravan?
- We chat with the boss of Camplify, the self-proclaimed Airbnb for caravans, to get some answers

How to store you caravan
- Your mobile holiday ‘home’ will deteriorate when it’s not used without your help

Top-5 towing myths
- Don’t believe everything you hear about towing a caravan

Trailer laws explained
- Get up to speed with the latest towing requirements for caravans

Do you need a caravan cover?
- There are a few options for protecting your van when it's not being used

How much does a caravan service cost?
- What you should get done and what you should pay to service your RV

Lemon caravans and the law
- What to do if you’re stuck with a poor quality caravan

How to avoid running out of money
- Ten ways to stretch your travel dollars and stay on tour longer.

How to avoid a breakdown
- Steps you can take to avoid being stranded on holiday.

Top-5 tyre saving tricks
- Some tips on how to make your van’s tyres last the distance.

Caravan alternatives

Fifth-wheeler versus caravan
- Should we all be towing fifth-wheelers instead of caravans?

Buying a camper trailer
- In the market for your first tent trailer? Read this before handing over your hard-earned...

FAQ: Slide-ons
- Thinking about splashing out on a slide-on RV? Here are some important points to ponder…

Should you builid a DIY caravan?
- It's never been easier to build your own caravan but there are still traps for the unwary

Build a DIY camper for less than $5000
- A DIY camper project is cheaper and easier than you think

Why you should buy a motorhome
- Caravans easily outsell motorhomes in Australia, but are they really the better option?