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Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

What do I need to know before buying a caravan?

45 replies

roughedges · 02/10/2023 19:57

Hi all

My husband (and two kids) and I want to look at buying a caravan. We have never owned one before and have always camped. What do we need to know? My husband is nervous about driving with a caravan on the back of the car. Also - do you reverse the caravan onto the drive? Our road is not narrow but not the widest. We want to buy a second hand caravan - how much should we expect to pay for a second hand 4 berth?

Sure we are very naive about the process!
Thank you all!

OP posts:
Hellocatshome · 02/10/2023 20:02

Get towing lessons because its one thing towing the caravan on a motorway but most lovely campsites are on winding country roads and positioning the caravan on site is not as easy as it looks.

Original poster
roughedges · 02/10/2023 20:06

@Hellocatshome that's really helpful - thank you! Do you just google to find these?

OP posts:
Meeting · 02/10/2023 20:12

Check for any signs of damp and avoid like the plague if any is present.

Original poster
roughedges · 02/10/2023 20:13

Got it - thanks @Meeting

OP posts:
MrsMoastyToasty · 02/10/2023 20:14

Check your driving licence lows you to tow a caravan. If you have a newer one it may not.
Look at car:caravan weight ratios.
Get the right towbar fitted- different caravans have different number of pins in the plugs that connect the car electrics to caravan electrics.
Get a motor mover. It turns your caravan into a remote control toy.
Awnings are known as "divorce in a bag" for a reason.

Original poster
roughedges · 02/10/2023 20:16

@MrsMoastyToasty this is so helpful - thank you! It's another world! Can you expand on the awning?

OP posts:
Hellocatshome · 02/10/2023 20:17

roughedges · 02/10/2023 20:06

@Hellocatshome that's really helpful - thank you! Do you just google to find these?

I think so, I know my DF did some possibly something to do with Camping and Caravan club. Also check you are allowed to store it on your drive some houses have covenants in the deeds that prohibit it. You might need to pay for caravan storage.

Bichonmum · 02/10/2023 20:17

Agree with getting a motor mover, really helps moving it into position.

If your getting an awning, buy an air awning. They go up a lot quicker and easier.

Oldthyme · 02/10/2023 20:27

Visit a local dealer.
Look at lots and lots of vans.
Negotiate the price.
Ask lots of questions.
Don't buy in haste.

Understand how the pull out double beds work. Ask for a demo.

Only buy what you can afford. There are thousands of pre loved vans, and you can upgrade later if you like it.
Think about local 3rd party winter storage if you cant get parked on your drive.

If you don’t want to tow, ring some sites and ask about “seasonal pitches.” Leave your van on site all year round.

Think about overnight pitch fees, insurance costs, price of an awning for extra kids’ space?

Visit the NEC caravan and camping show but don’t buy brand new. Caravans really depreciate. https://www.thenec.co.uk/whats-on/motorhome-and-caravan-show/
Join the Caravan Club after you’ve bought your van.

You’ll make some good friends but…
it’s a money pit.

Motorhome and Caravan Show

The Motorhome and Caravan Show is coming to the NEC, Birmingham in October 2023.

https://www.thenec.co.uk/whats-on/motorhome-and-caravan-show/

Oldthyme · 02/10/2023 20:32

Awnings can be “divorce in a bag” cos men swear like mad erecting them and women trying to “help” cower in the corner!
One man, one job.
Leave him to it.

OutlandInland · 02/10/2023 20:38

So many people buy second hand caravans that turn out to be riddled with damp. Consider getting a professional damp check done before buying. It may cost £150 or so but could save you a lot of heartache. Also be very wary buying from selling sites - there are so many caravan scams out there. If it's too good to be true it is. A good site is caravanfinder. You can search by layout and see the different models available. Finally if you are looking to park it on the road then beware that some councils don't allow it.

DivorceInABag · 02/10/2023 20:39

Think carefully about what layout is best for you.

We had to change ours as the 12 year old was too long for his bunk! But upgrading was a bonus for us too as the new one had a fixed bed for us. No more putting our bed away each day to get the table out to eat. This wasn’t a problem abroad as you tend to live outdoors and only go inside to sleep but not so useful in Britain when it throws it down.

If you have pets think about where they’ll sleep too . . . . .

And finally work out what you’ll be doing whilst away. We take bikes and paddle boards so needed racks and storage for them - layout is key!!

Oblomov23 · 02/10/2023 20:48

We have a great air pop up big porch awning, it's fabulous.

Berthatydfil · 02/10/2023 20:49

Check the towing ability of your car to see what weight van can be towed.
Research layouts.

Go to some dealers and get inside some vans to get a feel of layout, what you like, what you don't like etc.

Be careful on eBay or fb marketplace particularly if price is very low or they are insistent on getting a deposit from you without letting you see the van as there are a lot of scammers out there.
Look on the Cris database - this can tell you if van is stolen or if there is finance out standing.
If you aren't buying a new van then consider going to a reputable dealer as you will probably get a warranty against damp or other issues but have a good look in cupboards, under the windows, under the seats etc for damp.
Check the service history to check that its been checked every year by a dealer or authorised agent.

Consider what extras you might need such as awning, motor mover etc and bits and bobs. You can get lots of stuff on Ebay or FB market place.

BayandBlonde · 02/10/2023 20:56

Get a motor mover, its a little gadget that fixes up near the caravan wheel, you can then move the caravan by remote control into position.

Also before you buy try and test the internal battery charger (it will be sited with the CCU under one of the seats) that runs all your 12 volt stuff like lights, hot water, digital tv aerial etc. The chargers generally don't have a long lifespan and some sellers will stick a fully charged battery on so you won't know the charger isn't working until the battery goes flat.

And don't think you can live in it during the winter, you will fucking freeze!!

Last year I sold my Bailey 6 berth twin axle for 8k

carddino · 02/10/2023 20:58

Caravans are the best.

I wouldn't buy now unless you are planning to use it. A winter of worrying about damp.

Buy maybe February march but get a damp report.

Driving licence changed last year so anyone can tow. But I would still recommend a practice or lesson.

Think about what it is you really want.

We had a tourer but actually it was much easier on a seasonal pitch. Especially with young children.

Look at loads. Don't be pushed. It's absolutely a buyers market again, was sellers in and after covid.

Original poster
roughedges · 02/10/2023 21:02

Oldthyme · 02/10/2023 20:32

Awnings can be “divorce in a bag” cos men swear like mad erecting them and women trying to “help” cower in the corner!
One man, one job.
Leave him to it.

Ha - got it! Thanks!!

OP posts:
Original poster
roughedges · 02/10/2023 21:02

Oldthyme · 02/10/2023 20:34

Ah brilliant - thank you!!

OP posts:
Original poster
roughedges · 02/10/2023 21:03

OutlandInland · 02/10/2023 20:38

So many people buy second hand caravans that turn out to be riddled with damp. Consider getting a professional damp check done before buying. It may cost £150 or so but could save you a lot of heartache. Also be very wary buying from selling sites - there are so many caravan scams out there. If it's too good to be true it is. A good site is caravanfinder. You can search by layout and see the different models available. Finally if you are looking to park it on the road then beware that some councils don't allow it.

Ah that's really helpful - thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
roughedges · 02/10/2023 21:03

DivorceInABag · 02/10/2023 20:39

Think carefully about what layout is best for you.

We had to change ours as the 12 year old was too long for his bunk! But upgrading was a bonus for us too as the new one had a fixed bed for us. No more putting our bed away each day to get the table out to eat. This wasn’t a problem abroad as you tend to live outdoors and only go inside to sleep but not so useful in Britain when it throws it down.

If you have pets think about where they’ll sleep too . . . . .

And finally work out what you’ll be doing whilst away. We take bikes and paddle boards so needed racks and storage for them - layout is key!!

I hadn't really thought about this - thank you very much

OP posts:
Original poster
roughedges · 02/10/2023 21:04

Berthatydfil · 02/10/2023 20:49

Check the towing ability of your car to see what weight van can be towed.
Research layouts.

Go to some dealers and get inside some vans to get a feel of layout, what you like, what you don't like etc.

Be careful on eBay or fb marketplace particularly if price is very low or they are insistent on getting a deposit from you without letting you see the van as there are a lot of scammers out there.
Look on the Cris database - this can tell you if van is stolen or if there is finance out standing.
If you aren't buying a new van then consider going to a reputable dealer as you will probably get a warranty against damp or other issues but have a good look in cupboards, under the windows, under the seats etc for damp.
Check the service history to check that its been checked every year by a dealer or authorised agent.

Consider what extras you might need such as awning, motor mover etc and bits and bobs. You can get lots of stuff on Ebay or FB market place.

Wow - I hadn't thought of this - thank you for the tip

OP posts:
Original poster
roughedges · 02/10/2023 21:05

BayandBlonde · 02/10/2023 20:56

Get a motor mover, its a little gadget that fixes up near the caravan wheel, you can then move the caravan by remote control into position.

Also before you buy try and test the internal battery charger (it will be sited with the CCU under one of the seats) that runs all your 12 volt stuff like lights, hot water, digital tv aerial etc. The chargers generally don't have a long lifespan and some sellers will stick a fully charged battery on so you won't know the charger isn't working until the battery goes flat.

And don't think you can live in it during the winter, you will fucking freeze!!

Last year I sold my Bailey 6 berth twin axle for 8k

This is really helpful - thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
roughedges · 02/10/2023 21:06

carddino · 02/10/2023 20:58

Caravans are the best.

I wouldn't buy now unless you are planning to use it. A winter of worrying about damp.

Buy maybe February march but get a damp report.

Driving licence changed last year so anyone can tow. But I would still recommend a practice or lesson.

Think about what it is you really want.

We had a tourer but actually it was much easier on a seasonal pitch. Especially with young children.

Look at loads. Don't be pushed. It's absolutely a buyers market again, was sellers in and after covid.

This is really useful - I hadn't thought about the time of year for buying- thank you

OP posts:
needtonamechangeforthis1 · 02/10/2023 21:07

MrsMoastyToasty · 02/10/2023 20:14

Check your driving licence lows you to tow a caravan. If you have a newer one it may not.
Look at car:caravan weight ratios.
Get the right towbar fitted- different caravans have different number of pins in the plugs that connect the car electrics to caravan electrics.
Get a motor mover. It turns your caravan into a remote control toy.
Awnings are known as "divorce in a bag" for a reason.

@MrsMoastyToasty everyone with a car license can tow a trailer. The rules changed during covid and there is no longer any requirement for a trailer test.

That said @roughedges having some lessons and be confident and competent in reversing is essential. I would avoid gadgets like hitch assist movers etc. they make you lazy. Learn to do it properly and learn to reverse.