By following these tips for buying used caravans on a budget, you can help to ensure you walk away with a high quality van that meets your needs entirely:
- Size really does matter
A lot of people say that size doesn't matter, but this couldn't be further from the truth in terms of a used caravan. You need to take into account the amount of people that your van will need to sleep, as well as the amount of time you will be spending inside it. There is no point in buying a used van that sleeps 2 people if you plan to travel with 3 kids. In the same way, there is no point in buying a used caravan that requires you to fold down the table to make the bed if you will be living in the van for months at a time. - Check it inside and out
Whenever you go to view a used caravan, you need to ensure that you meticulously check it over inside and out, as this will lower the chances of any little problems or damage slipping through. Check the quality of the seals around the doors and windows (as well as the quality of the doors and windows themselves), check that the gas and electrical systems are in full working order, and check that there is no damp present in any area of the van. - You need the handbook and service history
If someone has looked after their used caravan as well as they have claimed to, they will be able to provide you with the van's handbook and all the relevant service history documents. With this documentation, you will be armed with all the knowledge you need to ensure that you are making a well-informed purchase (such as, whether the van has ever been in an accident or broken into).
Owning a used caravan can change the way that a struggling family holidays forever – when you were once only able to afford a family holiday a few times a year, you can suddenly go whenever you feel like it. And remember, when buying on a budget price is not the only thing you should be looking at.