Top 10 10 Caravan Buying Tips

Whether you are buying completely new, pre-owned or building your own, educating yourself on the basics of caravanning will take the guess find out of acquiring the right caravan to meet your requirements.

Safety of yourself, your occupants along with other people on the highway whilst travelling is the reason to arm yourself with all the correct information before investing in a caravan. Knowing a few simple tips may also save you 1000s of dollars worth of upgrades as well as modifications down the track.

Ask Yourself:

1) What's your Tow Vehicle Capability?

It's not uncommon to your standard family car to obtain considered under rated, unsafe and even illegal to tow the brand new caravan you would like to purchase. Knowing your tow car capacity or tow rating will help you to decide what fully loaded weight caravan you can safely and legally tow line.

When you know the tow vehicle rating/capacity, think meticulously against about purchasing a caravan very close for a maximum allowable towing weight rating as you can find many different variables that can easily overload you or also de-rate/reduce the specified tow line vehicle rating, this can unintentionally put you in to the 'illegal and unsafe' zone.

The ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass) will be the total weight in kilograms of the fully loaded caravan. The ideal ATM of a caravan is defined by the caravan manufacturer and it is stamped on your caravans recognition plate. To be safe ensure that your cars tow rating is a least rated more in comparison to ATM of your caravan.

Think of the extra possible weight (luggage, fuel, camping products, caravan accessories, bike racks and application boxes etc) thrown into or mounted on your caravan whilst visiting, this could add as much as hundreds of kilos and has to be looked at to comply with all the maximum ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass) of your caravan and maximum GCM (Gross Merged Mass) rating.

The GCM (Gross Combined Mass) can be found in the tow vehicles features handbook. This is actually the utmost total weight of your car and caravan combined and it is set by the automobile or truck manufacturer.

Any extra weight applied to your stock standard auto (roof racks, camping products, boot luggage, extra spare tyres and even passengers) is added towards overall GCM which could possibly decrease the tow ranking, make sure you check your automobile specifications. As an over-all general guideline, the heavier you create your tow vehicle the less you'll be able to legally tow. Exceeding the ATM or GCM will make towing unsafe and steer clear of insurance and manufacturer's warrantee.

One last little matter to create it somewhat more confusing but is likewise important. GVM is the Gross Vehicle Mass of your tow vehicle, this weight rating likewise can't be exceeded to begin with and would be aware of check before even taking a look at your GCM for protection, insurance and warranty reasons - check the manufacturer's features.

2) What's the Tow Ball Mass and in addition Tow Ball Weight Standing?

Tow Ball Mass would be the physical downward weight your caravan puts on your tow ball when installed. As an over-all general guideline for safe towing, the very least 10% of your overall caravan weight (ATM) must be on your tow basketball. (Unless otherwise specified by means of manufacturer)

Correctly distributing your caravan weight permits safe towing. Having less than 10% of one's caravans ATM while tow ball mass would be the major reason behind unmanageable caravan swaying.

Common causes of inadequate tow ball mass are merely by loading an excessive amount of gear/weight driving your caravan and mismatched elevation between car and caravan for the hitch point, both which bring about your caravan to see 'nose up' increasing to sway uncontrollably.

Tow Ball Weight is the term for the horizontal pull rating of your tow ball. Be sure you check the tow ball weight rating of your tow ball that has already been suited to your vehicle or truck, this is not always rated to suit your vehicles maximum towing capability. For Example: 2. 5 tonne rated tow balls are commonly fitted to 3. 5 tonne rated vehicles - make sure you check.

3) What Terrain are you taking your caravan over?

Knowing what terrain you might be driving on will decide the suspension setup. You basically contain the choice of On-Road as well as Off-Road type suspension having all single axle caravans. Tandem axle caravans offer On-Road, Partial Off-Road and Off-Road type suspension.

On-Road Suspension

Generally means non-independent and non-load sharing that's OK for a smooth ride on sealed bitumen highways. Great for touring the primary 'on the map' places of Australia where Caravan Park hopping would be the plan of attack to your trip. The most economical suspension however the capabilities are limited. Usually do not make an effort to take an On-Road setup Off-Road - they're simply not designed to address the varying and typically corrugated Off-Road conditions. If your caravan has standard On-Road suspension from factory, then chances would be the rest of one's caravan might also not be designed or even structurally sound enough to handle these conditions either. (Corrugated roads are any killer for On-Road build caravans with this suspension due to the minimal resistance to vibrations and also uncontrollable swaying)

A widespread exemplory case of On-Road, non-independent, non-load sharing would be the traditional Beam Axle suspension.

Partial Off-Road

For tandem axles solely that generally have possibly load sharing or impartial capabilities, however, not each. You should spot what capabilities your Semi Off-Road suspension is designed for. Independent acting suspension will undoubtedly be what helps your caravan track behind you, minimising this uncontrollable swaying and vibration, in particular on corrugated roads. Load sharing suspension really helps to spread the load evenly between the tandem axles when manoeuvring over larger dips and humps which helps prevent suspension component failure because of overloading. (Common caravan park speed bumps can temporarily overload one axle throughout a period without load sharing capabilities).

Total Off-Road

Fully independent and fill sharing suspension is what the heck is classed as Off-Road suspension. Independent means your caravan will certainly track better through corrugations although minimising vibrations. Load giving enables your caravan to be able to safe and effectively manoeuvre over large dips and humps similar to speed bumps without overloading the axles.

Shock absorbers can be fitted to nearly all suspension types to greatly help cushion the impact of sharp dips and bumps which also really helps to track your caravan and in addition minimise vibrations (Simplicity suspension might not need shock absorbers due to the reverse spring, independent and in addition load sharing design). The addition of shock absorbers may help improve the efficiency of your suspension, but only to the conditions your suspension is capable of, or designed for to start with. Adding new or beefing in the existing shock absorbers will certainly improve, but generally will not let you take your On-Road suspension Off-Road.

4) Cost-free Camping or Powered Caravan Playground Sites?

Knowing whether you are free camping or getting the capability of a centric caravan park site as well as both, will determine the formulate and configuration of the caravan.

Powered Caravan Playground Sites

This option offers you one of the selection of choice with deciding on a caravan as you do not necessarily have to be self-sufficient. Toilets, showers, laundry facilities, electricity, BBQ's, internet, TV reception and running water can all be provided based on the caravan park. The most basic of caravan setups can still give a great holiday providing the particular daily caravan park site fees fit affordable.

Free Camping

The longer you travel the harder savings and freedom you receive with free camping since you are not spending your cash on caravan park site fees. The catch is you have to be correctly setup to enjoy exactly the same conveniences of the caravan park which may appear at a considerable preliminary expense.

More thought and consideration is required of your caravan layout to add the space for use and storage of the utilities and appliances.

Items to consider:

Electricity will demand the provision for residential solar panels and batteries fitted and/or possibly a generator dependent on your requirements. Toilet, shower and kitchen needs water tanks and pumping systems installed. A Satellite for TV reception and also a BBQ, grill or stove/oven with regard to cooking, not to mention the appliance and dryer for the entire free camping setup.

Of course many of these things can already be installed when purchasing the caravan, it's just a matter of exercising what things are believed vital that you your household and having the correct information to create an informed choice any moment buying your caravan.

5) Size of your Caravan

There are several things to consider when determining along your caravan.

? Price!
? Size/capacity of tow vehicle.
? Number of males and females to sleep.
? The desire to have space invading utilities: shower, toilet, kitchen etc.
? The desire for space invading appliances: TELEVISION SET, washing machine, microwave for example.
? The height of caravan for storage in a home garage.
? Fuel economy normally - the smaller, reduce and lighter your caravan, the higher for your towing car fuel economy.
? Ease of towing.
? General living advantage.
? Storage requirements.
? Quality of construction and its particular weight.

Generally when choosing the length of a caravan, there's actually always a compromise. It is advisable to work out everything you can't change or manage (like the minimum quantity of beds or the utmost height to suit in garage) as it'll quickly form something to base your judgements.

By writing down your 'necessities' as well as your 'nice to haves' you may be surprised how narrow the option of caravans becomes this further down the list you obtain.

6) Materials & Construction of Caravan

Depending together with your needs and budget, the materials and construction of one's caravan can vary significantly in quality and value. There's always going learning to be a caravan that is greater and better, however the trick is to uncover the caravan that is built and intended to an acceptable standard with the aim you intend.

Once you have worked out where you intend to take your caravan, you'll be able to confidently match the engineering requirements geared to. There are always services and technology being introduced from the manufacturing of caravans (especially wall structure, ceiling and floor materials) which frequently all have their positives and negatives. This is a good plan to familiarise yourself using what has been thouroughly tested over the years to greatly help compare with new technology that may be considered suitable for your needs.

Several simple ideas

? Wood frame vs aluminum frame - Wood framework caravans are popular if they are generally cheaper to create and repair, but commonly lack strength, are at risk from wood rot and are slightly heavier in comparison to aluminium framed caravans.

? Composite screen, fiberglass, sandwich board, foam infill and also other similar type wall development - These wall development techniques definitely all have their unique advantages, generally (but not really always) strength, reliability, padding and weather proof features. The disadvantage is it is generally more expensive to get and repair these materials and may be heavier compared to the cheaper more prevalent alternatives.

? Aluminium cladding - Can be used together with wood or aluminium framework caravans and is the commonest type of cladding due to availability, ease of establishing and repair, and the relatively low priced of material, but tend to dents and scratches.

? Chassis construction - A fantastic solid engineered chassis can be quite a critical component for just about any caravan, but with a compelling construction comes added weight.  Used Static Caravan For Sale Barrow  can help preserve the structural integrity from the longer term by avoiding rust.

? Suspension - Match the terrain you wish to travel (Bitumen, corrugated dirt or full Off-Road) with all the capacity for the suspension, easy as that.

7) Study reviews of similar auto and caravan setups

It pays to learn any comments or opinions by caravan owners having similar setups. You can find generally always both positive and in addition negative reviews, guidelines that may offer you that extra inside information which could persuade one to obtain confidently or sometimes moreover not to buy, helping you save money and time.

8) Condition of Caravan

Unless you are buying brand new, it is a good notion to get a in depth pre purchase inspection from the local caravan service/repair centre. This can offer you advisable of the problem from the caravan and possibly save you thousands down the track. Ceremony get professional hitching, towing and in addition combined car and caravan suggestions.

There are a plenty of pit falls to help keep clear of, this is a listing of common things to check:

? Make sure it isn't stolen - View this registration papers, validate the owner and compare the (VIN) variety matches documentation.
? Any signs of standard water leaks or damage should be professionally inspected for solid wood rot.
? Rust along with other structural damage can be quite a definite red flag.
? Inspect the overall condition from the caravan for its age to become a guide to how it is treated. If it's excellent condition for this group or price, inspect the chance of the caravan staying superficially repaired and exclude any further structural injury.

9) Insurance

Avoid being left crimson faced (or worse) if something was to look wrong whilst towing the newly acquired caravan. Get insurance once you tow the caravan away to shield yourself from those inevitable outcomes we call 'accidents'.

Understand that the insurance insurance plan won't be worth the particular paper it's written on once the legal requirements regarding caravan hitching and towing are not honored - check the manufacturer's specifications together with your car and caravan before towing.

Read your insurance plan, 'full comprehensive accident cover' and also 'manufacturing fault cover' are usually 2 different things - be sure to are covered for each, especially when water damage and mold due to improper sealing is anxious.

10) Regular Maintenance