Caravans are wonderful ways to explore this country and continent in ways that most tourists will never be able to. You can cut down on the extortionate cost of many hotels, can go off the beaten track, and of course, make some incredible memories along the way. The wrong caravan, however, will not be able to do any of this. You need to choose the caravan that suits your family, your budget, and your travel dreams:

Start with What You Can Afford

It’s easy to get carried away or even underestimate what you can get when you don’t know your exact budget. Understanding caravan finance and what rates you can get will help with this problem immensely. For instance, you don’t need a down deposit in most cases when it comes to securing a caravan loan, though if you want better rates, that down deposit is still a good tip.

What is most important is your credit score and what you can afford comfortably in monthly repayments. If not caravan, consider if a simple van works for your travel needs. Working it out backward can help you know what loan amount you can get, and what budget you have to work with when shopping for caravans. Apart from the initial budgeting, you might also want to consider getting insurance for your van or caravan.

New vs Used

Buying new is a matter of finding a caravan that suits your budget and of course, negotiating the price down as much as you can. Buying used, especially if from a private seller, must be done with care. Know what issues you are looking for and be prepared to run a full system check on privately used vehicles. If you’re not overly familiar with this, opt for a certified used caravan dealership.

Size of Beds

Your own body size will matter. If you are rather tall, then you are going to need a caravan with a bed that can accommodate you. Sleeping comfortably is the most important difference between sleeping in a tent vs owning a caravan, so if you are cramped and unable to get a good night’s rest, you won’t want to use your caravan. 

Amenities

Larger caravans have everything you need to enjoy a great summer on the rad. That being said, smaller caravans are easier to drive and care for. It depends entirely on the amenities you don’t want to compromise on. If you must have a shower and toilet, then you will need a larger caravan. If you only need a small kitchen and a bed, then smaller caravans can be perfect for your needs.

Drivability and Accessibility

If you cannot physically tow the caravan behind your vehicle, then you won’t be able to use it. While you can get self-driving caravans that don’t hook up to a car, these can be very expensive. Work out your finances to figure out what kind of caravan you can afford, and then work out what caravan you can drive with comfortably. You don’t want to be too close to the legal limit, so choose a caravan that is underweight for comfort and safety.