Are you looking into buying a second-hand
Deciding to purchase a
Firstly, you will most likely want to determine how many beds you need. Is it just you and your partner travelling, or will you need room for your kids? Another consideration is whether you should get an on-road or an off-road van. Will you be sticking to major roads, or is there a chance that your van will see some rough, dirt roads? Another factor to consider is whether you should get a full-size van or something more compact like a pop-top.
CHOOSING A TOW VEHICLE WHEN BUYING A SECOND HAND CARAVAN
Another very important thing to consider before you purchase a van is what type of vehicle you will need to tow it with. Most vans these days require a large four-wheel drive. You need to understand your vehicle’s towing capacity and GCM—Gross Combination Mass. If you are unsure what these mean, check out our post on Weight Abbreviations and their meanings.
NEW OR SECOND-HAND?
Finally, for many people, the most significant decision may be whether to purchase a new van or a second-hand
Budget is undoubtedly a major consideration for most people, so a second-hand van may well be the most affordable option. You can still travel around Australia without all the bells and whistles of a new
We initially considered purchasing a pre-loved van and looked at quite a few before buying a new
PRIVATE OR DEALER
Buying from a reputable dealer should give you peace of mind that the van has been thoroughly inspected and is in good condition and repair.
You may also be eligible for some statutory warranty if anything needs repair after purchase.
If you decide to buy a van privately, it might be a good idea to have it inspected. The seller will also need to provide certificates for the van’s gas and electrical components.
CHECKING FOR PROBLEMS
So, how do you know what to look for when buying a second hand caravan to ensure that your purchase is exactly what you want and not riddled with problems?
We have compiled a list of things that we think you should look for when checking out potential candidates for your new travelling home.
EXTERIOR
- Electric and gas systems tested
- Any sign of rust on the chassis
- Tyres in good condition, including spare
- Does it have water tanks
- Size of water tanks
- Type of brake system
- Does it have a battery system fitted
- Outside hatches open quickly, and the seals are in good condition
- Gas bottles are correctly fitted
- The awning opens/closes quickly. There is no sign of mould.
- Visual damage, ie. Dents, significant scratches, previous poor repairs
- What are the weights of the van?
- What kind of vehicle can legally tow it?
INTERIOR
- Length/size of bed
- Type of mattress – foam or innerspring
- Check inside the cupboards for signs of water damage eg. Stains, musty smells, ants
- Cupboard doors open/lock properly
- Roof hatches/vents open and close properly
- Windows open/lock properly
- Air-Con works
- Appliances work
- Type of fridge
- Did you notice any strange smells when you opened the door
- Gas struts on pop-top in good condition
- The canvas is in good condition. No sign of mould
Buying A Second Hand Caravan Checklist
I have put together a short checklist that you can use for buying a second hand
Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you look at second hand caravans. There are many forums on the internet where you can read reviews on vans. However, not every van is the same and not everyone’s experience will be the same. You will often read negative comments about a particular brand of
So be realistic in your expectations when buying a second hand
PIN THIS:
Listen in to their podcast episode https://allaroundoz.com.au/podcasts/travelling-and-working-around-australia/
We’ve just been through this process so I wish I’d read this before we purchased our caravan. Luckily we bought a caravan that was only a year old and had only been used twice for a total of 5 days. So it was in as new condition. My husband is pretty thorough and he always checks everything thoroughly. Thanks for the advice as I’m sure many potential caravan buyers don’t know what to look for.
Sounds like you found a good deal. Having someone that knows what to look out for is good too.
There are hundreds of registered caravans for sale in Australia. With so many options out there in the market, choosing the right one for you can be quite daunting. Thanks for this tips. It will be helpful in negotiating the purchase price or just simply determining if it is a worthy purchase.
Great blog post Melissa. And bonus checklist which will be helpful to anyone looking to buy second hand. Buying a caravan is a big purchase & your comments will help people think about what they need to consider. We bought a second hand caravan and couldn’t be happier. Best wishes 🙂
Thanks Estelle….it can be a bit of a minefield making the right decision. Glad you are happy with your choice.
I like your recommendation to check for any problems with a second-hand unit. It makes sense that buying a caravan is a very complicated process and a thorough inspection is necessary to find that will work effectively. Thanks for the post; I want to buy a second-hand caravan and these tips could be very helpful because finding small problems such as leaky roof hatches or a broken seat might not seem important at first but could really affect its usability.
Hi Melissa,
Great reading your article we are currently looking at second hand caravans as well. I did not know you can take them for a test run??
Not having caravanned before there is alot of learning and decisions on what will suite us, but it is fun and exciting looking forward to a year of travelling around in one. We are also looking at a vehicle suitable to tow and get off the track a bit from the caravan as a base.
It’s not normal to be able to take a van for a test run…we are just doing some reviews for the dealership to try and help take some of the guess work out of buying one. I agree there is a lot to learn but it is exciting! We love our BT50 and bought it specifically to tow a van with.
How did it feel towing the van in the BT50, I imagine the 3.2 diesel would travel nicely. Thanks for the review that looks like a nice van.
It towed beautifully. Hardly noticed it was there Craig. It was a bit thirsty initially as we were going into a headwind but after that it dropped back to between 14 and 16l/100.