A Guide to Buying Your First Caravan

Buying your first caravan can be an exciting but daunting task. Caravans don’t come cheap so you want to be sure that you make the right decision when it comes to getting your first one.

Below are some of the biggest things you need to consider when buying your first caravan.

Where to buy

One of the most important decisions you have to make when buying your first caravan is where you’re going to buy from. If you can afford to buy new from an approved dealer then this would be ideal as you’ll have a guarantee and it’s much less likely that you’ll deal with any issues. Of course not everyone can afford to buy new so fortunately there are quite a few good options for buying used.

Autotrader has many used caravans for sale – some from dealers and some from private sellers. If you do buy used from a site like Autotrader then you generally want to buy as close to home as possible. This way if you need to get in touch with the seller and deal with any issues then it’s much easier to do. Ideally you would bring somebody with you who knows about caravans since they’ll know what to look for.

Your budget

Your budget is of course a key consideration and if at all possible then you should aim to get a mid-range model. This is because you’ll have plenty of choice and also finding replacement parts won’t be much of an issue. Mid-range models also tend to hold their value quite well, which is always handy if you’re planning to resell in a few years.

Specifications

You’ll likely have certain specifications in mind that you’d want your caravan. This might be minimum size specs, a shower, bunk beds, heating etc. Whatever the case you should make sure that the caravan you purchase is one you’ll be happy with in the long term since they’re a considerable investment.

After you’ve bought your caravan

Below are a couple of key things to think about after you’ve purchased your caravan.

  • Storage – When it comes to storing your caravan when you’re not using it then you’ll want to take any steps you can to keep it safe from weather damage. Investing in a good breathable cover is definitely worth it. If you have a driveway or garage where you can store it then this would be ideal and will certainly cut your insurance premiums down.
  • Insurance – You’ll also need to get the right cover for your caravan. Although you’re not legally required to have specialist caravan insurance, it is a very worthwhile investment. Most car comprehensive car insurance policies will allow you to tow a trailer but they’ll only provide third party cover for it, meaning you’re not covered for theft, damage etc. Therefore it’s a good idea to get specialist cover If you are a caravan trader you may need traders insurance cover which is tailored for your business.

Is a Caravan a Good Choice When You Own a Thatched Property?

If you’re a thatched property owner then you might have considered investing in a caravan, especially if you like to travel a lot.

Below are some of the things you must consider when buying a caravan as a thatched property owner.

Storage

Owning a caravan comes with a certain amount of responsibility. You must have somewhere to store it for one thing and you also need to ensure it’s properly maintained. When it comes to storage, the ideal thing would be to have a securely locked garage you can keep it in when not in use. This not only means you’re able to avoid your caravan sustaining weather damage, making it easier to maintain, but also makes it much more secure and less likely to be targeted by vandals or thieves.

Although some thatched properties come with a garage, not all do and this is certainly something you need to think about when deciding if a caravan is a good investment.

If you don’t have a garage to keep your caravan in then a drive would also work, although you’d want to get a good cover for it, especially during the winter months when rain, frost etc. can cause significant damage.

Security

Security is something that every home owner must think about and particularly thatched property owners. Because thatched properties often have more traditional doors and windows they can be easier to break into for thieves. Although a good way to make your thatched property more secure is by getting French door blinds from a company such as blinds4bifolds.co.uk

The security of your house is something that insurance providers take into account too and so owning a caravan could attract the wrong type of attention and affect the cost of your thatched property insurance. This is certainly something worth considering.…