Beginners Guide to Caravanning - Purchase of the first caravan If you want to view hundreds of different caravans of all manufacturers, head to a show near you! Both indoor and outdoor shows offer the opportunity to look inside all types of caravans and pick up must-have accessories as well. You may also find that dealers will be offering special discounts for caravans sold at the Exposition, so you can bag yourself a bargain!
If you try caravanning for the first time, you may want to invest a little less and opt for a caravan of opportunity. You have several options for buying second hand - your local dealer, which can store almost new and some old caravans that were exchanged part, online auction sites such as eBay, or ads in the back of magazines or trailer your local newspaper.
There are some risks associated with buying a second hand caravan, but by conducting an audit of CRIS (Caravan Registration Identification Scheme), these risks can be reduced. HPI as a check for a car, check CRIS will provide information on the history of the caravan to make sure it has no hidden past.
In addition to checking the history of the 'van is a good idea to check the general condition of the interior and exterior before agreeing to buy. Look for things like:
- Signs of water leaks - is there any water damage inside the caravan or wet spots, or even a damp smella
- Rust - is below the chassis and the trailer free of rust and corrosiona
- All appliances are in good conditiona
- Is there evidence that the caravan has been serviced regularlya
Buying your first caravan is an expensive investment, so you should look out for an insurance specialist caravan insurance against theft and damage, giving you peace of mind.
Posted on July 24, 2010.