Everything to Consider Before Buying a Caravan
Caravans are a great way to enjoy a holiday. They provide travel adventure without the conventional price tag, and you can customise your journeys with liberation, tailoring stops, starts, and visits to your tastes. But, on the other hand, a caravan is a significant investment.
Here’s everything to consider before buying a caravan.
Budget
Caravans need careful budgeting. Initial expenses depend on models, makes, conditions, and even location. Just like any vehicle, after the purchase you may have some additional costs, including:
- Maintenance,
- Insurance,
- Utility expenses, and
- Storage.
Put together a clear plan. Consider the long-term affordability, consider the savings on regular holidays vs owning your own caravan.
Purpose
Caravans allow you to travel anywhere, stay anywhere, leave when you want, or stay as long as you want. It lets you change direction.
But why are you buying a caravan?
- Is it so you can travel with family and friends in a convenient environment that’s safe and saves you a lot of money compared to staying in hotels, resorts, cottages, or Air BNBs?
- How frequently do you travel now? Do you want to travel more? Are you assuming because you have a caravan, you will? (This question is important. Think of all the consumers out there who regret investing in timeshares.)
- Are you nearing retirement and want to embrace a nomad lifestyle?
- Do you take a lot of weekend getaways and wonder if a caravan is a more feasible way to go?
- Do you think you’d be comfortable in a caravan? (If the family travels in a cramped ute, a caravan may be a logical alternative.)
What kind of caravan do you want?
These vehicles come in a variety of models and sizes. Of course, the older the vehicle, the less you pay. But an older vehicle may cost more in repair and maintenance over the long term.
There are many types of caravans.
- Conventional: Multi-rooms; large; good storage.
- Tent trailer: Starting point for newcomers; perfect for families with small children; simple fold-down.
- Pop-top: Adjustable roof simplifies storage and provides more headroom.
- Pop-out: For larger families; pop-outs offer additional sleeping space.
- Camper trailer: Sturdier version of the tent trailer; easy to tow.
- Fifth-wheeler: Larger living spaces; slide-outs; best towed with a larger 4WD.
- Motorhome: Good for the long haul; a house on wheels.
Where will you store the caravan?
Owning a caravan means keeping it in the driveway or a storage unit. Leaving it exposed increases the possibility of long-term damage, while storing it locally is an expense. So before buying a caravan, consider where you can practically and affordably keep it.
Caravan Finance – The funding question
Owning a caravan entails regular maintenance, repairs, accessories, storage, supplies, possibly generators, and more. Not to mention any financing that covers the vehicle itself.
Going through Ezilend, you access a network of lenders far and wide, making financing and payment plans easy. It’s why Ezilend’s base interest rates for caravan loans are amongst the lowest in the country. So if you’re thinking about a caravan, contact Ezilend today.
