We are planning to buy our caravan toward the end of next year, most likely an 18' with toilet and shower. It's been a long time since I last had a caravan which was a Franklin 16' in the 80's.
We cannot afford a new caravan and I expect our budget will be around $30,000 when we buy. I expect the van will need to be around 2007 and perhaps a little younger based on early research.
My question is, technically have caravans changed much since 2007, or have today's caravans improved substantially. I'm aware of low voltage lighting, anything else I need to consider.
Any tips or advice, even in relation to anything outside of my question would be much appreciated :)
Pete and Lynn
Aus-Kiwi said
10:57 AM Dec 14, 2017
One good part about vans. Is thereâs hardly any mechanical things that wear out like engines etc . For that price you should get a VERY good van !! Just make sure your familiar with electrics and how they work . Switches etc. Most buy new use for a few years then sell . This is where you gain as the first owner has most depreciation !!
DMaxer said
11:06 AM Dec 14, 2017
Hi Pete and Lynn. Welcome to the forum. You can certainly buy a good caravan for the amount you will be spending. My advice is to have a look around the dealers over the next few months and work out what brand, size etc will suit your needs. When you have a fair idea of the type of van you are seeking start looking at the private sales. You are in a good position because you have the money and they want the sale. You will find that a lot of people who are selling privately have already found out the market price of their van when they either tried to trade it in or sell it to a dealer. It is a buyer's market and you will get a good deal if you are patient.
I see a lot of vans in my travels and although they look great I often wonder if they need or use all those things that they have had included. Lets face it, I don't cook in my van as I much prefer to cook outside and not have to sleep with the smell of a failed curry or the morning's bacon and egg sandwich still wafting through the van. I think a shower and toilet is important as well as a comfortable bed and good size fridge.
As for the structural side of things, get an expert to check it over. It costs about $300 to have your van inspected and is money well spent. NRMA or RACQ can give you a heads up as to where you can find people to undertake your inspection.
Go on to the internet and just follow the caravan sales. Have a look how long it takes and how many price reductions there are before a van is sold. If you are there with the cash in hand you are in the box seat.
One last tip. Big vans look great when they are parked but can be a pain to tow around. You spend very little time inside the van so do you really need something that is huge, That is just my opinion however.
Enjoy your search and hope to see you out and about sometime in the future.
Desert Dweller said
11:15 AM Dec 14, 2017
You should get a ripper van for that amount. The market is flooded with trade-ins. Todays caravans aren't that much different to ''ýesterdays'' caravans just a bit more bling to attract glampers. They're still basically ''a box on wheels''.
We decided to buy new after wandering around for ages looking at other peoples handy work. Too many wires hanging out like spaghetti going nowhere left by DIY owners removing whatever was previously installed.
Our local J***o dealer has ''hundreds'' of trade-ins sitting in long grass out in a paddock at the rear. They have a once a year trade-in clearance.
Bill B said
11:15 AM Dec 14, 2017
Check very carefully for evidence of water ingress.
Also checking the sealing of roof/wall joins & windows to see if is in good condition.
Look at age of batteries & tyres fitted to van.
Dougwe said
03:14 PM Dec 14, 2017
Welcome to the gang Pete and Lynn, enjoy here and out in the playground.
It's all a personal choice thing realy and as long as you get what you are happy with that's all that matters.
I looked second hand first up but found things wrong with every van I looked at so decided to go new and get one built to what I wanted. I got what I wanted but had problems in the beginning. The dealer and builder came good and and fixed everything for me 'on site' meaning they came to me. I now live very comfy in my aluminium tent full time and love it. Meet great people and see great places.
aussietraveller said
06:00 PM Dec 14, 2017
Welcome Petesa to the forum you will find a great bunch of people here who are only too happy to help you.
We have a 2005 model 21 foot van which we purchased after our first 4 month trip in a 16 foot van we have found the van ideal for our longer touring trips and we are now considering a downsize to an 18 footer as most of our trips from here will probably be to sit beside a beach or river and relax with day trips out to explore the area and still have enough room for the occasional longer trip.
After some of our experiences in caravan parks,we would not own a van that did not have a full en-suite, purchasing a van is definitely a personal thing and I believe that the best way to make the least number of mistakes which we have all made is to research research research, check out caravan sales yards and develop a list of things you want in a van that are not negotiable, and a list of things you would like but are prepared to negotiate on and maybe do later.
Hoping you enjoy your search for a van and that you have a great time out exploring the Big playground.
Possum3 said
08:25 PM Dec 14, 2017
The Caravan Council of Australia publish a very good (free) caravan checklist for new and used vans www.caravancouncil.com.au/compliance - Not to be confused with Caravan Industry Association which is basically a group of caravan manufacturers of which a few are listed on the Lemon Caravan and RV Beware list.
Hope to see you out there.
Possum.
Tony Bev said
12:35 AM Dec 15, 2017
Welcome to the forum, Pete and Lynn
As others have said, you should get a good second hand caravan for $30,000
Any tips or advice, even in relation to anything outside of my question would be much appreciated If you intend to do any free/low cost camping, then a battery with some solar is a good idea Also a means of storing your shower grey water, as some free/low cost sites, are saying you must be self contained
If you intend to travel in the hot conditions, then a "T" climate rated fridge would be handy
I hope that you enjoy whatever you choose
Petesahut said
01:59 PM Dec 15, 2017
Thank you to everyone who responded:) The information provided by everyone has been very useful.
Pete and Lynn
-- Edited by Petesahut on Friday 15th of December 2017 02:01:15 PM
We are planning to buy our caravan toward the end of next year, most likely an 18' with toilet and shower. It's been a long time since I last had a caravan which was a Franklin 16' in the 80's.
We cannot afford a new caravan and I expect our budget will be around $30,000 when we buy. I expect the van will need to be around 2007 and perhaps a little younger based on early research.
My question is, technically have caravans changed much since 2007, or have today's caravans improved substantially. I'm aware of low voltage lighting, anything else I need to consider.
Any tips or advice, even in relation to anything outside of my question would be much appreciated :)
Pete and Lynn
Hi Pete and Lynn. Welcome to the forum. You can certainly buy a good caravan for the amount you will be spending. My advice is to have a look around the dealers over the next few months and work out what brand, size etc will suit your needs. When you have a fair idea of the type of van you are seeking start looking at the private sales. You are in a good position because you have the money and they want the sale. You will find that a lot of people who are selling privately have already found out the market price of their van when they either tried to trade it in or sell it to a dealer. It is a buyer's market and you will get a good deal if you are patient.
I see a lot of vans in my travels and although they look great I often wonder if they need or use all those things that they have had included. Lets face it, I don't cook in my van as I much prefer to cook outside and not have to sleep with the smell of a failed curry or the morning's bacon and egg sandwich still wafting through the van. I think a shower and toilet is important as well as a comfortable bed and good size fridge.
As for the structural side of things, get an expert to check it over. It costs about $300 to have your van inspected and is money well spent. NRMA or RACQ can give you a heads up as to where you can find people to undertake your inspection.
Go on to the internet and just follow the caravan sales. Have a look how long it takes and how many price reductions there are before a van is sold. If you are there with the cash in hand you are in the box seat.
One last tip. Big vans look great when they are parked but can be a pain to tow around. You spend very little time inside the van so do you really need something that is huge, That is just my opinion however.
Enjoy your search and hope to see you out and about sometime in the future.
We decided to buy new after wandering around for ages looking at other peoples handy work. Too many wires hanging out like spaghetti going nowhere left by DIY owners removing whatever was previously installed.
Our local J***o dealer has ''hundreds'' of trade-ins sitting in long grass out in a paddock at the rear. They have a once a year trade-in clearance.
Also checking the sealing of roof/wall joins & windows to see if is in good condition.
Look at age of batteries & tyres fitted to van.
It's all a personal choice thing realy and as long as you get what you are happy with that's all that matters.
I looked second hand first up but found things wrong with every van I looked at so decided to go new and get one built to what I wanted. I got what I wanted but had problems in the beginning. The dealer and builder came good and and fixed everything for me 'on site' meaning they came to me. I now live very comfy in my aluminium tent full time and love it. Meet great people and see great places.
We have a 2005 model 21 foot van which we purchased after our first 4 month trip in a 16 foot van we have found the van ideal for our longer touring trips and we are now considering a downsize to an 18 footer as most of our trips from here will probably be to sit beside a beach or river and relax with day trips out to explore the area and still have enough room for the occasional longer trip.
After some of our experiences in caravan parks,we would not own a van that did not have a full en-suite, purchasing a van is definitely a personal thing and I believe that the best way to make the least number of mistakes which we have all made is to research research research, check out caravan sales yards and develop a list of things you want in a van that are not negotiable, and a list of things you would like but are prepared to negotiate on and maybe do later.
Hoping you enjoy your search for a van and that you have a great time out exploring the Big playground.
Hope to see you out there.
Possum.
Welcome to the forum, Pete and Lynn
As others have said, you should get a good second hand caravan for $30,000
If you intend to do any free/low cost camping, then a battery with some solar is a good idea
Also a means of storing your shower grey water, as some free/low cost sites, are saying you must be self contained
If you intend to travel in the hot conditions, then a "T" climate rated fridge would be handy
I hope that you enjoy whatever you choose
Thank you to everyone who responded:) The information provided by everyone has been very useful.
Pete and Lynn
-- Edited by Petesahut on Friday 15th of December 2017 02:01:15 PM