Caravanning Option - Buy or Rent ???

Possum3 · Guru

Caravanning Option - Buy or Rent ???

deverall11 · Guru

Some good points there. Always thought renting is a good option for those who want to dip their toes in the water.
Shame that the caravan industry as a whole cannot get their act together in the first place.
Some people also either do not know how or just cannot be bothered taking legal action. Perhaps it could be
made more attractive if the buyer was guaranteed that costs would be awarded if they win. That in itself may
cause some manufacturers and perhaps dealers to rethink the way they go about their business.
We bought a caravan 5 years ago from a very reputable manufacturer and have had nothing but problems.
After you argue the point for a while you get tired of it. In our case it discouraged us from caravanning
altogether. It shouldn't have to be so difficult. I have come across some owners who totally accept the fact
that there will be some issues with their new van and that the dealer and/or the manufacturer will be
difficult to deal with, so they build in their budget the cost of rectifying all the short comings and get solace
in knowing that they will never have to deal with them again.
Each to their own.
Larry

Baggy Bums · Veteran Member

Renting is a good first step if you have never camped/caravanned before.
We went from camping in various sized tents, to a few good years in a small caravan to the large one we have now. We loved the small one but needed the toilet etc as planning bigger trips. We made sure our new van had all the things we loved in the old one plus ideas gathered along the way from chatting to fellow campers. You dont know what you like, want or need until you actually do it.

WindyHill · Member

Possum3 wrote:
CUT & Paste from Caravan Council of Australia.

Is it more economical to buy or rent a caravan??? That is the BIG Question What are the "Pros and Cons"???

Over the past seven years or so, the Caravan Council of Australia has received many calls from remorseful buyers of caravans that have numerous defects... including extremely-dangerous safety issues, and major non-compliances.

In far too many cases, these highly-aggrieved owners have had significant, traumatic and costly hassles in trying to get the Supplier to rectify them as legally required by the Australian Consumer Law. A lot of unresolved hassles unfortunately lead to litigation.

A common story from unhappy owners is that "we were sold something that we didn't really want, we were too naive, and we hadn't done our home-work properly".

The image of the caravanning industry is being badly tarnished by these continuing problems - despite the intentions of the ACL - such that new Regulations for caravans are being introduced by the Federal Government, in an attempt to prevent such occurrences.

For a high percentage of 'vanners, the Renting option may well be much more beneficial, in terms of saving money, and in not having the stressful worry and annoyance of ensuring that a purchased caravan is indeed fully-compliant, safe, and of very high quality.

It also allows the Renters to relax and forget about caravan insurance, registration and servicing obligations.

The first step for 'vanners preparing for their travels, is to decide on exactly what they need - and also prefer - to have in a caravan.

An informative article "Evaluating What You Want in a Caravan" is freely available by emailing: caravancouncil@optusnet.com.au

the Grey Nomads forum exists primarily to allow people interested in the grey nomad lifestyle to help, encourage and guide one another in their big adventures. Posts are not to be used for the sole purpose (however well disguised) of promoting other websites or forums, or advertising products or services. Posts deemed to have breached this guideline will be removed.

Admin, Please action, this is not the first time this poster has posted very poorly disguised advertising for this particular private business Please not , Caravan council is not an council or industry body but a private engineering consultancy and it looks very much like an ad for that business.

Regards

Windy

deverall11 · Guru

WindyHill wrote:
Possum3 wrote:
CUT & Paste from Caravan Council of Australia.

Is it more economical to buy or rent a caravan??? That is the BIG Question What are the "Pros and Cons"???

Over the past seven years or so, the Caravan Council of Australia has received many calls from remorseful buyers of caravans that have numerous defects... including extremely-dangerous safety issues, and major non-compliances.

In far too many cases, these highly-aggrieved owners have had significant, traumatic and costly hassles in trying to get the Supplier to rectify them as legally required by the Australian Consumer Law. A lot of unresolved hassles unfortunately lead to litigation.

A common story from unhappy owners is that "we were sold something that we didn't really want, we were too naive, and we hadn't done our home-work properly".

The image of the caravanning industry is being badly tarnished by these continuing problems - despite the intentions of the ACL - such that new Regulations for caravans are being introduced by the Federal Government, in an attempt to prevent such occurrences.

For a high percentage of 'vanners, the Renting option may well be much more beneficial, in terms of saving money, and in not having the stressful worry and annoyance of ensuring that a purchased caravan is indeed fully-compliant, safe, and of very high quality.

It also allows the Renters to relax and forget about caravan insurance, registration and servicing obligations.

The first step for 'vanners preparing for their travels, is to decide on exactly what they need - and also prefer - to have in a caravan.

An informative article "Evaluating What You Want in a Caravan" is freely available by emailing: caravancouncil@optusnet.com.au

the Grey Nomads forum exists primarily to allow people interested in the grey nomad lifestyle to help, encourage and guide one another in their big adventures. Posts are not to be used for the sole purpose (however well disguised) of promoting other websites or forums, or advertising products or services. Posts deemed to have breached this guideline will be removed.

Admin, Please action, this is not the first time this poster has posted very poorly disguised advertising for this particular private business Please not , Caravan council is not an council or industry body but a private engineering consultancy and it looks very much like an ad for that business.
Regards
Windy

Can't see where any suggestion of advertising is in this post.

Informative, yes

Advertising, a bit of a stretch

yobarr · Guru

deverall11 wrote:
WindyHill wrote:
Possum3 wrote:
CUT & Paste from Caravan Council of Australia.

Is it more economical to buy or rent a caravan??? That is the BIG Question What are the "Pros and Cons"???

Over the past seven years or so, the Caravan Council of Australia has received many calls from remorseful buyers of caravans that have numerous defects... including extremely-dangerous safety issues, and major non-compliances.

In far too many cases, these highly-aggrieved owners have had significant, traumatic and costly hassles in trying to get the Supplier to rectify them as legally required by the Australian Consumer Law. A lot of unresolved hassles unfortunately lead to litigation.

A common story from unhappy owners is that "we were sold something that we didn't really want, we were too naive, and we hadn't done our home-work properly".

The image of the caravanning industry is being badly tarnished by these continuing problems - despite the intentions of the ACL - such that new Regulations for caravans are being introduced by the Federal Government, in an attempt to prevent such occurrences.

For a high percentage of 'vanners, the Renting option may well be much more beneficial, in terms of saving money, and in not having the stressful worry and annoyance of ensuring that a purchased caravan is indeed fully-compliant, safe, and of very high quality.

It also allows the Renters to relax and forget about caravan insurance, registration and servicing obligations.

The first step for 'vanners preparing for their travels, is to decide on exactly what they need - and also prefer - to have in a caravan.

An informative article "Evaluating What You Want in a Caravan" is freely available by emailing: caravancouncil@optusnet.com.au

the Grey Nomads forum exists primarily to allow people interested in the grey nomad lifestyle to help, encourage and guide one another in their big adventures. Posts are not to be used for the sole purpose (however well disguised) of promoting other websites or forums, or advertising products or services. Posts deemed to have breached this guideline will be removed.
Admin, Please action, this is not the first time this poster has posted very poorly disguised advertising for this particular private business Please not , Caravan council is not an council or industry body but a private engineering consultancy and it looks very much like an ad for that business.RegardsWindy
Can't see where any suggestion of advertising is in this post.Informative, yesAdvertising, a bit of a stretch

I am with Windy on this... the member in question often responds to questions,but rarely gives any advice,other than saying to ring that caravan council.The name of the business is,in my opinion,deceptive,as it is not a council as many of us would understand it,rather a privately owned engineering consultancy.I suspect that there would be a charge for advice given,whereas a forum is a place where good advice can be found for free.Happy to be corrected,but this was recently covered elsewhere.Cheers

iana · Guru

I agree, this is advertising. This article contains no information about hiring a caravan, cons or pro's. I have seen a few motor home hirers, who have been just given the vehicle and sent down the street with no idea of how their hired motor home works. A caravan contains many devices and things that need to be done correctly for safe towing and set-up, I would see this as being a hazard. covered by insurance, I wonder, or did the driver have the van loaded up right, or was there some other thing that comes back to driver liability. Then there's the tug and last of all experience.

Possum3 · Guru

I replied earlier but post lost in ether. I believe that I should have the right to answer some of the above.
I have no affiliation whatsoever with Caravan Council of Australia - It is an organisation that promotes safe caravanning and All of it's technical advices on selecting, repairing, loading, caravans is free to download`- I am aware that the principal of the Caravan Council is a well renowned Automotive Engineer - also a member of this Forum.
Check out www.caravancouncil.com.au/ the Council provides hundreds of free downloadable technical papers on towing, motorhome/caravan selection, tug selection All with regards to capacities not any specific brands.

Please check out my profile, what you see is what you get -I am a regular contributor to this site and total posts are over 2,887 - mainly in areas of Engineering that I am qualified, Personal knowledge and experience in life, health, etc whenever my own personal health allows - I also send many personal messages to other members and the moderator when I deem that private answers are most appropriate. Those who know me are aware that I had a long running mutual admiration thing going with (John) Rocky Lizard prior to his passing.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

To move on ., Buying a GOOD quality second hand van or motorhome where depreciation has lowered price ., Thats half the package anyway ! With a van you need a good strong reliable tow vehicle. That YOU can drive !! Not that the two are always combative? We often start small and work our way larger ? Or more the point. Cheaper budget to a bigger budget ! Lol

Mamil · Senior Member

I owned a caravan for the last two years, but it got written off and I was paid out by insurance. I'm now actually considering the rental option as I'm not quite retired yet, so only go for 2-3 shortish trips a year, and in my situation I can see the benefit of avoiding some of the costs and hassles associated with ownership - such as storage, depreciation, insurance & rego, servicing etc. It'll also give me an opportunity to try a few different vans, and also maybe a campervan or a camper trailer so that if I do eventually invest in ownership again I have more experience of different options. Horses for courses!

Tony Bev · Guru

Usual disclaimer
I am not associated with anyone, selling anything
I have never met Possum3
The last time I used an Imperial typewriter, I got my fingers jammed in the keys, and I have never been a pigeon fancier

But...

In my opinion, (so I could be wrong)

Possum3, (and others like him), are doing a service to members of this forum, by bringing up information, some members may not know about

Each time someone recommends something, someone somewhere, is the owner of the business
I am sure that the moderator would remove any posts, which blatantly went against the rules

Possum3 · Guru

Spreadsheet to calculate difference between owning or renting Attached XLS format document

Mamil · Senior Member

Possum3 wrote:

Spreadsheet to calculate difference between owning or renting Attached XLS format document

Thanks, I plugged in my numbers and the annual cost if I owned a van was $8,700, and if I rented $2,640.

I had already come to the conclusion that it didn't make financial sense for me to own another van at the moment, but it was useful to see how the figures actually stacked up.

Obviously everyone's situation is different, and in my case where I don't use it much, depreciation and fixed costs made all the difference. In fact I worked out that for me the break even point was two and a half months use per year, over that and it's cheaper to own, and I don't think that'd be a difficult number for most Grey Nomads to reach!

Of course the spreadsheet only looks at the financial side, it can't take account of the pleasure of owning and customising your own van. But as the article points out, there can also be a negative side to ownership if things go wrong, and the stress that can cause.

Anyway, an interesting exercise, thank you for sharing.

-- Edited by Mamil on Tuesday 10th of September 2019 08:08:16 PM

Brenda and Alan · Guru

Does any company rent caravans to be towed by the renter. I only know of companies that rent vans that they themselves deliver to a particular site. As a caravan owner I would not even contemplate renting my van to anybody, no matter how much money was offered.

Alan

Tony Bev · Guru

Brenda and Alan wrote:
Does any company rent caravans to be towed by the renter. I only know of companies that rent vans that they themselves deliver to a particular site. As a caravan owner I would not even contemplate renting my van to anybody, no matter how much money was offered.
Alan

I have previously seen advertisements in my local paper, (Bunbury), for a company renting caravans and camper trailers

I think that they may be in the Mandurah area, Western Australia

Perhaps some Mandurah members can give a heads up

iana · Guru

To me this direction brings in a whole new can of worms. For instance if you own the tug and caravan, then in the case of an accident the responsibility can be aimed at you, but if you rent the van, there is a third party involved. So all would be good if its a Sunday drive during a pleasant day, but if something else occurs, the hirer could meet a few hidden surprises.

Mamil · Senior Member

Brenda and Alan wrote:
Does any company rent caravans to be towed by the renter.

Yep, there's hundreds of vans out there you can rent and tow with your own vehicle. There are websites that specialise in matching renters with van owners, for a fee of course, like Airbnb but for caravans. Take a look at Camptoo, Camplify, My Caravan Hire, and My Caravan to name a few. Then there's also companies that run their own fleet of rental vans, just like camper trailers or campervans.

-- Edited by Mamil on Wednesday 11th of September 2019 03:06:22 PM

Mamil · Senior Member

iana wrote:
To me this direction brings in a whole new can of worms. For instance if you own the tug and caravan, then in the case of an accident the responsibility can be aimed at you, but if you rent the van, there is a third party involved. So all would be good if its a Sunday drive during a pleasant day, but if something else occurs, the hirer could meet a few hidden surprises.

I don't see that it's any different to renting anything else you tow behind your car - like a furniture trailer to move house, or a box trailer to collect a load of firewood. We regularly rent plant on trailers for work - generators, lighting rigs, scissor lifts. You do your due diligence to make sure your vehicle can tow it safely and check the trailer is in good roadworthy condition. Then, your car has insurance, the trailer has insurance, and if there's an accident the insurance companies work it out between them who pays for what. It's a well trodden path and not particularly complicated.

-- Edited by Mamil on Wednesday 11th of September 2019 03:09:11 PM