Is now the time to purchase a used caravan or go camping for the first time? It would help if you were always prepared for the right-van-right-‘place moment. However, it is highly recommended that you do preliminary research.
Purchasing from a specialised caravan dealer is the best option. It will help if you get sound guidance and the assistance of workshops staffed by competent experts to assist with service, accessory installation, and other after-sales maintenance. If you purchase privately, you have fewer rights if anything goes wrong.
Before buying used caravans for sale Perth, consider the following things:
1. Caravan Type
You must make early selections of the caravan’s weight, size, and cost you plan to purchase and the ideal interior arrangement. Also, and most importantly, you must ensure that your vehicle can tow.
Even where you want to park your caravan must be considered since this will affect your yearly caravan insurance price.
2. Budget
Spending as little money as possible on a first caravan is wise. Indeed, you should permanently save a portion of your cash aside to cover any minor problems and the installation of the caravan extras you may later decide you truly need.
For example, you could discover that you’d benefit from an awning with your tourer. Many caravans for sale Perth dealers sell used awnings at substantially cheaper rates than purchasing new roofs. You may even be given one to seal a deal.
3. Do Research
Read specialised magazines and comments and reviews online. Meet with owners if you have the opportunity, attend exhibitions, and be ready for everything from excellent, sensible advice to remarks that should be regarded with a grain of salt.
It helps to spend some time whether purchasing a brand-new tourer or a used caravan. In fact, some people even put off deciding for years.
4. Equipment
Whereas new caravans for sale Perth have all the amenities you’d need in your own house, older, used caravans may have more modest amenities. However, there is an advantage to this: fewer things may go wrong.
The smart idea is to list the products and categories you need, desire, and don’t need. Heating, hot water, cooking amenities, fridge/freezer capacity, total storage, and other considerations should be on your list.
Remember that these devices, such as TV reception equipment, a motor mover, audio systems, solar panels, etc. might be added or improved in the future.
5. Conduct a Comprehensive Inspection
Instant impressions are important, just as they were when you purchased your house. Just understand what you truly want or like. Therefore, while evaluating any caravans for sale Perth, Think about going through the processes, for instance:
1) Use the kitchen equipment and see how easily everything falls into place, how well the storage is, how much work surface is available, and so on.
2) Make the beds, including sleeping on them, to evaluate support, comfort, and size (as well as determine where you’ll store your bedding).
3) Check if general storage is available to accommodate any particular goods you bring on tour.
4) Sit while watching television or eating food.
5) Is the restroom simply for emergencies, or should you make great use of it?
6) Check the operation of windows, roof flights, exterior hatches, locker doors, and other similar items.
7) Look into what else is part of the deal. For instance, if you purchase privately, particularly from someone retiring from caravanning, you may be given a slew of extras, like gas cylinders.
6. Haggle Time
Dealers dislike the phrase “bargain.” You should be cautious as well. If you opt to play hardball, there may be one champion unless you are a sales expert. Instead, bargain to ensure that you receive what you need – you may want to enquire about extras like a motor mover, caravan step, water carriers, battery, levelling chocks, or indeed free service to clinch any deal.
But keep in mind the ancient adage: if everything appears too great to be true, it generally is. And feel free to make a small down payment to ensure a deal. Pay the bare minimum in case anything goes through at the last hurdle.
7. Check Documentation
Lastly, a complete set of documentation displaying service records, repair or warranty work, and extra accessories are excellent indicators of former owners who cared.
The last point to consider is the simplicity of obtaining replacement parts – be advised, this is only sometimes simple in the caravan industry, particularly for lesser-known imports, marques, and out-of-business companies. Even some long-standing manufacturers are still looking for replacements for particular models.
Finally, if you’ve decided to buy a caravan, remember to seek specialised caravan insurance.
Conclusion
You’ve completed all of the essential checks. You may have discovered a few tiny flaws that needed to be addressed. You may always negotiate repairs with the seller, but bear in mind the age of the caravan you’re interested in purchasing. The repair expense may exceed the benefit if it’s more than a decade old.
If you want to purchase an old van, it may be unfair to expect the seller to do major caravan repairs Perth before selling at the originally agreed-upon price. If you acquire ancient or vintage caravans for sale Perth, you may need to adapt your budget to account for the expense of probable repairs.
