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Essential Guide to Buying a Used Caravan

Oct 27, 2022 | Stories

There is no greater dream than caravanning around Australia; you’ve got the dream, all you need now is the caravan!
While it’s sometimes nice to purchase things brand new, you might find there’s quite a wait for a brand new caravan. Why wait (and potentially pay more than you need to!), when there are plenty of suitable used caravans for sale, ready for you to drive home today? Buying a used caravan is the perfect way to get exactly what you need for your next trip, but there are a few things to watch out for.

Know what features you need

Caravans come in a range of different shapes and sizes, with varying features. It’s a good idea to know what you’re looking for before going for a browse. Things to consider include:

  • How many people it sleeps.
  • Whether you’d like an ensuite.
  • How much storage space you need.
  • Whether you’ll be travelling off-road.
  • The towing capacity of your vehicle.
  • An outdoor living area.
  • What electrical system you need (for off-grid trips).
  • Whether you’d like air conditioning.

Check caravan for damp and mould

Moisture in caravans can lead to all sorts of issues, from diminishing the structural integrity of a van to health-damaging mould. So, it’s important to carefully inspect the van for any signs of leaks.

Check the exterior of the caravan for cracks or scrapes, and the interior for water marks or signs of repair and repainting. If the inside smells musty or of mould, it might be best to steer clear.
You’ll also need to be on the lookout for pleasant smells; if the van is heavily perfumed, the seller could be trying to disguise the odour of cigarettes or mould.
Condensation and colder weather can cause dampness in the furniture, which leads to damage and mould, so it’s important to check for that too. A moisture or damp meter is a great tool that can detect detrimental levels of dampness. It’s a good idea to purchase or hire a damp meter to take with you when you inspect a used caravan.

Top tip

Be on the lookout for bad smells, but pleasant smells too — they can both be a red flag.

Test caravan appliances and water systems

When inspecting a used caravan, ask for it to be hooked up to power and water so you can see everything working as it should. Ensure any gas bottles, sockets and gauges are in order.

Have a look at the water system to ensure there are no leaks or cracks in the storage tanks, and check that the taps, shower and toilet are working well. Once you’re happy that all the plumbing works well enough to get water into the van, ensure that the drains are flowing properly to get the water out of the van.

Inspect the underside of the caravan

Ensuring the safety of the caravan should be your number one priority. The underside of the van will give you a good idea of how roadworthy it is.

Pay close attention to how the axle and suspension look. Rust, cracks or a warped appearance are red flags here and could cause weak spots in an area that you really can’t afford to have weak spots.
Take a look at the condition of the underfloor, including any conduits, water tanks and wiring. It’s normal for this area to appear dirty, but leaks, cracks or frayed wires aren’t normal.
It’s not a huge issue if the tyres aren’t in good repair; it could even be an opportunity for you to negotiate a cheaper price. Just ensure you have safe tyres with good tread when it comes to towing it away.

Examine service history

Checking the service history of the mechanics of the van is important to verify its safety. It is especially important to know that the brakes and handbrakes are performing as necessary.

If the seller doesn’t have the service history recorded, it’s not a deal-breaker; just be sure to have a caravan technician inspect the van before you use it. It’s a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with knowing you and your family can travel safely in your new (to you) van.

Paying for the caravan

Once you’ve found the caravan of your dreams and confirmed the price with the seller, it’s time to complete the purchase and tow it home!

There are three types of payment that are generally accepted:

Cash, electronic bank transfer, or a bank cheque. If you don’t have the funds available to purchase the van, you may like to consider financing it with a Finance One Caravan Loan.

Apply for a Caravan Loan Now
At the time of payment, don’t forget to exchange paperwork for the transfer of registration — this is the final piece of the puzzle to buying a used caravan.
If all goes to plan, congratulations! You are now the proud owner of your very own caravan.
Be sure to check the transfer rules in your state, as you may be subject to additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.

How does caravan finance work?

Caravan finance is a secured loan provided to the borrower for the purpose of buying a caravan. The caravan is used as security (collateral) for the loan, so if the borrower doesn’t repay the loan for whatever reason, the lender is able to sell the caravan to recoup their funds.

Amount and term

At Finance One, we offer caravan finance from $5,000 up to $75,000**, with loan terms of three to seven years.

Caravan finance with bad credit

We believe in second chances at Finance One, so if you happen to have a bad credit score, we’d love to see what we can do for you! We’re more flexible than other lenders when it comes to credit history — we look at your present and future rather than looking back at your financial past.

Apply Online Now

What type of caravan can I buy with caravan finance?

Caravan finance is suitable for any recreational vehicle or trailer. Whether you’re looking for a second-hand caravan, off-road caravan, new caravans, pop tops, camper trailers or motor homes, Finance One may be able to help.

Apply for Caravan Finance

To get started with your caravan finance, you can begin your application now, or feel free to get in touch with our friendly team.

Apply Now

**Loans between $50,000 – $75,000 must be asset backed.

Disclaimer: The information above is of a general nature only and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation or particular needs. You should consider seeking independent legal, financial, taxation or other advice to check how the information relates to your particular circumstances.  We do not accept responsibility for any loss arising from the use of, or reliance on, the information.

Content prepared by an external writer covering topics that may be of interest to our customers. The content does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Finance One Commercial.

All loan applications subject to normal lending criteria. Fees and charges payable. Terms and conditions apply.

Finance One Commercial means:
Finance One Commercial Pty Ltd | ABN: 18 634 900 548

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WRITTEN BY

WRITTEN BY

Makala Elliott

Makala is the Marketing Manager at Finance One. She has worked in the Finance and Lending industry for over 10 years, gathering a wealth of experience. She is passionate about helping Australians get back on track with their finances by passing on her knowledge.

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