A Beginner’s Guide to Caravanning

Many people reading this may be a seasoned veteran when it comes to embarking on spectacular caravan trips. But for those of you who’re new to the caravan scene and considering purchasing a caravan, this article is for you.

What’s your budget?

Your budget will obviously be one of the main contributing factors as to what type of caravan you purchase. Whether you opt for a new caravan or a pre-owned caravan, setting a budget can help you to shortlist caravans that not nly suit your needs, but are affordable.

If you intend to finance your caravan, Credit One’s repayment calculator is a handy tool to help give you a clear idea about how much you can afford to spend on your caravan. It may also be handy to get a pre-approval before you start looking around for your perfect caravan. This gives you more bargaining power when you’re negotiating with dealers or even private sellers, because it’s like having the money in your back pocket.

How much can your car tow?

This is a step that many people overlook, however it is extremely important to consider your vehicle’s towing capacity prior to purchasing a caravan. Towing capacity is vitally important to consider for both legal and safety reasons. It is not only against the law to tow a caravan which has a curb weight above your vehicle’s towing capacity, it can also void your insurance in the event of an accident. For the safety or yourself and your family, ensure you do not overlook this essential step.

Where are you headed?

There is nothing worse than breaking down in a remote place with limited access to assistance. This is why you need to seriously consider where you will be taking your caravan and what sort of driving you will be doing.

Will you be taking it off road? Will you be on the road for long periods of time? How many people will you be accommodating? These are all things you need to consider prior to deciding which caravan best suits your needs.

A bigger caravan will generally require more fuel to tow since it is heavier and creates more drag. A smaller caravan may require less fuel, but not have as much storage and living space. Make sure you write a list of your needs and wants in a caravan prior to commencing your search for your perfect caravan. This will help you to make an informed decision on what items or features are necessary and what can be compromised on if need be.

What can you live without?

This brings us to the question, what can you live without? While some caravans resemble a five-star hotel, others may offer a roof over your head and not much else. For most people, budget is a major deciding factor in which caravan you decide to purchase. If you find that the features you want are outside your budget, you may either need to revise your budget if possible, or compromise on features using the list you made above.

Looking for more caravan tips and advice?

If you’re looking for more information and advice about caravanning or reviews on different makes and models, head over to the NZ Motorhomes, Caravans and Destinations website website for all the latest caravanning information. If you are searching for your perfect caravan, head over to the NZ Motorhomes, Caravans and Destinations website, where you’ll find thousands of both new and used caravans of all types, sizes at affordable prices.

If you’re looking for the most competitive rates on caravan finance and all types of leisure products, look no further than Credit One. A Credit One specialist leisure consultant will compare hundreds of products from New Zealand’s most trusted financiers to tailor a bank-beating finance package with affordable repayments to suit your individual needs. Speak to one of Credit One’s friendly consultants today on 0800 300 500 to discuss your requirements and receive an obligation-free quote on your caravan finance.

Short on time?

No worries, you can get an instant, obligation-free caravan finance quote online right now and get one of our consultants to contact you back at a time that suits you best.