DUE DILIGENCE
Begin researching well before handing over your hard-earned cash. Read magazines and publications and visit caravan shows. They’ re a great place to ask questions and you’ ll get to see a range of van types, styles and features, all in one place. Asking questions on forums such as Facebook will, no doubt, provide a barrage of conflicting answers, so don’ t rely on these – everyone has differing opinions.
You’ ll also find online sites that sell RVs and advertise both private and dealer sales. By including the year of manufacture in the search function, you’ ll learn what price you can expect to pay as the caravan ages.
Now you’ re armed with a bundle of information, load it all into a spreadsheet to produce your own buyer’ s guide table. It will help determine what that particular type of caravan is currently selling for. Pay particular attention to the caravan’ s specs and options to ensure you’ re comparing apples with apples.
Remember to check the roof, including all seals, as part of an inspection.
GETTING BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
Draw up a list of specs so you know exactly what you’ re looking for. Treat a‘ must’ as something that’ s not negotiable. In other words, if that item is not included, then you’ re not buying the van. It’ s as simple as that. It’ s no good getting a 2600kg ATM caravan if it can’ t be towed legally by your present vehicle – unless you’ ve factored the cost of a tow vehicle upgrade in your budget.
On the other hand, a‘ want’ is something you desire. These are items that become trade-offs and generally dollar-driven. You might feel you need a shower and toilet, but your budget only allows a combination unit rather than a full or separated ensuite.
Once your list of specs is complete, it’ s time to go window shopping. No, you’ re not ready to buy just yet … you’ re only looking. Head out and visit some dealers because it’ s your perfect opportunity to test out all your research first-hand.
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