Caravans For Sale

Firstly, determine who will be using your caravan. Are you travelling solo, as a couple, or as a family with teens and/or younger kids? This will determine the size, layout, features, storage, and sleeping options. Will you need a Queen-size bed, singles or bunk beds? How many will you need, and how will they be configured (i.e. widthways or lengthways)? How big do you want your kitchenette to be? What type of dining area configuration do you need? Do you need a separate toilet and ensuite? 

The most popular size for an Australian touring (on-road) caravan is between 19 and 21 inches long, which equates to around six metres measured inside from wall to wall. However, caravans can vary in size from just over three metres to almost eight. The most popular off-road caravans are typically around 600mm shorter because they need additional manoeuvrability. 

Other things to consider include where you store your caravan when it’s not in use. If at home, there needs to be sufficient space, whether in internal storage in a garage or external storage in a carport, shed, or outside on the driveway or another location on your property. Indoor storage is recommended for security, to protect it from the elements, and to enhance its ‘van life’. Pop-top caravans have a lower height profile, so it might be an option if you want to store your caravan in an internal lock-up garage. 

Also, consider where you plan to park your caravan when you stop for the night while travelling. Some campsites won’t accept caravans at all, and some caravan parks will limit the size of the caravans they allow. 

Vehicles differ in terms of the weight they can carry, and vehicles overloaded with a caravan have a higher risk of being involved in an accident. Too much weight can also lead to damage to your vehicle, or caravan, or both. Hence, you must be aware of your vehicle’s Gross Combined Mass (GCM).

GCM is the maximum combined weight of your car and caravan. Some assume that the GCM is your vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM - the maximum a vehicle can weigh at any given time) added to the towing capacity (the maximum weight your caravan is allowed to tow). 

However, that’s not always the case, as sometimes the specific towing capacity is not realistic. Hence, it’s safer to choose a caravan that falls well under your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity, so you have weight left over to cover the caravan’s ball weight and your vehicle’s TARE and payload.

Ball weight is the weight at the caravan’s tow ball or coupling (where it attaches to your vehicle). Your vehicle’s TARE is the weight of an empty standard vehicle with all its fluids (for example, oils and coolants) and 10 litres of fuel in the tank. Your vehicle’s payload includes the weight of the occupants, extra equipment, and your caravan’s ball weight. 

In Australia, the un-braked towing capacity of a vehicle is legally always capped at 750kg. Depending on its engine power and chassis, a vehicle’s braked towing capacity can vary anywhere from 2300 kilograms up to 3500 kilograms. 

The aggregate trailer mass (ATM) of your chosen caravan cannot exceed the specified towing capacity. The ATM is the maximum weight of the loaded caravan when carrying the maximum allowed payload (the total combined weight of all items loaded into the van – fuel, water, clothes, food, etc.)

Your budget is one of the key considerations, and costs don’t just include the price of the caravan. Additional costs include insurance, registration, fuel, maintenance, servicing, and ongoing camping/caravan park fees. 

You should also consider your towing experience. If you have minimal experience, towing a larger caravan may be challenging, as specific skills are needed. They include reducing caravan swaying, allowing for extra braking distance, adequately securing weight, understanding your caravan’s safety and vehicle’s limits, and the ability to reverse, manoeuvre and park a large, heavy caravan. 

Where will you be towing your caravan? A touring caravan is a great choice if you plan to stay on sealed roads. If you want to take your adventures onto corrugated roads, choose a semi off-road caravan with adequate wheels, ground clearance, and suspension.

The amount of time you’ll spend on the road is another consideration. If short weekend trips are your choice of adventure, a smaller caravan is a good choice. For unlimited adventures where you’ll experience extensive time on the road, you’ll want a caravan with water tanks, solar panels, plenty of storage, and comfort features like an ensuite and a kitchen.

Well, not exactly. But caravan and camping expos are the next best thing! They allow you to compare vehicles and connect with industry professionals who know their brands inside out and will give expert, tailored advice. These types of shows will also often host speakers and demonstrations on a range of topics, so it’s a great way to learn more about the industry. You can gain insights into things like RV maintenance, safety measures, travel tips and destination ideas. 

Caravan and camping shows are often the first to display the latest advancements in caravan design, technology, and accessories, allowing you to stay up-to-date with the newest innovations. Most importantly, they will enable you to physically inspect and explore a caravan’s features and products, giving you first-hand experience of what life will be like on your new caravanning journey.