Should You Buy a Used or New Caravan for Your Family Holidays?
A caravan is a great choice for family holidays, as it means being able to store certain gear in the caravan itself so you don't need to pack up everything when you want to hit the road. Staying at a caravan park is also often cheaper than staying at any hotel, so you can afford more holidays or be less worried about your holiday budget when you own a caravan. When you are ready to shop, note a few pros and cons of both used and new caravans, so you can determine which would be the right choice for your family.
New caravan
Buying a new caravan means factory-backed warranties and dealer warranties that ensure the trailer will be in good condition, or that you'll get reimbursed for any major repairs that need to be done. A new caravan will also typically have more of the latest features available; this might mean nicer fabric for the furniture, better-quality electronics, stronger receivers for Wi-Fi, built-in racks for storing bikes and kayaks, and the like.
Obviously the biggest drawback to a new caravan is the price tag, and you should also note that a new caravan will see a steep depreciation as soon as you drive it off the lot.
Used caravan
While you can order a new caravan to your liking, this doesn't mean you won't be able to find a used caravan with all the features and accessories you want; you may simply need to expand your search to include private sellers as well as dealers who sell used caravans. Note, too, that some older caravans may not offer state-of-the-art luxury, but their appliances, electronics, and furniture pieces may still be sufficient and offer all the basics you want, including a Wi-Fi receiver, durable fabric on the furniture, and nice tile flooring. Dealers may also offer limited warranties on used caravans.
The obvious drawback to a used caravan is that it will need a more thorough inspection. You would do well to acquaint yourself with how to inspect the underside of the caravan in order to look for potential damage to the floor and frame. You also need to inspect the hoses to the water and propane tanks to ensure they're in good condition and the body for developing rust. If this type of thorough inspection is outside your area of expertise, you might do well to invest in a new caravan to ensure you're getting a quality product that will last.
