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Buying your First Caravan
If after looking at all the camper trailers available on the market you decide that they are not what you are looking for and you have a suitable vehicle for towing your next choice is a Caravan.
Again two important factors that must be considered first are your Budget and if you will be using the Caravan for family holidays, regular short trips, extended bush travels or your retirement dream of spending life permently on the road.
When buying a new or used caravan, there are many different styles to choose from so you should take your time before you finally decide it should never be a snap decision one you could live to regret and cost you money.
Styles available to choose from include :–
- Full solid Roof
- Pop-ups or Pop-tops,
- Off-road,
- 5th wheelers,
Next and most importantly you have to decide what you require in your caravan:–
- Overall Space (it is easy to cope with a small amount of space for short trips but for extended trips the more room the more comfortable)
- Beds How Many ( Single’s or Double End double bed, island bed )
- Basic Model (without Shower and Toilet )
- Middle of the Range ( with Shower and Toilet )
- Luxury Model ( everything including the washing machine )
Most Importantly you have the always keep in mind the legal towing capacity of you vehicle. This will in some cases decide they style of Caravan you choose also keep in mind that is is naturally going to be easier and more economical to tow a 16ft caravan than a 22ft caravan.
Overall layouts are Rear kitchen with front bed, Front kitchen with rear bed or Mid kitchen with either front or rear bed
Kitchens in Caravans work pretty much the same way as at home so you will have to decide if you want a full stove or just a microwave, or perhaps hotplates and a microwave. Take a good look at where everything is located and see if you would feel comfortable with the layout.
Another consideration is the Shower and Toilet if you are planning to spend the majority of your time in caravan parks that all offer shower and toilet facilities some even your own personal en-suite,adding a Toilet and Shower will unnecessarily increases the cost, length and weight of your van.
Full or Standard Caravans
Advantages:–
- Extra height allowing for easy movement inside
- Additional storage space
- Very quick to set up,
- Easy to connect to all amenities
- Easy to level on site
Disadvantages:–
- Need higher than normal garage space.
- Harder and Heavier to tow
- More wind resistance adding to fuel cost
Pop-Top or Pop-Up Caravans
Advantages:–
- Additional roof ventilation.
- Lower and safer to tow
- Slightly less weight than a standard van
- Less wind resistance reducing fuel cost
Disadvantages:–
- Less head room until the roof is lifted.
- Smaller Door
- Limited storage space
- In Older models top can be hard to lift.
- Damage can occur in the vinyl and fly screens around the lift top.
Variations of the Pop Top include the latest models, extendable caravans these have either single or double beds that fold out at the end. The advantage is that you get a lot more living space without extending the overall length.
Off Road Caravans
Compact off road caravans are designed pacifically for the rough terrain and are normally very easy to set up but do require stabilizing hacks to be engaged before entry and most have some sort of extended section. More information on the different styles of Off Road Caravans can be found at Kimberley Karavans and Bushtracker ( Australia )
The Granddaddy of them all the Fifth-Wheel
Fifth-wheel caravans are similar to larger caravans, except they have an extension on the front that extends over the tow vehicle and a horizontal plate that looks like a wheel that rests on the tow vehicle for support. They hitch up much the same way as a Semi Trailer, many models also have slide outs which extend the living and bedroom areas.
If you are considering purchasing a Fifth-wheeler firstly you will need a full size pickup for towing.
I personally have never had anything to do with the Fifth-Wheeler but know a couple of families that own them. What can I say One loves theirs and would never have anything else the other would never buy another one.
There main objections are:–
- Too Big hard to maneuver
- Costly to tow because of weight and length.
- Pain to set up
Personally I think they are very roomy and well layed out but my advice is that if you are considering the purchase of a Fifth-Wheeler ask several different people who have one and make your decision from there.
More information on this subject can be found at the OZ Explorer Website, where you will find further information on the different types of Storage, Windows, Doors, Floors, Walls, Bedrooms and Bathrooms also available.