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With the current economic situation in the UK and the increasing cost of foreign vacations, largely caused by annual increases in air passenger duty, many UK holidaymakers are turning to caravan holidays which represent a far more affordable option. The hassle of flying and booking accommodation and the costs associated with this are removed by caravan breaks and this has made them appealing among the elderly and those on a budget. However finding the perfect caravan and caravan parks can be a difficult task, below are some top tips for those buying a caravan, designed to make the process as hassle free as caravan holidays themselves. Budget and requirements: Before viewing any caravans you should draw up a list of the requirements and facilities that you want your caravan to have, listing them in order of most important to least important. Following this you should also determine the minimum and maximum amount you are willing to spend, establishing these factors before viewing any caravans will allow you to approach the decision and evaluate alternatives in a more rational and objective manner as opposed to purchasing on impulse. Buying used or new: A key consideration in your quest for the ideal caravan is whether to buy a used or new vehicle, a new vehicle will provide you with guaranteed quality and a lengthy warranty period whereas used models offer greater savings. A new 2 berth caravan is likely to cost around £8,500 whereas a used 2 berth model can cost up to £6000 less, the key is to ascertain how much maintenance will need to be undertaken on the vehicle and how much this will cost. Often the costs of repairing a used caravan and improving it to meet your standards will be less than the cost of a new vehicle and therefore used caravans often represent a more affordable option. Don't forget about your car: A common mistake that many people make when purchasing a caravan is forgetting that their car will have to transport the caravan. If you own a bigger car then you there will be a wide range of caravans available to you, yet if you have a small city car then your choice will become limited. A general rule is that the weight of your caravan and its contents should not be more than 85% of the weight of your car, therefore you should determine the weight of your car and compare this to the weight of all caravans that you choose to view. Obviously this only applies to touring caravans and not static caravans yet with the government planning to raise VAT on static caravans, touring caravans offer better value. Courses in caravan safety: The caravan club offer a number of courses that will enable you to use your caravan more safely, the most useful of these is probably the towing course which is available to members from £99. This will teach you to safely attach and detach your caravan from your car and also give you useful advice on how to drive in a safe manner whilst towing a caravan. Caravan storage: Most caravan owners lack the facilities to store their caravan at home and therefore keep them in storage for the majority of the year, if you also suffer from a lack of space at home then it is advised that you also keep your caravan in storage. The caravan club offer safe and affordable storage facilities across the UK, cheaper options are available yet caravan theft is not uncommon and therefore you should always seek to use a reputable company.
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