Home Blog Caravan What to look out for when buying a caravan

What should you look for when buying a new caravan?

Jan 09, 2020

4 min reading time

Are you planning to buy a new caravan? When you are considering buying a new caravan, you are faced with many choices. Buying a new caravan is a big investment. But with a good buy, you will be able to enjoy your caravan for years to come. What should you pay attention to when buying a caravan? Before you make a choice between the various models and brands, you need clarity on a number of important aspects. First, it is important to know how heavy the caravan may be in relation to your car. How many people will you be camping with and in what season? Of course, the available budget is also an aspect you should take into consideration. Also consider recurring costs such as maintenance, storage and caravan insurance.

Caravan insurance? Compare premiums!

What does a caravan cost?

A new caravan can be bought from around €13,000. Of course, the price depends on the amount of luxury and the brand. In this, as in cars, the upper limit is unlimited. The average caravan owner spends a maximum of €25,000 for a new caravan. If you opt for a second-hand caravan, you are naturally more economical. Its price depends on the make and type and its state of use. On average, a caravan lasts about 15 years. Depreciation is highest in the first five years and lies between € 1000 and € 800 per year.

These are still only the costs of purchase. Added to this, of course, are the costs of storage and insurance. Caravan insurance is mandatory. The cost depends, among other things, on the value of the caravan and how many risks you want to insure.

Considerations when buying a new caravan

Before buying a caravan, it is important to pay attention to several things. First, it is good to check the maximum permitted weight of the trailer in relation to the caravan. Driving license B is suitable for driving with the caravan / trailer in most cases. With a driving license B you may:

and towing a trailer of up to 750 kg (empty weight + load capacity);
towing a trailer of more than 750 kg if the car and trailer together do not exceed 3,500 kg (empty weight + load capacity)

In other cases, you need driving license E. You can find more information about the maximum payload of your car on the RDW site.

Buying a new caravan: checklist

The range of caravans available these days is enormous. Before you can make a good choice, it is important to list all the important aspects. We have made a short checklist for you, what you should pay attention to when buying a new caravan:

First check what the permissible weight of your caravan is, relative to your car.
Check your driver's license to see if you are allowed to drive this caravan/car combination.
Think about the layout you are comfortable with.
How many people would you like to be able to stay/sleep in your caravan?
In what season do you travel with your caravan?
What is the available budget? Take into account purchase, as well as recurring expenses such as maintenance, insurance and storage.

Caravan insurance? Compare premiums!

What are your personal preferences when buying a caravan?

Are you traveling as a couple or do you have a family with 2 children? The number of people you are going on vacation with is of course important when choosing a caravan. The season is also important. If you go to the South of France in the summer, you will mostly live outdoors. However, if you go on a caravan trip in the colder fall, you will want more space inside and perhaps a heating system. What kind of bed do you want in your caravan? Are you going for comfort or space-saving? Again, the number of people obviously plays a role.

Cost of caravan purchase

In addition, which caravan to choose depends on your budget. Also take into account the additional costs that recur annually, such as storage, maintenance and the cost of your caravan insurance.