Guide to buying your first caravan or motorhome

Layouts

It may be an obvious thing to say but consider your future caravan/motorhome’s layout carefully. If you don’t want the hassle of making up a bed each night, opt for a fixed-bed model. If you have children, how long will it be before those bunkbeds are too small? Visit a show to get a feel for designs that suit your needs.

Car and caravan matching

It is essential your outfit is both safe and legal – your car handbook should contain information regarding the weight of trailer you can tow, while your Sites Directory & Handbook’s ‘Technical Information’ section contains a wealth of advice. The Caravan and Motorhome Club’s online outfit matching service is a fantastic resource that allows you to compare cars and caravans and find a safe combination. Visit camc.com/outfitmatching.

Where to buy

Dealerships are good places to browse a number of caravans and/or motorhomes. They can also offer greater protection to buyers in terms of warranties but bear in mind that in order to maintain a warranty you may have to service your vehicle at the dealership where it was purchased.

Sometimes it’s possible to pick up a bargain from a private seller, either via an online auction or classified advertising. Make sure that you see the vehicle up close before committing (you should take a motorhome for a test drive). Check the vehicle comes with an up-to-date service record or that ‘bargain’ could turn into a money pit.

Checks

It is very important to view properly before you buy, as photos can be deceiving. Take a friend who has caravanning experience with you or consider contacting a local mobile caravan or motorhome engineer.

Since 1992, all caravans built by manufacturers recognised by the National Caravan Council (NCC) have had a Vehicle Identity Number (VIN) stamped on the windows and chassis. This unique, 17-digit number is linked to the Central Registration & Identification Scheme (CRiS) database. A CRiS check will help identify if a caravan has been reported stolen, has any outstanding finance, has been written off by an insurance company and the name of the registered keeper.

Storage

Consider where you are going to store your caravan/motorhome. Will it fit on your driveway? Check your deeds to make sure there are no covenants regarding caravans/motorhomes on driveways.

Alternatively, you could find a local storage facility. The Club has seasonal storage pitches on some of its sites, or you could opt for a commercial site.

Final thoughts

If you’ve done your research, buying a caravan or motorhome should be an enjoyable, exciting process.

There’s one thing I must really stress though: try before you buy. You may be interested to know that Experience Freedom from the Caravan and Motorhome Club offers the opportunity to hire a motorhome - or even stay in a luxury Airstream caravan. It's the perfect way to see whether caravanning/motorhoming is for you. See experiencefreedom.co.uk.