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Key things to consider before buying a caravan

Your Needs and Budget

Setting a realistic budget is important. Your first journey may well be to explore what these caravans can cost, and what the price range is. We are very happy to explain things in a very informal way.

Capacity

The number of berths offered by a caravan basically means the maximum people who can sleep in the caravan in a bed that is part of the caravan. Remember this is just the maximum. Often a couple opt for a 3 or 4 berth because of the size or convenience it offers and not the fact that it sleeps 3 or four people, however if a 6 berth is a must then this will narrow down options for you.

Layout & Sleeping Arrangements

The most common error first time caravan owners make is buying the wrong layout at first. It is important to consider a few factors in choosing a layout. This is very much simplified if the van is primarily to be used by 2 people, however once you add extra people you add extra questions to consider such as who goes to bed first, and therefore what area of the caravan becomes off limits in the early evening. It is also good to consider the location of the bathroom and think about trips to the toilet in the middle of the night.

There is no better way to understand the layouts than to come and visit us and sit in the seats, lie on the beds and even step into the shower.

User Towable / Tow Capacity

If you intend to use the caravan as a touring caravan (not on a permanent pitch) then your car must be able to legally and safely tow the caravan you are buying. As well as the caravan’s weight you must also consider the noseweight limits. We can help be matching cars to suitable caravans or vice versa

Specification (Equipment & Toys)

Are there any must have features over and about physical attributes, that you just cannot live without.

If you plan on going to warmer climates quite often you may require air conditioning. Some caravans may have this as an option. Some caravan may in fact not be able to have this fitted in the aftermarket for various reasons.

Do you need a particularly large fridge freezer because you plan longer trips away ? Do you need Wi-Fi, Self levelling, Under Floor Heating, External BBQ point, Solar Panel for charging your leisure battery off-grid …. The list is endless. Come down and discuss your wants and needs and we can point you in the right direction.

Length

Are you restricted by where you will park the caravan when not using it ? Some caravan storage facilities have specific size bays available, or maybe your drive is only capable of storing a caravan of a certain length.

Exclusivity / Image

Do you want the latest model with the most up to date upholstery and graphics options, or are you looking for something that is great value for money. All questions to ask yourself when looking at a caravan purchase. There are some great savings to be made by buying a pre-owned touring caravan compared to brand new.

Security & Safety

Are you an experienced driver, or would you like the added benefit of automatic trailer control ? Are van security features important to you. Some ranges of caravans come with extra security measures included in the price, whereas others may need you to make an additional purchase for the same.

Caravan FAQ’s

Do I need caravan insurance ?

Whilst it may not be always be a legal requirement to have your caravan insured, it is certainly wise. It is normally a requirement if you have finance on a caravan.

Is there an easy way to get help when out and about if things go wrong ?

We have a dedicated troubleshooting section built in to our site to help everyone, not just those who have bought a caravan, motorhome or campervan from us.

CLICK HERE to view  Our Caravan Troubleshooting Guide

What comes included with a New Caravan and what else will I need ?

A new touring caravan normally comes with a mains hook up cable and a caravan step.

You will need a number of other items including leisure battery, gas bottle, towing mirrors, toilet fluid etc. The reason they don’t come as standard are that most people use the ones from their last caravan. It is also fair to point out that if they were all included then you wouldn’t have the chance to choose the items you really want, rather than just the ones you are given.

Our Leisure Shop has thousands of caravan and camping accessories. Some are must haves, others are nice to have and some are quirky items we have added to our range such as stoves that will charge your mobile telephone by burning twigs. (Yes that is actually a thing)

You can check out our shop online, or come and browse to your heart’s content 7 days a week.

What is covered by a Caravan Warranty ?

Every caravan we sell comes with a warranty. The biggest difference is between New Caravans, and Used Caravans which should come as no surprise.

For details of the Warranty on a NEW Bailey Caravan CLICK HERE

For details of the Warranty on a NEW Coachman Caravan CLICK HERE

For details of the Warranty on a NEW Elddis Caravan CLICK HERE

Do I need to have my Caravan Serviced ?

An annual service is necessary to keep a warranty up to date, but it is so much more than that. You need to have your caravan serviced regularly to ensure the safety of your family and also to protect your investment.

At United British Caravans we have a very busy service department as we sell a lot of caravans each year and also we deal with insurance repairs as well as fitting upgrades such as solar panels, motormovers and air conditioning units.

Using a main dealer for your annual service means your vehicle is in the best of hands. We get updates from the Manufacturers concerning any recalls or updates required. We also have much more experience about specific models as we see more of them. This means we can potentially save money in the future by ensuring a better part exchange price or sale price when you sell or swap the caravan.

To contact our service department CLICK HERE