If you’re a first-time caravan buyer, whether you’re a young family or a retiree looking to buy, the caravan industry can be overwhelming. With scammers aplenty, it is difficult to know whether you’re getting your money’s worth. More often than not, first-time purchasers have little to no knowledge of the industry or the product they are purchasing, making them likely to fall victim to these swindler tactics.

With the price point of purchases being anywhere between $50K to $200K, it can be a scammers paradise! Luring in first-time buyers with too-good-to-be-true low prices, unscrupulous sellers then add on extra costs for necessities such as water tanks, water heaters, air conditioning, adequate waste tanks, and dust filters, etc. Effectively, a hard top or pop top caravan isn’t fit for purpose without what they dress us up ‘luxuries’ and unsuspecting buyers often end up paying well over the odds for what amounts to a basic model.

“First-time caravan buyers ask questions like ‘How much does it weigh?’, when they should be asking about tare mass, aggregated trailer mass, tow ball weight and the potential gross trailer mass,” warns Karen Perry, owner of JAWA Off Road Campers. “They might ask ‘What colours does the caravan come in?’ and fail to inquire about battery capacity, solar inverters, and dust reduction. It’s easy to ask the wrong questions when you get started. Unfortunately, some caravan companies in Brisbane will cash in on a buyer’s inexperience and sell them a caravan that needs multiple, pricy upgrades – and they have no idea until they’re out on the road!”

How To Know Whether You’re Getting a Good Deal

• Shop around and compare the cost of optional extras to understand the full total cost. See which features are included in the base price and which aren’t and compare the difference between totals.

• Understand what techy features you need to safely navigate your camping location – such as whether the offroad caravan or camper is fully hydraulic, what it offers in the towing department, the suspension, and whether the dust reduction system can handle the Australian outback.

• Buy a caravan with the space you need. Choosing an 18-foot caravan with large storage spaces and bunks may not be the right decision for every buyer. Know how much space you and/or your family need before deciding to go big or go home.

• Don’t ignore the finance options available, using a payment plan or pre-approved loan could save you the stress of making such a large investment. By understanding the options available, you can evaluate whether the purchase is right for your situation and find flexibility in your payment.