When deciding on a static caravan, the most important consideration is its location. It will be located on a permanent site, so you must decide what area you will want to holiday in for the foreseeable future.

When buying a static caravan, factor in any site fees (such as water rates, electric bills, insurance, etc) and how many months of the year the site will be open.

What to check for

You’re more than likely going to be buying a second hand caravan, as they will be less expensive than a brand new model. Before doing so, make sure you carry out the following checks to try and identify any problems that may make you think twice about parting with your money. You should always buy from a reputable dealer.

• Check for rust. Caravan rust is an expensive problem to fix, so you should check for it thoroughly before buying a caravan. Areas to pay special attention to are the chassis and underneath the van. Also, look for signs of fresh paint which could be covering up a rust problem
• Check for leaks and damp. You may be able to smell damp in a caravan, but you should also check the windows and roof for signs of water damage, and examine the pipes to ensure they do not leak
• Check the tow hitch. The tow hitch should move easily, and the handbrake should hold the van securely when on
• Check everything. Examine the beds, cooker, fridge and windows. You might only find something minor that you can use to help bring the price of the caravan down. However, you may discover something major that could cause problems if you were to buy the caravan
• Is it big enough? Is the caravan suitable for your needs? You should not only consider whether you can fit your family and all of your belongings in the caravan, but also that you will be comfortable (e.g. does the layout work for you?) You should also check that the caravan isn’t too big for your car to pull
• Take it for a test drive. If you are new to caravanning, it is worth taking the caravan for a test drive so you can get an idea of how pulling a caravan feels before you buy one and go on holiday
• Haggle. If possible, you should always try and haggle over the cost of the caravan. Don’t start at the price you are happy to pay, start much lower and bargain up to a price you and the seller are both comfortable with
• Try one out. If you are just starting out in caravanning and are not completely sure the lifestyle is for you, rent one for a few weeks to see if you enjoy it
• View as many as possible. If you are buying second hand, you should look at a good number of caravans to ensure you get the best deal. Even if sellers tell you that they have hoards of buyers lined up to buy their caravans, don’t feel pressured to buy