Owner guides
Buying caravan secondhand: complete ultimate buyer guide
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When buying a used caravan, many Australians pay too much for a caravan that they later find to be defective or unsuitable for their needs. We’re here to help you avoid making the wrong decision.
In this guide to buying a caravan secondhand, our experts talk you through the entire purchasing process so that you can find the best deal at the lowest price. Across our ten-step process, we help you:
Find the best make and model of caravan for your needs
Discover the best caravan deals online
Test and inspect the caravan before buying
Negotiate the price of the caravan before buying
Renovate and update the used caravan
Make money by hiring the caravan out through Camplify.
As always, we suggest that you “try before you buy”. Use Camplify to find caravans for hire in Australia, so that you can test the caravan you’re interested in before committing to a purchase. This is the best way to ensure that you’re choosing the best make and model for your camping needs.
And once you’re bought a caravan, make a return on your investment by hiring it out through Camplify when it’s not in use. Use our earnings calculator and see how much money you could make each year by hiring out your caravan!
Guide to buying a caravan secondhand
1. Compare which is best for you: caravan vs motorhome
Before jumping into the deep end and buying a caravan, consider whether it’s the right kind of vehicle for your needs. Would you perhaps be better suited in a motorhome?
Caravans tend to be best for those who prefer to stay at one campsite for several days (e.g. a weekend at a holiday park). This is because caravans require more set up time. On the plus side, they often provide more living space and berths than motorhomes.
Motorhomes may be better suited to people who prefer to tour and move from campsite to campsite on a daily basis. Whilst they tend to be slightly smaller than caravans, motorhomes are easier to drive and set up.
For a full list of pros and cons, see our article on motorhome vs caravan.
2. Budget for a secondhand caravan
You don’t have to burst your budget by buying a caravan brand new. Australia has a strong secondhand market and there are some great deals out there waiting to be scooped up.
Based on the average prices of new and used caravans on caravancampingsales.com, Australians spend an approximate average of $75,000 when buying a new caravan and $45,000 when buying a used caravan. That’s an average saving of $30,000 for those buying a caravan secondhand.
Depending on the price bracket that you are budgeting for, you can expect the following on the used caravan market:
$30,000 - $45,000: This should get you a smaller caravan that is less than 10 years old and best suited to a couple or young family.
$45,000 - $75,000: This should get you a medium to large-sized caravan that is less than 10 years old and comfortable for a family of 4-6 people. It will likely have standard features.
$75,000 - $100,000+: On average, this will get you a large and luxurious caravan that is close to brand new and comfortable for a family of 4-6 people. It will likely have the highest-quality features such as oversized beds and an ensuite bathroom.
Regardless of how much you spend when buying a caravan, remember that you can make a return on your investment by hiring your caravan out through Camplify. Use our earnings calculator and see how much income you could generate each year by hiring out your caravan.
3. Choosing which make and model of caravan to buy
There are numerous factors you need to consider when deciding which make and model of caravan to buy.
If you already own a tow vehicle, your first and foremost consideration will be the towing capacity of the car. Ensure that the towing capacity of your vehicle is higher than the aggregate trailer mass (ATM) of the caravan.
Similarly, ensure that the permitted ball weight of the towing vehicle is higher than the ball weight of the caravan. For more guidance, please see our guide to towing a caravan.
Other vital questions that you should ask yourself when searching for the perfect make and model of caravan include:
How do you plan on using the caravan? Holidaying, touring, off-roading or a mix?
How many people will be sleeping in the caravan?
Do you want a balanced living space or would you prefer a larger bed/bathroom/kitchen?
What is your budget? How much money can you make from hiring out the caravan?
Which makes and models of caravan have the features you want?
For further guidance when choosing a make and model of caravan, please see our list of the best family caravans to buy, including the:
Kokoda Battalion - best overall
Adria Altea 552 PK Sport - best for large families
Franklin Core 220 - most spacious for touring
Jayco Expanda Outback Pop Top - most spacious for off-road
Newlands Tourister 675 - best for luxury touring
Kokoda Cadet II - best for luxury off-road
4. Try before you buy the caravan
Regardless of whether you want to buy a new or used caravan, you can avoid investing in the wrong make and model by hiring out different options before committing to buying one.
Once you’ve shortlisted the models you’re interested in, hire them out through Camplify for a few nights and test them out before purchasing your own. Which best meets your needs? Exceeds expectations? Is there anything you’d change or an alternative model that is better suited to your style of camping?
Camplify is a platform that makes it quick and easy to find caravans for hire in Australia. Simply enter your pickup location (plus heaps of optional filters) and arrange to pick up the caravan from a local owner near you.
5. Search online for the best deal when buying a caravan
When buying a caravan, you can often find the best prices and the most diversity of choice by searching through websites like Caravan Camping Sales, Caravan Sales and Gumtree. By using these websites, you can also ask the owner for a detailed history of the caravan and can use your bargaining power to negotiate the price.
Once you’ve settled on a make and model, search for that particular caravan across several second-hand sales websites to get a feel for a fair price. When looking for the listings, look for advertisements that:
Feature lots of photographs of the caravan.
Have a detailed description including how the caravan has been used.
Allow you to take the caravan for a test drive upon inspection.
6. Arrange an inspection of the secondhand caravan
Never buy a caravan secondhand without inspecting it first. It is not always possible to tell through photos whether or not the caravan has damage or other issues.
Once you’ve found a listing that you like, contact the owner of the caravan and ask them some simple questions :
How many people have owned the caravan?
How long have they owned the caravan?
Where has the caravan been stored?
Where has the caravan been used?
Are there any issues with the caravan?
What extras have been fitted to the caravan and how much are they worth?
Do they have the service history and relevant certificates?
If you’re happy with the answers and the owner sounds honest, go ahead and set a time to inspect the caravan. Inform the owner that you would like to take the caravan for a test drive and you would like to test that the fridge, water heater, air conditioning and other appliances work properly. Also, tell them that you would like to view all the relevant documentation when you arrive.
Before closing the online listing, save a copy of it to your computer or print it off. False advertising is against the law, so keep proof in case you need to make a claim.
7. Inspect and test drive the caravan
If you don’t have the mechanical knowledge necessary to pass judgement on the quality of the caravan, consider bringing along a mechanically-minded friend or a professional mechanic.
Make sure to inspect the following aspects before buying the caravan:
Damage: signs of an accident, repairs, scratches, chips, dents, hail damage, rust, bowing, repainting or loose parts hanging off (particularly underneath).
Leaks: water damage on the walls or extra sealant around the windows, doors and ventilation hatches.
Windows and windscreens: Look for cracks or chips in the glass and holes in the fly screen. Check windows open and close properly.
Suspension and axles: Check underneath the caravan for signs of damage, rust, cracks or deformation of the suspension or axles. Check whether the body of the caravan leans to one side due to damaged suspension.
Underbody: Look under the caravan and check the water tanks, wiring, piping and underfloor condition.
Tyres: The amount of tread remaining and that the spare tyre is included.
A-Frame: Hook up tow hitch to your vehicle and ensure that the wiring, handbrake, chain and jockey wheel work properly.
Roof, solar panel and TV aerial: Any damage to the roof, solar panel, TV aerial or other add-ons.
Awning: Wind it out and check for any damage to the fabric or the mechanical arms.
Lights: Check all the external and internal lights on the caravan.
Electrics: Check the condition of the batteries.
Air-conditioning: Test both the heating and cooling functions.
Gas: Check the condition of the gas bottles. Turn the gas on and check the hose for leaks.
Cleanliness: Inside the caravan, inspect for any lingering smells, stains, dead bugs, etc.
Beds: Check for moisture and mould underneath the mattress. Are the beds comfortable?
Kitchen: Test each appliance. Ask the owner to turn on the fridge before you arrive.
Bathroom: Test each appliance. Ask the owner to turn on the water heater before you arrive.
Storage: Check for broken latches, rollers or other damage to the cupboards and drawers.
Power sockets: Check that each power outlet works.
Pop-top and expanding ends: If the caravan has these features, check that they raise and lower properly.
Security: Make sure that the owner has the key to the door and that it can be locked properly.
After a thorough inspection of the caravan, you should also ask to take it for a test drive. Allow the owner to sit in your passenger seat and hook it up to your tow vehicle so that you can ensure that there are no issues with the brakes, wheels, suspension or A-frame.
Also, ask the owner for all the relevant documentation to verify the age and history of the caravan, including the manual, logbook, warranty, registration papers and insurance.
8. Negotiate when buying the caravan secondhand
If you notice some minor issues with the caravan, you may be able to use these when negotiating the price of the caravan. Relevant issues may include tyres, minor scratches, old gas bottles, old batteries, etc.
Be sure to take into account the age and maintenance schedule of the caravan when negotiating the price. If the caravan has not been serviced regularly or well-maintained, you can ask for a lower price.
Once you’ve reached a fair price based on your market research and your inspection of the caravan, pull the trigger and buy the caravan.
9. Renovate or update the secondhand caravan
If you think that your secondhand caravan could use a bit of a renovation or an interior update , there are a heap of articles on the Camplify Blog that can help:
10. Hire out your caravan on Camplify
So, you’ve bought your caravan and you’re now free to enjoy family holidays whenever and wherever you like - congratulations! But have you considered making money from your caravan?
Instead of letting your caravan sit idly in the driveway when it’s not in use, hire it out through Camplify and generate income from the comfort of your own home. Caravan rentals are in high demand amongst holidaymakers all over Australia!
Why Camplify?
Each year, heaps of Aussies earn up to $10,000 by hiring out their campervan through Camplify. It provides a quick and easy way to generate long-term passive income and earn a return on their investment.
And the best part is, Camplify takes care of many of the expenses involved in hiring out your vehicle, including:
Comprehensive hire insurance.
24/7 NRMA nationwide breakdown cover for hirers.
Dedicated customer support.
It’s completely free to list your van.
If you’re interested in making money from home after you retire from van life, why not try our earnings calculator and see how much income you could generate each year.
The information in this blog is accurate and current as of the date of posting. Please be aware that information, facts, and links may become outdated over time.