Buying a caravan—your checklist

A caravan is a major investment in your future leisure time, so it's important to make sure you buy the right type to suit your lifestyle. Before visiting your local caravan dealer, ask yourself what you want from a caravan:

• Do you want a touring caravan that can be detached from your car so you can drive around freely while on holiday?
• Or would you prefer a motorhome and do away with any towing issues: no worries about the technicalities of pulling a caravan or whether it's securely coupled to the car when you are on the road.

• Caravan dealers sell a wide range, from under ?10,000 for a fairly basic two-berth to ?20,000 or more for a home-from-home with central heating, air conditioning and en-suite bathroom.
• A motorhome is likely to cost more to buy, though this outlay is offset by the fact you don't have the cost of running a car for towing.

• Check how many people the caravan sleeps. Will it be big enough for your family?
• Ask the caravan dealer about durability. Will the caravan be tough enough to deal with the terrain and driving conditions of the places you want to visit?
• If you are going to be towing the caravan, check with the caravan dealer that your car can cope with the additional weight load.
• Ask the caravan dealer for the exact dimensions of the caravan so you can make sure it will fit onto your driveway.
• Check how comfortable you feel in the caravan or motorhome. Are the rooms big enough? Is there enough storage space?

• Many caravan dealers sell second-hand caravans, and of course you can buy them privately too.
• If you buy second-hand then check thoroughly to ensure everything, including road lights and appliances, works safely. Ideally the caravan should come with a service record.
• You get greater protection if something goes wrong when you buy from a caravan dealer.
• A caravan dealer may also offer a warranty.

• Most caravan dealers offer finance deals so you won't have to pay for it all up front.