RV FEATURE
FINAL THOUGHTS
PRICE
As mentioned elsewhere in this issue, price
is where purchasing a secondhand caravan
has an advantage. A caravan that cost,
say, $80,000 new, could depreciate
around $8000 per year in the first five
years. Of course, this depends on how
well it has been maintained, etc.
Interestingly, after about five
years, the depreciation tends to
plateau somewhat, with vans
holding their value quite well in the
following years.
WEIGHT
If buying secondhand, it’s possible that you'll
come across vans that were put on sale
because the original owner didn't specify
enough payload capacity, ending up with a
van they can no longer use.
Always look at the compliance plate and
ensure the weights make sense and that
it has sufficient cargo capacity to suit your
requirements.
Insist on a weigh bridge certificate to confirm
the Tare weight of the van. If they can’t
provide one, don’t buy the van unless they’re
willing to facilitate a visit to a weigh bridge.
Ascertain what extras are included in the Tare
weight, such as tool boxes and bike racks.
There's secondhand... and then there's this.
DON’T ‘FALL IN LOVE’
Never purchase the first van you see. Shop
around to get a good idea of what's available
on the market. Take the time to sit inside the
van and imagine what life would be like with
the layout and features.
Ensure the seating is comfortable. Ensure the
van has sufficient storage both inside and out.
Could you stay inside the van without going
mad should it rain for three days?
Why not have a chat to friendly caravanners at
the local van park to ascertain their experiences?
/ 21