Buying a static caravan

Before you rush into buying a static caravan, though, it’s worth considering the type of caravan that will best suit your needs – and those of who you’re likely to rent it out to. Think about how many people will typically stay in it at one time, the bedroom layouts you’ll need, and the size you’ll all be comfortable with. Think about how much time you’ll spend cooking or playing games in the caravan versus being outside on your adventures.

Don’t forget about the bathroom, either – consider whether you’d like a bath or a shower and how much storage space would be helpful. And, if you know where you’d like to base your caravan, keep the pitch size that will be needed for your caravan in mind.

Your budget will be a significant factor when deciding on the type of caravan to buy and whether you buy a new static caravan or a used one. If your budget stretches to a new static caravan, this will give you much more freedom to make appliance and furnishing choices. You’re also likely to be able to charge a higher rental rate to holidaymakers if you have a more modern caravan with the latest appliances and features. However, new static caravans will cost more and depreciate quicker than second-hand ones.

On the other hand, buying a used static caravan will allow you to look for a bargain and help you avoid the initial significant depreciation of buying a new one. This may be the best option to test the waters if you’ve never owned a caravan. You may also be able to afford better caravan specifications by opting for a second-hand one, and you should be able to take it over straightaway.

But buying a caravan from someone else means you’ll likely have to compromise on some of its features as it will be done to another person’s taste. You may also have to work on it due to wear and tear or age. If you have your heart set on a particular holiday park, it’s also worth checking whether they allow you to bring a static on yourself or if you need to buy it from them. Also, check whether the park has a limit on the age of the caravan it will allow to be there.

As well as the initial price of your caravan, you’ll need to budget for other costs involved with owning a static caravan. These include pitch fees and service charges on the site you choose. If your site allows you to bring your own static caravan on, you’ll need to allow for the cost of transporting it there and setting it up on-site. There are ongoing fees to budget for, including utility rates (including water), safety checks, insurance and ongoing maintenance costs. Check whether site rates go up after a certain period, too.

Once you’ve decided on buying a static caravan on a holiday park, it’s time to choose the right static caravan model for your needs. Consider who you’ll travel with and what size you need to keep everyone comfortable. What bedroom layout will you need? And what essentials will make your time away enjoyable?

Your budget will play a big part in the type of caravan you buy, and whether you go for a new model you can put your stamp on with furnishing and appliance choices or opt for a used caravan. When you buy secondhand, you may snap up a bargain and enjoy a higher specification for less, but you may also have to compromise in some areas as it will be done to someone else’s taste.

There are several places that you can look at when buying a caravan. These include specialist dealerships, private sellers, online marketplaces, specialist magazines and holiday parks. Before setting your heart on a caravan, research the type you’d like and look at typical costs on a range of sites so you know what a good deal is and what isn’t.

If you are buying a used caravan, take a careful look at it before committing, paying attention to its shell, its appliances, any signs of damp or mould, the condition of its furniture, carpets and fixtures, and whether there is any rust on its chassis. Ask the owners or dealership about its history, such as whether it’s been rented out previously, and when gas and electricity service checks were last made. It’s also a good idea to ask to see documents for appliances.

If you’d like to make some extra money from your caravan, you could rent it out during the weeks you’re not there. An easy way to do this is to use a specialist site such as UKcaravans4hire. We have a ready-made following of holidaymakers looking to rent a caravan, with more than three million website visitors a year and a customer database of more than 200,000 to market to. More than £10 million worth of bookings were made on UKcaravans4hire last year.

You won’t need to pay a subscription fee to advertise your caravan on our site – we only get paid when a booking is made – and we offer a competitive commission rate of 10% plus VAT. Plus, our online system will vet customers for you to help minimise fraud.