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Buying a caravan represents a major investment of money so you don t want to make a mistake when purchasing a trailer. The initial step, of course, is to consider what you need in a trailer, such as how many people will occupy it and what features should it have, such as a toilet room if you are staying in a campsite that does not provide facilities. Then, consider what kind of car you have and what weight of trailer it can tow. The rule-of-thumb is that the weight of the trailer, fully laden, should not exceed 85|of the car s weight. Matching a car with the right trailer is called outfit matching and you can ask dealers and caravan clubs to help do this for you.

There are an assortment of sources where you can buy a caravan. If you are planning to buy a new trailer, a trade show is a good place to purchase one since they display the newest models. On the other hand, if you are planning to buy a second-hand one, a local dealer is a good choice, since it will be easy to drive your trailer home as well as driving it back for regular servicing. You can also buy trailers from online auction sites such as eBay, but you should be careful to deal only with reputable sellers. There are also specialized websites that post ads for trailers for sale from private owners and dealers but these sites simply post listings so you should also be careful when making a purchase.

Once you start shopping for a trailer, make sure that you know what to look for when examining a vehicle, particularly if you are buying a used model. One red light that you should look out for is dampness inside the trailer since it is a sign that moisture has invaded the vehicle, causing the walls and floor to rot. Signs of moisture include discolored and spongy floors, a moldy smell and bumps on panels. While moisture can be fixed, it is an expensive process that must be performed by professionals. You should carefully examine the trailer s fitted equipment such as the water heater and fridge as well as the electronics. The doors and windows should also close tightly, with secure seals to keep out the damp.

Before finalizing a deal to buy a caravan, you should request for the relevant documentation such as warranty and ownership documents as well as service documentation that will tell you what repairs and maintenance tasks have been done on the trailer. If the trailer has been manufactured after 1992, it should be CRiS-registered and will provide you with a wealth of information on its past history.

Finally, consider the unnoticed costs of buying a caravan. Apart from the cost of the trailer itself, you will also have to think about the costs of equipping it. These so-called hidden costs include cooking items and utensils, electric appliances, beddings and miscellaneous items such as cleaning equipment, a first aid kit and other emergency supplies such as a fire extinguisher, gas tanks for your stove and a food-grade hose for filling your water tank.