How To Spot A Good Quality But Cheap Used Caravan

For a lot of people, they just don’t have the funds to go on big expensive holidays overseas or even interstate – flights, hotels and car rental can put a big dent in your pocket in this economic climate. This has led to an increase in the popularity of caravanning, but this can still be an expensive venture. So, how do you spot a good quality (but cheap) used caravan?

• What do you plan on using the used caravan for? Some people want to use it for travelling, others for storage in their backyards or as a home for their pets. If you aren’t travelling in your caravan, then the cheaper you can buy one the better.
• How big does it need to be? There is a big difference between a 2 person and a 6 person caravan, and this is reflected in the price. If there are only 2 of you, do you really need a massive van?
• How old is too old? If you’re planning on using your used caravans for travelling, then you will need it to be relatively new to ensure the availability of parts and resale value.
• What is the used caravan’s condition? If you’re planning on travelling, there’s no point in buying a dirt cheap van that you have to spend hundreds on getting it fixed up and roadworthy.

At the end of the day, there are plenty of avenues through which you can find a good quality used caravan that is also relatively cheap to purchase. Don’t just run out and buy the first caravan you see – do your research, answer the above questions, and buy a cheap caravan that will suit your requirements.

How To Keep A Caravan Warm In Winter

While a caravan adventure is always a great experience, many people opt to stay at home during winter because they find their caravans much to cold to spend the night in. But there are ways to keep your caravan warm during winter, allowing you to holiday all year round.

Gas Appliances
Probably the least desirable of the heating options, it is possible to use a gas-heating appliance in your caravan. It is, however, dangerous to leave these turned on over night and should only be used for heating during the day.

Electrical Heaters
You can only use these kinds of heaters when caravanning at a powered site or using another electricity source. They can be left on most of the time, ensuring that your caravan is always warm, but you should make sure it has a safety switch in case it is accidentally knocked over.

Porch Awning
Installing a porch awning on the outside of your caravan will preserve the heat that is already inside. It will stop cold air rushing into the caravan whenever you open the door, and also is a great place to store things outside.

Extra Bedding
Bring extra bedding with you so that you can pile more on if your caravan does happen to get cold overnight. Investing in a high tog quilt or a sleeping bag made for below freezing conditions can also go a long way.

Campsite
Select a campsite for your caravan that is well protected from the elements – out of the wind and off the valley floor. Putting yourself into a situation that is bound to get very cold is not going to help, regardless of how many techniques you use to stay warm.

Used Caravans – A Better Alternative

Are you planning a long holiday with your family? Indeed it is a great idea. This can be even more enjoyable if you get a mobile caravan. For long holidays caravans are very comfortable and useful, especially when you are with your family. Mobile caravans can be driven and moved to any place you want. With all the facility like home, it stands out as a perfect option. However, most of us don’t actually dare to get such caravans because of its huge cost. Alternatively, hiring it is also a good option if you are in budget constraint, but if you need it regularly, this idea is still costly.

You can look for caravan dealers if cost is really a concern. There are a huge number of caravan providers, which also deals with used caravans. Being used doesn’t mean that they are discarded or of no use. Most of the time owners of these vehicles sell them after a little use as they do not want them anymore or buy a better vehicle. Hence, you will find them in good condition and not damaged or broken.

If you check out the range of these used vehicles you will find huge assortments. Starting from basic model to highly luxurious, you will be flooded with the range. Size also varies and can be chosen according to the family member you have. Choose whatever suite your need and of course pocket. Yes, as the range and usability varies cost also differs accordingly. Pick the best used caravan and still keep your budget in control!

Save Your Caravan From Winter Weather Element

We often use caravans as a substitute for home while living temporary to some other place. We start using it so carelessly that it becomes deprived of due care and attention. Constant exposure to the winter weather elements increases the chances of reducing its actual life. Some of the extreme weather conditions, like snow, hail, wind and heavy rain occurring on regular basis take away the charm of the caravans. Therefore, it is vitally important to protection it adequately and keep the vehicle in tip top condition. A clean caravan not only boost the life of the vehicle and helps it function properly, but also make you feel good whilst enjoying your trip.

To clean outer body of caravans there are several assortments of cleaning products available in the market. Choose one that helps to prevent moss build-up and green algae growth on the outer body of the vehicle. This will make spring cleaning much easier when you will take it to workshop for servicing.

Start with simple wash of the exterior part of the caravan or motor home as overall cleaning process. Next, initiate work on cleaning additional caravanning accessories, like gazebos and awnings. These accessories also need maintenance after surviving several years travelling on the road. Using protective cleaning products will prevent the formation of algae on their surface and keep them in shape for several months to come. People using caravan as motor home or for long distance travelling need to put more attention to take care of wear and tear that get accumulated over a period of time.

How To Keep Your Caravan Cool

Most people like to take their caravan on holidays during the summer months because the weather is so much nicer and this is when most people get time off work. But sometimes the heat can become unbearable, especially because a caravans has such a small interior space. There are, however, ways that you can keep yourself, and your caravan, cool on those summer treks.



Fluorescent Lighting

In summer, it is best not to have any lights on in your caravan at all, but at night there is some need to be able to see what you’re doing. In this case, have fluorescent lights installed, as they don’t heat up the room the way that many other light globes do.

Air Conditioner
Technology these days means that air conditioning systems are not just for our houses – we can use them in our caravans too. A lot of newer caravans will already have some form of air conditioning system, but if it doesn’t you might want to consider investing in one.

Fan
If you don’t like the idea of an air conditioner, or if you find that they can be overly noisy to run, especially overnight, perhaps using fans in your caravan is a better idea. These can be placed at various intervals in your caravan, keeping the areas that you want cool.

Shaded Campsite
It is generally best to park your caravan in a spot where there is a large shady looking tree a little way off to the west. This will ensure that your caravan is shaded during the hottest part of the day, while at the same time preventing branches, leaf litter, and animal droppings from falling onto your roof.

Cook Outside
Cooking in your house heats up the kitchen, so why should it be any different in a caravan? Cook outside on a BBQ or over an open fire wherever possible, and if you have to cook inside, leave the door and some windows open to help disperse the heat.

How To Check For Damp In A Second Hand Caravan

One of the most common problems associated with second hand caravans is damp. When viewing a second hand van that you intend to buy, the first thing you should do is check it top to bottom for signs of damp and water damage.

If you’re buying second hand from a dealer, you can ask them to run a damp detector over the caravan for you – they should be happy to oblige if they have nothing to hide. It is also a good idea to invest in your own damp detector as you can use it if looking at a second hand van from a private seller.

The key areas to check for damp in a second hand caravan are: under the sink and beside pumps for signs of leaking onto caravan shelving; underneath the mattresses and cushions (also check for staining); inside cupboards, lockers, etc as these areas are parallel to outside seals on the caravan; mismatching or obvious patch up attempts of caravan wall coverings; and soft spots on the walls, roof and floor (this can indicate rot as well as damp).

First walking into a second hand van is usually your first indication that it may have a damp problem – try to determine if the caravan smells mouldy or musty.

You should also check the external sealing of the caravan, especially around the body and windows, by pressing close to the joint and feeling for sponginess. Give the cupboard and door handles a good tug as loose fittings can indicate that damp has gotten into the second hand van.

If the second hand caravan passes all these tests, then it is safe to say it doesn’t have a damp problem, but if it fails any of them, it might be better to keep second hand van hunting.

Should You Install a Toilet in Your Caravan

Camping in the bush with your caravan has many great advantages but unfortunately does not include being waited on hand and foot by friendly hotel staff. This means that while you are on your caravan holiday you will need to cook your own food, and take responsibility for your own waste. While this might be an icky topic, it is also vitally important to planning any caravan holiday. So ask yourself the question, do you need a toilet for your caravan, and how should you choose one?

Fortunately, many caravan parks include full bathroom facilities, such as showers, baby change rooms, and toilets. These camp sites give you the best of both worlds; you get to enjoy the wilderness without the worry of bringing your own toilet with you. For the most authentic camping experience, however, you might consider installing a toilet into your custom made caravans. This allows you to travel wherever you like in the Australian outback, in a relative degree of the comfort and luxury you are used to.

But how do you go about choosing and installing a working toilet in your caravan? Obviously you can't just bung in a standard household model, and you need to consider the environment while taking care of your family's waste. One model you might consider installing in your caravan is the cassette type toilet, which includes a permanently installed toilet seat and bowl and detachable waste tank.

The waste tank can be removed from outside the caravan, for safe hygiene, and emptied in an authorised waste dump. These toilets need to be prepared with environmentally friendly chemicals to ensure that no harm is caused to the bush while you are camping.