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Decide how you will use the van and set a realistic budget around that plan. Weekend trips on sealed roads, months off-grid, or family touring each push you toward different layouts, weights, and power systems. List must-haves and nice-to-haves, and ring-fence a contingency for accessories, insurance, and registration. Find comfort and style in new caravans for sale – visit the website today!
Check tow ratings and the full weight picture: Tare, ATM, GTM, GVM, and GCM. Leave headroom so you are not towing at the limit once water, gas, food, and gear are loaded. Confirm towball download and distribution. A weight distribution hitch can help stability, but the basic balance must be right from the factory.
Look under the van. A well-designed chassis with adequate cross-members and quality welds is the foundation. Understand the frame material and wall construction, whether timber, steel, or composite. Inspect sealing, edge protection, and insulation. Composite panels can reduce weight and thermal bridging, while aluminium cladding needs careful sealing against dust and water.
Touring on bitumen suits leaf springs and simple shocks. Rough tracks benefit from independent trailing arms with quality dampers. Confirm brake type and rating, and ensure the controller in your tow vehicle is compatible. Tyres should meet load and speed ratings and have light-truck construction. A matching spare and space for a second is sensible.
Measure external height and overall length for storage at home and access to campsites. Inside, check bed orientation, seat support, and whether you can move with doors open. Look for usable bench space, a practical dinette, and storage that does not fight with plumbing or electrics. Soft-close hardware is convenient but check the hinges and struts.
Count water capacity and whether tanks are protected and plumbed for easy isolation. A two-stage filtration setup improves taste and safety when filling from varied sources. Confirm hot-water type and recovery time. Gas supply should be sized for cooking and heating with compliant ventilation and certified appliances. Induction cooktops work well if the electrical system is sized accordingly.
Ask for a clear diagram of the 12-volt system. Lithium batteries offer better usable capacity and weight savings, but the charger and BMS must be lithium-compatible. A DC-DC charger is essential when towing modern vehicles with smart alternators. Size solar to your average daily draw, not the roof area. Consider an inverter for 230/240-volt loads and note the efficiency losses.
Insulation quality matters in both heat and cold. Check roof hatches, awnings, flyscreens, and cross-flow options. Reverse-cycle air conditioning cools efficiently on mains power or a generator; diesel or gas heaters excel off-grid. Test noise levels and airflow at night settings, and ensure condensation pathways are managed with vents and vapour barriers.
Look for breakaway systems where required, rated recovery points, and electronic stability control for heavier rigs. Smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms, fire blankets, and extinguishers should be fitted and dated. Gas lines and electrical work must carry current compliance plates. Verify VIN, build date, and compliance with relevant standards for your region.
Check the pre-wire for rear-view cameras, 4G/5G antennas, and satellite options. Inside, you want ample 12-volt outlets and USB-C for fast charging. A central monitor that shows battery state, water levels, solar input, and tank isolation makes daily use simpler. If there is an app, test it offline and over a weak signal.
Weigh shelves by feel and look for positive latches. Long lockers for tables and poles, ventilated spaces for wet gear, and tie-down points increase usability. Confirm payload after options, not brochure figures. Check access to jack, spare, and service items with the van hitched. External hatches should lock securely and seal against dust.
Assess the coupling type, handbrake leverage, and jockey wheel rating. Ask about rear-mounted accessories and their effect on ball weight. Ensure the wiring plug matches your vehicle and that the cable run clears the A-frame. If you plan unsealed travel, stone guards and mud-flaps reduce damage to the van and tow vehicle.
Demand a full pre-delivery inspection and attend the handover. Run every light, tap, appliance, and hatch. Fill tanks, pressurise lines, and check for leaks. Confirm torque on wheel nuts and inspect tyre pressures set for delivery. Collect manuals, wiring diagrams, warranty terms, and a service schedule. Photograph serial numbers and settings.
Clarify who handles scheduled servicing and warranty work when you are travelling. Note service intervals for bearings, brakes, and suspension. Read the fine print on water ingress and user modifications. A logbook with dates, kilometres towed, and loads carried helps with claims and resale. Keep digital copies of all receipts.
Budget for insurance, roadside assistance, storage, registration, and maintenance. Factor in fuel use from added towing mass and speed. Consumables such as filters, anodes, sealants, and tyres add up across seasons. Consider a small fund for upgrades discovered after your first long trip, such as extra solar, better mattresses, or shade walls.
Choose neutral layouts that suit a broad audience. Standard bed sizes, ergonomic dinettes, and flexible bunks help future buyers. Pre-wire for additional solar and communications so upgrades are simple. Keep the exterior clean of extra holes and stickers. A tidy service record and careful weight management preserve value and safety.
Sleep on the decision after your test tow and full walk-through. Compare two or three shortlisted vans against a checklist tied to your travel plan. If anything feels marginal—weights, storage, electrics—fix it in writing before payment. The right choice balances practical design, safe towing, and systems sized to how you actually travel.
Rent a similar layout for a weekend. Walk through with a checklist. Ask owners about leaks and dust sealing. Real use exposes clashes and shortfalls.
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