12 Tips for Buying a Van in Australia
Buying a caravan is one of the biggest financial decisions many of us will make.
You need courage to follow the process through of buying a van to hooking up for your first adventure. Here are some ideas to get you moving.
1. Get the family on board
Having your partner and any younger children in on the decision to buy a van and the final choice is important. Many caravan dealers will confirm that men and women often have differing and strong opinions on what will work for them. Aspects like layouts and space are considerations that men sometimes overlook, but for women and young folk, they might be deal breakers. So, make sure the family is supportive because a van can be a tiny space if one partner or the kids aren’t happy with the chosen van.
2. Pick the right tow vehicle
There’s an old adage that applies equally well today. When thinking about buying a caravan, be wary of putting the cart before the horse. Many bygone horse traders sold an ‘equine tow vehicle’ too small for the heavy cart the hopeful owner planned to take on an adventure into the wilderness. The same applies these days to some of the claims vehicle builders make about the suitability of their 3500kg towing package.
Caravan buyers must consider if their prospective tow vehicle is up to the task because the various caravan weights are widely misunderstood. So, the van's size and weight and the tow vehicle's capability are where our search for the right van should start.
Road rules determine how heavy a van you can legally and safely hitch up and tow away, so before you lay down your cash on the van, check the specs of both the van and the vehicle.
Every vehicle has a limit to how much it can tow but also an upper limit for the total weight of the van and car – the GVM or gross vehicle mass. This is where many caravanners go wrong. For example, lots of 4WD utes have a 3500kg towing capacity, but some may have a GCM – the combined weight of the vehicle and van – of 6200kg. So, when the car is loaded with passengers, tools, accessories and fuel, the combined weight can easily exceed the legal limit.
For most situations, being conservative in the weight-carrying capacity you plan is wise. A rule of thumb has long been that the tow vehicle should weigh more than the van; otherwise, the heavier mass of the caravan will push the tow vehicle around when cornering and braking.
While the language around weights can be daunting, you must understand the limitations. If your existing car or 4WD isn't up to the task, it will need to be upgraded.
First, though, a word of caution. If you have never towed a van before, we recommend training and perhaps hiring a van to see if the lifestyle suits you. Getting into city traffic the first time you tow can be nerve-wracking. Some experience with a trainer will give you the confidence to hit the trails. And a couple of weekends with a hired van will confirm your expectations around caravan ownership and set some parameters on the sort of van you need.
3. Check the budget
It might be obvious, but you need to set a budget you are comfortable with early in the buying process. There’s a huge range of price options, but vans are a high-end product, with even the cheapest second-hand vans starting at around $15,000. I’ve met prospective buyers who were staggered at the price of many new vans. A young couple told me they wanted to move from a camper trailer into a van and thought they would find a suitable second-hand model for $20K. In the end, they realised that getting what they wanted would be nearly $100k.
On the TradeRVs website, I found a few evergreen models like the Coromal Seca, Jayco Freedom and a compact Evernew for $15,000. The cheapest twin-axle couple's van was $20,000, which needed work. So, unless you are looking for a 70s restoration project, expect to start at $25,000 plus as a minimum. And even then, don't expect an ensuite as part of the deal.
Anything over 19ft in a quality new offroad van now exceeds $120,000, and it's not uncommon for those with high-end electronics and a raft of extras to jump the $200,000 barrier.
Remember to factor in the cost of upgrading your tow vehicle if your plans are for a larger van. Your budget should include the cost of insurance, which can be considerable for high-end models. Think too about where you are going to store the van. Moving house to fit the van in the yard might break the bank.
4. Where are you headed?
If you plan to spend most of your holiday in caravan parks, it simplifies the list of features a van might need and reduces the cost. If you can plug into the park’s 240V power, the need for expensive solar power self-sufficiency is diminished. It might also mean that you don't need an onboard shower and toilet, and in the case of a family van, that can allow much more room inside for the young ones to spread out.
On the other hand, if trekking to the wildest parts of the country is your dream, you should be thinking about a van capable of handling harsh treatment. And a suitable tow vehicle, of course. This might seem obvious to experienced campaigners, but many new buyers can be easily lured by the look of a van without considering the sort of ground it's intended to traverse. And just because the model is called something like a Canning Special or a Tele Track Exterminator doesn't mean it is built to go past the edges of town. Several full-on-expedition offroaders are produced in Australia, and they will stand years of travel over rough tracks as long as they are treated sensibly and maintained as suggested by the builder.
But offroad is relative, and a big heavy van will not go where a smaller camper trailer will or even everywhere you can take your 4WD. Getting bogged in the middle of nowhere can be a real downer on your holiday or, at worst, life-threatening if you aren't prepared.
5. Choose your lifestyle
Because you are thinking of joining the 700,000 or so of us in Australia who enjoy the caravanning lifestyle, you have probably considered the sort of destinations and holidays you plan. One of the great things about caravanning is that there are models for all sorts of uses, so there is one that will be just right for you.
To narrow your search, ask yourself what the van will be used for. Holidays with the family in caravan parks? A big lap with just two of you? Remote fishing trips for weeks at a time with some mates?
There's a huge range of vans out there, so the choice is almost endless. Vans range from simple couple's pop-tops to monster family bunk vans and toy haulers. Somewhere in the middle is a sensible size version that won't break the bank and cost a fortune to tow. There are also levels of luxury to suit your taste. Those expecting to travel longer might want a higher level of fitout than those wishing to be away for only a few days at a time.
6. Size matters
It might seem like a family will need a larger van than a solo traveller or a couple, but that might not be the case. Models like Jayco's Expander are a relatively compact van in travel mode, but with the beds folded out from each end, it takes on a different persona.
Legal limits aside, big isn't always better. A lighter van will be easier to tow, especially into remote locations. A compact hybrid van will get you onto beaches via narrow tracks without having the worry too much about damaging the cladding or getting bogged. So, perhaps consider a smaller van when starting out, and once you have experienced the joys of getting away, you will have a better idea of what works for you.
A larger van will most likely have a tandem axle setup; again, there are advantages for either. Two wheels on each side give a safety margin in the event of a blowout, and many say they tow more smoothly. But the cost is higher, and a single-axle van can be easier to manoeuvre into tight spaces.
The choice of size is very personal, and there is no right or wrong. Some folk demand plenty of space, and some like things simple and need a minimum amount of room. If you plan long travel trips, then the comforts of home might outweigh a cheaper fuel bill and compromises on internal space. And in the long run, the size van we choose is a compromise of roominess and the practicalities of towing.
7. The layout
Along with size, we need to compare layouts and the bigger the van, the more options in design we can accommodate. A basic version has a corner combination bathroom – or none at all – a compact kitchen and a small dinette. It will probably include an east-west bed – one across the van – and you need to decide early on if this is suitable as the design means climbing over your partner at night.
Various layouts will either have the bed at the opposite end of the van to the entry door, or close by it – and again, it’s a personal choice because some people like more privacy around the bed.
And don’t forget to consider if you want any additional sleeping spaces for visitors or kids – a lounge that converts into a single or double bed might be handy to have, or if you’re expecting kid-sized tagalongs, perhaps a bunk layout is in order.
A larger van gets you more bench space, a bigger bathroom and more luxurious seating. The most accommodating will have a roomy club lounge at the end or in a slide-out section. Some medium size vans have a combination shower and toilet to add living space. Consider if this can work for you, as you won't be spending ages in the shower with the limited amount of water you can carry.
8. New or used?
Ordering a new van frees you to customise your way, change the colour, add battery power or increase fridge size. Your van will come fully kitted, personalised and ready to hit the road. But buying new or used depends on your personality, budget and DIY ability.
If you are very particular about your possessions, then a used van might be a step too far. But for many, a used van that's only a few years old might be a good choice as it removes the initial depreciation but still delivers a modern option with recent electronics and appliances.
The second-hand caravan market is thriving, and there's a good chance you will find a van even 10 or more years old with electronic upgrades like lithium batteries and a powerful solar array. An advantage of a van that’s already seen some hard miles is that it probably wears a few scratches and dings, so you won’t have the heartache of being the first to spoil the look.
Watch out for vans that don't have a good service history. A van that needs resealing of the silicon joins will, at the least, require an expensive repair and, at worst, may have damage to the timber frame, which could mean disaster. Having a professional check the van is essential if you don't know what to look for.
9. How it’s built
Construction is a complex issue; every builder will have a different answer. The traditional Australian build remains a timber frame clad in suitable exterior panels. Many builders are moving to composite construction with the benefit of lighter weight and superior insulation. Many genuine offroad vans have an aluminium frame that can withstand hard treatment on rough roads. Each method has its advantages and detractors. And while timber has its detractors, you can’t say timber construction is wrong for an offroad van when Trakmasters, Evernews, Wonderlands and others have thousands of trouble-free miles behind them. There isn't a definitive answer to the best build process as long as the van is properly engineered and protected against weather damage. Whatever method you choose, proper exterior sealing is most important, and you need competent installers if you add extra accessories, like solar panels.
10. Which brand?
There are over 200 caravan brands on the local market, including the ones no longer in business, for various reasons. Happily, these days, the internet can tell us everything about everything, so it's a good place to start your research. But be aware that not all advice on the web is true. Competitors and trolls can spread discontent, so read between the lines. Ask around at caravan parks, ask friends about their experiences with their van and get a feel for the different names at shows. Oh, and a heads up. We vet advertisers in this magazine, so take that as a lead to where you might look. And check out our archive of reviews at Caravan World.
When you narrow your choice down, if you are heading to a new van, ask if you can visit the factory and compare how the van is built. Pride of quality on the production line might be a good indicator. An internet check will tell you which vans have been around for several years. And brand forums can give you a good lead on owner experiences.
11. The nitty gritty
Once you narrow down your selection, then spend some time checking out the alternatives. An RV show is a great place to compare. Do you like the bed away from the door? Do you need a big ensuite? Is there enough bench space? Could you sit comfortably in the lounge for hours of a night? Is the bed big enough? Are there enough well-placed charging points?
Many vans will suit you, but check them out thoroughly. Get underneath and have a good look. How well are the water and electrical leads protected?
Sway control is a standard feature on many vans, and yes, I recommend it. It's an added safety feature, but more importantly, you need to learn about weight distribution, weight limits and driving conditions.
12. Be brave
It's a big step to lay down thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars on your chosen van. But you've thought it through, and it's the right decision for you at this stage of your life. At the end of time, it’s the things we didn’t do that we regret the most.
If you still lack confidence in your choice, have an independent inspector look at your van before you head off. A final thought – I'd plan a short trip before the Big Lap. You will get to know the van, and it will allow you to book the important first service or professional check over. Good luck and have fun.
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