Do Not Get Stung Buying A Caravan
Keywords: Caravan, Caravan dealership, buying caravans, caravan holidays
So summer is around the corner and instead of forking out for flights and a hotel on the Costa Brava your thinking of buying a caravan. I cannot congratulate you enough for making this momentous decision; you will soon be enjoying the freedom of the open road and holidaying for less money with a richer experience. This is a major investment for your leisure time but before you head down to the caravan dealership and hand over a fistful of cash bear in mind a few key factors.
Make sure you are buying a good quality caravan from a reputable dealership; although it may be more expensive, a new one is always advisable. As the caravan will be your home from home you must take as much care in the dealership as you would in the estate agents. You do not want to spend your holidays fixing leaks, doors and mending chemical toilets. It is hardly the perfect start a trip, so make sure if you do buy a second hand caravan that it has a high quality warranty.
Many things must be remembered when buying a caravan, here I will attempt to go through some of them so your trip to the caravan dealership will be as painless as possible:-
First of all make a thorough inspection for rust. This is a major problem in caravans but recognising the problems early is vital to happy caravaning. The main place to check is the chassis, this can be a dangerous fault and also a very expensive one to fix, make sure the dealership has not freshly painted the chassis as this can be a sign of a cover up.
Check the interior in its entirety, all the internal fixtures like the fridge, the cooker the beds and the windows should all be meticulously examined. Remember the harder you look now the less chance there is of finding a problem once you are on holiday.
Make sure the dealership does not try and palm you off with a leaking caravan; sitting in a wet cardboard box does not make for a nice holiday. Signs to look for are loose seals around the doors and windows, damp patches in areas of the caravan, leaking pipes and a general damp mustiness. If any of these signs are prevalent walk away from the deal.
Fundamentally the tow brake and hitching arm must be checked, you do not want to hitch it up to your car, go to drive out the dealership and see the caravan fly past your driver’s window. Also the tow brake is a vitally important piece of kit as this will stop you rolling down the hill once camped.
Ensure that the caravan suits your needs, make sure it is big enough to house everyone in your party and houses them comfortably. Also it cannot be underestimated how important it is make sure the caravan is not too big for your car to tow, towing a caravan that is too heavy is a speedy route to engine problems. Added to this, if you are a first time caravanner take a test run, driving while towing is a skill that must be acquired so practise is vital.
Finally, when in the dealership insist that the dealer shows you more than one caravan, choice is everything when purchasing such an expensive item and remember to haggle for the best price. It is often possible to get a great deal when haggling from the list price and dealerships usually expect this behaviour.
If this all seems too much to remember before you buy and you are still not sure whether caravaning is the right pass time for you, why not rent one for a while and get an idea of what you want from your caravan? Buying a mobile home from home is a great investment offering unlimited freedom, if you remember the points discussed here you should be able to get the deal you are looking for.
Caravaning expert Shaun Parker knows exactly what to look for when visiting a caravan dealership to find the best deal. To find out more please visit www.homesteadcaravans.co.uk
Previous Articles Highlighter:
Auto Accessories - Why Are Auto Accessories Necessary (1)
There are many benefits to having auto accessories. Here are a few that you may already know about. One: Auto accessories provide your vehicle with a smart look, in other words they make them look better then it would without them.
Help Slash The U.S.'s Dependency On Overseas Oil (2)
With hybrids being sold faster than they can be made, it is unlikely the change can come quickly. Although there is great interest in hybrid models, consumers will not likely rush to trade their current vehicles in on a hybrid.
Getting A Car Loan Approved For Bankruptcy Survivors (3)
Search on these three types of lenders namely banks, credit unions and the car manufacturers themselves. While the car manufacturers' financing options can vary from company to company (for instance bankruptcy survivors are not granted car loans by luxury car dealers), there may be some who will offer financing even to bankruptcy survivors in an effort to boost their sales.
How To Make Sure You Get The Most Money When You Sell Your Car (4)
People who belong to these clubs are not only enthusiasts who know everything about the vehicles but most of them also know people who might be looking for a car like yours, especially if it is in really pristine condition or is considered a rare version.
Transportation Used For Going Back To School (5)
Some families have joined together to form carpools so that they know that their child will have a ride back to school each day. This method has been adopted by parents all over the United States and has done a great deal to help reduce the effects of gas emissions which affect the air we breathe and which cause global warming occurrences throughout the world.
How Maintaining Your Tires Properly Will Save You Money (6)
When you rotate your wheels you are saving even more money at the pump. When your wheels are rotated you are distributing the wear more evenly throughout all 4 wheels.
Why You Might Want To Consider A Cosigner For A Car Loan (7)
Of course, they need to have good credit to improve your chances of securing the loan. A co-signer will sign the credit application for your loan, basically saying that they are willing to back you in the purchase of this car.
Are Sports Cars Losing Their Appeal? (8)
This trend is not likely to be reversed any time soon, as more practical alternatives exist and the performance gap is shortened. Although the true sports car will probably never completely disappear, it is likely to become increasingly less visible to the public.
If You Are Going To Ride A Harley You Have Get The Clothes To Look The Part (9)
These are most likely black as well, which will allow you to grip without the sweat ripping you away from the bike as you ride. These pieces of clothing are the basic things to be a rider of a any bike and especially the Harley Davidson look.
How Alternative Fuels Can Help You Save At The Pump (10)
A process using natural gas as a feedstock produces methanol. The alternative Methanol fuel is being used as M-85. Biofuels are also beginning to enter the mainstream. Biofuels are chemicals made from cellulosic biomass such as herbaceous and woody pulp from agricultural and forestry residues.
How To Choose The Best Discount Tires For Your Money (11)
The tread on your tire depends on the way you drive and what kind of driving conditions you drive in everyday. There test that the tire manufacturer does in the process of making the tire before it goes out on the shelf that is based off of very strict government guide lines.
Why A Cortina Will Not Do On Your Wedding Day (12)
With such a huge selection of wedding cars available for hire the choice can be daunting, it need not be; as with the right inspiration finding the ideal car for your special day can be simple.
The Simple Explanation Of How Hybrid Vehicles Work (13)
Let's also assume that you drive 12,000 miles a year in your Chevrolet Malibu and that your vehicle gets 20 miles to the gallon. It would take you 600 gallons of gas a year to get you to where you need to go.
Grab A Career As A NASCAR Mechanic (14)
Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution's Six Sigma Online ( www.sixsigmaonline.org ) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.
How To Get More For Your Car On EBay Motors (15)
Be sure to take close ups of any damage or flaws and point them out in your text as well. Next, take good pictures of the interior including the seats, floormats and under the floormats, the headliner, and the dashboard featuring the odometer to verify the mileage.
Some Tips To Help You Keep Your Vehicle Looking Like New (16)
Hail damage is the number one non accident cause of damage often reported on insurance claims. In the best of storms you may end up with pea size hail causing a few thousand dollars in damage to your unprotected vehicle.
New Or Used? Vauxhall V Peugeot - Your Guide To Small Family Cars (17)
recommended used car buying guide. It will set you back between GBP5435 and GBP11720. Shaun Parker has been researching the car retail industry for some time now. To search for a new or used car at a reputable Peugeot and Vauxhall Dealers visit www.dickensgroup.com.
A Blessed Wedding Anniversary (18)
We even booked them a couple of nights in a very old nearby hotel. But we were still looking for something a little more special. My parents had moved before my siblings and I came along to a town 50 miles away from Hillington and were still there now so we decided to look at special ways of getting them to their blessing.
Buying A Motorcycle FAQ (19)
Dont forget that you must also factor in the cost of maintenance, even though most new bikes do come with limited warranties. FAQ) What are some different types of motorcycles?
Is The Delphi XM Receiver The Best Satellite Radio On The Market? (20)
TuneSelect innovation. Save a playlist of your 15 favorite songs for easy listening, along with detailed information about each one. The complete Delphi XM Roady Radio Receiver kit comes with the receiver itself, a micro-antenna, three face plates to decorate your display, a car power and cassette adapter, mounting bracket and an instruction guide.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
How To Be As Safe As Possible When Attending Car Shows (1)
The first step if you are a woman is to avoid taking a purse with you to an event. A purse snatcher could be right behind you and take your purse then vanish and you wouldn't even know it.
A Guide To Car Hire In The UK (2)
This makes it possible to take a vehicle on a one-way journey and return it near to your destination. Many companies include insurance and roadside assistance as part of the price they quote which makes it easy to manage your budget.
Demand ASE Certification From Your Auto Technician (3)
There are exams covering all major areas of auto repair. There are eight tests for auto technicians alone: engine repair, engine performance, electrical/electronic systems, brakes, heating and air conditioning, suspension and steering, manual drive train and axles, and automatic transmissions.
To Keep Your Jaguar Running Optimally You Need Quality Jaguar Parts (4)
The Jaguar XJS is one the most awe inspiring luxury cars on the market. This GT coupe was released onto the market in the mid 70s as a replacement for the mythical Jaguar E-Type.
Advice On Choosing The Right Body Shop For Your Car (5)
Even if you are feeling stressed and in a hurry ask at least 15 people. That way, you are likely to get the same place mentioned more than once.
A Guide To Car Leasing (6)
The more authentic information about car leasing you know, the more likely people are to consider you a car leasing expert. Read on for even more car leasing facts that you can share.
How To Decide On The Correct Tires For Driving In The Harsh Conditions Of Winter (7)
These tires are only allowed in the winter time and are banned from ten states, so be sure to check with the local police before using these types of tires.
Car Reviews Tips And Tricks (8)
Car reviews can often also include the experiences of other drivers who have driven that particular car. There is sometimes nothing more valuable than word of mouth and hearing about what other people thought of the car, this can offer valuable insight.
Your Prized Possession And Classic Bike Insurance (9)
With classic bikes it is generally acknowledged that an 'agreed value' insurance policy is the most effective way to insure. One of the main benefits of an agreed value motorcycle insurance policy is that you have the value of your vehicle agreed at the start of the policy, meaning if you have to make a claim there can be no doubt about the motorcycles worth.
Some Of The Car Salesman's Favorite Methods (10)
Let's take a look at some of the more common methods. One of the big things that is used to check the temperature of a prospect is to ask a question like "If it wasn't for the price would you buy today?" or "If I can get you the Alpine White Pearl that you want will you drive it home right now?" These are probing questions designed to tell whether they actually have someone who is ready to make a decision now.
How To Beat The Rising Cost Of Fuel With Electric Scooters (11)
Amazingly, even with the high cost of fuel, I still witness people driving their vehicles to work when they only live a few blocks away. As a country, we have gotten surprisingly lazy, and it's not only hitting us hard in the pocketbook, but it is also affecting our health.
Airbags Can Save Lives (12)
Standard front-impact air bags do not deploy for side or rear impact crashes, or rollovers. Seat belts reduce risk in many types of crashes, keep occupants in the position where they receive the most benefit from the air bag, and protect against multiple collisions, or collisions where the air bags are not triggered.
Car Donation - Get The Facts First Before You Donate A Car (13)
In wear and tear, minor repairs and breakdowns, an average vehicle owner might spend more than $3000 per year so a good reason not to keep the extra car around.
How To Find Car Shows That Feature The Vehicles You Are Interested In (14)
You might just be able to find one in your area that you didn't see. Gregg Hall is an author living with his 18 year old son in Jensen Beach, Florida.
How To Find A Reliable Used Audi (15)
If you buy from a dealer, you may have access to a parts or bodyworks service, which should enable you to get a good deal on significant replacement parts. Buying from a dealership also gives you the security of having relevant facts checked and corroborated, and you'll know who to contact in the unlikely event that something goes wrong.
What To Look For When Buying A Car From An Individual (16)
Usually you can tell if the odometer has been rolled just by looking at the numbers because they will be uneven. With the recent hurricanes on the Gulf Coast another issue to watch out for is flood damage.
Why You Need A Good Car Stereo System To Complete The Customization Of Your Ride (17)
If you are really serious about the sound system in your vehicle and you want it to be the best it can possibly be then you may want to get references from other people by exposing it to other people at auto expos and conventions where you can get references and constructive criticism.
RVing For Senior Citizens (18)
We live on a very limited budget. Thus, if we are to consider the joys of the open road, we have to think about a used RV rather than a new one.
Some Of The Basics Of Motorcycling For Those Unfamiliar With Biking (19)
Almost all motorcycles have a kill switch. In certain cases, turning off the key from the seat can cause the motorcycle to go off balance and tip. Another example of kill switch use would be if you fall from your bike and need to turn the engine off to prevent further damage.
Should You Sell Your Car Or Trade It In? (20)
To find your car's blue book value, you can buy a blue book for used vehicles at most bookstores or visit www.kbb.com. Have your car detailed and make sure any major mechanical problems have been repaired.