Buying a Caravan
A Quick Guide to Buying A Caravan from Skirlington Caravans
So you've decided that you're buying a caravan but there are so many other things to consider; from which type of static caravan is for you to caravan site fees, to how can you afford it.
There are many caravan sites on the East Yorkshire coast and with so many people buying a caravan these days, we thought it would be useful to list a few things all potential owners should consider:
1. Bedrooms or Living space
If buying a static caravan, you must decide whether the number of bedrooms is more important than the size of the living space. There is a massive difference between a 12' wide static caravan and 10' in the living space. Will you have visitors? How much time will you spend in the living area?
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Key Points
- Bedrooms
- Living Space
- Caravan Width
2. Make sure you get the right caravan site
Things to consider are the location; i.e. how near the beach or main road it is. You may want somewhere quiet and tranquil or something more family orientated. The good news is that there are different sites for all interests, so talk to the person handling your caravan sale and explain what you are looking for.
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Key Points
- Location
- Tranquility
- Beach
3. Does the site allows static caravans of any age?
Check how long you are allowed to have the caravan for before the site requires you to renew as most sites require that you renew your caravan after 10 or 15 years. Maybe it would be better to purchase a brand new caravan if you are intending to enjoy it for several years?
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Key Points
- Caravan Renewal
- Pre-Owned
- Brand New
4. Does the static caravan site and nearby beaches allow dogs?
This may not seem high on your list of priorities but it is certainly something you should consider. If the static caravan site does allow dogs on the beach it is a massive advantage to some people but may also put others off. It is worth checking.
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Key Points
- Dog friendly?
- Beach friendly?
5. How much are the annual static caravan site fees?
When buying a caravan, it's not only important to be able to afford the purchase but also to remember there are annual caravan site fees. Also remember to ask it fees increase by a set amount year on year. In some cases it's not uncommon for site owners to offer a very low "introductory" rate only to increase the fees by almost £ 4000 in the second year to compensate.
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Key Points
- Site fees
- Future increases?
6. How far from your home is it?
This is more important than you might imagine and it's right to get the balance of feeling away from home without the inconvenience of having to travel all day to get there. In our experience the ideal travelling time to balance the two is approximately 2 hours.
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Key Points
- Travelling time
- Driving distance
7. Have you stayed at the static caravan park before?
If the answer is no then you really should stay on the static caravan site for a few days. See if the caravan site have some holiday lets or have other caravan sites nearby. This will also allow you to explore the local area.
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Key Points
- Holiday lets
- Visit beforehand
- Local area
8. Don't forget static caravan insurance
This is also something you must remember to consider. You can get caravan insurance from several places, either online from various brokers or from caravan insurance specialists. Alternatively the person handling your caravan sale may be able to offer you a special deal on insurance as well.
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Key Points
- Insurance
- Complete cover
- Get the best deal
9. Make sure you're happy with your plot.
In the same way that you have different roads in a town, static caravan parks have different areas. Some suit you more than others. Remember to ask which plots are available and also check to see if the caravan site owners have plans for further expansion in the future. Also remember to check the caravan site owners' history and commitment - remember, this is a big investment so you want to get it right.
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Key Points
- Plots
- Caravan site history
- Site expansion
Quick Links
1. Bedrooms or Living space
2. Make sure you get the right caravan site
3. Does the site allows static caravans of any age?
4. Does the static caravan site and nearby beaches allow dogs?
5. How much are the annual static caravan site fees?
6. How far from your home is it?
7. Have you stayed at the static caravan park before?
8. Don't forget static caravan insurance
9. Make sure you're happy with your plot.
Need more information?
Skirlington Caravans Sales specialise in Caravan Sales in Yorkshire and have a wide range of caravans from static caravan sales to tourer caravans.