Beginners Guide to Caravanning - Buying Your First Caravan

If you'd like to view hundreds of differentcaravan second hand, but by carrying out a CRiS
caravans from all the manufacturers, head to acheck (Caravan Registration Identification
show near you! Both indoor and outdoor showsScheme), these risks can be reduced. Like a HPI
offer you the opportunity to look inside all kindscheck for a car, a CRiS check will provide
of caravans of and pick up some must-haveinformation about the caravan's history, so you
accessories as well. You may also find thatcan ensure it has no hidden past.
dealers will be offering special discounts forAs well as checking the history of the 'van, it's a
caravans sold at the show, so you could baggood idea to check the general condition of the
yourself a bargain!interior and exterior before agreeing to buy. Look
If you're trying caravanning for the first time, youfor things like:
may want to invest slightly less and opt for a- Signs of water leaks - is there any water
second hand caravan. You have several optionsdamage inside the caravan or damp patches, or
for buying second hand - your local dealer, whicheven a smell of damp?
may stock nearly new and some older caravans- Rust - is the chassis and underneath the
that have been part exchanged; online auctioncaravan free from rust and corrosion?
sites such as eBay; or classified ads in the back- Are all the appliances in good working order?
of caravanning magazines or your local paper.- Is there any evidence that the caravan has
There are certain risks associated with buying abeen serviced regularly?