BEFORE YOU BUY A CARAVAN – Caravan & Camping SA

Tips for Buying an RV

Owning an RV is incredibly rewarding. It gives you freedom and flexibility to explore South Australia and beyond. See remote places in the comfort of your own mobile home, on your terms, giving you more control of your holiday.  

Thinking about buying a Recreational Vehicle (RV)? It’s important to do your research before you buy. There are many brands, shapes and sizes and it’s about working out what’s right for you. Knowing what to buy comes down to understanding what types of RV holidays you’re planning to go on. 

Ask questions

Talk to other RV travellers about what they like, dislike, what works for them and what they’d do differently. Going on RV holidays with friends before you make a purchase can help you uncover what options could work for you, where and how far you plan to travel with your RV. 

Driving or towing?

Do you plan to drive a motorhome or tow a caravan? If you plan to tow, think about what you are comfortable towing. Towing means you need to be prepared to learn about towing and how to do this safely. Ask yourself, am I eager to learn about towing, how much am I prepared to tow? Your budget is always a factor in your decision but remember, keeping you and your family safe is paramount.  

What can your car tow?  

What your current car can tow plays a role in what you buy unless you plan to upgrade your vehicle to increase your towing capacity.  

Go see what’s out there  

Caravan & Camping SA has a member listing who are accredited by the association. Visit these businesses to see and talk about their products. Caravan & Camping SA also runs two caravan and camping shows per year which is a great place to see all the RV manufacturers and dealers in the one place. Businesses at these shows are subjected to compliance checks, offering you more confidence in what you buy.  

Look for the RVMAP Accreditation Key  

Industry members are constantly working hard to ensure their products are compliant with increasing industry standards. There are rules in place to protect and keep consumers safe. Purchase from businesses who make a commitment to continual improvement. 

Key

Test drive  

Look for opportunities to test drive an RV of interest. Go away with friends who have what you are looking to buy, observe and test drive. Someone may let you borrow their RV for a weekend away to trial the experience. Or rent an RV for a weekend away to see if it’s the right fit for you. 

Think RV Safety

Caravan & Camping SA is committed to keeping you safe on the road during your RV road trip. Before you buy and hit the road, learn more about towing terminology, RV weight, loading and more at our Think RV Road Safety hub.