How to afford your dream RV

Many people reading this may be seasoned veterans when it comes to embarking on spectacular caravan trips. But for those new to the RV scene who are considering purchasing a caravan, this article is for you.

Here we chat with Credit One's managing director, Michael Rojek, to get some expert advice on how you can afford to buy your dream RV and still have some spare change to take it travelling.

WHAT'S YOUR BUDGET?

This is obviously the starting point on any potential RV owner's list. You need to know what you can afford, and not over-extend yourself financially.

“Your budget will obviously be one of the main contributing factors as to what type of caravan you purchase,” says Rojek.

“Whether you opt for a new or a pre-owned caravan, setting a budget can help you shortlist caravans that not only suit your needs, but are also affordable.”

If you intend to finance your caravan, Credit One’s repayment calculator is a handy tool to help give you a clear idea about how much you can afford to spend, and what your repayments might look like.

“It may also be handy to get a pre-approval before you start looking around for your perfect caravan,” he advises. “This gives you more bargaining power when you’re negotiating with dealers or even private sellers, because it’s like having the money in your back pocket.”

HOW MUCH CAN YOUR CAR TOW?

“This is a step that many people overlook, however it is extremely important to consider your vehicle’s towing capacity prior to purchasing a caravan,” says Rojek.

“Towing capacity is vitally important to consider for both legal and safety reasons. It is not only against the law to tow a caravan which has a kerb weight above your vehicle’s towing capacity, it can also void your insurance in the event of a crash. For the safety of yourself and your family, ensure you do not overlook this essential step.”

WHERE ARE YOU HEADED?

There is little worse than breaking down in a remote place with limited access to assistance. This is why all prospective buyers need to seriously consider where they'll be taking their caravan and what sort of driving they will be doing.

Will you be taking it offroad? Will you be on the road for long periods of time? How many people will you be accommodating? These are all things you need to consider prior to deciding which caravan best suits your needs.

“A bigger caravan will generally require more fuel to tow since it is heavier and creates more drag,” says Rojek. “A smaller caravan may require less fuel, but not have as much storage and living space.

"And make sure you write a list of your needs and wants prior to commencing your search for your perfect caravan. This will help you make an informed decision on what items or features are necessary and what can be compromised on if need be.”

WHAT CAN YOU LIVE WITHOUT?

This brings us to the question, what can you live without? While some caravans resemble a five-star hotel room, others may offer a roof over your head and not much else.

“For most people, budget is a major deciding factor in which caravan they decide to purchase,” says Rojek.

“If you find that the features you want are outside your budget, you may either need to revise your budget if possible, or compromise on features using that 'list of your needs'.”

LOOKING FOR MORE TIPS AND ADVICE?

If you need more information and advice about caravanning or reviews on different makes and models, you can also visit the Caravan World website (www.caravanworld.com.au) for all the latest caravanning information.

And if you're searching for your perfect home on wheels, visit the Trade RVs website (www.tradervs.com.au) where you’ll find myriad new and used caravans of all types and sizes at affordable prices.

MONEY MATTERS

If you’re looking for competitive rates on caravan finance and all types of leisure products, Credit One can assist. A Credit One specialist leisure consultant will compare hundreds of products from more than 40 of Australia’s most trusted financiers to tailor a bank-beating finance package with affordable repayments to suit your individual needs.

You can speak to one of Credit One’s friendly consultants on (07) 3420 7030 to discuss your requirements and receive an obligation-free quote on your caravan finance.

Credit One has offices in most major Australian cities, and its specialists will also be available at more than 100 caravan shows around the country, so you can drop in for an obligation-free chat.

Credit One has been rated 4.9 stars out of 5 on Google Reviews by its customers and has also been named 'Broker of the Year' for the past three consecutive years by
Eric Insurance.

“You can get an instant, obligation-free caravan finance quote online right now,” Rojek advises. “Request one of Credit One's consultants to contact you back at a time that suits you best.”