Biggest Caravan Buying Mistakes (and How to Avoid Every Single One)
Caravans aren’t cheap, and the wrong choice can turn your Big Lap into a big headache. The good news? Most buying disasters are predictable – and preventable. This guide unpacks the biggest caravan buying mistakes we see across Australia, why they happen, the warning signs to look for, and exactly how to avoid them. Use this as your pre-buy filter before you hand over a cent.
1. Buying a Van Your Car Can’t (Safely) Tow
What it is
Choosing a caravan that technically “fits the brochure” but blows past your vehicle’s real limits once you’re loaded.
Why it happens
- Relying on brochure Tare and ignoring payload and accessories.
- Confusing ATM, GTM, GVM, GCM, rear axle load and tow-ball mass (TBM).
- Thinking a weight distribution hitch (WDH) increases legal limits (it doesn’t).
Warning signs
- Small margin between van ATM and your tow rating.
- TBM near your vehicle’s maximum with empty water tanks.
- No weighbridge slips or resistance to weighing.
How to avoid it
- Leave 10–20% margin on tow rating, GVM and GCM.
- Aim TBM ≈ 6–10% of loaded van weight, within limits for both car and van.
- Weigh properly: car solo, van axles (hitched), then combined. Confirm none of the limits are exceeded.
2. Falling for the Wrong Layout for Your Actual Travel
What it is
Great-looking floor plan on paper; painful in real life (awkward bed access, nowhere to work/school, limited storage).
Why it happens
- Display-floor decisions instead of real-life use.
- Not considering kids/dogs, work-from-van, or wet-weather days.
Warning signs
- East–west beds to crawl over; tiny dinettes; no bunks privacy; no desk space.
- Kitchen/tanks far from axle line (weight balance issues).
How to avoid it
- Do a “living test”: climb in/out of bed, cook, sit, open every cupboard.
- Prefer island beds, usable bench space, storage over the axle.
- Measure carport/height for pop-tops vs full-height vans.
3. Confusing “Off-Road Look” with Real Off-Road Capability
What it is
Big tyres and checkerplate without the engineering to back it up.
Why it happens
- Marketing terms (“off-road”, “adventure”) used loosely.
Warning signs
- Light chassis sections, minimal crossmembers, cheap shocks, wiring and brake cables hanging low.
- No articulating coupling; poor departure angle; unprotected tanks.
How to avoid it
- Inspect chassis thickness, suspension brand/mounts, shock quality, routing for wiring/brake lines, tank guards.
- Choose an articulating coupling for rough tracks and rated mounting hardware.
4. Skipping a Proper Leak & Damp Check
What it is
Water ingress kills caravans – frames rot, floors delaminate, walls bubble.
Why it happens
- Shiny detailing distracts from roof, windows and penetrations.
Warning signs
- Musty smell; stains around frames; soft floors; ripples/bubbles in walls.
How to avoid it
- Check roof seams, hatches, antenna, A/C, solar feet; press lightly at corners and lower walls.
- Use a moisture meter if possible; ask for reseal evidence.
5. Not Running the Paperwork: PPSR, Compliance & Certificates
What it is
Buying a van with finance owing, a write-off history, or non-compliant gas/240V work.
Why it happens
- Trusting verbal assurances; not knowing which certificates matter.
Warning signs
- VIN on plate doesn’t match rego; seller “can’t find” paperwork; DIY 240V add-ons.
How to avoid it
- PPSR check before paying a deposit (encumbrance/stolen/write-off).
- Match VIN on chassis/plate to rego; obtain recent gas & electrical compliance (licensed trades); check state transfer requirements.
6. Underestimating “Day-One” Costs
What it is
Blowing the budget because you didn’t plan for tyres, batteries, reseals, or a brake controller.
Why it happens
- Focusing on sticker price; forgetting setup and safety gear.
Warning signs
- Tyres older than ~5–6 years; sulphated AGM batteries; no brake controller; perished gas hoses; no hoses/leads/WDH.
How to avoid it
- Budget 10–15% of purchase price for immediate safety/upgrades.
- Cost tyres, batteries, bearings/brakes, reseal work, and essential towing kit – and use that list in negotiations.
7. Ignoring Power Needs (Fridge, Batteries, Solar)
What it is
Buying a van that can’t support how you camp: fridge warm, batteries flat by morning.
Why it happens
- No energy audit; mismatched fridge type (3-way vs compressor); undersized solar/regulator.
Warning signs
- Unknown battery age/capacity; generic chargers; cracked panel seals; bargain-basement regulator.
How to avoid it
- List loads (fridge, lights, laptops, pumps) and size battery/solar appropriately.
- Prefer MPPT solar regulators; confirm DC-DC charging via Anderson plug; tidy, fused wiring.
8. Overlooking Tyre Age, Bearings & Brakes
What it is
Cosmetics look good – running gear is tired.
Why it happens
- Detailing hides mechanical neglect.
Warning signs
- Tyres with old DOT dates/sidewall cracks; rumbling hubs; long handbrake travel; choppy braking.
How to avoid it
- Replace tyres at ~5–6 years regardless of tread; service bearings & brakes annually or 10–20k km.
- Test manual brake override at walking pace – you should feel the van tug.
9. Buying the “Shiny Extras”, Not the Fundamentals
What it is
Choosing TVs and skylights over chassis, suspension, sealing and wiring quality.
Why it happens
- Display vans are staged to distract from expensive-to-fix stuff.
Warning signs
- Tidy interior with messy underbody wiring; minimal tank protection; inconsistent sealant; bargain shocks.
How to avoid it
- Prioritise structure and systems. Crawl underneath. Inspect wiring runs, grommets, guards, shocks, mounts and sealant.
10. No Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) or System Demo
What it is
Paying, then discovering leaks, dead batteries, or appliances that don’t light.
Why it happens
- Rushing handover; assuming dealer prep covers it.
Warning signs
- No written prep list; “we’ll sort that later”; no demo on gas and 240V.
How to avoid it
- Insist on a full demo: lights, pump, HWS, fridge, A/C, chargers, solar, brake lights, ESC status.
- Wet test: run taps; check underneath for drips; check every hatch, window and lock.
11. Handshake Deals (Nothing in Writing)
What it is
Agreeing verbally to fixes, inclusions, or delivery timing – then nothing happens.
Why it happens
- Everyone’s friendly on the day; details get “forgotten”.
Warning signs
- “We’ll throw that in” not itemised; no dates, no conditions, no who-pays.
How to avoid it
- Put all repairs/inclusions on the contract: brand/model of batteries/tyres, service items, dates, who pays. Make the sale subject to PPSR/inspection/weighbridge.
12. No Plan for How You’ll Pack (and Where the Weight Goes)
What it is
Tail-heavy setups sway; overstuffed front boots overload the tow-ball and rear axle.
Why it happens
- Underestimating how much gear you’ll carry (water, tools, bikes, pets, school/work gear).
Warning signs
- Massive rear storage, heavy accessories on the back wall, marginal TBM.
How to avoid it
- Keep heavy items low and over/near the axle. Confirm TBM and axle loads after packing. Adjust or re-home bulky gear.
13. Ignoring Dealer vs Private Differences
What it is
Both can be great, but the risks, paperwork and leverage differ.
Why it happens
- Assuming a dealer removes all risk, or assuming private is always cheaper.
Warning signs
- Dealer: vague warranty, no written prep list. Private: reluctance on PPSR, mismatched VIN/regos.
How to avoid it
- Dealer: negotiate on work included (tyres, batteries, bearings/brakes, reseal checks). Get warranty terms in writing.
- Private: PPSR first, ID check, bill of sale with VIN/date/price/inclusions, clear list of agreed fixes and who pays.
14. Forgetting About Insurance Realities
What it is
Finding out after purchase that your insurer won’t cover certain mods, values, or storage situations.
Why it happens
- Not reading policy limits and conditions (weights, security devices, off-road coverage, contents).
Warning signs
- No agreed value option; unclear about off-grid tracks; exclusions for awnings/hail; vague weight compliance wording.
How to avoid it
- Get quotes before you buy; confirm coverage for declared mods, market vs agreed value, towing and campsite risks.
15. Blind to Build Quality Underneath
What it is
Assuming neat cabinetry equals a well-built van.
Why it happens
- Buyers rarely crawl under to check where failures start.
Warning signs
- Untidy loom routing; no grommets; cable tie “engineering”; tank straps rubbing; underbody spray paint over rust.
How to avoid it
- Inspect underneath first: mounts, welds, brake wiring, plumbing protection, stone guards, shock angle/quality, corrosion points.
16. Overlooking Serviceability & Parts Support
What it is
Buying a van with obscure parts that are slow or costly to replace.
Why it happens
- Choosing niche brands or rare appliances without checking spares.
Warning signs
- No local agents; long lead times; discontinued models.
How to avoid it
- Prefer mainstream components with Australian support (chassis hardware, brakes, regulators, couplings, hatches).
17. Misreading the Compliance Plate
What it is
Assuming numbers on the plate reflect current reality after mods.
Why it happens
- Aftermarket options added post-build; no re-weigh or engineering sign-off.
Warning signs
- Big accessories (toolboxes, bigger batteries/solar, air-cons) added but Tare not updated; vague “upgrade” stickers.
How to avoid it
- Weigh the van in current condition; compare to plate; get engineering documentation for any ATM/GTM upgrades.
18. Zero Test Tow or Brake Check
What it is
Buying without feeling how the rig behaves at low speed and under brakes.
Why it happens
- Time pressure; van boxed in; seller reluctance.
Warning signs
- No allowance for a short loop; stability systems untested.
How to avoid it
- Do a safe loop: test manual brake override, check for clunks, confirm lights/indicators. If not possible, price the risk or walk.
19. Paying for “Upgrades” You Don’t Need
What it is
Spending on big-ticket options that don’t suit your travel style.
Why it happens
- FOMO and package deals.
Warning signs
- Massive off-road package for holiday parks; monster lithium bank for powered sites only.
How to avoid it
- Map your trips. Buy for 80% of your usage. Add the rest later if you actually need it.
20. Not Thinking About Resale
What it is
Unique layouts or obscure brands can be hard to move on later.
Why it happens
- Buying for a one-off trip, not the 3–5 year horizon.
Warning signs
- Odd layouts, niche parts, limited build history/support.
How to avoid it
- Favour popular layouts (island bed; bunks for families), reputable builders, tidy documentation, reversible mods, and consistent service history.
Red flags (walk away fast): persistent damp smell; soft floor/walls; fresh underbody paint over cracks; messy 240V add-ons; seller won’t provide PPSR; VIN/regos don’t match; tyres older than 6 years; seized stabilisers; obvious neglect.
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Pre-Delivery & Handover Checklist
- Appliances demo: fridge (appropriate modes), HWS (gas/240V), pump/fixtures, A/C, lights, chargers, solar regulator reading, ESC status.
- Running gear: tyre DOT dates & pressures, wheel nut torque, handbrake travel, bearing/brake service evidence.
- Seals & leaks: roof/hatches/windows reseal proof; wet test taps; check underneath for drips.
- Docs: PPSR certificate, rego transfer forms, gas & electrical compliance (where required), manuals, spare keys.
- Hitch-up: coupling pins/clips, safety chains crossed, breakaway battery tested, wiring/plugs clean and strain-relieved.
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