{"id":11663,"date":"2022-01-18T21:35:16","date_gmt":"2022-01-18T21:35:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.leisuredays.co.uk\/news\/?p=11663"},"modified":"2023-05-18T13:20:58","modified_gmt":"2023-05-18T13:20:58","slug":"guide-to-buying-a-pre-owned-holiday-caravan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.leisuredays.co.uk\/news\/guide-to-buying-a-pre-owned-holiday-caravan-11663\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to buying a pre-owned holiday caravan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thinking of buying a second-hand static caravan? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Over the last 18 months, the static caravan and lodge market has grown tremendously, helped by the so-called \u201cstaycation\u201d boom. With many folk trying to buy a new holiday caravan, they\u2019re being told that a wait will be on the cards as manufacturers struggle to keep up with demand and deal with staff shortages and material or component supplies too.<\/p>\n

\"2022<\/p>\n

So, buyers who are keen to get onto the holiday caravan ownership ladder or are even wanting to upgrade, are looking at pre-owned static caravans or lodges.<\/p>\n

For many, a quality pre-owned holiday caravan can be a good investment at the right price. Many pre-owned static caravans or lodges are for sale already sited on a park, either on a plot or in a sales area waiting to be relocated on the park.<\/p>\n

Things to consider when buying a pre-owned holiday caravan<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Location and holiday park<\/strong><\/h4>\n

When you\u2019re buying a new or second-hand holiday caravan, first find the site and area you want to be located. Look for a holiday park that will meet your needs \u2013 do you want a bar onsite and a swimming pool, or are you looking for a quiet, holiday park to retreat to and in which area do you want to holiday in?<\/p>\n

\"relaxing<\/p>\n

Many buyers find a place where they love and want to spend weekends and longer breaks away, so make sure you\u2019re in a spot that will suit you for some years to come.<\/p>\n

Parks will usually charge an annual site fee and these can vary widely, often linked to the quantity and quality of facilities and location.<\/p>\n

Age restrictions? <\/strong><\/h4>\n

Some holiday parks will only allow caravans that are up to 10 or 20 year\u2019s old, while others will go by their condition not age.<\/p>\n

Check the rules on this before buying a used caravan or signing any holiday park site licence agreement so you\u2019re aware of the age and condition of holiday caravans that are allowed. Lodges tend to get a longer age restriction by an extra few years.<\/p>\n

Budget<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Once you\u2019ve found a park or selection of parks, then you\u2019ll need to check the type of caravans that are available, including what your budget is and any particular things you want from your new holiday retreat.<\/p>\n

\"pre-owned
Do your research and only look at static caravans within your budget. Some parks have a sales area with used units on display<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When setting your budget, don\u2019t forget to include park site fees, static caravan insurance<\/a>, services and travel costs.<\/p>\n

Private purchase<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Some parks allow their owners to sell privately, with the caravan or lodge remaining on its existing pitch, in which case usually the park will still have to rubber-stamp the sale and possibly take a commission from the purchase price.<\/p>\n

Park purchase<\/strong><\/h4>\n

When buying a second-hand caravan from a holiday park you will usually go through the park owner or manager, or their sales team. They will make sure that the caravan is all in safe order. If the caravan is outside its manufacturer warranty, it\u2019s unlikely that an additional warranty but the park may be willing to repair any snags either before the handover or in the early stages of ownership.<\/p>\n

\"pre-owned
Pre-owned static caravans and lodges are selling fast!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Buying from a dealer<\/strong><\/h4>\n

There are dealerships across the UK who sell new or pre-owned holiday caravans and lodges.<\/p>\n

\"pre-owned
It\u2019s possible to buy a small pre-owned static caravan, such as this Arronbrook, to go on a small plot for less than \u00a310,000<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

These will often have a close relationship with a number of parks, meaning you can choose from a variety of park locations and they will then organise transport and siting with the park of your choice.<\/p>\n

Size and layout<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Once you\u2019ve set your budget for buying a pre-owned holiday caravan or lodge, you then need to consider size and layout. Holiday caravans range from 10ft to 14ft wide and over 24ft in length, single lodges are usually 12 to14ft wide and twin lodges are 20ft wide and 40ft in length.<\/p>\n

\"Typical<\/p>\n

The size of unit you choose will also depend on the size of bases available at your chosen park, so always check this first before buying a holiday caravan as you don\u2019t want to buy a 14ft wide caravan that won\u2019t fit on a base that\u2019s 10ft wide!<\/p>\n

When choosing the space you need, look at the size and storage available in the lounge and also do you want front patio doors as the main entrance or to use the side door only?<\/p>\n

\"pre-owned<\/p>\n

Kitchens come in large or small sizes and some can very well equipped, although older pre-2006 mid-market models didn\u2019t have much specification unless the owner retrofitted or fitted from new.<\/p>\n

\"pre-owned<\/p>\n

Decide how many bedrooms you\u2019ll need. If you\u2019re not going to use a third bedroom then two bedroomed layouts offer more space and of course larger rooms.<\/p>\n

Is an en-suite important? If so, put that on your checklist.<\/p>\n

\"2022<\/p>\n

Central heating and UPVC double glazing are often vital to those wanting to use their holiday caravan in colder weather<\/a> and are essential to keep warm.<\/p>\n

If buying a holiday lodge it\u2019s more than likely to have been built to residential BS3632 specification, which means house standards of insulation so winter use won\u2019t be a problem. A lodge or static caravan which has wooden, vinyl or CanExel cladding will also be cheaper to insure with Leisuredays than a caravan with aluminium panels, because such cladding is less prone to damage.<\/p>\n

\"Venti<\/p>\n

Hiring out?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

If you plan to hire out your static caravan or lodge<\/a> as a way to recoup some of your purchase and siting costs, check with the park to see if they allow hiring out and perhaps investigate how much per week you could expect to charge. The caravan or lodge\u2019s size, number of bedrooms, modernity and facilities will impact on your rental income potential.<\/p>\n

Some parks will also manage hiring out for you for an extra cost.<\/p>\n

Expect the best<\/strong><\/h4>\n

When buying a second-hand static caravan, you might want to ask if it\u2019s been on a letting fleet (although well-maintained fleets can make a good buy, you might want to look out for greater than expected wear and tear) and ask as many questions about the unit as you can.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Many older static caravans will have a painted chassis, rather than galvanised one, and might have faded panels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Make a list of things to ask before you visit the sales office and make a deal. Perhaps sleep on the deal and take lots of photos to take home with you to mull over.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be afraid to ask to see all the appliance manuals and check the boiler for any leaks leaking and also for its service record.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Having the manuals for appliances is useful for smooth working and ordering any spares or replacements<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Check all upholstery is still in a good condition, i.e. plenty of support and no bad stains. Remember, however, that upholstery can be refurbished or re-upholstered<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"
In some cases, you might want to change the mattresses due to loss of support<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

More importantly, check for any signs of damp and wear and tear, such as discoloured wallboards, and also roof vents where they can crack over time. Outside, inspect the exterior panels for any damage and make sure there\u2019s no water ingress from DIY add on\u2019s such as hanging basket hooks and TV mast fixings.<\/p>\n

\"static<\/p>\n

Also check the chassis for any rusting, especially on coastal parks where salt air can corrode an untreated chassis. It’s advisable to buy a unit with a galvanised chassis when on a park near the sea. A galvanised chassis will likely have a 10-year warranty.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Check the chassis for rust and plumbing connections<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you\u2019re buying a pre-owned holiday caravan on a park and it includes decking or skirting, make sure these structures have been well maintained also.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Buying a sited pre-owned holiday caravan is an easier option and it can include decking too. Follow our guide to buying a pre-owned holiday caravan and you can start to enjoy years of great adventures!<\/p>\n

Top 10 checklist for buying a pre-owned holiday caravan or lodge <\/strong><\/h3>\n