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Posted on May 24,
Buying a caravan is exciting, promising endless adventures and the freedom to explore at your own pace. However, with the multitude of options available, it's crucial to know what to look for to ensure you choose a caravan that best suits your needs.
As expert caravan importers in NZ, we'll explore the top caravan features every buyer should consider to make an informed and confident decision.
The first thing to consider is the size of the caravan and its internal layout. Think about how many people will be using it and your specific needs. A family of four will require a different layout than a couple or solo traveller. Look for a layout that maximises space and comfort, providing adequate sleeping arrangements, a functional kitchen, and a comfortable living area.
Understanding the caravan's weight and compatibility with your towing vehicle is essential. Caravans come in various weights, and it is important to choose one that your vehicle can tow safely. Overloading your vehicle can be dangerous and may lead to legal issues.
A well-built caravan made of high-quality materials will last longer and provide better insulation and comfort. Pay attention to the construction of the walls, roof, and floor. Materials like fibreglass or aluminium for the body and well-insulated interiors can significantly improve durability and comfort.
Effective climate control is vital for a caravan, as it should be comfortable in all seasons. Look for caravans with heating and cooling systems to ensure you can enjoy your travels regardless of the weather.
A functional kitchen is a must for any caravan, especially if you plan on cooking regularly. The kitchen should have essential appliances and sufficient food preparation and storage space.
An onboard bathroom adds significant convenience, particularly for extended trips. Ensure the bathroom is practical, with a shower, toilet, and basin, and offers enough space to be used comfortably.
In today's digital age, staying connected and entertained while on the road is important for many travellers. Modern caravans often come equipped with a range of entertainment and connectivity options.
Safety should never be compromised. Modern caravans have various safety features designed to protect you and your family.
Storage is a crucial factor, especially if you plan on long trips. Ensure the caravan has ample storage both inside and outside for all your belongings, camping gear, and other necessities.
Finally, consider your budget and the overall value for money. While it's tempting to go for the most luxurious options, ensure that the caravan meets your essential needs without overextending financially. Look for features that offer the best balance between cost and functionality.
Choosing the right caravan involves careful consideration of various features to ensure it meets your needs and provides a comfortable, enjoyable experience. Focusing on these top caravan features can help you make a well-informed decision.
For all your caravan and motorhome importing needs, contact McCullough today, and we’ll help you hit the road tomorrow.
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Be safe when you tow and consider these 5 safety tips.
AL-KO-Electronic-Stability-Control
AL-KO ESC has become the gold-standard safety feature for caravans, with about 50 per cent of new caravans rolling off production lines fitted with ESC as standard and most other manufacturers making it available as an option for around $. It can also now be retrofitted to existing vans for around $, meaning no caravanners have to go without.
Are you interested in learning more about caravan mobile home? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
AL-KO ESC is designed to provide the best possible response to caravan sway in critical towing situations. It brakes all wheels on the caravan simultaneously as soon as a dangerous sideways movement is detected by the lateral acceleration sensors inside the unit. It continuously evaluates the data and when critical lateral movements are recognised, ESC activates and applies the electric brakes immediately to bring the vehicle back into line in a smooth and controlled manner.
Until recently, AL-KO ESC was only available for electric drum braked caravans, but is now also available for those with hydraulic brakes.
Brake-Controller
All towed trailers over 750kg require brakes, and those over kg must also be able to be controlled from inside the tow vehicle via an electric brake controller. This legally-required safety measure usually involves a controller, which can be manually adjusted to apply the correct amount of braking force for any situation or van, mounted within easy reach of the driver’s seat. Common brands include Redarc, Hayman Reese, AL-KO, and Tekonsha.
Some units also allow drivers to ‘boost’ the brake power in exceptional situations, such as during sway or long or steep descents. Brake controllers generally have a dial from 1-10, or a slide on some models. With it dialled up to 10 you’ll get maximum braking power as soon as you touch the brakes, or knocked back to 1 the trailer brakes may not even activate. They offer complete control over your trailer, allowing you to make it brake harder, or lighter depending on the situation, but if you knock it back to 2 for a certain situation then forget it’s dialled down, you may get yourself into trouble.
Properly matching your caravan or camper trailer to your tow vehicle – or vice versa – is imperative for safe towing. There are many legal requirements that must be followed – such as ensuring your RV’s aggregate trailer mass (ATM) is under your vehicle’s towing capacity, that your RV’s towball download is under your vehicle’s, or towball manufacturer’s, allowed capacity, and that your entire towing combination does not exceed the vehicle’s gross combination mass (GCM).
Sorting out all the figures can be confusing, especially as every vehicle’s capacity is different, and some have changing figures depending on what they’re towing.
And while a vehicle might be physically able to tow a van or camper outside its capacity, safety is compromised, not to mention your insurance becoming void.
Certificate-of-Accreditation
Build quality is possibly the most important safety feature you’ve got in any caravan or camper. It’s no good having all the safety features in the world if an axle is going to snap when you’re flying down the highway.
Unlike many manufacturing industries in Australia, the caravan and camper trailer building industry is largely self-regulated, however, the national industry body and most state industry bodies have quality assurance and compliance programs, although participation and membership is usually voluntary.
The national Caravan Industry Association of Australia runs the RV Manufacturing Accreditation Program (RVMAP), in which it audits members to ensure they consistently build and supply product that adheres to all relevant Australian Design Rules (ADRs), Regulations and Australian Standards (AS). Accredited manufacturers are given an RVMAP ‘key’ to display, to show buyers they meet these standard. However, participation in RVMAP is voluntary and the CIAA points out that it should not be taken as a guarantee of, or warranty for, product compliance or the financial strength of a particular manufacturer.
That makes judging the quality of a camper or caravan a difficult, and very personal, thing to asses. First-hand checks are always the best place to start, as well as reputation, and other buyer experiences.
Every caravan and camper trailer has one – how important can they really be? They’re usually pretty basic in design, can be bought for as little as $20 online, and many manufacturers provide only a basic one with a new van. But have a jockey wheel collapse or break when you’re trying to maneuver your van in a remote area on your own and you’ll realise how important they are!
Jockey wheels can come in different styles – removable, swing-away/swivel, hydraulic, ratchet or motorised, from a variety of manufacturers and suppliers.
Swivelling or swing-away jockey wheels are convenient, as you don’t have to remove or store them, however, care must be taken to ensure that they are suitable for your configuration. If not properly mounted or positioned, swivel jockey wheels can impede other items on a drawbar or can snag during travel. Swivel jockey wheels may also have a limited lifting capacity due to the mounting point, and can have more flex.
Removable jockey wheels get around the space limitations on your drawbar and can be larger. Because of this, with a removable jockey wheel you can usually lift a van higher.
Hydraulic jockey wheels, such as the Trail-A-Mate, often double as jacks and are less effort to operate than a regular jockey wheel.
Motorised or powered jockey wheels attach to a drawbar like a normal jockey wheel and have an external battery and controller for easy maneuvering of your van or camper.
Ratchet-style jockey wheels, such as AL-KO’s Power Mover, have a long ratchet arm that attaches for easier and safer movement of your RV.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of custom expandable container home. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.