Thinking of buying a second-hand static caravan?
Over the last 18 months, the static caravan and lodge market has grown tremendously, helped by the so-called “staycation” boom. With many folk trying to buy a new holiday caravan, they’re 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.
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.
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.
Things to consider when buying a pre-owned holiday caravan
Location and holiday park
When you’re 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 – 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?
Many buyers find a place where they love and want to spend weekends and longer breaks away, so make sure you’re in a spot that will suit you for some years to come.
Parks will usually charge an annual site fee and these can vary widely, often linked to the quantity and quality of facilities and location.
Age restrictions?
Some holiday parks will only allow caravans that are up to 10 or 20 year’s old, while others will go by their condition not age.
Check the rules on this before buying a used caravan or signing any holiday park site licence agreement so you’re 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.
Budget
Once you’ve found a park or selection of parks, then you’ll 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.
When setting your budget, don’t forget to include park site fees, static caravan insurance, services and travel costs.
Private purchase
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.
Park purchase
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’s 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.
Buying from a dealer
There are dealerships across the UK who sell new or pre-owned holiday caravans and lodges.
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.
Size and layout
Once you’ve 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.
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’t want to buy a 14ft wide caravan that won’t fit on a base that’s 10ft wide!
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?
Kitchens come in large or small sizes and some can very well equipped, although older pre-2006 mid-market models didn’t have much specification unless the owner retrofitted or fitted from new.
Decide how many bedrooms you’ll need. If you’re not going to use a third bedroom then two bedroomed layouts offer more space and of course larger rooms.
Is an en-suite important? If so, put that on your checklist.
Central heating and UPVC double glazing are often vital to those wanting to use their holiday caravan in colder weather and are essential to keep warm.
If buying a holiday lodge it’s more than likely to have been built to residential BS3632 specification, which means house standards of insulation so winter use won’t 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.
Hiring out?
If you plan to hire out your static caravan or lodge 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’s size, number of bedrooms, modernity and facilities will impact on your rental income potential.
Some parks will also manage hiring out for you for an extra cost.
Expect the best
When buying a second-hand static caravan, you might want to ask if it’s 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.
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.
Don’t be afraid to ask to see all the appliance manuals and check the boiler for any leaks leaking and also for its service record.
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.
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’s no water ingress from DIY add on’s such as hanging basket hooks and TV mast fixings.
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.
If you’re buying a pre-owned holiday caravan on a park and it includes decking or skirting, make sure these structures have been well maintained also.
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!
Top 10 checklist for buying a pre-owned holiday caravan or lodge
- Choose the park that suits your holiday needs
- Check the age of static caravan accepted on the park you’re looking at to guide you on your pre-owned choice
- Set a budget, taking into account how much you want to spend on a pre-owned static caravan, site fees, services and insurance.
- Look for any exterior damage to side panels, cracked roof vents and check for rust on the chassis, especially if sited on a coastal park. A galvanised chassis might still have warranty left to run.
- Check for damp, mould or water stains on the wallboards or ceilings
- Inspect windows for any cracks, blown seals or misting of double-glazed units.
- Check for any poor DIY by the previous owners and any cracks in shower trays, as well as stains or fading on upholstery and carpets
- Make sure the boiler is in good working order and has been serviced regularly. Look for signs of leaks.
- Check that all the appliance handbooks are still with the caravan, including the manufacturer’s manual.
- Try to find some ownership history i.e. has it been a privately-owned holiday caravan or hired out by a park owner
Our thanks to the Holiday Home Centre in Beeford, East Yorkshire for their help in writing this article.
