Check Before Buying

Before buying - It's important that your towing vehicle is up to the job of pulling your caravan. This is crucial and something and of paramount importance when choosing any touring caravan. It is widely accepted that the caravan Maximum Technically Permitted Laden Mass (MTPLM) does not exceed 85% of the tow cars Kerbside Weight (see owners handbook). The MTPLM can be found on a plate affixed to the outside of the caravan, a caravan dealer should always be able to inform you of it. This weight comprises the caravan itself, accessories and equipment carried and an allowance for personal items (clothing, food etc.). Whilst it is legal to tow a caravan weighing up to 100% of the Kerbside Weight of the car, this is normally advised for experienced caravanners. Many dealers have outfit matching software on their computers, you can even buy software yourself from someone like TowTally

Buying - If you don't know much about caravans, take someone with you who does. Mechanical things like brakes, wheel bearings, electrics, etc. can all be fixed quite cheaply, but damp cannot, so get them to look out for things like damp in the walls and floors. If you find damp, walk away.  Walk around inside the caravan. Does the floor feel spongy or does it squeak as you walk? If so it's probable that the floor is starting to delaminate. Delaminating can be fixed at home, but it's time consuming and involves removing carpets and possibly furniture. Service agents can also fix this, but it's not cheap, so make sure the asking price reflects this fault or if buying from a dealer, get them to fix it. Nowadays caravans have CRIS Registration documents similar to a cars log book (or V5). This will show previous owners as well as provide some evidence that the caravan is not on a stolen register. Once you have it, send it off immediately to have your details registered as the new owner

Tow-bars and Electrics - If you are having a tow-bar fitted then look on The National Trailer and Towing Association www.ntta.co.uk for the address of a reliable professional fitter near you.  If you already have a tow-bar on your car (perhaps already fitted to the car when bought it), but you are not sure that it is wired correctly find a professional who will check the electrics for you. There was a change in the wiring of the secondary connector on caravans (to charge the battery and keep the fridge cold while you're towing) after 1998 introducing a second seven pin plug and socket and a completely new connector, a thirteen pin assembly incorporating both road lights and power/charging evolved in 2002

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