Choosing a caravan can be a big decision for anyone, whether buying brand new, or second hand it requires careful consideration. Everyone is going to have their own ideas about what is good and bad, and different designs suit different people. By all means listen to what advice other people have to offer, as experience is a good thing, but go with what you think is right for you and your family at the time. Don't be afraid to shop around and take your time. Look at the different options available in the price range that you want to pay.

You need to consider the following:

• Brand new or second hand. This is likely to be decided by the budget that you have set yourself.
• How many berths (beds) do I need
• Cost and finance. set yourself a budget and try to stick to it.
• Size - how large a caravan would you feel happy towing. How big can you go with the car that you have? it is advisable not to exceed 85% of the vehicles kerb weight.
• Are the beds a good size and in a sensible place? Can you still use the toilet with the beds down? Many ranges of caravan offer a fixed bed with storage under it. Would this be practical? Does it have bunk beds? How are the double beds made up?
• Single or twin axle. Both have advantages and disadvantages. With a twin there is the added stability of an extra set of wheels so the requirement for a stabiliser is perhaps less, but maneuverability is compromised as it is more difficult to move and turn the caravan manually when there are an extra set of wheels on the ground. This is obviously not a problem if you are very confident in towing and maneuvering when attached to the car, but can otherwise make moving the van into tight spots difficult.
• Toilet/sink/shower/washroom/ Think of the size and the positioning. Do you want an end toilet or would you prefer a bed to be at the end so the kids can be shut off at night to avoid disturbing them when you move around.
• How much storage space do you need?
• What seating/bed layout is best for you? do you have children or animals to consider.
• Length for storage and commercial sites. The length of your caravan will be important if you are planning to keep your caravan in storage. Many facilities will not take a caravan over 23 feet in length. Many commercial sites have limits on the length that they will allow on their site which is also normally around 23 feet.
• Weight for towing.

When buying new consider the warranty that you will get and what you need to do each year to maintain this. The main requirement is normally that the caravan is serviced by the dealer each year. This is a good thing when it comes to selling the caravan further down the line as well.

When buying second hand there are many things to think about and check for. Here are some of them:

• Damp and water ingress - Check everywhere for signs of damp. Don't be afraid to look in the bunks and in the cupboards, as it may not be in obvious places. Take a torch with you for this. Look at the back of the cushions and the bed mattresses for signs of water. Check the grab handles on the outsides, if the seals on these have gone then the handles will normally be wobbly. This will also indicate water has got into that panel. This can be a varying problem with some small patches being fixed for £250, while larger problems could take thousands to fix depending on the position of the problem and the extent to which it affects the panel.
• Windows, sky lights, doors and panels. Check seals on all of these, and that they all function correctly. On older vans take the back jacks up and then try to open and close the door. Problems here could indicate faults with the floor or chasis. Check windows for cracks, and problems with seals. Most caravans will have double glazing so check these are still sealed. Look for dints in the panels on the outside of the caravan, and check that seals on corners and sides seem intact.
• Floors - walk up and down and check the floor for bounciness and movement when you walk. These are signs that the floor is delaminating. This can be difficult to fix and can be costly (starting from about £100 for a small area to £1000 for the whole caravan, although alternatives are available to a DIY enthusiast with wood work skills), so make sure the price of the caravan reflects the repairs that may be needed.
• Electric, gas, water systems - try out the systems where possible. Go around trying the lights, check that everything is working and try out things such as the cooker and the fire.
• Towing hitch and wheels, caravan legs - Check these are functioning correctly, as they are all important to using the caravan safely. Check the tyres, we found to our expense the damage a blowout can do on returning from holiday.

Don't be afraid to haggle (unless you bought it from ebay, when unless the description is inaccurate you are tied to the amount that you bid) If you see something that you don't like then try to get the price down, or walk away. If there is something that you just don't like or you are not sure about, then walk away. There will be other vans available so you don't have to buy the first that you see.