Finding your Caravan Fit
The caravan industry is a dynamic and ever-changing one, constantly filled with new models and features that are fit for different needs. So, when choosing a caravan, it can be very overwhelming. Keith Teubes Managing Director of Gecko Offroad Caravans, highlights some important things that you need to look for when finding your perfect caravan fit.
- Think about where you will be travelling
Are you a budding adventurer and explorer that is wanting to travel to those remote areas in Africa or are you more likely to venture down to the Kruger Park or the coast, or both? If you are going to be travelling off-road, you need a caravan that is robust, tracks well and is set up for those remote areas in terms of solar panels and water tanks. But if you are going to be close to amenities, then those elements are great to have on hand, and provides you with flexibility. Ask the questions about tow stability, tracking and ground clearance because these elements will have an impact on your travel plans.
- Look at quality and simplicity
Do not be afraid to ask about the materials used to build the caravan. You need to make sure that if you are going off-road that the caravan has been built for it. The last thing you want is to be travelling through the Skeleton Coast Park and open your caravan up to find that your cupboard doors have fallen off because of the rough roads. Look at the setup of the caravan and how long it takes to set up the tenting system and how many people you may need to do this. You don’t want to start your holiday off trying to put up the tented awning for over an hour. Do ask about insulation and the structural integrity as these will have an impact on your travel experience.
- Make sure that you will be comfortable
Look at the caravan in detail. Does it have everything you need to be comfortable? Is there enough packing space, is the bed big enough, does it have a toilet and shower that is comfortable for you and your partner, is there space for your fridge, a place to wash up etc. Look at the cleaning aspects, is it easy to clean, would there be a lot of dust that gets into the caravan etc.
“Buying a caravan is an investment, it is something that you will have for several years, which is why it is so important to look at these different elements. You need to find the right caravan to suit your needs. This is actually why we developed the Gecko, we couldn’t find a caravan that had all the elements that we wanted, and that could work both for on-road and off-road and still be comfortable and luxurious,” says Teubes.
So, if you are in the market for a caravan, take your times, examine your options and do your research. Once you have, you can rest assured that you have made the right choice for you. Enjoy the adventure!
