Recently we had a great opportunity to put some questions to Matt Sutton and Livia Palmer. Matt runs the very popular Everything Caravan & Camping on Facebook. With almost 200,000 members he knows the key things to look for when buying a motorhome, caravan or camper in Australia.

What are the best places to look online for campers or caravans in Australia?

There are many websites and Facebook pages where you can buy a perfect motorhome, camper-van or caravan in Australia.

While the interest in camping is growing, so is the demand for new or used equipment. We suggest using reputable sites and being careful to check all details diligently before committing to buy a motorhome and handing over a deposit or full payment. Some of the sites we use and recommend are;

• · Caravan & Camping Buy, Swap and Sell
• · Caravancampingsales.com.au
• · Local Facebook by and sell sites
• · Local Papers
• ·Ebay (be careful of scammers)
• · Gumtree (be careful of scammers)

The biggest thing to watch out for is scammers.

What are the hidden costs you hear about most from people who have recently purchased or are new to this lifestyle?

Some hidden costs when buying a new or used motorhome or caravan may include but not limited to the following

• · Registration
• · Re-registering in different state (Roadworthy Compliant eg blue-slip)
• · Unforeseen repairs to 2nd hand vans such as batteries, fridge, leaks etc
• · Tyres
• · Empty gas bottles , water and sullage hoses etc

Breaking Bad faced a few unknown costs!

Do you have any tips for potential buyers before they make the big purchase?

There are many considerations to make when looking at buying a motorhome or caravan.

When looking for the perfect second-hand motorhome/caravan to buy we suggest getting an independent inspection done from a licensed repairer.

It may cost a couple hundred dollars for their time but could save you thousands in the long run. They are experienced in checking for leaks and can check for general wear and tear problems. Just because it’s not visible to you doesn’t mean there are no issues. They will check all aspects including the electrics, plumbing, chassis and suspension etc.

One of our biggest tips to offer people buying a motorhome or used caravans is to make sure your tow vehicle is adequate for the job.

Time and time again buyers are being caught off guard only to discover they need to update their tow vehicle at a time when they least expect it. Do your homework first. Learn about ideal weights and then work from there to find the right one. Don’t forget GCM (gross combined mass) is just as important, if not more important than your Tare or ATM.

Make sure your vehicle can do the job.

Another consideration is size. Work out what you are and aren’t capable of towing comfortably. There is no point in getting a big van if you are not able to tow it or manoeuvre it around a caravan park or campground.

With the rising cost of owning a motorhome or caravan has renting out your private vehicle become more viable?

Unless you’re fortunate enough to be travelling full time you probably have a van sitting in storage, shed or backyard somewhere. Yes, we would all love the opportunity to use it more often but in reality, we may only use our van a couple of times a year. Some will see this as an opportunity to make extra money by renting it out. Some of the things we suggest before doing this would be;

· Use an agency like Camptoo. You will find they are more experienced and can offer insurance and guarantees that you won’t get if you’re doing it privately. They will also do screenings on potential clients and collect all the personal details and relevant information.

· Ensure that you are prepared for others to be using your van, motorhome etc and all of the contents.

· Be prepared that there will be wear and tear on the vehicle and possibly damage.

What is the one thing you wouldn’t leave on a big trip without?

When planning for a big trip, many people will not prepare for or take into consideration some of the unexpected incidents or accidents along the way. Being prepared whilst in remote areas is essential as you may not easily be able to find help when needed. We suggest firstly to join a road side assistance organisation such as NRMA, RACQ etc.

We also suggest stocking up on a small variety of spare parts and tool such as

· Basic tool kit , spanners /screwdrivers etc.

· Cable ties

· 20 lt water container

· No perishable food items

· Wheel bearings

· Extra spare tyre

Thanks for sitting down with us Matt and Livia, it was great of you to share your knowledge for the Camptoo community.