The official RV Buyer's Guide in Australia
Updated Every 3 Months
BUY A NEW RV USING THE RV BUYER’S GUIDE
The RV Buyer’s Guide is your one-stop RV website. Our mission is to make your purchasing decision easier.
No more bookmarking manufacturers’ websites. No more creating lengthy and time-consuming spreadsheets. We collated a range of RV’s from different manufacturers across Australia and combined this valuable information into our RV Buyer’s Guide. We regularly update the content to reflect manufacturers’ changes/upgrades.
An Overview of the Australian RV Buyer’s Guide
The official Australian RV Buyer’s Guide is produced in Australia. We are a media company dedicated to the growth of the Caravan and Camping industry. The guide itself is delivered as a digital magazine every quarter, while the website platform is updated by the manufacturers of the RVs. Although we are new to the market, our goal is to approach every RV manufacturer in Australia so that we can service your enquiries. If all the manufacturers use this platform, you will reap the benefits.
The RV Buyer’s Guide Digital Publication
The digital magazine is produced as an interactive publication with links to each manufacturers website, social media profiles, and feature video content. Each manufacturer can advertise all of their new RVs in the magazine at anytime.
The magazine is easy to read and is segmented into categories, such as: Caravans For Sale, Hybrid Campers For Sale, Camper Trailers For Sale, and Teardrop Campers For Sale, etc. We have included other types of RV’s such as Motorhomes, Pod Campers, and Slide-Ons.
The magazine is constantly being updated as manufacturers bring new products to market. In some cases, an RV may be removed from the publication if it is no longer produced, or out of stock.
The design of the magazine has been carefully planned to ensure that the reader/buyer absorbs the maximum value from the content delivered. Every RV listed is given a double-page spread so the RV does not compete with other RVs on the page. A special legend accompanies each advert that specifices the key facts about the RV, such as: Length, Width, Weights, and Price. These key facts made the decision buying process much easier.
The RV Buyer’s Guide Website
The website lists different types of RVs for sale across Australia. We only promote new RVs, not used RVs. This is our primary point of difference between caravan camping sales and our platform. The advertiser (RV manufacturer) creates an account, registers, and adds their RVs to the platform. Once they have listed their RVs for sale, they can receive inbound enquiries from RV buyers across Australia.
The RV Buyer’s Guide Website has a feature that allows the buyer to compare different makes/models. Use the RV comparison tool and a table will appear indicating the specifications between all models selected. This is a fast way of shortlisting an RV to purchase.
FAQ’s
How does the RV Buyer’s Guide help you?
First and foremost, we deliver factual, impartial information about each RV listed in our magazine and on our website. The information is cross checked by us once each manufacturer keys in the details. The purpose of the magazine and website is to make the purchasing decision easier.
Is this the official Australian RV Buyer’s Guide?
Yes, it is. Many other publishers have created an RV Buyer’s Guide but we were the first to have a website and magazine dedicated to new RVs in Australia.
Who can advertise in the RV Buyer’s Guide?
We accept adverts from RV manufacturers/dealers, camping retailers, 4x4 motor dealers, accessory providers, campgrounds, and other related businesses.
How much does it cost to advertise in the RV Buyer’s Guide?
Our fees vary according to the amount of RVs you wish to list. The more you list, the cheaper the unit price becomes. If you are a retailer we can offer you product reviews, content delivery, banner ads, or magazine ads. We also send regular newsletters to our subscribers.
Buying an RV in 2023
If you are considering an RV purchase where do you begin? Most people will visit a caravan and camping expo, be influenced by social media, or attend a local showroom but this rarely positions them well for such a major purchase, and we’ll explain why.
Most caravan and camping expos we have attended offer a rushed experience with little time to make an important decision. The expos allow you to see different RVs in one space but that’s about all they offer. We have seen RV manufacturers at expos jack-up the prices, only to falsely lure buyers in to an emotional purchase.
Buying an RV in 2023 should be carefully thought about, because for many people it can become their 2nd or 3rd largest investment behind their home and tow vehicle.
In 2023 social media influencers and RV channels have become prevalent and their smart marketing tactics continue to drive sales, however it is important to inspect a new RV before making any decisions based on what you see online. Consideration should be given to what suits your family, not what suits the influencers needs.
And finally, while we believe a showroom is vital, it is important to visit with a checklist in hand. Compare each RV against one another by using a checklist. Don’t be pressured into buying on the spot. Do your due diligence! Join existing owners Facebook Groups, and speak with owners about the experience they’ve had with the manufacturer post sale. If the after sales service has been a great experience, this usually influences my purchasing decision.
Before you purchase a new RV you should consider this
Purchasing a new RV is an exciting time for anyone, especially if it is your first purchase. Before you handover the cheque, or release the finances, you need to consider these important factors:
Your Tow Vehicles Capabilities
If you are looking to purchase a new caravan, new camper trailer, or new hybrid camper then you’ll need an adequate tow vehicle to hook up to. All RVs come with specific weights you should be aware of.
They include ATM, TARE, TBM. All of these weights are critical to the safe operation of towing an RV. For further information check out our blog post on towing weights.
All towing vehicles have set weight limits when it comes to loading your vehicle and towing an RV or trailer. Look for your vehicles Kerb Weight, GVM, Axle Loads, and GCM. Some tow vehicles may boast a towing capacity of 3500kg, however when loaded with passengers, fuel, and vehicle accessories, they usually can tow approximately 3000kg.
If you are over on any of these limits your insurance won’t pay out and you’ll place your family at high risk of a motor vehicle accident. Look for a mobile RV weighing service in your region or search for a public weighbridge. If you are checking your loads, account for the TowBall Mass on your car. Get an accurate TBM weight as this will affect your GVM.
It can be a minefield so make sure you are legal and safe. According to recent Queensland Roads data almost 90% of all Towing Vehicles/RV’s are overloaded, and therefore do not comply with road laws. In 2023, Queensland Police are clamping down and fines will be issued.
How many passengers are in the RV?
For the record, we are in our mid 50’s and travelled across Australia with our three children when they were little. At that time we survived by pulling a cage trailer and erecting a large dome tent. Fast forward to their pre-teenage years and the tent was gone, replaced by a soft-floor camper trailer. While this gave us room and more comforts, it was a mission to erect and dismantle, especially on short trips.
In their mid-teens we upgraded again to Jayco Eagle Camper which gave each person a designated bed, some seating, and a few more comforts. It was easier to erect and pack down too.
Present day and we own a mid sized Pod Camper suitable for my wife and I. We sleep inside and live outside. We love it, but as we age, it will get harder to manage and a new caravan will be the ultimate end purchase. Our journey over the past 30+ years is like most other people. Your travelling party will dictate your sleeping arrangements, as will your age and health.
Be aware! It is inevitable that your needs will change over time.
Will you free camp or visit a caravan park?
In Australia we are blessed to be able to free camp alongside rivers, streams, dams, and the mighty Pacific Ocean. The rugged coastline of Western Australia and the dense rainforests of Northern Queensland are dotted with beautiful free campgrounds for us to explore.
If you are camping for the first time and don’t have the vehicle or RV for an off-grid adventure, then consider one of the major caravan parks for your stay.
Caravan parks have all the amenities to make your stay comfortable, such as power, laundry, toilets and hot showers. Some have swimming pools, jumping pillows, and pre-planned activities for the kids. Many caravans parks charge between $40-$70/night for a powered caravan site. This fee often changes subject to key holiday periods like School Holidays, Easter and Christmas.
If you plan to explore off the beaten track then you’ll need an RV with suitable offgrid power and water supplies. Many new RVs are introducing Lithium Batteries, backed by high volume Solar Panels hooked to a Battery Management system. Although initially expensive, these costs can be quickly recovered by not having to pay for caravan site fees.
It is important to carry enough fresh water, and have the ability to store grey/black water from your toilet/shower/sink waste pipes. Many hybrid campers in the $45k+ bracket are geared toward living in an off-grid environment.
Many fulltime travelers will combine several days off-grid with 1 or two days in a caravan park to top up the water tanks, do some washing, have a shower, and restock supplies. Your adventure should be based on your level of comfort, sense of security, budget, and level of experience.
Comparing Chinese RVs to Australian RVs
This debate has been fought over the internet for several years. When the first manufacturers brought in offshore RVs into Australia sales were slow and product quality was terrible.
The RV industry became a competitive market all of a sudden with camper trailers hitting the floor tens of thousands of dollars cheaper than their Aussie rivals.
A war of words erupted in the industry and two distinct allegiences were formed. The pro-Aussie group vs the Imported group. As time passed, Chinese manufacturers adopted better practices, and used better materials and seemingly closed the gap when it came down to build quality.
That said, there are still some brands which are borderline in my opinion and we hope thet the next iteration of designs show a sharp improvement. There are some notable Chinese/Australia partnerships offering stable and well priced RVs which we would consider as great value for money. These longer serving manufacturers have refined their manufacturing processes with their partners in China to deliver a product worthy in the Australian market.
The bottomline is that even new Australian made RVs have some form of Chinese componentry installed. It’s the way of the world now.
Your budget to buy a new RV
Pros and Cons of a New RV
Pros
- You get exactly what you want
- Easier to obtain finance
- Longer warranty and service period
Cons
- More expensive than 2nd hand
- Depreciates in value quickly
- All components are untested
How to buy a new RV
We recommend taking these steps:
- Research all RVs in your budget
- Consider how and where you will use the RV (long journeys vs short trips/on or offroad)
- Ensure your vehicle can safely tow your RV fully loaded
- Review resale value after 12 months, 2 years, and 5 years
- Speak with other owners about after sales service
- Use rvbuyersguide.com.au website to compare specifications
- Contact dealer/manufacturer and haggle
- Take a towing course and get premium RACQ roadside assistance coverage
- Get adequate RV insurance that will cover your type of travel experience
Buying a new RV is easy
It’s never been easier to buy a new RV. The official Australia RV Buyer’s Guide now delivers buyers a plethora of caravans, camper trailers, hybrid campers, and more inside their RV Buyer’s Guide magazine and on their website.
