We do not publish a list of brands to avoid. Caravan companies change owners, relaunch under the same name and rebadge, so any list dates quickly. The four checks below take about a quarter of an hour.
1. Check the company behind the brand
- Search the company on the ASIC register. The brand on the van and the company that sells it can be different. Search the company name at connectonline.asic.gov.au. Look for administration notices, recent name changes, or a company registered very recently.
- Ask who owns the brand today. After a relaunch, your warranty is with the new company. Get the warranty issuer's full company name in writing.
- Search the news. Search the brand name with "administration", "liquidation" and "closed".
Our deposit guide covers what happens to your money if a seller goes bust.
2. Read the warranty
- Structural and general cover. A long headline warranty may apply to the chassis or frame only. Get the term for each part in writing. Our warranty comparison sets out how brands split their cover.
- Who does warranty work. Ask for the list of service agents in your state. With no agent nearby, a claim means taking the van back to the factory.
- Transfer. Ask whether the warranty passes to the next owner. A transferable warranty helps when you sell.
3. Check the published figures
- Weights. Find the tare, ATM (aggregate trailer mass) and ball weight for the model. If you cannot find them, ask the seller in writing.
- Price. Some build-to-order makers price each van to its spec. Ask for an itemised quote before you pay anything.
- The compliance plate. At inspection, compare the plate's tare and ATM with the figures the seller quoted. Ask the seller to explain any difference in writing.
4. Check the build at the van
- Look underneath first. Check the chassis welds, the finish (galvanised or painted), and how the wiring and plumbing are run and fixed.
- Ask who makes the parts. If the seller says the van is Australian-built, ask who supplies the frame, chassis and cabinetry.
- Read the owner groups. Owner groups on Facebook are where owners report faults. Search the group for "warranty" and "leak".
Warning signs to stop at
- A recently registered company behind a brand that claims a long history
- A warranty issuer that is not the maker, or that the seller cannot name
- No service agents outside the factory's home city
- A deposit asked for before a written, itemised spec sheet
- Plate figures that differ from the quoted figures
- A recent administration or relaunch the seller did not mention
- Pressure to sign at a show before a discount ends
One sign on its own may have an explanation. Two or more together are a reason to walk away. This site lists 1,210+ current ranges to compare instead.