Rent a caravan before you buy one
Rent first if you are not sure what size or layout suits you.
A weekend away shows you more about a van than a showroom visit.
Updated . 4 min read • Buying Guide
Renting first is worth it if you are not yet sure what size or layout suits you.
A hire lets you tow and reverse the van, sleep in the beds and run the power before you commit.
- Test on a hire - towing, beds, kitchen and power (the things a showroom cannot show you)
- Selling the wrong van - means taking its early drop in value (the biggest drop comes early)
In this guide
Why rent first
A floor plan and a showroom visit cannot tell you how a van feels after three nights. Some buyers find their new van does not suit how they travel. If you sell it again, you take its early drop in value. A van loses value fastest in its first years.
After a hire, you come back knowing the size, layout and features you need. Our caravan depreciation guide shows how much value a van loses in its first years.
What to test while you have the van
Size and towing
- Tow it on the highway and on a back road.
- Reverse it into a caravan park site.
- Check the inside has room for everyone travelling.
Beds
- Compare an island bed, which you can walk around, with a bed set against the wall.
- If you have children, decide whether you need bunks.
- Notice whether the layout feels cramped at night.
Kitchen and bathroom
- Cook a full meal in the kitchen.
- Use the ensuite, or try park amenities and see if they are enough.
Power
- Spend a night off a powered site.
- Note whether the battery and solar kept up.
- Decide whether powered sites would cover most of your trips.
On-road or off-road
- If you hire an off-road van, note whether you used the rough tracks.
- If you did not, a lighter on-road van may suit you.
Where to rent a caravan in Australia
Jayco Rentals
Hire from the maker, which lets you try Jayco models before you buy one.
Visit Jayco RentalsLocal dealers
Some dealers hire out demo vans. Ask your local dealer.
Owner groups
Some owners offer private hire through caravan groups on Facebook. Get the terms in writing.
Know what you want?
Browse every caravan on our site. Narrow it by price, the car you tow with and the roads you'll drive.