GORV - Digital Magazine Issue #33 | Page 19

RV FEATURE MICK AND LINDSAY Caravanning experience: 13 years on the road full time. Ownership history: three Jaycos, one Retreat and one Nova. Current caravan: 25ft Nova Family Escape with custom layout, bought new. GORV: Why did you purchase a new van? M&L: We’ve always purchased new vans. With the latest caravan we wanted a specific layout with a separate bedroom. We also wanted coil suspension and composite construction, which would have been virtually impossible to find in a secondhand van. GORV: What issues did you have with your purchase? M&L: The wait time for the new build was longer than expected due to our customised layout. GORV: Is there anything you would do differently next time? M&L: We would still buy a new van but we would purchase from a dealer or manufacturer closer to where we live, as that would make it more convenient to meet and discuss any issues with the build. It would also make it easier to arrange the first service and any initial warranty work that may be required. GORV: What advice would you give to newcomers to the lifestyle? M&L: Don’t purchase anything on a whim. Do your homework. Read as many reviews as you can and visit as many showrooms as you can to physically see what different vans are like in the ‘flesh’. Take a notebook with you and write down important things you're told and any thoughts you have when shopping around. We would also recommend buying a van that is one to two years old as your first van. It saves you money and the owner should have any issues sorted out. Make sure you get a thorough hand-over. / 19