A caravan show is a good place to look and a poor place to decide. Everything is staged, the salesperson is quick, and there is always a show special that ends on Sunday. This checklist is for the moment you are standing at a van and want to leave with facts, not a feeling.
The numbers to get, van by van
Ask for these and write them down, or capture them in the app. If a figure is not on the spec sheet, ask where it comes from.
- Tare and ATM. Tare is the empty weight. ATM is the most the van can legally weigh fully loaded. The gap between them is what you can carry.
- Ball weight. It has to sit within your tow vehicle's ball weight limit and your towbar's rating.
- Length and height. Check both against where you plan to store it and where you plan to go.
- Water, gas and battery capacity. Ask how many litres of fresh water, what battery and what solar come standard, and what is an optional extra.
- Axle and suspension. Single or tandem, and which brand of suspension and brakes.
The price questions
- Is this the drive away price, or before on-road costs?
- What exactly is included? Ask for the inclusions list, not a verbal summary.
- What is the show price, and what was the price last week? If the salesperson cannot say, you cannot tell how good the deal is.
- Is the show special tied to buying on the day?
- What does the deposit buy you, and is it refundable if the build date slips or the finance falls through?
Questions about the maker
- How long is the warranty, who honours it, and where is the nearest service agent to you?
- What is the build time for one ordered today?
- Is the chassis and body built in Australia, and what are the panels and frame made of?
- Can you see a van of the same model that is a few years old?
What to look at inside the van
- Open every cupboard and drawer. Do they latch properly?
- Sit on the bed, at the table, and in the shower. Dimensions on paper feel different in person.
- Check the seams, joins and door seals for gaps or poor finish.
- Turn on the lights, fridge, water pump and hot water if the van is connected.
- Look under the van where you can: wiring, plumbing and the chassis welds.
Before you sign anything
Ask for the quote in writing, take it home and read the contract in full. Check the contract against what you were told. A cooling-off period is not guaranteed on every purchase, so ask what applies to yours. VanVerdict's Contract check (on paid passes) walks through a 15-point list of common pitfalls, and it is a good second pair of eyes at the kitchen table. The whole point is that no deal on a six-figure purchase is so good it cannot wait until Monday.
If you are not sure your car can tow the van you like, check that first. See can your car actually tow that caravan.
Looking for a show near you? See our caravan shows page or the 2026 show roundup.
Questions people ask
What should I ask when buying a caravan at a show?
Ask for the tare, ATM, ball weight and payload in writing, what the price includes, the warranty terms and who services the van. The checklist above lists them in order.
What is ATM on a caravan?
ATM is Aggregate Trailer Mass: the most the loaded van may weigh. It is the van's tare plus the payload you carry. It must fit within your tow vehicle's ratings.
Do I get a cooling-off period if I buy at a show?
Do not assume you do. Ask before you pay, and get the answer in writing. Rights can depend on the state and how the sale is made, so check with your state consumer body.
The VanVerdict team