There are probably thousands of different styles of caravan available. Think carefully about your requirements from a caravan before you buy one. Caravans are an expensive purchase so it is worth taking some time to find the perfect one for you.

Static Caravans

Static caravans are great if you have one place that you really love to go. They are normally fairly large and stay in one place all of the year. The main advantages of a static caravan are:

• Stays in one place at your favourite destination.

• You do not have to transport your caravan when you wish to go away.

• You do not need to organise storage when you are not using your caravan. (Although you may have to pay the park it is in for general security and upkeep).

• More suited to the installation of modern conveniences for example washing machines and double glazing. (This means buying a static caravan can be expensive).

Touring Caravans

Touring caravans are the most popular form of caravans. They allow for spontaneous holidays and if you do not like where you end up you can just move on. Here are a few general key facts about touring caravans.

• They must be attached to a towing vehicle for transportation. Heavier caravans must be transported by more powerful cars.

• Size varies enormously.

• Generally the seating area is transformed into the sleeping area at night.

• Touring caravans are likely to have a kitchen and washing area of varying description. Some may have a toilet and others will not.

• Touring caravans are popular because they offer the greatest amount of personal freedom.

Full/Standard Touring Caravans

This is the most recognisable style of caravan. They have solid sides and a solid roof. They are set up to be easy to connect to amenities and normally have a fairly high roof for comfort.

Pop-top / Pop-up Caravans

As the name suggest these kinds of caravan have roofs that can be raised up providing extra head room. Normally this flexible part is made of a strong vinyl to ensure water resistance. Pop-top caravans have some specific benefits. They make towing easier because they are less wind resistant. They use less fuel in transportation because they are less heavy that standard caravans and they will have good air circulation inside. The disadvantages are that you will have less storage space and they take a little more time to set up.

Compact Caravans

As the name suggests these caravans are small. Normally they have a solid metal shell. They do not have a large amount of room so do not expect luxury. The main attraction is that they will have beds inside (normally two). If you are looking for a more comfortable nights sleep than you could get in a tent then they are a good option.

Fifth Wheel Caravans

These caravans are not often seen in the U.K. however they are popular in America. A pick up truck or similar vehicle is needed to tow them. They are very large and contain many home comforts, they are quite literally a home away from home. But they use a significant amount of fuel to be transported and need a large specialised towing vehicle. Getting around some of the small country roads in the U.K. would not be possible with this kind of caravan.

A few things to consider before making a purchase

• How far and how frequently are you going to travel? Smaller caravans are easy to transport, but the living space is reduced, you will need to strike a balance between the two.

• Where are you going? Do you need a shower/toilet which will take up space and add weight or are you going to stay in caravan parks where they are likely to have these facilities?

• What weight can your towing vehicle tow? Do not forget to budget for a more powerful car if you want a large caravan.

• Fuel will cost more with a heavier caravan.

• How many beds do you really need?

• What appliances will make you comfortable? For example in the kitchen will a microwave be sufficient or do you want a grill and hob? If you will only go caravanning in the summer you may be able to BBQ outside instead.

• There are only a few caravans that are expressly listed as off road suitable. If you do want to go off road, fully check the manufacturers warranty to ensure that what you want to do will not invalidate it. Off road caravans will weigh more because they are re-enforced with a lot of extra metal. They are likely to come with more spare parts and will ideally have low energy appliances.

• Having lots of windows allows for a greater view of the scenery around and lets in lots of light.

• Interiors and layouts vary enormously so shop around for something that makes you happy. Remember it is not about how large the caravan is but how the space it used!

There are a number of different organisations that exist to help people get the most out of their caravan. The U.K. is home to some of the largest organisations of this type and some of the smallest as well. There are advantages and disadvantages to both as they all offer different perks and varying specialist knowledge. The following is a brief guide to the main caravan organisations that you can join in the U.K.

The Caravan Club

This world famous club is the largest of its kind in Europe. The Caravan Club has a membership of over one million caravan, motor caravan and trailer tent owners. They claim that half of all of the caravanners in the U.K. are members of their organisation. On the 14^th June 2007 they celebrated their centenary and over the hundred years of their existence they have built up a comprehensive network of caravan sites. They run 200 sites in the U.K. and have certified over 2500 locations. Being a member of the club entitles you to have access to all of their information about where to stay and what to do, as well as access to their wealth of knowledge about caravanning. The Caravan Club have a good reputation, it is run by members for the members. This huge club has its own vibrant social scene. The downside of being just one of a million members is that you are unlikely to have much say in what happens within the club, but for resources and information it is a great organisation. The club also offers a number of member only deals on holidays, insurance and finance.

The Camping and Caravanning Club

This is the oldest and largest club for all of the different kinds of camping. Boasting over 400,000 members, the club and its facilities are run by members who really enjoy camping and caravanning. This club also runs many sites of its own, over 100 of its sites have won awards. They cater to 3 million campers and caravanners every year. One of the principle advantages of being a member of the Camping and Caravanning Club is their private member sites. They have 1200 small sites located in some of the most picturesque areas of the U.K. that only members are allowed to use. If you enjoy caravanning abroad this club has its own dedicated travel organiser called Carefree. This part of the organisation deals with any international travel and destination requirements and they also offer exclusive member deals. There are also a host of other member privileges such as good deals on insurance, security and financial services.

The Association of Caravan and Camping Exempted Organisations (A.C.C.E.O.)

This organisation was started in response to the government restrictions on spontaneous rallies in 1960. The restrictions were imposed to protect areas of natural beauty and to stop over use of popular areas. The A.C.C.E.O. works closely with government departments to further the interests of their members. Clubs and individuals can join, there are over 200 rallying clubs that are members. Clubs use the A.C.C.E.O. to organise and promote their events. Personal membership allows for easy networking between the different clubs and invitation to restricted events. This organisation simplifies the process of getting exemption certificates from the government so that rallies can be held on unlicensed land. The organisation is run by elected and unpaid officials so you can be certain that they are always working in the interests of the members.

Caravan Owners Clubs

There are a number of caravan owners clubs. The advantages to being a member of a club specifically related to your caravan is that there will be lots of people who can help you if you have any problems with your caravan. Sourcing parts and selling items become a lot simpler as you are only dealing with people who have the same kind of caravan as you. As you may expect the individual clubs all have different policies and activities.

Local Clubs

There are lots of small local caravan clubs, a little research should uncover the ones in your locality. They can be great for connecting with other caravan enthusiasts in your area. Most of these clubs will operate within a confined area but are likely to have the best knowledge about the area in which they are active. Another advantage if you cannot store your caravan at home is that they are likely to be connected to local storage sites, so you may be able to save money by joining a local club.  Other perks vary from club to club.