The golden oldies
It’s not that easy to get your money back when selling most vehicles. The caravan market, however, is an exception.
There are not many things in life whose value increase as they age. Sure, shares, real estate, and rare works of art do – possibly even a good wine – but certainly not your car. You won’t be selling or trading in your car without losing a bunch of money. But what you paid for your caravan – new or used – you will probably see again on the day you sell it.
We take a look at the prices of new caravans 10 years ago and how they compare to their second-hand value today.
But first, let’s go back to the car market. Take three 2012 models as an example: a Toyota Fortuner 3.0 D-4D (4x4, auto), Ford Ranger 3.2 XLT (4x4, auto, double cab), and a Suzuki Jimny 1.3. According to Peet David of Puma Auto Traders in Emalahleni, these three vehicles cost R455 300, R456 760, and R192 900 respectively. If you look at what is available online*, the second-hand prices today look like this: R279 963 for the
Fortuner, R236 900 for the Ford, and R158 233 for the Jimny. This means their value decreased by 39%, 48%, and 18% within 10 years respectively. (That’s without taking into account inflation or interest rates.)
Depreciation of vehicles isn’t uncommon, but if you look at the price of used caravans, these start looking more like an investment. Today, 10 years later, you pay 20% more for the used model than it cost new at the time. This is the case with 17 caravans we found online, including a Conqueror Commander (R190 682 in 2012 and now R260 000), Jurgens Explorer (R240 600 and R249 900), Sprite Tourer SP (R147 700 and R189 900 ), Jurgens Penta (R204 600 and R234 900), and a Skipper Model T (R43 800 and R59 900).
Of the 17, there was one that cost exactly the same and another that was 2% less.
The numbers are similar at caravan dealers. East Rand Caravan World in Boksburg has an average of 85-100 used caravans on the floor, says co-owner Francois Swart.
Francois believes supply and demand play a significant role in the price of second-hand caravans. Take, for example, popular caravans such as the Sprite Swing or Sprite Tourer: a few years ago, the factory could not supply stock, but you would still get a customer who wanted one of them. The demand can push up the price.
Because there’s no official book value for your used caravan as there is in the car industry, Francois relies on his judgment. A specific caravan has a value, and according to his own data, he determines the price, says Francois. You’ll also have to pay attention to what caravans cost elsewhere. Of course, the general condition of the caravan plays a role – after all, every buyer is looking for a clean caravan.
If you look at some of the 2012 models on sale here, the purchase prices compare as follows:
a Sensation Vee sells for R355 500 compared to the then new price of R235 000, an Echo 5 for R139 900 (was R75 800), Jurgens Fleetline R229 900 (R178 800), Sprite Swing R179 900 (R143 500), and Jurgens CampLite R49 900 (R31 450).
There are even cases where it’s not only a specific second-hand model that’s popular with buyers but even a specific colour, says Woody Loftus of Loftus Caravan City in Randburg. A caravan is your home-on-wheels, but compared to a vehicle, a caravan has much less wear and tear. You mainly look at a set of wheel
There’s no official book value for your used caravan as there is in the car industry
bearings – and possibly parts including the brakes, shock absorbers, and the coupler. A motor vehicle has expensive components that need to be maintained –the engine, clutch, and gearbox, for example.
This is what the prices look like of 2012 models that Woody sold recently: a Jurgens Penta R219 000 (new in 2012 at R204 600), Jurgens Classique R269 000 (R237 100), Jurgens Exclusive R295 000 (R269 200 ), Sprite Swing R174 900 (R143 500), and a Sprite Splash R189 000 (R164 000).
You need to own a second-hand caravan for at least five years if you want your money back, says Dirk Kleinhans of Silver Lakes Caravans in Pretoria. “Five years later, I can offer a customer more than what he paid for a caravan. But, of course, the customer has to do their part – keep up with all the services and take good care of the caravan.” It’s also important where the caravan is stored: is it under cover, under a tarpaulin, or a purpose-built storage – or out in the open?
But, not everyone camps with their caravan as often as others, and that’s something that can also have an effect on the wear and tear of a caravan and, ultimately, the price.
Dirk, for example, noticed that prices of second-hand caravans are less influenced by the brand, while it plays a greater role in the vehicle market. It is well known that certain brands have a better resale value.
Owners should have their caravan serviced at least once a year, says Wesley Dempster of Tygerberg Caravans in Cape Town. This will typically include checking the chassis, wheel bearings, and brakes. If the caravan is stored in the shade, it’s wise to reseal the roof after 14-18 months. And if the caravan stands for a long time, do service it before your holiday.
On Wesley’s floor is a 2012 Jurgens Penta for R225 000, which at the time cost R204 600.
You need to own a second-hand caravan for at least five years if you want your money back
Jacqui Jordaan of Pretoria Caravans agrees about those first five years. “Even three years can be too soon to get your money back – all the more so if, for example, there’s an outstanding loan as well.”
They maintain their own database of second-hand values and those available elsewhere. The demand for certain caravans also differs, because just before winter, off-road trailers are more popular, while gravel roaders are becoming more and more sought-after. You could attribute this to the state of our country’s roads, but, in the meantime, they’re constantly looking for more second-hand stock.
As new caravans become more expensive, people are starting to look at second-hand models, says Echard Kuhn of Tuinroete Camping & Caravans in Mossel Bay. The condition of the caravan also plays a role, but don’t forget about all those extras on the caravan – the movers, air conditioning, fridge, and additional tent. These all make it easier to sell the caravan later on.
Previously, there was a list of market-related prices available for Jurgens caravans, but these are no longer kept up to date. Echard and his staff have built on this and he now has his own database. Last year, he sold a 2012 Jurgens Xplorer for R250 000, which was originally R240 600. It seems that older caravans perform even better: take, for example, a 2002 Sprite Swing that cost R67 700 and today is worth more than R90 000, says Echard.
Although there’s no official book value for second-hand caravans, an insurer such as CaraSure – which specialises in camping vehicles – has built up its own database, says Ian Lesar. This is after more than 20 years in the industry, and they plan to introduce a fixed insurance value for second-hand caravans in the near future. Ian says the value of a new caravan starts to increase more or less after the third year. And when that happens, it’s continuous. Interestingly, caravan owners buy a different caravan on average every three to four years.
* We checked the prices of each model on autotrader.co.za,
cars.co.za and webuycars.co.za – and calculated the average.