Whether you’re a first-time caravan buyer or a long-term aficionado of the caravan lifestyle, it can be a challenge to narrow down your selection of which caravan to purchase to a viable short-list. The Australian caravan manufacturing sector is robust and extensive with many brands vying for buyers with a great selection of models. One approach buyers can consider, especially if they plan to finance caravans, is to review any caravan awards winners for suitability for their requirements.
Recently the Caravan Industry gave out a number of awards and those brands could be worth your interest. A number of RVMAP accredited manufacturers were represented in the recent caravan awards winners list which can provide ideas for undecided caravan buyers. For those not familiar with both RVMAP and the Caravan Industry awards program, we update with the latest news from the association plus the latest alerts on caravan finance interest rates.
RVMAP Scheme
Before getting into the awards, a quick explainer on RVMAP. This is the Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing Accreditation Program. Being accredited or part of the program is represented by the Accreditation Key which manufacturers will typically display.
Accreditation represents the commitment by that business to the consistent supply of caravans and RVs that adhere to the Australian Design Rules and to regulations in regard to federal compliance relevant to the caravan industry.
Purchasing a caravan, camper trailer or RV from a RVMAP manufacturer may provide buyers with greater assurance of the compliance and quality of the product. To assist buyers the association lists these RVMAP members on their website.
Caravan Industry Awards Winners
The caravan industry recently conducted its annual awards programme and announced awards in seven categories. The Caravan Association noted that there were a number of RVMAP members on the winners’ list.
While a number of individual awards were presented for excellence in the industry, the awards of most interest to caravan buyers will likely be those to the manufacturers. The People’s Choice Manufacturer of the Year award attracts a lot of attention due to the judging criteria – by the people. This award uses a consumer survey, conducted online, which asks customers to provide their rating of caravan products.
Buyers may look to the awards winners when considering their next purchase.
For 2022 the manufacturer awards went to:-
- Blue Sky Caravans took out Gold
- Evernew Caravans the Silver
- JB Caravans made up the podium being awarded the Bronze
For those looking for the best places to stay, awards were also presented for the People’s Choice Caravan Park of the Year.
- Forster Tuncurry BIG4 Great Lakes won Gold
- Coobowie Caravan Park won Silver
- Ocean Beach Tourist Park took out the Bronze
Winners Showcase
We take a quick look at the winning manufacturers:-
- Blue Sky Caravans: Founded in 2007 by an industry veteran that has over 30 years of experience in the sector. Blue Sky is based in Melbourne and manufactures a wide range of models in Australia.
- Evernew Caravans: A well-known name in the caravan sector for over 50 years, this company continues to manufacture high quality caravans in their Victorian-based facility.
- JB Caravans: With an impressive selection of off-road, semi off road and on road caravans in their range, JB has an impressive manufacturing facility in Campbellfield in Victoria’s caravan industry hub.
Plenty of food for thought for those in the market for a new caravan.
Caravan Finance
If you’re in the market for a new caravan then you may also be in the market for caravan finance. To finance the purchase of a new caravan, our Secured Caravan Loan is a versatile loan which suits many buyers and types of RVs.
We individually source the cheapest loan offer from across our vast lender selection and negotiate with our lenders to ensure the caravan loan sourced best meets the needs of our customers. To assist buyers match caravan purchase prices to possible loan repayments, we provide a range of caravan loan resources and tools including an Interest Rate Comparison Table and a Loan Calculator.
News Alert: Caravan Finance Interest Rates
The prospects of the RBA lifting the cash rate is extremely high. This rate increase could occur at the May meeting on 4 May or at the June Board meeting. When this does happen, rates across the general lending sector, including the lowest rate caravan finance, will respond with rises.
Caravan loans that are already in place with a fixed interest rate will not alter. Those that secure a fixed rate interest rate after an increase, can also be assured that their rate will not change with subsequent increases by the RBA.
Our message continues to be, as it has for several months, if possible, act on caravan buying as soon as possible to secure a fixed interest rate caravan loan while the general rate scene remains relatively low.
Contact Jade Caravan Finance on 1300 000 003 to discuss your caravan loan requirements
DISCLAIMER: THE DETAILS AND INFORMATION IN THIS CONTENT ARE PREPARED AND PRESENTED PURELY FOR INFORMATION AND NOT INTENDED IN ANY WAY AS THE SOLE SOURCE OF FINANCIAL ADVICE FOR CARAVAN PURCHASING. IF ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL ADVICE IS REQUIRED, READERS SHOULD REFER TO A FINANCIAL ADVISOR. NO LIABILITY IS ACCEPTED FOR ANY ERRORS, PRODUCT DESCRIPTION VARIATIONS, OR OTHER MISREPRESENTATIONS OF INFORMATION AS PRESENTED.