A brand-new caravan can look exactly right on paper – until the delivery lorry reaches a narrow lane, the park requires a specific model year, or the pitch turns out to be too short. Buying new static caravans off site gives you far more choice than purchasing only from the stock on one holiday park, but it also means checking the practical details before committing.
For buyers who know where their caravan is going, an off-site purchase can be a straightforward way to secure the make, layout, size and specification they want at a competitive price. The key is to treat the caravan, transport and siting as one purchase decision, rather than three separate jobs.
What does off-site mean when buying a new static caravan?
An off-site static caravan is sold independently of a particular caravan park. You buy the unit itself, then arrange for it to be delivered and sited at your chosen holiday park or on suitable private land.
This differs from buying directly from a park, where the caravan is normally already positioned on a pitch and the choice of manufacturer, layout and price is limited to that park’s available stock. Buying off site allows you to compare new models from manufacturers such as ABI, Delta, Victory and Willerby, without being tied to one location’s selection.
It does not remove the need for the destination to approve the caravan. A holiday park may have rules on the maximum age of units, exterior finish, size, manufacturer, roof type or permitted specification. Private land brings separate planning, licensing and use considerations. Always obtain approval from the park owner or relevant authority before ordering a unit for delivery.
Check the destination before choosing the caravan
The most attractive caravan is not necessarily the right caravan for the pitch. Start with the available space and access, then narrow down your preferred layouts and features.
Pitch dimensions and orientation
Ask for the pitch length and width, and establish where the entrance, parking space, decking, services and neighbouring units sit. A caravan’s published size refers to the main unit, but the practical footprint can be larger once siting clearances and decking are included.
A 40ft x 13ft model may suit a spacious plot well, while a 35ft or 36ft x 12ft caravan can be a more realistic option where the pitch is tighter. Bedrooms, lounge windows and patio doors should also work with the position of the sun and the view from the plot. There is little value in paying for front patio doors if they open towards a boundary fence or service area.
Delivery access
Transport access is one of the first things to confirm. Static caravans are moved on specialist equipment and need sufficient road width, turning room, overhead clearance and a workable route into the final position. Tight corners, low branches, parked vehicles, narrow gateways and soft ground can all affect delivery.
A proper transport assessment avoids last-minute complications. Photographs, measurements and a clear postcode are useful, but site knowledge matters too. If the route includes difficult access, it may affect the type of transport needed, the timing of delivery and the overall cost.
Park acceptance and services
Get the park’s approval in writing where possible. Confirm not only that a new caravan is permitted, but that the proposed make, dimensions and exterior meet its rules. Ask whether siting, connection and commissioning must be carried out by the park’s own contractors.
You should also establish what is included at the destination. Water, drainage, electricity, gas, steps, skirting and decking are often separate from the caravan sale and transport. The same applies to annual pitch fees, park rates and insurance. Clear answers at this stage make it easier to compare the real cost of different options.
Choose a specification that suits how you will use it
A new static caravan should be selected for its intended use, not simply its brochure appearance. A couple using it mainly in spring and summer may prioritise a generous lounge and a well-equipped kitchen. A family spending school holidays there will usually place more value on bedroom numbers, storage, a second toilet and durable seating.
For regular use through colder months, fully central heated and double glazed models are often the sensible starting point. Central heating provides more even warmth than portable heaters, while double glazing helps reduce heat loss and condensation. These features can also make the caravan more attractive should you sell it later, subject to the rules of the park where it is sited.
Residential specification is worth discussing if the caravan will be used extensively or located on private land where a higher build standard is required. However, residential specification does not automatically give permission for permanent residential occupation. Planning conditions, site licensing and the legal status of the land still apply.
Layout matters more than the bedroom count
Two caravans with the same number of bedrooms can feel very different. Check the length of beds, wardrobe space, shower size, kitchen worktop area and whether there is room to move around the dining table when it is in use.
A three-bedroom layout is useful for larger families, but it may mean smaller bedrooms and less lounge space. A two-bedroom model with an en-suite WC, pull-out bed in the lounge and stronger storage can be the better fit for couples who host occasional visitors. Viewing by appointment lets you assess those practical points properly rather than relying on photographs alone.
Budget for the complete off-site purchase
The advertised price of the caravan is central, but it is not the full figure to plan for. New static caravans off site are commonly priced as the unit supplied from the retailer’s storage yard, with delivery and site-related work calculated according to the destination.
Your overall budget should allow for the caravan, transport, siting, connection to services, steps or decking, gas bottles or supply arrangements, skirting and insurance. If you are replacing an existing caravan, there may also be costs associated with disconnection, removal or part exchange.
There is no single delivery figure that applies across Great Britain. Distance is one factor, but access and site requirements are equally relevant. A straightforward delivery to a well-laid-out park can be very different from a move onto private land reached by narrow country roads.
It is also worth comparing specification fairly. A lower-priced unit without central heating, double glazing or the bathroom arrangement you need may not represent the best value once upgrades and compromises are considered. Conversely, paying for a premium residential-grade model may not be necessary for a seasonal holiday pitch with limited winter use.
Ask for the details before you pay a deposit
A good listing should make it easy to identify the important facts: manufacturer, model, year, dimensions, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, heating and glazing provision, condition and price. For a brand-new caravan, ask what is included in the supplied specification and whether the pictured unit is available now.
Before paying a deposit, confirm the expected delivery timescale, the payment stages, transport arrangements and who is responsible for siting and final connections. If you need an old caravan removed or are considering selling one, raise this early. It can simplify the changeover and help you avoid having two units on site at once.
Premier Caravans Ltd has 24 years of experience supplying units for off-site delivery, with appointment-based viewings at its Kinmel Bay storage yard. Seeing the caravan in person gives you the chance to inspect the layout, finish and practical features while discussing access, transport and your intended destination.
A practical order of decisions
The simplest way to buy is to secure the destination first, then choose the caravan. Confirm the park or land requirements, measure the pitch and check delivery access before selecting a model that fits. Once you have shortlisted suitable units, compare the supplied specifications and request a clear cost for delivery and siting work.
That order protects your budget and prevents avoidable delays. It also gives you the freedom to buy based on the caravan that genuinely suits your family, your plot and the way you plan to use it – not just the unit that happened to be standing on the park when you first visited.