The 5 most Googled caravan questions

Are you looking to join the caravan community, or are you considering making an upgrade and thinking about how much your caravan is currently worth? We’re here to provide you with the answers.

Using specialist SEO software Ahrefs, we’ve identified the top five most googled caravan questions. Read on to get the answers you’ve been looking for in one place.

1. Can you live in a caravan (400 monthly searches)

With the current cost of living crisis many are looking for alternative ways to live and most importantly save a little bit of money. If you’re considering living in a caravan and wondering whether this can be achieved, then we have the answers for you.

Before we jump into the legalities of living in caravan, we first must decipher what kind of caravan you’re considering moving to.

The two different types of caravans to consider are static caravans and touring caravans.

Static Caravan

A static caravan, also sometimes called a mobile home, is designed to be a permanent caravan located on a specific caravan site or holiday park.

This type of caravan is built with more durable materials and are often larger than touring caravans, with more amenities—rather like a small home.

So, can you live in a static caravan? The simple answer is yes—but it’s important to think about the length of time you would like to spend in the caravan, as well as other factors such as location.

The Mobile Homes Act 1983 states that you can live in a static caravan all year round if it is within a park that has a permanent residential licence.  

Residential caravan parks usually uphold a permanent residential licence, meaning you can live in your caravan on their premises all year round. However, holiday parks are meant for just that, a holiday. These parks usually have rules about the length of time you can stay in your static caravan for and are also closed during the winter months.

If you were to purchase private land to house your static caravan you would need to speak to the council before doing so, as different local authorities will have varying rules on the subject.

Touring Caravan

The other type of caravan you may be considering living in is a touring caravan.

Like its name suggests, a touring caravan is designed to tour the globe and is built for more of a short-term stay or temporary travel. This type of caravan is towed by a vehicle and can provide sleeping, cooking and dining quarter while out on the road or parked up at a campsite.

A touring caravan is typically smaller in size than a static caravan, making it less convenient for permanent living—particularly when it come to access to utilities. But that doesn’t mean you need to fully rule them out as your next home.

So, can you live in a touring caravan? There are no specific laws stopping your from living inside your touring caravan.

You are allowed to permanently tour in your caravan, moving from location to location. However, there are rules and regulations to consider. For example, there are rules on the weight of the caravan you can tow, depending on your driving licence.

If the nomadic lifestyle isn’t for you, this can also prove a problem as permanently parking a static caravan is tricky. You are usually free to park your caravan on the road, your drive, garden or privately owned land if it complies with the local authority or housing area rules. However, this is only if it is not your permanent dwelling.

2. How much is my caravan worth? (350 monthly searches)

Depending on the age and model of your caravan, identifying how much it’s worth can differ. As with any home or towing vehicle, the price of your caravan after purchase can decrease or increase depending on various factors.

In August 2022 we identified that the average cost of a pre-owned touring caravan was £11,531 and the average cost of a pre-owned static caravan or lodge was £28,295.

However, there are a few things that can impact the price of your caravan for resale. Some things to consider are:

• The make and model of your caravan
• The quality of your caravan when you first purchased it—was it already second hand or did you buy it brand new?
• Have you made any interior modifications—a new bathroom, kitchen or flooring could help to increase your resale price

Aside from the average prices, you may want to contact a local caravan dealer to have them value your caravan and give it an exact price.

3. How much is caravan insurance? (300 monthly searches)

The cost of caravan insurance can vary, depending on a variety of factors. For example:

• the type of caravan you wish to insure
• the age of the caravan
• what security measures you have in place

With Ripe, specialist Caravan insurance you only pay for the cover you need, so it’s easy to create your own policy—not only saving you time, but also saving you money.

We’ve also created guides to help you understand what does caravan insurance cover:

Static caravan insurance

Touring caravan insurance

It is also worth noting most car insurance policies only cover your vehicle while towing a tailer or caravan during instances of third-party liability. This means that you’ll be protected if your caravan injures someone else during a collision or causes damage to their vehicle, but insurance won’t cover your caravan.

4. What is the speed limit for a car towing a caravan? (250)

When towing a caravan, the speed limit is 50mph on single carriageways and 60mph on dual carriage ways.

There are a few more important things to remember when towing a vehicle such as:

• give yourself more time and space—break earlier than you normal would and accelerate slower
• allow more room when taking corners—always take corners wider than you usually would do to avoid the risk of the caravan’s tyres clipping the curb as you turn
• never have passengers in the caravan—it’s illegal to tow a caravan with anyone inside

Related: How to tow a caravan

5. How long does a static caravan last? (200 monthly searches)

Unfortunately, this is a tricky question to answer, as the longevity of a static caravan is dependent on a variety of factors.

The main factors that will impact the lifespan of your static caravan include:

Build quality

Depending on the durability of the materials used to create the caravan, it may be subjected to general wear and tear or damage by harsh weather like wind and rain.

Maintenance level

If periodic assessments on the static caravan are carried out any prospective issues can be recognised as soon as possible and fixed before they deteriorate further down the line.

It is also important for the caravan to be regularly cleaned to prevent mould growth, which could weaken the structure.

Environmental conditions

Temperature, wind, and harsh rain can all impact the lifespan of a static caravan, particularly if it is not well protected. Items such as storm shutters, or reinforced roofing material can be added to help protect the structure of the caravan.

Type of chassis

A galvanised chassis has a reputation for longevity due to its protection against corrosion.

Related: How long does a static caravan last?

Specialist static caravan insurance with Ripe Caravans

Now your questions about caravans have been answered, you might be considering investing. Having specialist static caravan insurance can give you peace of mind to know that your caravan is protected.

With Ripe, your static caravan will be protected against damage caused by fire, lightning, storm, flooding, frost, and theft, up to the value of £175,000. Its contents are covered up to £30,000 too.

Click here to learn more about how we can help, or get an instant online quote now.