Did you buy a caravan in the year to 31 January 2024? Vanners registered nearly 182,000 caravans in Australia, nearly a quarter of all registrations that year. A caravan is a great opportunity to spontaneously take a road trip at relatively low cost. Here are some ways you can save money with a caravan.
When is the best time to buy a caravan?
Dealers say Winter is the best time because you are more likely to get a good deal. The least recommended time to buy one is in Spring, when demand is highest. During the Summer, there tend to be more used caravans on the market.
In the year to 31 January 2024, Australians registered 181,660 caravans. This was nearly a quarter (23%) of vehicles registered in that year.
Do I get a discount to register a caravan?
Yes. You can get 40% discount on registering private towed caravans and camper trailers weighing 225kg to 4.5 tonnes. If this is the first registration, you also don’t have to pay stamp duty.
These discounts are not available to owners of motorhomes or campervans.
Is registering a caravan the same as other vehicles?
Yes, registering a caravan is similar to other vehicles as it needs a safety inspection or pink slip if it’s 5 years or older.
No, registering a caravan is different from other vehicles as it doesn’t need a green slip. This is because the green slip of the towing vehicle covers the caravan.
- The caravan industry is worth $27 billion.
- There are over 900,000 registered caravans and RVs.
- During 2023 Australians made a record 15.3 million trips and stayed for 60.7 million visitor nights.
- Most trips are in regional and rural Australia.
Can I save money on a green slip for my caravan?
No, you don’t need a green slip. While caravans and trailers must be registered, they don’t need their own green slip.
Can I claim a discount on Class B tolls?
Yes, you can claim a discount if you’re passing through Sydney. The large towed vehicle toll rebate is for caravan owners who have paid Class B tolls on Sydney’s toll roads. The rebate is the difference between Class B and Class A toll fees for up to 8 tolled trips per month.
- Make sure you register for the toll relief scheme through your toll tag provider.
- Claim the rebate within 12 months after receiving your toll statement.
Once again, the rebate doesn’t apply to motorhomes.
Can I save money on buying fuel?
Yes, you can save a lot of money on fuel during a caravan trip. Always compare fuel prices regularly, using the Fuel Price Calculator on greenslips.com.au. We check prices every 20 minutes so you can always find the cheapest price. Sometimes there can be a difference of 50 cents per litre.
You can also save money when you return home by changing where you usually buy your fuel.
- Check fuel prices now and register for email alerts.
- Compare prices of your green slip.
Do I need a green slip for my motorhome or RV?
Yes, motorhomes, RVs and campervans are vehicles in their own right and need a green slip. In this case, contact the CTP insurers directly for green slip quotes.
Can I get a cheaper green slip for the towing vehicle?
Yes. Some vehicle owners have saved up to $300 a year on their green slip because they are safe drivers with no demerit points.
You can see the cheapest prices from all 6 insurers by using the greenslips.com.au Calculator. It provides prices for all light vehicles 4.5GVM and under. If your towing vehicle is heavier than this, you need to contact the CTP insurers directly.
Compare the cheapest green slip prices for your towing vehicle.
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