Caravan finance without the run-around
A caravan is a big purchase. For plenty of households it sits just behind the house and the family car. Some of our clients are retirees planning the big lap. Others are young families who want a camper trailer sorted before the next school holidays. Either way, the money side should be the easy part.
Solvyr Capital is a finance brokerage based in Southport on the Gold Coast. We arrange finance for clients Australia-wide, mostly over phone and email, and we work with a panel of more than 30 lenders: the big banks plus specialist and non-bank lenders who tend to be more flexible on asset age, self-employment and credit history. We arrange finance for:
- Caravans, new and used, on-road and off-road
- Camper trailers and hybrid campers
- Motorhomes and campervans
Here is why the panel matters. Walk into one bank and you get one answer, based on one credit policy. Come to us and a single enquiry covers the lot. The initial enquiry takes about two minutes and does not affect your credit score, so you find out where you stand before anything formal happens.
New, used or private sale
Where you buy changes the paperwork, not whether finance is possible.
Buying new from a dealer is the simplest path. The dealer supplies the invoice, the lender pays them directly at settlement, and you tow the van home. Used vans from a dealer work much the same way.
Private sales take a bit more care, and this is where a broker earns their keep. The lender will want proof the seller actually owns the van, a PPSR check to confirm no money is owing on it, and often photos or an inspection. If the seller still has a loan against the van, the lender pays that out directly rather than handing funds to the seller and hoping. We organise all of that legwork. It usually adds a day or two, but it protects you.
One tip from experience: on a private sale, don't hand over a deposit until your finance is approved. A seller who won't wait a couple of days is a seller worth being wary of.
Whichever way you buy, approval is subject to lender criteria and credit assessment. Once your documents are in, approvals often land within 24 to 48 hours.
Secured or unsecured, and how long to pay it off
Most caravan loans are secured against the van itself. That gives the lender security, which generally means more of the panel is open to you and the deal is easier to place.
Older vans are the exception. Every lender has an asset age limit, usually judged at the end of the loan term, and a van that has already had a long life can fall outside those rules. That doesn't kill the deal. Some of our specialist lenders take older assets, and where nothing on the panel will secure against the van, an unsecured personal loan can do the job instead. Unsecured lending tends to come with shorter terms and tighter criteria, so we treat it as the backup, not the default.
On loan terms: caravans and motorhomes are bigger purchases than most cars, and lenders typically allow longer terms to match. A longer term brings each repayment down, but you pay interest for longer. The right term depends on your budget and how long you plan to keep the van, and we will walk through both directions with you rather than defaulting to the longest term on offer.
Need a tow vehicle to go with the van? We can arrange both at the same time. Our car finance page covers how that side works.
How it works
Self-employed? You're in good company, because plenty of caravan buyers are. Low doc options exist for ABN holders who can't produce a tidy stack of payslips, and we explain how that works on our self-employed car loans page. The same approach applies to caravans and motorhomes. If the purchase connects to your business in any way, talk to your accountant first. We don't give tax advice.
The straight version of how we get paid: Solvyr Capital acts as a credit representative, and we may receive a commission from the lender when your loan settles. We disclose this to you before anything is signed.
Ready to look at your options? Start with the two minute enquiry. It won't touch your credit score, and you'll know where you stand before you commit to anything.
FAQs
Can you finance a caravan bought from a private seller?
Yes, and it's common. The lender will want proof the seller owns the van, a PPSR check to confirm nothing is owing on it, and sometimes an inspection, all of which we organise. It usually adds a day or two compared with a dealer purchase. Approval is subject to lender criteria and credit assessment.
How old can a caravan be and still get a loan?
It varies by lender, and most judge the van's age at the end of the loan term rather than at purchase. Some lenders on our panel accept older vans, and where none will secure against it, an unsecured loan can be an option. Tell us the van's year up front and we'll place it accordingly.
How long does caravan finance approval take?
Once your documents are in, approvals often land within 24 to 48 hours. Private sales can add a day or two for ownership and PPSR checks. The initial enquiry takes about two minutes and does not affect your credit score.
Can I get caravan finance if I'm self-employed?
Yes. We arrange low doc options for ABN holders who can't show payslips, using income evidence that fits how you're actually paid. Plenty of our caravan and motorhome clients run their own business. Approval is still subject to lender criteria and credit assessment.
Will applying for caravan finance hurt my credit score?
The initial enquiry with us won't. We assess your situation and match a lender first, and nothing goes on your credit file until you choose to proceed with a formal application. A formal application does create a credit enquiry, which is why we only lodge one once the deal looks right.
Ready to get moving?
Tell us what you are looking to finance. It takes about two minutes and does not affect your credit score.
Prefer to talk? Call 0468 157 797