How does caravan finance work in Australia?

Caravan finance is typically a secured loan over 3 to 7 years, with the van itself as security. We arrange finance through our partner Finetic, who compare lenders for competitive rates on new and pre loved vans. Pre approval takes your budget guesswork away before you shop, and you can model repayments with the finance calculator on any van page.

Do I need a deposit to finance a caravan?

Not always. Zero deposit finance is available for many buyers, depending on the lender and your circumstances. Putting 10 to 20% down usually reduces your repayments and total interest, so it's worth comparing both scenarios before you commit.

How do I know if my car can safely tow the caravan I want?

Compare the caravan's ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass) with your vehicle's braked towing capacity, then check you still have room in your GVM, GCM and towball download limits once the van is loaded. Our towing calculator does the maths for you, and our Burpengary team will sanity check the combination before you buy. Every van comes with its weighbridge docket, so you know its real weight, not a brochure guess. Use a public weighbridge to check the loaded combination.

Should I buy a new or pre loved caravan?

New vans come with the manufacturer's warranty (terms vary by brand and model, and we handle claims in our own workshop), current build standards and the chance to spec your own layout. Quality pre loved vans cost less and often come with upgrades already fitted, though pre loved stock is available from time to time only. Ask us what's coming in. Either way we'll walk you through the trade offs with no pressure.

Sunrise vs Jayco Caravans: An Honest Queensland Comparison

If you're shopping for a caravan in South East Queensland, Jayco is almost certainly on your shortlist — they're the biggest name in the country. But "biggest" isn't the same as "best for your trip." After 20 years walking buyers through both brands, here's the honest comparison most dealers won't give you.

Quick take: Jayco is a safe, mass produced choice with huge dealer networks. Sunrise, Sunset and Blue Sky vans are Australian made with heavier duty chassis, better off road componentry, and family owned service that doesn't disappear after the sale.

1. Build & Structure

Jayco uses their Endurance chassis and meranti timber framed walls on most models, with composite options on the higher spec ranges. It's a proven recipe at scale, but the lighter framing and stapled joinery mean rougher corrugations show up faster — particularly on the cheaper Starcraft and Journey series.

Sunrise, Sunset & Blue Sky use a fully welded SupaGal or hot dipped galvanised chassis with one piece composite walls (no timber), structural grade aluminium framing, and a true monocoque roof. The result: a stiffer body, no rot risk, and a chassis that's genuinely rated for the corrugations you'll meet on the lap of Australia.

2. Off Road Performance

This is where the gap is widest.

| Feature | Entry Jayco (e.g. Journey Outback) | Sunrise / Sunset Off Road | | --- | --- | --- | | Suspension | Independent trailing arm, single shock | Cruisemaster XT / ATX twin shock (tiered) | | Coupling | DO35 (optional on some) | DO35 standard | | Water capacity | 2 × 95L typical | 2 to 3 × 95L + grey water standard | | Power system | 1 × 100Ah AGM + 150W solar standard | 12V/24V/48V lithium with 400 to 800W solar tiered | | Departure angle | Moderate | Genuine off road geometry |

If you're sticking to bitumen and powered sites, a Jayco Journey will do the job. If you're heading to the Cape, the Kimberley or even just unpowered free camps for a fortnight, the Sunrise/Sunset off grid spec is in a different league.

3. After Sales Service

This is the one buyers underestimate — and it's the one we hear about most when people come in for their second caravan.

Jayco runs through a large independent dealer network. Warranty work usually means booking with whichever dealer has capacity, which in SEQ can be 6 to 12 weeks out in peak season.
Sunrise Caravans is family owned. Steve has been in the industry for 20 years personally, and the business has been operating since 2010. Warranty and service runs through our own Burpengary workshop — usually within 1 to 2 weeks, and you'll deal with the same people who sold you the van.

No BS. No pressure. No call centre runaround.

4. Value: Where Your Money Goes

A mid spec Jayco Silverline 21.65 to 3 lands around $94 to $102K drive away in QLD. A comparably sized Sunrise La Maison 22ft Club Lounge sits in the same band — but ships standard with the heavier chassis, full off grid 12V lithium package, and the warranty handled in house.

With a corporate brand, a chunk of your money pays for national TV ads and head office overhead. With us, it goes into the van.

5. Resale & Long Term Ownership

Jayco's scale gives it strong resale recognition — that's genuine. But owners who plan to keep a van for 8+ years consistently report fewer structural issues with composite Australian built vans like the Sunrise and Blue Sky ranges, especially for full time or semi permanent use.

Which Should You Buy?

Pick a Jayco if: you want the best known brand, you'll mostly do powered van parks, and dealer proximity matters more than spec.

Pick a Sunrise, Sunset or Blue Sky if: you want a heavier built van for genuine off road use, you'd rather your service department know your name, and you want every dollar going into the build instead of marketing.

See the Difference In Person

The quickest way to settle it is to walk through one. Our Burpengary yard has the full Sunrise, Sunset and Blue Sky range on display — and we're happy to show you the chassis, framing and componentry side by side with anything you've looked at elsewhere.

Questions? Steve is on the floor most days — call (07) 3888 1102 or come and have a chat. Family owned since 2010. No BS. No pressure.