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At Gable Business Finance, we arrange specialist asset finance for caravan parks, campsites, holiday parks and glamping businesses across the UK. Utility vehicles are among the most frequently used and operationally critical assets on site-based leisure businesses, supporting daily operations across grounds maintenance, facilities management, waste handling, logistics and staff movement.
Whether transporting tools and materials, supporting maintenance teams, managing waste and supplies, or assisting with guest-facing operations, utility vehicles enable caravan parks and campsites to operate efficiently across large, often complex environments. Asset finance provides a structured way to invest in the right vehicles without placing unnecessary pressure on working capital or seasonal cashflow.
This guide explains how asset finance for utility vehicles works in the UK, the types of vehicles commonly funded for caravan and campsite businesses, the finance options available, how lenders assess applications, and how funding can be structured to reflect the realities of seasonal trading.
Caravan parks and campsites operate across large outdoor sites with dispersed facilities, accommodation areas, communal spaces and infrastructure networks. Unlike compact commercial premises, staff and equipment often need to move considerable distances throughout the day.
Utility vehicles are used across almost every operational function, including:
Because these vehicles are used daily, often intensively during peak season, reliability and suitability are critical. Downtime can have an immediate operational impact, particularly during high-occupancy periods when maintenance and response times are most visible to guests.
Asset finance allows a UK business to acquire an asset new to its organisation through leasing or hire purchase rather than paying the full cost upfront.
In most cases, the asset itself acts as the lender’s security. For caravan parks and campsites, this approach allows investment in essential vehicles while preserving working capital for other operational requirements such as staffing, utilities, marketing and facilities maintenance.
Asset finance is widely used across the leisure and tourism sector because it allows businesses to match the cost of equipment to the period over which it is used to support trading.
UK asset finance providers will typically support a wide range of utility vehicles, provided they are suitable for commercial use and supplied by an approved dealer.
UTVs are widely used on caravan parks due to their versatility and compact footprint. They are ideal for transporting tools, materials and staff across varied terrain, including grassed areas, gravel tracks and service roads.
ATVs are used on some sites for lighter transport tasks, inspections and rapid movement across large areas. Their suitability depends on site layout and safety considerations.
Electric or diesel-powered utility vehicles with flatbeds or enclosed cargo areas are common on larger holiday parks. These vehicles are often used for waste handling, housekeeping logistics and facilities support.
Some caravan parks also finance pick-ups or light commercial vehicles for towing, waste management and transport of heavier equipment.
Both new and used vehicles can often be financed, subject to age, condition and lender criteria.
There are several asset finance structures available in the UK. Selecting the right option depends on whether ownership is important, how the vehicle will be used, and how repayments fit within seasonal cashflow.
Hire purchase is commonly used where long-term ownership of the utility vehicle is important. The business pays fixed instalments over an agreed term and gains ownership once the agreement is completed.
With a finance lease, the lender purchases the vehicle and leases it to the campsite business. The operator is responsible for insurance and maintenance, and the vehicle remains on site throughout the lease term.
An operating lease allows a campsite to use a utility vehicle for a defined period, often with maintenance included. This can suit parks that replace vehicles regularly or want predictable costs.
Contract hire is sometimes used for fleets or road-going utility vehicles. It can simplify budgeting and vehicle management, though terms vary depending on mileage and usage.
This structure reduces monthly repayments by deferring part of the cost to a final balloon payment. While it can improve short-term affordability, careful planning is required to manage end-of-term costs.
Utility vehicles are often used intensively and across challenging environments. Asset finance agreements typically include conditions relating to maintenance, usage and insurance.
Until the agreement is completed, ownership remains with the finance provider. Failure to maintain repayments may result in repossession and could affect future funding options.
Seasonality is a defining characteristic of caravan parks and campsites. Many sites generate the majority of income during spring and summer, with reduced revenue during winter months.
Where lender criteria allow, asset finance facilities can be structured to reflect this seasonality, including:
Aligning repayments with realistic cashflow patterns is critical to long-term affordability.
When assessing finance applications for utility vehicles, lenders typically consider:
A large holiday park financed multiple utility vehicles to support maintenance teams during peak season. Asset finance allowed the park to invest in reliable vehicles while preserving capital for facilities upgrades.
A growing campsite financed a UTV to manage expanding pitch areas and increased maintenance demands. Repayments were structured to remain affordable during quieter months.
A long-established caravan park replaced unreliable utility vehicles ahead of the season, reducing downtime and improving operational efficiency.
Often yes, subject to age, condition and lender criteria.
Not necessarily. Many parks operate under leasehold arrangements.
In some cases, yes, depending on lender criteria.
Utility vehicles are essential operational assets for caravan parks and campsites. Asset finance enables operators to invest in suitable vehicles while maintaining cashflow and financial flexibility.
At Gable Business Finance, we specialise in arranging asset finance for UK caravan parks and campsites. By understanding site operations and seasonal trading patterns, we help businesses secure funding solutions aligned to their operational and commercial needs.
Finance is available to UK businesses only and is subject to status, affordability and lender criteria. This content is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.