Caravans: What's the Point?
Discussion
With the MH for us its the ability to go away every other weekend for a lo cost break (c.£100 for the weekend including a meal in a pub, campsite fees, fuel, food etc) plus the extended summer breaks. Last summer 28 nights down to the Italian Lakes - a week at Garda and another at Iseo; all the food,fuel dining out etc came to around £2k...that's for 30 nights!
We are off for 32 nights this summer across to Poland and the Czech Republic. I don't expect that our costs will go up from last year as there are some lower cost countries involved
We would never do those length of holidays without the MH...and certainly not for the cost
PS Only 46 days until we go
We are off for 32 nights this summer across to Poland and the Czech Republic. I don't expect that our costs will go up from last year as there are some lower cost countries involved
We would never do those length of holidays without the MH...and certainly not for the cost
PS Only 46 days until we go
Are you a teacher or retired, to get that amount of time off work?
I'm nominally a freelance contractor, but have been lucky enough to be continually on contract for 18 years so only take regular holidays, two weeks at max. When I got into this game I worked with a load of Aussies and Kiwis who would work hard all winter then spend summer travelling - I always kind of aspired to do the same but a mortgage and all other sensibilities got in the way.
We've got a 1yo kid now, so am very aware of time running out to be able to do that kind of thing before he's in school (without being hit by school holiday proces everywhere) hence my interest in getting a Motorhome.
I'm nominally a freelance contractor, but have been lucky enough to be continually on contract for 18 years so only take regular holidays, two weeks at max. When I got into this game I worked with a load of Aussies and Kiwis who would work hard all winter then spend summer travelling - I always kind of aspired to do the same but a mortgage and all other sensibilities got in the way.
We've got a 1yo kid now, so am very aware of time running out to be able to do that kind of thing before he's in school (without being hit by school holiday proces everywhere) hence my interest in getting a Motorhome.
superlightr said:
PurpleTurtle said:
Cheers, the old boy (still going strong) always did his best for us.
Since me and my two brothers left home he did pretty well for himself in business and was able to treat my mum to a lot of 5 star hotels in their 50's, the caravan fell into disuse. Being a child born into wartime poverty he is a bit of a horder though, so has still got the bloody thing, although it now serves as a glorified Wendy House to my nieces, and I found out at the weekend that my brother and best mate used ot use it as a glorified love nest when they were in the sixth form, taking girls back there at lunchtime for a bit of 'caravan action'!!
The thing hasn't moved in over 20 years, I'm now at the point where I think I need to help him do something with it - he'd love to see it used again and having checked it out at the weekend it seems all very good to use, albeit having stood for so long. The rolling chassis would need a total overhaul, but I remember doing that with dad as a kid once, didn't seem too tricky to replace wheel bearings and drum shoes. Avondale went out of business in 2008 though, so spares may be a problem. It would also probably become a money pit with recommisioning costs well out of sync with its value.
It seems that I too am mistaken on my festival camping - three of the main ones we go to do allow caravans, it seems. I might give it a whirl!
any pics of the old Van Purple? be an interesting hobby to bring it back to life - and if that would that give your dad a grin then it may be worth the effort. Perhaps see if you can get to use/keep it afterwards.Since me and my two brothers left home he did pretty well for himself in business and was able to treat my mum to a lot of 5 star hotels in their 50's, the caravan fell into disuse. Being a child born into wartime poverty he is a bit of a horder though, so has still got the bloody thing, although it now serves as a glorified Wendy House to my nieces, and I found out at the weekend that my brother and best mate used ot use it as a glorified love nest when they were in the sixth form, taking girls back there at lunchtime for a bit of 'caravan action'!!
The thing hasn't moved in over 20 years, I'm now at the point where I think I need to help him do something with it - he'd love to see it used again and having checked it out at the weekend it seems all very good to use, albeit having stood for so long. The rolling chassis would need a total overhaul, but I remember doing that with dad as a kid once, didn't seem too tricky to replace wheel bearings and drum shoes. Avondale went out of business in 2008 though, so spares may be a problem. It would also probably become a money pit with recommisioning costs well out of sync with its value.
It seems that I too am mistaken on my festival camping - three of the main ones we go to do allow caravans, it seems. I might give it a whirl!
A new topic to start perhaps !!
So, me and the missus have found ourselves looking at several vans at various dealers, with a budget around £7-8k. We've seen a few we like, but we really only have one opportunity left to use it this summer, when we are scheduled to go tent camping. I'm inclined to hold off until winter to buy one - am guessing that these things don't fly out off the proverbial shelves in December, a better bargain should be had then. That also gives me time to sort a replacement of the wife's car which is due anyway (alas my E46 M3 isn't homologated for towing!) and me do a towing course.
Jeez just skipped thru some of the posts, boy are there a few knobs in the forum and as an earlier post said, why so many haters. We bought a fully fitted out 'van 2 years ago for 4k, came with everything. Hate to know what the cost would have been for hotels etc when we toured southern EU for 5 months 2 yrs ago. Or 3 weeks around France 3 months ago...averaging 15e a night.
mikal83 said:
Jeez just skipped thru some of the posts, boy are there a few knobs in the forum and as an earlier post said, why so many haters. We bought a fully fitted out 'van 2 years ago for 4k, came with everything. Hate to know what the cost would have been for hotels etc when we toured southern EU for 5 months 2 yrs ago. Or 3 weeks around France 3 months ago...averaging 15e a night.
Indoctrination by Top Gear? I've just added up our holiday costs.
For 17 days away, including ferry, fuel, toll road fees, accommodation, food, drink, days out, 4 meals out, etc. etc. came to just over £2500 all in.
During peak summer holidays, 2 adults, 2 kids, that works out at £37 a day per person for everything.
I think that's good value - especially when it includes bringing €350 of wine home with us. It could have been much, much cheaper if we had to make it so.
We ate well (too well!), drunk well, visited some amazing places and had a great time.
Sure, you have to cook, and make the beds in the morning. But it's just so relaxed - let the kids bugger off on their bikes for an hour, open another bottle of wine (that cost €4), go for a swim, go for a canoe, pop into town for a coffee and a stroll. Do what you want, when you want.
What else can give you everything for 17 days at that price with 2 kids during the summer holidays?
Love it!
For 17 days away, including ferry, fuel, toll road fees, accommodation, food, drink, days out, 4 meals out, etc. etc. came to just over £2500 all in.
During peak summer holidays, 2 adults, 2 kids, that works out at £37 a day per person for everything.
I think that's good value - especially when it includes bringing €350 of wine home with us. It could have been much, much cheaper if we had to make it so.
We ate well (too well!), drunk well, visited some amazing places and had a great time.
Sure, you have to cook, and make the beds in the morning. But it's just so relaxed - let the kids bugger off on their bikes for an hour, open another bottle of wine (that cost €4), go for a swim, go for a canoe, pop into town for a coffee and a stroll. Do what you want, when you want.
What else can give you everything for 17 days at that price with 2 kids during the summer holidays?
Love it!
Many years ago we went to Santa Pod, before it was made family friendly. It was pissing it down and as a result by the time we got our tent up, we were soaking. Compare my mate who had a caravan, set up 5 mins, heater on, kettle boiled. Camping is great in the sun miserable in the rain.
Got married had a child bought a van. We went all over Europe with it, made friends on site and showed her so much of nature, other countries. We went away for 4 weeks every year and every other weekend. We could not have afforded that paying to go in hotels.
Now have a motorhome I built, we go away as much as we can, tow my track car and sleep in a warm secure place wherever we are. We also go on holidays without it, just back from Cuba.
What I like about it is it takes you back to a simpler time, when the point was fun, not how good is the wi-fi or the hotel bar.
Caravans and motorhomes spend money in the areas they stay, spend huge amounts on buying them and raise huge sums of tax. It is an export success.
Got married had a child bought a van. We went all over Europe with it, made friends on site and showed her so much of nature, other countries. We went away for 4 weeks every year and every other weekend. We could not have afforded that paying to go in hotels.
Now have a motorhome I built, we go away as much as we can, tow my track car and sleep in a warm secure place wherever we are. We also go on holidays without it, just back from Cuba.
What I like about it is it takes you back to a simpler time, when the point was fun, not how good is the wi-fi or the hotel bar.
Caravans and motorhomes spend money in the areas they stay, spend huge amounts on buying them and raise huge sums of tax. It is an export success.
Last year we did 28 nights down to the Italian Lakes: all in - fuel, beer, site fees, beer, food, beer, meals out, beer etc....c.£2k! 
That included a week on Lake Garda and a week on Lake Iseo with lake views.
We just finished the current holiday across to Poland and the CR and I am expecting a similar cost (notwithstanding the lower amount of € to the £).
Prior to owning our first MH we used to do the weekends away in B&Bs every so often plus summer holidays away - flights, villa, hire car etc. Very expensive.
We wouldn't be without our MH now
That included a week on Lake Garda and a week on Lake Iseo with lake views.
We just finished the current holiday across to Poland and the CR and I am expecting a similar cost (notwithstanding the lower amount of € to the £).
Prior to owning our first MH we used to do the weekends away in B&Bs every so often plus summer holidays away - flights, villa, hire car etc. Very expensive.
We wouldn't be without our MH now
My father in-law has recently retired, got a decent bit of severance pay too. So far he's spent £28k on a caravan (I've not seen it yet, but I'm assuming its amazing for that price), and he's eyeing up £40k's worth of Shogun to tow it about. Now I know it will give him the freedom to go where he likes, but that could pay for an awful lot of hotel stays!
Having said that, I quite like caravans tbh, stayed in plenty when I was a kid, back when parents couldn't afford holidays abroad. I think the thing I like most about them is the simplicity, they only tend to have what is needed. We all live in these large houses full of clutter, when staying in a caravan shows what is actually needed to get by, which isn't actually very much. Personally wouldn't say no to one of these cool little teardrop ones.
We contemplated getting a T5 camper for a while too, never got around to it and now think we've left it too late tbh. our son is 3 and the wife is 3mths pregnant with the 2nd, think 2 kids in a T5 is probably pushing it.
Having said that, I quite like caravans tbh, stayed in plenty when I was a kid, back when parents couldn't afford holidays abroad. I think the thing I like most about them is the simplicity, they only tend to have what is needed. We all live in these large houses full of clutter, when staying in a caravan shows what is actually needed to get by, which isn't actually very much. Personally wouldn't say no to one of these cool little teardrop ones.
We contemplated getting a T5 camper for a while too, never got around to it and now think we've left it too late tbh. our son is 3 and the wife is 3mths pregnant with the 2nd, think 2 kids in a T5 is probably pushing it.
skinnyman said:
My father in-law has recently retired, got a decent bit of severance pay too. So far he's spent £28k on a caravan (I've not seen it yet, but I'm assuming its amazing for that price), and he's eyeing up £40k's worth of Shogun to tow it about. Now I know it will give him the freedom to go where he likes, but that could pay for an awful lot of hotel stays!
Having said that, I quite like caravans tbh, stayed in plenty when I was a kid, back when parents couldn't afford holidays abroad. I think the thing I like most about them is the simplicity, they only tend to have what is needed. We all live in these large houses full of clutter, when staying in a caravan shows what is actually needed to get by, which isn't actually very much. Personally wouldn't say no to one of these cool little teardrop ones.
We contemplated getting a T5 camper for a while too, never got around to it and now think we've left it too late tbh. our son is 3 and the wife is 3mths pregnant with the 2nd, think 2 kids in a T5 is probably pushing it.
Tell him to be very careful with the Shogun - have heard some terrifying stories about the new ones MPG.Having said that, I quite like caravans tbh, stayed in plenty when I was a kid, back when parents couldn't afford holidays abroad. I think the thing I like most about them is the simplicity, they only tend to have what is needed. We all live in these large houses full of clutter, when staying in a caravan shows what is actually needed to get by, which isn't actually very much. Personally wouldn't say no to one of these cool little teardrop ones.
We contemplated getting a T5 camper for a while too, never got around to it and now think we've left it too late tbh. our son is 3 and the wife is 3mths pregnant with the 2nd, think 2 kids in a T5 is probably pushing it.
A friend of ours bought a brand new one 2 years ago, and on their run down to the Loire with their twin axle van they averaged 14mpg.
They got rid after 6 months and went for a Discovery - much, better on fuel (21mpg).
Rosscow said:
skinnyman said:
My father in-law has recently retired, got a decent bit of severance pay too. So far he's spent £28k on a caravan (I've not seen it yet, but I'm assuming its amazing for that price), and he's eyeing up £40k's worth of Shogun to tow it about. Now I know it will give him the freedom to go where he likes, but that could pay for an awful lot of hotel stays!
Having said that, I quite like caravans tbh, stayed in plenty when I was a kid, back when parents couldn't afford holidays abroad. I think the thing I like most about them is the simplicity, they only tend to have what is needed. We all live in these large houses full of clutter, when staying in a caravan shows what is actually needed to get by, which isn't actually very much. Personally wouldn't say no to one of these cool little teardrop ones.
We contemplated getting a T5 camper for a while too, never got around to it and now think we've left it too late tbh. our son is 3 and the wife is 3mths pregnant with the 2nd, think 2 kids in a T5 is probably pushing it.
Tell him to be very careful with the Shogun - have heard some terrifying stories about the new ones MPG.Having said that, I quite like caravans tbh, stayed in plenty when I was a kid, back when parents couldn't afford holidays abroad. I think the thing I like most about them is the simplicity, they only tend to have what is needed. We all live in these large houses full of clutter, when staying in a caravan shows what is actually needed to get by, which isn't actually very much. Personally wouldn't say no to one of these cool little teardrop ones.
We contemplated getting a T5 camper for a while too, never got around to it and now think we've left it too late tbh. our son is 3 and the wife is 3mths pregnant with the 2nd, think 2 kids in a T5 is probably pushing it.
A friend of ours bought a brand new one 2 years ago, and on their run down to the Loire with their twin axle van they averaged 14mpg.
They got rid after 6 months and went for a Discovery - much, better on fuel (21mpg).
Terrible to spend all that money on an very outdated vehicle which depreciates faster than Soft Mick. If you're going to have one be sure to buy it second hand and let some other silly beggar lose their shirt. IMO they're not really that good as a tow car either. Whilst the engine is powerful enough to tug almost any 'van, they drink fuel like it's going out of fashion and are to tall, narrow, and with nasty bouncey suspension.
Definately get him to steer clear of the shogun. Better invest that sort of money on a second hand Land Rover Discovery from a main dealer which all the warranty which will give a better tow and probably better MPG when towing.
£28k is probably going to be something fairly large, twin axel, and heavy so get him to check the Van/Car match before purchasing.
£28k is probably going to be something fairly large, twin axel, and heavy so get him to check the Van/Car match before purchasing.
skinnyman said:
My father in-law has recently retired, got a decent bit of severance pay too. So far he's spent £28k on a caravan (I've not seen it yet, but I'm assuming its amazing for that price), and he's eyeing up £40k's worth of Shogun to tow it about. Now I know it will give him the freedom to go where he likes, but that could pay for an awful lot of hotel stays!
Why do people trot out this trite old nonsense when ever spending money on a caravan or motorhome is discussed, if you can afford to spend the money you can also most likely afford the nights in hotels as well,£68,0000 on a hobby is not chicken feed. I have never seen a hotel yet turn anyone away because they own a caravan.Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff