Jumping in with both feet...
Discussion
Had a caravan before, both as a kid then with my ex. Ended up getting rid as could never utilise the spontaneity that I'd hoped for, both with things being booked up and having to collect the thing from storage.
Anyway, current Mrs Rix is very anti caravan - can't get passed the image(!) but is considering entertaining a MH. We almost bought a 2014 eldis from a neighbour for cheaps but was put off by it not being ideal spec and a little dated. Since been musing and discovered some cracking deals on a new Grand California 680- £70k Vs £83k list. Still a mental amount of money for a posh be crafter but my thinking is that they will hold their value well. Man maths...
For a first time MHer what my potential frustrations/regrets?! Use will be mostly the two of us plus dog for weekends at short notice, and hopefully a grand tour or two into Europe...
Tips?
Anyway, current Mrs Rix is very anti caravan - can't get passed the image(!) but is considering entertaining a MH. We almost bought a 2014 eldis from a neighbour for cheaps but was put off by it not being ideal spec and a little dated. Since been musing and discovered some cracking deals on a new Grand California 680- £70k Vs £83k list. Still a mental amount of money for a posh be crafter but my thinking is that they will hold their value well. Man maths...
For a first time MHer what my potential frustrations/regrets?! Use will be mostly the two of us plus dog for weekends at short notice, and hopefully a grand tour or two into Europe...
Tips?
Yes definately planning on hiring one, have found a place in SE London that had one available but a little pricey for a few days. Also been scanning YouTube vids and Facebook groups and they are not without fault, but the 'factory build' of the VWs is pretty unique. My thinking is thay they are reasonably long/tall but probably a bit narrower than the coachbuilt equivalent. I do want a decent size bed and a very occasional use bathroom - the idea of pulling out a chemical bog into the middle of a California size van really doesn't appeal!
I'm currently making a mental note of the prevailance of height barriers around car parks and getting an idea of how restrictive it might be...
I'm currently making a mental note of the prevailance of height barriers around car parks and getting an idea of how restrictive it might be...
Johnnybee said:
bearman68 said:
£83k will buy a lot of hotel time.
I suppose you either get it or you don't. You could say why spend £30k+ on a car, that'd buy a lot of bus/taxi rides 
I was observing one family camping out in a car park. Why would that fill you with thrills?
I observed this while I was getting the sea kayak off my Saab, Ironically, the family were still there when I brought the sea kayak back and collected the rock climbing kit. So it's not as if the absence of a camper is a limiting factor in doing interesting things.
£83k for a bloody camper van. The world has gone mad. Buy a £700 Saab, and a tent. And put the other £82k to buy time to do the things that are genuinely interesting.
You could get a much nicer van for less money if you avoid the scene tax
https://www.practicalmotorhome.com/reviews/malibu-...
https://www.practicalmotorhome.com/reviews/malibu-...
bearman68 said:
Johnnybee said:
bearman68 said:
£83k will buy a lot of hotel time.
I suppose you either get it or you don't. You could say why spend £30k+ on a car, that'd buy a lot of bus/taxi rides I was observing one family camping out in a car park. Why would that fill you with thrills?
I observed this while I was getting the sea kayak off my Saab, Ironically, the family were still there when I brought the sea kayak back and collected the rock climbing kit. So it's not as if the absence of a camper is a limiting factor in doing interesting things.
£83k for a bloody camper van. The world has gone mad. Buy a £700 Saab, and a tent. And put the other £82k to buy time to do the things that are genuinely interesting.
bearman68 said:
Having just come back from Cornwall, where every second car is a bloody VW transporter with lowered suspension, it's a definite 'don't get it'
I was observing one family camping out in a car park. Why would that fill you with thrills?
I observed this while I was getting the sea kayak off my Saab, Ironically, the family were still there when I brought the sea kayak back and collected the rock climbing kit. So it's not as if the absence of a camper is a limiting factor in doing interesting things.
£83k for a bloody camper van. The world has gone mad. Buy a £700 Saab, and a tent. And put the other £82k to buy time to do the things that are genuinely interesting.
I used to work in an outdoors shop back in the UK, and climbers and sea kayakers were the some of the cheapest groups of people I’ve ever met, in that order. Maybe this van isn’t for you, in which case your advice isn’t really needed because “how many nights in a hotel room could I buy” isn’t what the OP asked.I was observing one family camping out in a car park. Why would that fill you with thrills?
I observed this while I was getting the sea kayak off my Saab, Ironically, the family were still there when I brought the sea kayak back and collected the rock climbing kit. So it's not as if the absence of a camper is a limiting factor in doing interesting things.
£83k for a bloody camper van. The world has gone mad. Buy a £700 Saab, and a tent. And put the other £82k to buy time to do the things that are genuinely interesting.
samj2014 said:
I used to work in an outdoors shop back in the UK, and climbers and sea kayakers were the some of the cheapest groups of people I’ve ever met, in that order. Maybe this van isn’t for you, in which case your advice isn’t really needed because “how many nights in a hotel room could I buy” isn’t what the OP asked.
To be fair, climbers always were a stingy bunch - there was a view that the more battered the gear the better the climber. An element of truth in that too.I've not done enough Kayaking to be able to form an opinion on that, but given the fact that I do tend to be a stingy git, the criticism is well founded.
It doesn't alter the fact that £83k is a shed load of money. And it's money that spending, doesn't really help you get to the places you want to be. So, like it or not, it's a very valid point to make that the thing you want to do is the important thing, not the trappings that go with it.
This is all in my opinion of course, but I still think you can break your crockery for an awful lot less money.
bearman68 said:
To be fair, climbers always were a stingy bunch - there was a view that the more battered the gear the better the climber. An element of truth in that too.
I've not done enough Kayaking to be able to form an opinion on that, but given the fact that I do tend to be a stingy git, the criticism is well founded.
It doesn't alter the fact that £83k is a shed load of money. And it's money that spending, doesn't really help you get to the places you want to be. So, like it or not, it's a very valid point to make that the thing you want to do is the important thing, not the trappings that go with it.
This is all in my opinion of course, but I still think you can break your crockery for an awful lot less money.
If you really want a shock check these out - https://earthroamer.com/I've not done enough Kayaking to be able to form an opinion on that, but given the fact that I do tend to be a stingy git, the criticism is well founded.
It doesn't alter the fact that £83k is a shed load of money. And it's money that spending, doesn't really help you get to the places you want to be. So, like it or not, it's a very valid point to make that the thing you want to do is the important thing, not the trappings that go with it.
This is all in my opinion of course, but I still think you can break your crockery for an awful lot less money.
Makes £83k sound reasonable
samj2014 said:
/
\At a time when there's virtually no new stock around my question would be why they are banging them out with massive discounts?
It's because the Grande Cali is a bit of a white elephant, however that us a good price and if you like it why not.
Not that you'll be able to get one without waiting til next summer but check out the Adria Twin Supreme 640sgx they're one of the most popular fixed bed van conversion our there with a huge longitudal rear bed that raises electrically for massive storage you van even sleep on the raised bit so you can keep expensive bikes etc inside at night if required, really cool things and mega popular
It's because the Grande Cali is a bit of a white elephant, however that us a good price and if you like it why not.
Not that you'll be able to get one without waiting til next summer but check out the Adria Twin Supreme 640sgx they're one of the most popular fixed bed van conversion our there with a huge longitudal rear bed that raises electrically for massive storage you van even sleep on the raised bit so you can keep expensive bikes etc inside at night if required, really cool things and mega popular
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