Cost of caravanning
Discussion
surveyor said:
See plenty of this type of attitude in the FB groups. Must have latest van and gadget. It is one way of doing things, but not the only way...
Our first caravan we had for 4 years. Bought for £6k and sold for £5.5k. At ten years old it still looked good.
DSC_0529 by David Powell, on Flickr
DSC_0547 by David Powell, on Flickr
There is absolutely no need to spend that sort of money - and if you are getting into caravans, then the first one in my opinion needs to be at the lower end of the market, as you will not know what to buy first thing around.
Completely disagree. I’m genuinely surprised at the amount of negativity this thread has shown about how much we have spent. Our first caravan we had for 4 years. Bought for £6k and sold for £5.5k. At ten years old it still looked good.
DSC_0529 by David Powell, on FlickrDSC_0547 by David Powell, on FlickrThere is absolutely no need to spend that sort of money - and if you are getting into caravans, then the first one in my opinion needs to be at the lower end of the market, as you will not know what to buy first thing around.
We are comfortable in what it’s cost us. We haven’t taken any loans out or finance to do it. We certainly haven’t done it to keep up with the Jones’ or anything like that (otherwise I’d probably be towing with a Range Rover).
What’s everyone’s problem?
It really is as cheap or expensive as you want to make it though.
If you want the latest van with all the mod cons, a Land Rover to tow it, all the accessories under the sun and only stay on sites with facilities then it's a pretty expensive business.
On the other end we pitched up next to a family who'd bought a van for less than £1k, one of the front windows was held on with duct tape, towed with an ancient people carrier, but they were still loving it.
We hit the middle ground as we're new to it and didn't want to spend loads. Ten year old van for £7.5k, £480 a year to store it, £150 to get it serviced, and because I like the odd camping gadget we've spent a bit equipping it - air awning, Cadac, etc.
No need to be spending £30-£50 a night on sites either. Some of the nicest we've stayed on have been Caravan Club CLs at around £15 a night in peak season with hook up, can be even less if happy to go off grid. So long as you don't mind emptying the bog and can put up with the quick shower all is good.
I costed ours up for the year, the money spent including paying off the loan we took to buy it would buy us a very average package holiday somewhere for two weeks during the school holidays. We had five weeks away in ours this year.
If you want the latest van with all the mod cons, a Land Rover to tow it, all the accessories under the sun and only stay on sites with facilities then it's a pretty expensive business.
On the other end we pitched up next to a family who'd bought a van for less than £1k, one of the front windows was held on with duct tape, towed with an ancient people carrier, but they were still loving it.
We hit the middle ground as we're new to it and didn't want to spend loads. Ten year old van for £7.5k, £480 a year to store it, £150 to get it serviced, and because I like the odd camping gadget we've spent a bit equipping it - air awning, Cadac, etc.
No need to be spending £30-£50 a night on sites either. Some of the nicest we've stayed on have been Caravan Club CLs at around £15 a night in peak season with hook up, can be even less if happy to go off grid. So long as you don't mind emptying the bog and can put up with the quick shower all is good.
I costed ours up for the year, the money spent including paying off the loan we took to buy it would buy us a very average package holiday somewhere for two weeks during the school holidays. We had five weeks away in ours this year.
Our set up has cost a fair bit, the caravan is only a year or so old so understandably it's not cheap, just changed the car to a Kia Sportage for better towing capacity but otherwise, things like the Cadac can wait for now.
As for sites, the ones i've stayed on so far cost me £95 for 3 nights, the most expensive will be Easter this year at £135 for 3 nights but that includes our Granddaughter also and it is Easter weekend so a premium cost.
Mind you there is one nr Chichester that is about £50 a night
As for sites, the ones i've stayed on so far cost me £95 for 3 nights, the most expensive will be Easter this year at £135 for 3 nights but that includes our Granddaughter also and it is Easter weekend so a premium cost.
Mind you there is one nr Chichester that is about £50 a night
JapanRed said:
Completely disagree. I’m genuinely surprised at the amount of negativity this thread has shown about how much we have spent.
We are comfortable in what it’s cost us. We haven’t taken any loans out or finance to do it. We certainly haven’t done it to keep up with the Jones’ or anything like that (otherwise I’d probably be towing with a Range Rover).
What’s everyone’s problem?
No one is being negative about you, you're being a bit over sensitive about it.We are comfortable in what it’s cost us. We haven’t taken any loans out or finance to do it. We certainly haven’t done it to keep up with the Jones’ or anything like that (otherwise I’d probably be towing with a Range Rover).
What’s everyone’s problem?
Folk merely said it could be done cheaper. No one cares how you payed for yours.
Brads67 said:
JapanRed said:
Completely disagree. I’m genuinely surprised at the amount of negativity this thread has shown about how much we have spent.
We are comfortable in what it’s cost us. We haven’t taken any loans out or finance to do it. We certainly haven’t done it to keep up with the Jones’ or anything like that (otherwise I’d probably be towing with a Range Rover).
What’s everyone’s problem?
No one is being negative about you, you're being a bit over sensitive about it.We are comfortable in what it’s cost us. We haven’t taken any loans out or finance to do it. We certainly haven’t done it to keep up with the Jones’ or anything like that (otherwise I’d probably be towing with a Range Rover).
What’s everyone’s problem?
Folk merely said it could be done cheaper. No one cares how you payed for yours.
JapanRed, don't let the trolls and snipers get to you, PH is full of them, the type that are quick enough to post up something negative rather than something helpful.
If you spend £70k on a van you're a mug, if you spend £250 on a tent then you're a peasant.
Buy the caravan you can afford, try and buy wisely so you can move it on without losing a fortune if things don't work out.
Next weekend I'm going over to where mine is stored, I'm gonna fire up the heating, check for any condensation etc, give it a wash outside and then start making plans for this year, first trip will be early April when the kids break up.
Cannot wait for summer!
If you spend £70k on a van you're a mug, if you spend £250 on a tent then you're a peasant.
Buy the caravan you can afford, try and buy wisely so you can move it on without losing a fortune if things don't work out.
Next weekend I'm going over to where mine is stored, I'm gonna fire up the heating, check for any condensation etc, give it a wash outside and then start making plans for this year, first trip will be early April when the kids break up.
Cannot wait for summer!
Coin Slot. said:
JapanRed, don't let the trolls and snipers get to you, PH is full of them, the type that are quick enough to post up something negative rather than something helpful.
If you spend £70k on a van you're a mug, if you spend £250 on a tent then you're a peasant.
Buy the caravan you can afford, try and buy wisely so you can move it on without losing a fortune if things don't work out.
Next weekend I'm going over to where mine is stored, I'm gonna fire up the heating, check for any condensation etc, give it a wash outside and then start making plans for this year, first trip will be early April when the kids break up.
Cannot wait for summer!
Thanks coin slot. We too have made lots of plans for the summer, 20 nights in France being the big one for us. It will be our first trip abroad in the caravan and can’t wait. If you spend £70k on a van you're a mug, if you spend £250 on a tent then you're a peasant.
Buy the caravan you can afford, try and buy wisely so you can move it on without losing a fortune if things don't work out.
Next weekend I'm going over to where mine is stored, I'm gonna fire up the heating, check for any condensation etc, give it a wash outside and then start making plans for this year, first trip will be early April when the kids break up.
Cannot wait for summer!
Enjoy your trips
Coin Slot. said:
JapanRed, don't let the trolls and snipers get to you, PH is full of them, the type that are quick enough to post up something negative rather than something helpful.
If you spend £70k on a van you're a mug, if you spend £250 on a tent then you're a peasant.
Buy the caravan you can afford, try and buy wisely so you can move it on without losing a fortune if things don't work out.
Next weekend I'm going over to where mine is stored, I'm gonna fire up the heating, check for any condensation etc, give it a wash outside and then start making plans for this year, first trip will be early April when the kids break up.
Cannot wait for summer!
You must have forgotten what his original post said. Even you out forward a contrary view....If you spend £70k on a van you're a mug, if you spend £250 on a tent then you're a peasant.
Buy the caravan you can afford, try and buy wisely so you can move it on without losing a fortune if things don't work out.
Next weekend I'm going over to where mine is stored, I'm gonna fire up the heating, check for any condensation etc, give it a wash outside and then start making plans for this year, first trip will be early April when the kids break up.
Cannot wait for summer!
JapanRed said:
Thanks coin slot. We too have made lots of plans for the summer, 20 nights in France being the big one for us. It will be our first trip abroad in the caravan and can’t wait.
Enjoy your trips
I'm considering an over the water trip, really tempted to take the caravan to Le Mans, but I'd need to mess about changing my tickets and location.Enjoy your trips
Quite keen on this place in Holland for two weeks in August - https://www.duinrell.com/
Enjoy whatever/wherever you go
surveyor said:
You must have forgotten what his original post said. Even you out forward a contrary view....
Did I? I have no issue with what anybody spends on anything, it's not my money.
With hindsight I'd have skipped the camper van stage, a Transporter just isn't big enough for more than a few days for 2 adults and 2 kids even with a pop top and awning. When it rains, and it usually does, you're stuck under each others feet.
2018 was glorious, new van, new awning, new everything and blazing sun on every single trip.
2019 was awful, it pissed with rain and howled with wind on every single trip.
So we went for a new caravan, took it out for the first trip early September and used it right up until the end of November, very happy with our purchase and wouldn't hesitate to recommend a caravan in future having been through quite a steep (expensive) learning curve.
Coin Slot. said:
Did I?
I have no issue with what anybody spends on anything, it's not my money.
With hindsight I'd have skipped the camper van stage, a Transporter just isn't big enough for more than a few days for 2 adults and 2 kids even with a pop top and awning. When it rains, and it usually does, you're stuck under each others feet.
2018 was glorious, new van, new awning, new everything and blazing sun on every single trip.
2019 was awful, it pissed with rain and howled with wind on every single trip.
So we went for a new caravan, took it out for the first trip early September and used it right up until the end of November, very happy with our purchase and wouldn't hesitate to recommend a caravan in future having been through quite a steep (expensive) learning curve.
I have no issue with what anybody spends on anything, it's not my money.
With hindsight I'd have skipped the camper van stage, a Transporter just isn't big enough for more than a few days for 2 adults and 2 kids even with a pop top and awning. When it rains, and it usually does, you're stuck under each others feet.
2018 was glorious, new van, new awning, new everything and blazing sun on every single trip.
2019 was awful, it pissed with rain and howled with wind on every single trip.
So we went for a new caravan, took it out for the first trip early September and used it right up until the end of November, very happy with our purchase and wouldn't hesitate to recommend a caravan in future having been through quite a steep (expensive) learning curve.
Coin Slot. said:
Well there’s a cheaper way of doing things to begin with and then you can refine (throw money at) at a later stage if you enjoy it.
My wife and kids love the outdoors life, walks, bikes etc and in 3 years we’ve gone from camping in a tent, to a campervan to a caravan.
None of these stages were cheap, not if you want all the gear to eat, drink and sleep well.
We all dislike flying, so we do one big holiday abroad at Xmas and then the rest of the year we travel within 100 or so miles of home and find nice places to camp.
I like the fact I can finish early on a Friday, grab the wife and kids and do a night or two in the campervan or over a bank holiday I’ll get the caravan out and we’ll do a few nights instead.
Driving for two hours to get to an airport, waiting around for 2 hours, plus the flight (squashed in on a metal tube) and then an hour or two at the other end before your holiday has even started was ruining the experience for me.
The only downside to caravanning in the UK is the crappy narrow roads, or at least where I live in Dorset, my caravan is 8ft wide and you do have to breathe in when there’s a big truck coming in the opposite direction.
My wife and kids love the outdoors life, walks, bikes etc and in 3 years we’ve gone from camping in a tent, to a campervan to a caravan.
None of these stages were cheap, not if you want all the gear to eat, drink and sleep well.
We all dislike flying, so we do one big holiday abroad at Xmas and then the rest of the year we travel within 100 or so miles of home and find nice places to camp.
I like the fact I can finish early on a Friday, grab the wife and kids and do a night or two in the campervan or over a bank holiday I’ll get the caravan out and we’ll do a few nights instead.
Driving for two hours to get to an airport, waiting around for 2 hours, plus the flight (squashed in on a metal tube) and then an hour or two at the other end before your holiday has even started was ruining the experience for me.
The only downside to caravanning in the UK is the crappy narrow roads, or at least where I live in Dorset, my caravan is 8ft wide and you do have to breathe in when there’s a big truck coming in the opposite direction.
Coin Slot. said:
Nope still not seeing it, but I am seeing someone being deliberately obtuse.
Really where?From memory the original post was somewhat based around you need to spend a lot of money and have all the kit.
Whereas plenty of us - including you, jumped up and pointed out that you did not need to spend a lot of money, and in someways may be even better not doing, until you have worked out what works for you etc. Basically there is more than one way of doing caravan.
OP then took his post home and sulked. Mainly as we did not all bow down.
You presumably now feel bad for him, in retrospect.
surveyor said:
Really where?
From memory the original post was somewhat based around you need to spend a lot of money and have all the kit.
Whereas plenty of us - including you, jumped up and pointed out that you did not need to spend a lot of money, and in someways may be even better not doing, until you have worked out what works for you etc. Basically there is more than one way of doing caravan.
OP then took his post home and sulked. Mainly as we did not all bow down.
You presumably now feel bad for him, in retrospect.
Now that you've given a proper reply I'll take back the obtuse comment. From memory the original post was somewhat based around you need to spend a lot of money and have all the kit.
Whereas plenty of us - including you, jumped up and pointed out that you did not need to spend a lot of money, and in someways may be even better not doing, until you have worked out what works for you etc. Basically there is more than one way of doing caravan.
OP then took his post home and sulked. Mainly as we did not all bow down.
You presumably now feel bad for him, in retrospect.
Without the original post it's hard to recall what exactly was being asked, but I don't think the op was saying you have to spend a lot of money?
Like absolutely everything in life you can refine a subject where costs can go from pennies to pounds in just a few moments.
Threads on here like the best razor, best coffee machine etc, I'm happy with my cheap cut throat and pod coffee, but I wouldn't berate anybody for wanting to spend considerably more on either of these items if they so wished.
The irony in me trying to save us money by avoiding expensive long haul holidays and having cheap camping holidays instead isn't lost on me.
The problem is, and I see it an awful oot on campsites, is there is a snobbery.
There is nothing wrong with turning up in a brand new Rangey Autobiography and a brand new Swift twin axle as long as you don't act like an absolute tool. Too often these outfits have a 'look at me' outward persona, from reversing badly onto the pitch or all the shiny new stuff that is wheeled out at every opportunity.
Similarly the family that turn up on a twenty year old Pageant being pulled by a wheezy Pajero can be either equally as annoying or just lovely.
It is true, you don't need brand new stuff to enjoy yourselves. My Sterling Eccles is ten years old this year. Still looks brand new (ok, the styling gives it away) but is kept inside, has a satellite dish that winds up on the roof, all the comforts I could want and need from blown air heating, microwave, etc to a fixed bed. Do I want a brand new version of the same van? Nope. I'm happy mine has done the bulk of it's depreciation and I see no point in forking out £15k+ just to have this year's model. Some people think that's acceptable, and that's fine. It's their money.
There is nothing wrong with turning up in a brand new Rangey Autobiography and a brand new Swift twin axle as long as you don't act like an absolute tool. Too often these outfits have a 'look at me' outward persona, from reversing badly onto the pitch or all the shiny new stuff that is wheeled out at every opportunity.
Similarly the family that turn up on a twenty year old Pageant being pulled by a wheezy Pajero can be either equally as annoying or just lovely.
It is true, you don't need brand new stuff to enjoy yourselves. My Sterling Eccles is ten years old this year. Still looks brand new (ok, the styling gives it away) but is kept inside, has a satellite dish that winds up on the roof, all the comforts I could want and need from blown air heating, microwave, etc to a fixed bed. Do I want a brand new version of the same van? Nope. I'm happy mine has done the bulk of it's depreciation and I see no point in forking out £15k+ just to have this year's model. Some people think that's acceptable, and that's fine. It's their money.
surveyor said:
Coin Slot. said:
Nope still not seeing it, but I am seeing someone being deliberately obtuse.
Really where?From memory the original post was somewhat based around you need to spend a lot of money and have all the kit.
Whereas plenty of us - including you, jumped up and pointed out that you did not need to spend a lot of money, and in someways may be even better not doing, until you have worked out what works for you etc. Basically there is more than one way of doing caravan.
OP then took his post home and sulked. Mainly as we did not all bow down.
You presumably now feel bad for him, in retrospect.
I never said you need to spend loads of money. I posted a list of everything that we’ve bought so that others can get an idea of the costs of things. I did it because when we were considering a caravan I couldn’t find ANY info on what was needed or the potential cost.
I did it to show people what things MIGHT cost. I also stated that it could be done cheaper but we wanted a certain level of luxury and opted to spend a bit more here and there.
Tyre Smoke said:
The problem is, and I see it an awful oot on campsites, is there is a snobbery.
There is nothing wrong with turning up in a brand new Rangey Autobiography and a brand new Swift twin axle as long as you don't act like an absolute tool. Too often these outfits have a 'look at me' outward persona, from reversing badly onto the pitch or all the shiny new stuff that is wheeled out at every opportunity.
Similarly the family that turn up on a twenty year old Pageant being pulled by a wheezy Pajero can be either equally as annoying or just lovely.
It is true, you don't need brand new stuff to enjoy yourselves. My Sterling Eccles is ten years old this year. Still looks brand new (ok, the styling gives it away) but is kept inside, has a satellite dish that winds up on the roof, all the comforts I could want and need from blown air heating, microwave, etc to a fixed bed. Do I want a brand new version of the same van? Nope. I'm happy mine has done the bulk of it's depreciation and I see no point in forking out £15k+ just to have this year's model. Some people think that's acceptable, and that's fine. It's their money.
I’m not sure how anyone who’s caravanning for a holiday can be seen as a snob haha. All my mates call me a gypo for having a caravan. If anything it’s looked down upon as a cheap option. All my mates are on holiday in Vegas, Carribean or Singapore etc and I’m in a caravan in UK. There is nothing wrong with turning up in a brand new Rangey Autobiography and a brand new Swift twin axle as long as you don't act like an absolute tool. Too often these outfits have a 'look at me' outward persona, from reversing badly onto the pitch or all the shiny new stuff that is wheeled out at every opportunity.
Similarly the family that turn up on a twenty year old Pageant being pulled by a wheezy Pajero can be either equally as annoying or just lovely.
It is true, you don't need brand new stuff to enjoy yourselves. My Sterling Eccles is ten years old this year. Still looks brand new (ok, the styling gives it away) but is kept inside, has a satellite dish that winds up on the roof, all the comforts I could want and need from blown air heating, microwave, etc to a fixed bed. Do I want a brand new version of the same van? Nope. I'm happy mine has done the bulk of it's depreciation and I see no point in forking out £15k+ just to have this year's model. Some people think that's acceptable, and that's fine. It's their money.
I genuinely didn’t post the OP trying to brag or anything. It was literally a list of everything we had bought. Was meant to give someone new to caravanning an idea of what things MIGHT cost.
Unfortunately a few nobheads had to ruin it.
Your "advice" was misplaced. What you assumed was that the way you have gone about things is the recommended way (or perhaps even the ONLY way). In reality, of course, like any activity, you can chose to be extravagant or chose to do things on a budget.
What is important to you may not be important to others.
And if you have friends who seem to criticise you for the type of holiday you take, why are they your friends?
What is important to you may not be important to others.
And if you have friends who seem to criticise you for the type of holiday you take, why are they your friends?
Eric Mc said:
Your "advice" was misplaced. What you assumed was that the way you have gone about things is the recommended way (or perhaps even the ONLY way). In reality, of course, like any activity, you can chose to be extravagant or chose to do things on a budget.
What is important to you may not be important to others.
And if you have friends who seem to criticise you for the type of holiday you take, why are they your friends?
1) It wasn’t advice. It was a list of what we purchased. What is important to you may not be important to others.
And if you have friends who seem to criticise you for the type of holiday you take, why are they your friends?
2) It wasn’t the recommended way
3) It wasn’t the only way
4) It is banter between mates, having a laugh. Clearly lost on you.
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