Cost of caravanning
Discussion
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?
Precisely this.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?
I take breaks in my caravan, I love it. I also take holidays in the Caribbean. I love that too.
There is no need to spend several thousand 'to get started' in caravanning. A quick search of Ebay, Gumtree, local papers will give loads of 'cheap' options from a few hundred pounds.
To say there is no information out there is just wrong. There are loads of magazines, there is the various clubs, there is even asking the question on here. Or you can rent caravans to 'try before you buy'.
OP, you posted like you were an authority on caravanning and all the stuff you need. You aren't. You've just listed all you have spent.
My parents don't understand why we don't . . .
They have had a caravan, not the same one, since 1965. More recently they get a new one at about 5/6 year intervals.
They have a month in Antibes each February (i.e. now), a month in Zarautz each September and a month holiday in May touring around Europe plus a few odd weeks away in the UK during the year. Their travels include North Cape, Gibraltar, and Romania (not for long). 3+ months out of every year in the caravan makes it a worthwhile investment.
For 3 weeks a year which is what we would use it for it is a slightly different proposition.
They have had a caravan, not the same one, since 1965. More recently they get a new one at about 5/6 year intervals.
They have a month in Antibes each February (i.e. now), a month in Zarautz each September and a month holiday in May touring around Europe plus a few odd weeks away in the UK during the year. Their travels include North Cape, Gibraltar, and Romania (not for long). 3+ months out of every year in the caravan makes it a worthwhile investment.
For 3 weeks a year which is what we would use it for it is a slightly different proposition.
Despite what i posted above, i changed my mind and bought a new caravan.
It was a dealer special (new 2019 model), so got a hefty discount - still the thick end of 17K though
The costs add up when you buy all the s
t that you need to go with it. The bare caravan comes with a mains hook up lead, a step and the water pump. Everything else, I've had to buy separately.
The following spreadsheet shows everything I've bought so far, by shopping around for new (some massive savings to be made here) or by buying 2nd hand off ebay / Facebook etc
Obviously some of the items aren't essential, but you get the idea
Then factor in the £200 i had to pay to insure it.
Gets expensive, fast.......and I've not even been away in it yet
It was a dealer special (new 2019 model), so got a hefty discount - still the thick end of 17K though
The costs add up when you buy all the s
t that you need to go with it. The bare caravan comes with a mains hook up lead, a step and the water pump. Everything else, I've had to buy separately.The following spreadsheet shows everything I've bought so far, by shopping around for new (some massive savings to be made here) or by buying 2nd hand off ebay / Facebook etc
Obviously some of the items aren't essential, but you get the idea
Then factor in the £200 i had to pay to insure it.
Gets expensive, fast.......and I've not even been away in it yet
IJWS15 said:
For 3 weeks a year which is what we would use it for it is a slightly different proposition.
Depends on what price point you go in at for your three weeks.How much would three weeks holiday cost? £4-5k? You could get a perfectly servieable van for that. And not have the same outlay the following years.
JapanRed said:
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.
Agree, that's how I seem to remember your post coming across, simply a guide, not a boast.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.
People are way too quick to jump in feet first on here these days.
#bekind
surveyor said:
I’m really not sure it’s in order to write a dick post. Flounce and delete when called on it, and then return several months later rewriting it’s meaning to something less dickish.
Please don’t call someone a dick online if you wouldn’t say it to their face. If you really have that big an issue with me then PM me and we can discuss it as adults Dave, or just don’t comment on my threads. I’ve not meant to post anything inflammatory and certainly didn’t want to upset any of you. You only live 30 mins from me and chances are you could be on the hookup next to me this summer and think I’m a nice bloke. Certainly no need to get offensive, unless you genuinely would be like that in real life. You’ve basically done on this forum what that man in the Passat did to you the other week.
JapanRed said:
surveyor said:
I’m really not sure it’s in order to write a dick post. Flounce and delete when called on it, and then return several months later rewriting it’s meaning to something less dickish.
Please don’t call someone a dick online if you wouldn’t say it to their face. If you really have that big an issue with me then PM me and we can discuss it as adults Dave, or just don’t comment on my threads. I’ve not meant to post anything inflammatory and certainly didn’t want to upset any of you. You only live 30 mins from me and chances are you could be on the hookup next to me this summer and think I’m a nice bloke. Certainly no need to get offensive, unless you genuinely would be like that in real life. You’ve basically done on this forum what that man in the Passat did to you the other week.
surveyor said:
JapanRed said:
surveyor said:
I’m really not sure it’s in order to write a dick post. Flounce and delete when called on it, and then return several months later rewriting it’s meaning to something less dickish.
Please don’t call someone a dick online if you wouldn’t say it to their face. If you really have that big an issue with me then PM me and we can discuss it as adults Dave, or just don’t comment on my threads. I’ve not meant to post anything inflammatory and certainly didn’t want to upset any of you. You only live 30 mins from me and chances are you could be on the hookup next to me this summer and think I’m a nice bloke. Certainly no need to get offensive, unless you genuinely would be like that in real life. You’ve basically done on this forum what that man in the Passat did to you the other week.
Back on topic, I managed to purchase an older camper van (1995) off of someone who was trading it in for a newer one, I payed him just over what the dealer offered him and he left a few bits a pieces in it, we’ve had it for just under 3 years and used it for Le Mans and countless trips around the uk, we have found the more basic campsites better than the expensive ones as people can be snobby about their caravans/ campers.
It can be done on the cheap and still be great fun.
It can be done on the cheap and still be great fun.
Cass63 said:
Back on topic, I managed to purchase an older camper van (1995) off of someone who was trading it in for a newer one, I payed him just over what the dealer offered him and he left a few bits a pieces in it, we’ve had it for just under 3 years and used it for Le Mans and countless trips around the uk, we have found the more basic campsites better than the expensive ones as people can be snobby about their caravans/ campers.
It can be done on the cheap and still be great fun.
They are fantastic value. As I said earlier the dealer offered us £1000 less than we paid for ours when we took it for it’s service; you would never get £1000 a year depreciation on a nearly new car!!! It can be done on the cheap and still be great fun.
Just out of interest, what exactly have you found snobby? We’ve not come across any snobbery yet, although we’ve only had it one year so far. Quite the opposite actually, everyone has been super friendly and helpful when we’ve struggled with a few bits as novices.
JapanRed said:
They are fantastic value. As I said earlier the dealer offered us £1000 less than we paid for ours when we took it for it’s service; you would never get £1000 a year depreciation on a nearly new car!!!
Just out of interest, what exactly have you found snobby? We’ve not come across any snobbery yet, although we’ve only had it one year so far. Quite the opposite actually, everyone has been super friendly and helpful when we’ve struggled with a few bits as novices.
To be honest, people who think others have a superiority complex usually do so because they themselves are suffering from an inferiority complex.Just out of interest, what exactly have you found snobby? We’ve not come across any snobbery yet, although we’ve only had it one year so far. Quite the opposite actually, everyone has been super friendly and helpful when we’ve struggled with a few bits as novices.
Eric Mc said:
JapanRed said:
They are fantastic value. As I said earlier the dealer offered us £1000 less than we paid for ours when we took it for it’s service; you would never get £1000 a year depreciation on a nearly new car!!!
Just out of interest, what exactly have you found snobby? We’ve not come across any snobbery yet, although we’ve only had it one year so far. Quite the opposite actually, everyone has been super friendly and helpful when we’ve struggled with a few bits as novices.
To be honest, people who think others have a superiority complex usually do so because they themselves are suffering from an inferiority complex.Just out of interest, what exactly have you found snobby? We’ve not come across any snobbery yet, although we’ve only had it one year so far. Quite the opposite actually, everyone has been super friendly and helpful when we’ve struggled with a few bits as novices.
I generally find that those with nice vehicles and nice caravans are my preferred choice of neighbours when away.
At Sandy Balls last year it was like the wild west, all the decent people were tucked up in bed trying to sleep while the morons were revving engines and having raves at 3 in the morning.
I occasionally see people cringe and roll eyes when we turn up in my Barry'd up VW van, but we are usually the quietest people on the site, my kids are impeccably behaved, super polite and the fresh air always knocks me out by 9pm so we all go to bed early.
At Sandy Balls last year it was like the wild west, all the decent people were tucked up in bed trying to sleep while the morons were revving engines and having raves at 3 in the morning.
I occasionally see people cringe and roll eyes when we turn up in my Barry'd up VW van, but we are usually the quietest people on the site, my kids are impeccably behaved, super polite and the fresh air always knocks me out by 9pm so we all go to bed early.
Coin Slot. said:
I generally find that those with nice vehicles and nice caravans are my preferred choice of neighbours when away.
At Sandy Balls last year it was like the wild west, all the decent people were tucked up in bed trying to sleep while the morons were revving engines and having raves at 3 in the morning.
I occasionally see people cringe and roll eyes when we turn up in my Barry'd up VW van, but we are usually the quietest people on the site, my kids are impeccably behaved, super polite and the fresh air always knocks me out by 9pm so we all go to bed early.
I’d be fuming if there were people revving engines or playing loud music while my kids are trying to sleep. Fortunately not come across any anti-social behaviour yet. We’ve only ever used caravan and motor home club sites though and I would hope the wardens wouldn’t tolerate such behaviour. We try to get a pitch off the main road and out of the way in a corner, which gives the kids a bit of room to play without disturbing others. The picture on page one is the type of hookup I like, away from everyone else. At Sandy Balls last year it was like the wild west, all the decent people were tucked up in bed trying to sleep while the morons were revving engines and having raves at 3 in the morning.
I occasionally see people cringe and roll eyes when we turn up in my Barry'd up VW van, but we are usually the quietest people on the site, my kids are impeccably behaved, super polite and the fresh air always knocks me out by 9pm so we all go to bed early.
JapanRed said:
I’d be fuming if there were people revving engines or playing loud music while my kids are trying to sleep. Fortunately not come across any anti-social behaviour yet. We’ve only ever used caravan and motor home club sites though and I would hope the wardens wouldn’t tolerate such behaviour. We try to get a pitch off the main road and out of the way in a corner, which gives the kids a bit of room to play without disturbing others. The picture on page one is the type of hookup I like, away from everyone else.
Depends what times you want your kids to sleep. Obviously, a racket at 3am is unacceptable to most people but what about 10pm, 8pm etc ?Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff