Who,s got a caravan

[Deleted User]

We have had touring vans for most of our married life. Just now we have a small Bailey Ranger, it has everything we want, including a motor mover. I would not buy a caravan without one; if like us you are 'getting in a bit' they are wonderful, so easy to move the van round where you want it.

If you want to take grandchildren with you, you need to look at a 4 berth, possibly one where the side dinette transmutes into 2 bunk beds.

Our was stored on a secure site that cost us about £30 a month. At our new house we have room to store it on the drive. You will need a hitch lock and a wheel clamp. We also had an Alco hitch put on our van which eliminates the need for a stabilizer. Something which is essential when towing to prevent the van snaking.

We belong to both the caravan club and also the camping and caravan club. We tend to use the C & CC club CS sites more than the C. Club CS sites. You need to take into account the cost os a tow bar and the increased cost of fuel when towing. Our car does around 60mpg when not towing, it falls to around 30mpg when we are towing the van.

We love our van and take off when ever we can even during the winter. Once the heating is on the van is cosy.

zippychick

As this has dropped down the OS board, and is travel related, ive moved it to the correct board for you

Zip

Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere (please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com"]forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

Purple_kitten

Not sure I can add to what’s already been said.

We are members of the C&CC at about £35 per year, but that gives access to amazing campsites.
Caravan insurance £160
We have been caravanning for about 14 years now, we also camp over Christmas and New Year saving a lot on a cottage and it is very toasty with the heating.
We have just come back from 4 nights away with electric, it cost £40 total in site fee’s.
We also mix cooking in the van with meals out to help keep costs down.
Edited to add, we are about to spend out for a motor mover, now it's getting a bit much to move about, that will be somewhere between 300 - 700 depending on 2nd hand or new.

suzy_g

Thank you everyone great information .sue

Charityworker

I own a static caravan on a park resorts site. It costs roughly £4500 per year in site fees and upkeep but I get back roughly £3000 per year from letting it out (and yes I do inform the hmrc and the WTC).

joerugby

We have been caravanning for over 30 years and currently have a Swift Charisma 550 Tourer 2003 model.

Annual costs are Servicing and repairs £300, Storage £250, Insurance £200, CC membership £40, Depreciation (average over the last six years) £650.

These are the fixed annual costs and in total are approaching £1,500 per year. costs exclude travel and site costs which of course depend on where and how often you go.

As you can see our biggest cost is depreciation - we bought the van six years ago for £8,000 and I estimate it is worth around £4,000 today.

Ten days away in the UK costs us about £300 in travel and site fees.

Hope this helps