Dont know if its been asked before? but taking into account the cost of caravans and that they can be used 12 months of the year.How often do you use your caravan (ie. weeks in the year)and do you consider it gives you value for your money?
How often ?
- Thread starter Gilbert_374242131
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Hi Gilbert
We only use ours twice per year. We have our "big" trip on the continent between April and early July, lasting between 6 and 12 weeks. Then we have a late season trip of about 3 weeks, usually in this country, but have been to Ireland.
Do I consider it gives value for money? - well if you just look at the holiday costs nothing else comes near to competing for three months traveling every year in comfort. But if you include running costs - capital tied up, depreciation, insurance, storage, breakdown cover, servicing etc. then it probably doesn't.
But you don't buy a caravan to save money, you buy it because you love the way of life and the freedom of being able to tour where and when you like.
Keith
We only use ours twice per year. We have our "big" trip on the continent between April and early July, lasting between 6 and 12 weeks. Then we have a late season trip of about 3 weeks, usually in this country, but have been to Ireland.
Do I consider it gives value for money? - well if you just look at the holiday costs nothing else comes near to competing for three months traveling every year in comfort. But if you include running costs - capital tied up, depreciation, insurance, storage, breakdown cover, servicing etc. then it probably doesn't.
But you don't buy a caravan to save money, you buy it because you love the way of life and the freedom of being able to tour where and when you like.
Keith
Never really add up the total cost, so far about five weekends and a one week and two week, off next sunday for a week down Somerset, guess the more you use the better the value.
i worked out a while ago that we have spent over 33% of this year in the van,
most weekends every school holiday.....one of the joys of being a teacher
most weekends every school holiday.....one of the joys of being a teacher
Now we are retired we can use the van more often. In 2007 it was 3 months, in 2008 2 months and 3 weeks, and this year it will be 4 months and 2 weeks.
Previously we only managed 6 weeks per year.
Previously we only managed 6 weeks per year.
Afternoon Gilbert,
So far have been away for 38 nights and will be away every other weekend from now until end of October.
We definitely get the use and value out of our van, especially as we have 2 kids and go away with our local caravan club centre some weekends.
Just returned from 2 weeks in the New Forrest, when speaking to people at work who have been abroad i realised that they have paid 4-5 times more for their holidays and also you get 100% freedom in your van, you would not get this in a hotel.
Rob.
Afternoon Gilbert,
So far have been away for 38 nights this year and will be away every other weekend from now until end of October.
We definitely get the use and value out of our van, especially as we have 2 kids and go away with our local caravan club centre some weekends.
Just returned from 2 weeks in the New Forrest, when speaking to people at work who have been abroad i realised that they have paid 4-5 times more for their holidays and also you get 100% freedom in your van, you would not get this in a hotel.
Rob.
So far have been away for 38 nights this year and will be away every other weekend from now until end of October.
We definitely get the use and value out of our van, especially as we have 2 kids and go away with our local caravan club centre some weekends.
Just returned from 2 weeks in the New Forrest, when speaking to people at work who have been abroad i realised that they have paid 4-5 times more for their holidays and also you get 100% freedom in your van, you would not get this in a hotel.
Rob.
we have had 3 weekends away a 1 week hol and a 2 week hol. another week planned and hopefully a few weekends. there would be no way we could afford (or be bothered) to go abroad that much with three children under 5.
we love the freedom we have with caravaning and the children love it. home from home. so to us yes its worth it. and im sure if my husband didnt have to work as much we would be away every weekend-wether i liked it or not!
we love the freedom we have with caravaning and the children love it. home from home. so to us yes its worth it. and im sure if my husband didnt have to work as much we would be away every weekend-wether i liked it or not!
Do you not think the price of caravaning has gone up what with insurance service fees and storage fees I know i pay out nearly
Gilbert,
I think this is a very interesting question and one I have often pondered. I know that many years ago when I first caravanned I sold up because I was still at work and did not think I was getting value for money despite taking it down to South of France each year (My wife was afraid of flying)
Thankfully she overcome this very bravely and we started to enjoy worldwide travel.
We're now retired and bought a tourer again in 2003 but even though we frequently use the van (Summer only) I do not think that after depreciation, storage, insurance, servicing fuel costs and site fees etc etc that in anyway we get value for money.
I think the answer for us it its a hobby and like all hobbies it can cost you.
I think this is a very interesting question and one I have often pondered. I know that many years ago when I first caravanned I sold up because I was still at work and did not think I was getting value for money despite taking it down to South of France each year (My wife was afraid of flying)
Thankfully she overcome this very bravely and we started to enjoy worldwide travel.
We're now retired and bought a tourer again in 2003 but even though we frequently use the van (Summer only) I do not think that after depreciation, storage, insurance, servicing fuel costs and site fees etc etc that in anyway we get value for money.
I think the answer for us it its a hobby and like all hobbies it can cost you.
Laura is exactly right (and Paul). It is a hobby and you do it because you like it.
Consider how much people spend on other hobbies, or running an expensive car when a basic one would do ...but it's worth it to them!
Then consider how much people spend on other forms of holiday - which usually only last a couple of weeks.
I know we wouldn't have visited all the places we have been to without the caravan, and for a long holiday it is relatively cheap
Keith
Consider how much people spend on other hobbies, or running an expensive car when a basic one would do ...but it's worth it to them!
Then consider how much people spend on other forms of holiday - which usually only last a couple of weeks.
I know we wouldn't have visited all the places we have been to without the caravan, and for a long holiday it is relatively cheap
Keith
We sold our caravan a couple of years ago because of concern that we weren't using enough to justify the cost - a combination of the kids starting school and my work committments. However we bought another this year as we have missed the type of holiday, as others have suggested.
We had a weeks holiday in a cottage booked for August in Dorest at
We had a weeks holiday in a cottage booked for August in Dorest at
Having only been away once in our van being newbies still, one of the reasons we are getting into the caravaning is cost, last year holiday in static caravan in Scotland aprox
Parksy
Moderator
There will be forum members who disagree with me but I've found that rallying with our local district association of the C&CC is a very cost effective way to optimise the use of our caravan.
The servicing, storage and insurance costs have to be met anyway and without us going on weekend rallies the caravan would be left in storage.
There are different associations and from forum posts some are friendlier and more welcoming than others. If anyone tries rallying for the first time and they feel unwelcome they should try a different d.a.
There are plenty of them with a wide spectrum of members and we've been lucky enough to go to rallies without too many rules and regulations and with a welcoming atmosphere.
The servicing, storage and insurance costs have to be met anyway and without us going on weekend rallies the caravan would be left in storage.
There are different associations and from forum posts some are friendlier and more welcoming than others. If anyone tries rallying for the first time and they feel unwelcome they should try a different d.a.
There are plenty of them with a wide spectrum of members and we've been lucky enough to go to rallies without too many rules and regulations and with a welcoming atmosphere.
We use ours on average 2-3 weekends per month plus 6-8 weeks holiday as well. It is only cost effective because we rally and only use CLs and CSs without facilities or electrics. Have got
Hiya,
Every 4 weeks, we follow the Scooter Racing, travelling from paddock to paddock country wide. It's great.
Then out of racing season we try to do the same but go to local sites and just get out and about, even when the weather is -5 degrees. We've only had her a year and have absolultely no regrets.
Jack & Gaz
Every 4 weeks, we follow the Scooter Racing, travelling from paddock to paddock country wide. It's great.
Then out of racing season we try to do the same but go to local sites and just get out and about, even when the weather is -5 degrees. We've only had her a year and have absolultely no regrets.
Jack & Gaz
I keep a log of all our trips on our PC , last year we spent 75 nights away in the caravan , including trips to Spain over Christmas and new year ,plus 3 weeks in the Dordogne south of France in the summer,this year it looks like we are going to exceed that ,plus we also still had a package holiday in Italy for a week ,and i intend to return to Italy with the caravan ,so i have more time to see the sites at my own speed
All depends on your lifestyle - work commintments, children etc etc. my husband is the equivalent of a vicar so only has 5 weekends off a year. We have 2 main weeeks away and then 4 - 5 short breaks. Once the children a=have left school next year we hope to have longer short breaks if you know what I maan. Value for money - for us its definetly no but we love caravanning so much and would never dream of giving it up. It the only time I see my husband really relax!
Hi Gilbert,
Last year Lyn and I had 90 nights away all in UK,this year so far we have had 46 and are getting ready for 28 days in September followed by another 12 in October, not sure about November yet !!
Happy Caravanning
Greg n Lyn..
Last year Lyn and I had 90 nights away all in UK,this year so far we have had 46 and are getting ready for 28 days in September followed by another 12 in October, not sure about November yet !!
Happy Caravanning
Greg n Lyn..
We have done 1 long trip (2 months) this year and a few short ones before that, mainly to get everything set up for the 'big one'. As for value, it is relative. As many have stated, it is 'choice of lifestyle, and we like it. But that does not mean we do not look at other types of recreation as well. Some may feel that is expensive, but it is often a case of time requirements.
One thing i do feel is that the longer you stay away, then the more cost effective the caravan is. Weekends are expensive on a unit cost basis, unless you only go 10 miles down the road. Some enjoy that but to me it defeats the purpose of the caravan, which is to see new places and meet new people. I own my van and car outright, as they are getting on a bit now and they cost me
One thing i do feel is that the longer you stay away, then the more cost effective the caravan is. Weekends are expensive on a unit cost basis, unless you only go 10 miles down the road. Some enjoy that but to me it defeats the purpose of the caravan, which is to see new places and meet new people. I own my van and car outright, as they are getting on a bit now and they cost me
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