Why is caravan age important ??

[Steve L]

Having read Alyson Warnock's review of Poston mill park in Herefordshire, we decided to see if they had a pitch for us.

Having E-mailed them and got no reply I decided to go in person to have a look at the site. It is a very nice site and had it not been 20 miles away from my work base, I would of been more interested.

However, a couple of things put me off.

1/ I was asked how old my van was. Now fortunately as it seems I have a 2005 caravan which was acceptable. But would my previous van of been so accepted. I had until a few months ago a mint condition 1982 Link 575 twin axle van. Now being a 26 year old van would that of been an old dog to them.

2/ As I already mentioned, my work base is 20 miles up the road. You see I am a self employed sub contractor and can be sent all over the UK to work, so living in ovr tourer has become the most effective way to contend with lodging and family life as I can take home and family with me and save on lodging costs too.

But! When I mentioned I would like to stay on a week by week basis as I cannot be sure of being in the county all the time, and that I would be thinking of about 7 weeks. I've been met with the comment of "I'll have to speak to the boss and let you know".

Now I would of thought that 7 weeks of £108 per week was not to be scoffed at. Also given that Alyson's report of the site was very complimentary and accurate, I didn't bargain for the reception I've got.

But why should age of van and length of stay determine anyones acceptability.

I'm now looking for an alternative site that is open between 1st Jan and 1st March 09 in Herefordshire or south Shropshire, can anyone help?

All the best for christmas and a happy new year to all.

Steve L.

 

[JTQ]

I am not surprised by the questions, both to me seem reasonable for a caring site operator to ask:

Asking the age of the van enables them to reserve the option to "view" a van that is old so keep up the visual standard of their site. Do many of us like to be camped with tired algae coloured elderly vans on an otherwise nice site?

The long occupancy also brings them dangers that the van would not be used for genuine recreational, and again lets them consider specific cases to see if they are in the interest of their site. Do many of us like to be camped with next to a near residential jobbing worker; a aspect that destroyed much of the charm of one New Forest site we used to use?

 

[Steve L]

Well JTQ.

First of all my 26 year old van was in better fettle than most 10 year olds and as stated was in "mint" condition.

As for being a residential jobbing worker as you call me, I'd rather be that than sponge off the state or some stuck up little jerk who thinks he's that much better than anyone else.

My multi million ayre boss's wife summed up that one. She say's "we all drink from the same side of the cup and sit on the same shaped pan".

Apart from the fact that I keep the awning curtains closed, you would not notice anything different about my 2005 caravan.

I only keep the curtains shut to keep prying eyes and thieving hands off my

 

[Dustydog]

Steve

Last year on a tour of Scotland we spent one night at Point Sands Caravan Park, Tayinloan Argyll.

There were about 20 very old tourers and some raather aged cars. Turned out they were a bunch of "Navvies" repairing a road. The ones I spoke to were ok but to the uninitiated it could have been a bit scary. JTQis right. I think what I saw spoilt the whole place.

The reality is the site owner has to eat and 20 navvies is a good steady income rather than the one nighter like me.

If I was Poston Mill I would see your caravan as good bread and butter this time of year.

The site is very good with excellent facilities.

Good luck.

Cheers

Alan

 

[Steve L]

Steve

Last year on a tour of Scotland we spent one night at Point Sands Caravan Park, Tayinloan Argyll.

There were about 20 very old tourers and some raather aged cars. Turned out they were a bunch of "Navvies" repairing a road. The ones I spoke to were ok but to the uninitiated it could have been a bit scary. JTQis right. I think what I saw spoilt the whole place.

The reality is the site owner has to eat and 20 navvies is a good steady income rather than the one nighter like me.

If I was Poston Mill I would see your caravan as good bread and butter this time of year.

The site is very good with excellent facilities.

Good luck.

Cheers

Alan

Thats what I thought Alan. Good bread and butter.

I agree that if caravans look out of keeping then the owners should be informed. I actually carry a 70Kg all weather ex military tool box into the awning and put my folding ladders inside too, so as to keep the look of our van acceptable anyway.

I have brought the firms van onto site only 4 times in 6 months to drop off or pick up my tool kit as there is a total of 250kgs of kit. That also indicates just how very busy I am despite our recession.

Stev L.

 

[WilliamLX]

I don't think any caravan that is legal to be taken on the road should be refused access to a caravan site. If you start going down that road, it could soon be only people with high end range vans (ie Bailey Senator but not Ranger) or only

 

[JTQ]

Well JTQ.

First of all my 26 year old van was in better fettle than most 10 year olds and as stated was in "mint" condition.

As for being a residential jobbing worker as you call me, I'd rather be that than sponge off the state or some stuck up little jerk who thinks he's that much better than anyone else.

My multi million ayre boss's wife summed up that one. She say's "we all drink from the same side of the cup and sit on the same shaped pan".

Apart from the fact that I keep the awning curtains closed, you would not notice anything different about my 2005 caravan.

I only keep the curtains shut to keep prying eyes and thieving hands off my

 

[Ian341]

HI Steve,

I remember we went to a CC site once and the warden asked what age the van was, at the time we had a 1994 Avondale, she hesitated for a minute and looked at her site plan, she then told us to go onto pitch xx. The pitch was out on the sticks, it was at the back of the site. I also noticed that all the "old" vans were down here with us. There was not one new van. Then as I walked up to the site entrance I noticed that all the new vans were by the entrance. I felt really annoyed. We felt isolated and bullied because of the age of our van. We confronted the warden who admitted that she isolated the older vans to the back of the site and put the new ones at the front.

I was appauled by this and after one night I left.

The site was an ideal location for a weekend and last year we visited again. It was the same warden. She asked the age of the van which was now our brand new one. We had a massive hardstanding surrounded by shrubs etc. and close to the entrance. I went for a walk around and noticed she still put the older vans at the back.

I thought it was appauling and I was shocked that she had never had any complaints.

I DO think sites should ask make/model of van to ensure they don't get travellers in but isolating cos of the age of the van is wrong. OK if you pulled up with a van covered in moss then maybe they could do something but I have seen 10year old vans in better condition than year old vans.

Just my thoughts anyway.

Ian

 

[LMH]

Steve - it's snobbery pure and simple. Re you working around the country, they probably think you are a gypo. Sad but true.

What makes me laugh is that they probably class all owners of older vans as unruly trouble makers and very poor and all owners of brand new vans and sparkling 4x4's as superior clientele.

From Lisa, previous van was 17 years old, now has a four year old van and two savage dogs.

Oh, and if you are ever in Notts, seeing as you build sheds, would you like to come and put some shelves up for me?

Lisa xx

 

[Dave_374330759]

Nearly all sites are on private property - even caravan club sites and it's not unreasonable for the owner or manager/warden to make his own rules and to allow or disallow who he sees fit. He may not want scruffy vans or even transits or other signwritten vehicles etc. on his land.

Certain rules will be prescibed by the site licence, possibly limiting the number of nights that a van can remain.

As was said, the site agent "would have to speak to his boss", so was not in a position to make a decision on the spot - what's wrong with that?

I feel that everyone has a right to who or what they let on their sites and what they'll allow them to do (or not) just as we have the right to not accept their rules by going somewhere else.

I don't get upset about it though.

 

[David.O]

Steve

Since the Autumn we have had vans on our cl all in good order some old and some newer. but all have been occupied by males who because of the credit crunch, have come east to find work. They use their vans as recreation from their work. 3 are from south Wales and one from Yorkshire. all painting new Army lorries. Its not about getting "on your bike" more "hitching up your van". good luck to them. Its an ill wind that does no good.

 

[emmerson2]

Steve-in-Leo, you've changed your van! That's why I couldn't find you on Townsend! Herself went to the farm shop last time we were on The Leen, and whilst waiting I walked round the site looking for the Lynx.

Btw, why are you leaving Townsend.(forgive my being nosy!)

 

[Steve L]

Well may be the site owners were monitoring our thread, or just lady luck lending a hand. But they have now offered me a pitch.

However another old chery has popped up. They are going to have meters fitted for next year and charge 12p per unit for electricity.

As I understand the law, the site operator is not allowed to sub-sell utilities at a higher cost than the unility company provides it to the original customer.

Your views on this are appreciated.

Steve L.

 

[Steve L]

I can't see where I made any specific assertions or even observations about either your caravan or occupation.

If you care to read what I said I pointed out what a caring site owner might be concerned about to retain their sites character and by inference the client

 

[LMH]

I don't think I like the idea of being charged per unit. Do you have to put money in the metre or will they hand you a bill upon departure? (Well, in your case Steve, maybe at the end of an agreed period).

Lisa

 

[DeliDave]

Id have thought 7 weeks money would have delighted them and as long as your van is tidy who cares about the age.Went on site overnight for van service and ther were lots of workers in vans,two in tents as well.Lots cheaper than hotels or b&b ,they were all careful leaving site and didnt cause any problem that we saw,good luck to you steve

 

[Steve L]

Steve-in-Leo, you've changed your van! That's why I couldn't find you on Townsend! Herself went to the farm shop last time we were on The Leen, and whilst waiting I walked round the site looking for the Lynx.

Btw, why are you leaving Townsend.(forgive my being nosy!)

Hi your emminance.

I moved from townsend mainly for financial reasons. I save

 

[Steve L]

As I understand it, I'll be billed from a local meter at the hook up.

That does give concern though, as now one has to read the meter and keep a check on consumption to see just how much the bill is likely to be.

Another point i raised in a previous thread is that, I can see some unscroupleous people plugging into your supply and using your electric to run their heater overnight.

Being realistic, one rarely even in the winter,uses more than

 

[mcghee]

As I understand it, I'll be billed from a local meter at the hook up.

That does give concern though, as now one has to read the meter and keep a check on consumption to see just how much the bill is likely to be.

Another point i raised in a previous thread is that, I can see some unscroupleous people plugging into your supply and using your electric to run their heater overnight.

Being realistic, one rarely even in the winter,uses more than

 

[mcghee]

ive actually had a little chuckle to myself over this. ive been refused entry to a fair few sites because i use a foreign 'van, and ive pretty much just had to take it on the chin, so i suggest the owners of older 'vans will have to do the same until the caravanning community as a whole are willing to put an end to this sort of nonsense.

i wonder how many sites will still ban foreign 'vans the British caravan industry goes tits up?

 

[emmerson2]

Hi your emminance.

I moved from townsend mainly for financial reasons. I save

 

[JoannaLesley]

I admit to being horrified by all this! We have had a 1983 van for the past 10 years. Up until now it has suited us and we have seen no reason to change. We have used CC sites and CLs in this country and a range of sites from small municipals to large **** sites in Europe. All with no-one ever questioning the age of our van or our right to be there. We have had a few Brits abroad look sideways at us and avoid us, but other nations have always been friendly.

We are thinking of changing our van this year, to get a few refinements we currently don't have, but the new van is likely to be only around 10 years younger. This is largely due to cost vs the amount of time we spend in it.

You poor lot! Or have we just been lucky? Where are these unfriendly sites? It sounds like pure snobbery to me.

Jo

 

[Surfer]

Steve, have a read on the post regarding electric charges. If they install metering at between

 

[Steve L]

That is exactly what I thought Ian. There has been little thought put into this at all, the only consideration I see is the initial financial coverage of the quarterly bill.

I for one, can see some of the less scroupleous folk swapping hookups especially if they run low on the last night. I must say 99.9% of folk will just dig deep and pay up but I'm sure there's mr 0.1% somewhere.

Jo, I must say this has been the first time for me that I've been asked the age of my van and your quite right the "s" word is what it would seem like.

All I can say is, what I have is paid in full for and I don't care if I use an 11 year old car to tow my 3 year old van. What I look at is what suits me at the time and what I can afford.

Folk have to take me as i am warts and all.

Steve L.

 

[Surfer]

They should be installing the new typew of metering called SMART metering which allows them to phone into the meter ot obtain a reading on arrival at the site and also when you vacate the site. In effect this would mean paying an electric deposit up front, then stopping on your way out to collect your "change". Not too bad unless there are a load of people booking in and you are at the back of the queue. As they arfe no allowed to charge you the standing charge fee, how do they work it out if it is incorporated into the cost per unit.

Again I don't know if they have looked into this aspect, but either way it is going to create more problems than it resolves all for the sake of probably less than