Message Forums

Thanks Keely, I appreciate your comments, I think there must be people happy with their statics or as you say the parks wouldn't be overflowing. My husband says that only the people unhappy with their lot will bother to comment to stop others having the same experience. Those happy won't necessarily bother to comment.

I like Brian's idea, but we are going to Cyprus so would have to fly to get to wherever. We hopefully will take the opportunity to explore Cyprus and other nearby places during our hols while we are there.

Thorpe park was certainly nicer than Golden Sands. We were told they are investing money into Golden sands to bring it up to standard, and therefore it's a good time to buy as the park is on the up. But a few years ago we were told that Wild Duck was having a lot of investment into a new swimming complex, and as far as we know that hasn't happened yet, so we are a bit sceptical about that.

It's just a bit of a dilemma at the moment! I'll be relieved when we've made a decision (hopefully the right one!) and sorted it all out.

Thanks to all for the advice and suggestions it is all appreciated.

My inlaws have a static at a Haven site. The site closes for 3 months  a year and they literally kick everyone off. I think it is between Jan and March so your caravan would be unavailable for your use then. During my inlaws first winter of ownership in the 'closed period' the tv was stolen so you will need to ensure that you do not leave anything of value in the van. There is security on the site but on this occasion it failed.

We have used the caravan a few times and it is great with children - although the cost of the amusements and drinks in the bar soon adds up.

During the quiet periods they have special events for owners and owners swimming periods everyday (although friends using owners vans can also attend these events and swimming times). I would imagine there is quite a community feeling out of the main holiday periods.

Haven are actually quite good on my inlaws site and if there is a problem with the van they will try to rectify if asap.

The ground rent is about £3k a year which is paid in full at the start of the year .If you can use it for most weekends or rent it out then it may be good fun.

Thanks for that, pfcbpfcb, that sounds really positive, and the sort of experience we would like to get (aside from the stolen telly!)

Thanks for that advice, maybe we would have to get family to empty the van for us at the end of the season as we would be abroad.

We have finally gone ahead and part exed our van for a static...we just hope we have done the right thing....

We have emptied our van completely, and so have loads of nearly new kit for sale, including the wrap around seating.

If anyone is interested we are open to sensible offers, please contact us or see our ads on this site.

Good luck. Hope it all works out for you. I'm sure it will.

Now ... where on the site is it and waht are you charging per week

You should look into making yourself a web site and advertising it yourself so you can 'vet' the people who want to use it (well as far as can be done).

Off to look for bargains now

I'm the chairman of a charity and we've had caravans at Haggerston Castle for over 12 years, this is our 3rd van.  Lovely site BUT please be aware

1. When you rent your van out even through park it's usually damaged or stuff taken at some point per year.

2. Remember you van is just going to de-value lots.  You are going to pay with likes of Haggerston £2500 per year + insurance, tv licence, rates, gas, water, repairs, yearly checks and cleaning of the van.

They will say you can earn£££££ yes if you rent out van loads and does still not cover outgoings if you include depreciation. Please remember it's a lot of money per year.

If i had money to waste i would personally got one as we as a family love it.

Keely, we would ideally advertise ourselves but won't be here to clean or check it so may have to go with  Haven, although we are reluctant to do so, unless we can find someone nearby with recommendations that would do it for us, but because the van has yet to be sited and the season ending we haven't had a chance ot meet any other owners who may do the same.

Geordie, We are aware it will devalue but hope to keep it for a number of years covering costs with rental.

In the end we paid £12 000 for our tourer not expecting to get any return from it and knowing it would depreciate (Bailey offered us £7,500 for it when it was only 4 months old) and we've realised we are looking at the static differently for how much rental we could get and what costs that would cover, but we've realised we should look at as a holiday home as we did with our tourer and not worry unnecessarily about the depreciation.

Thanks to everyone for their advice, and if anyone needs any caravan kit let us know as it's all for sale as the van has been stripped out completely - even the battery...!!!