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Subject Topic: How long do you keep your caravan?
Page:  1  2  3 Post Reply Post New Topic
15/4/2016 at 4:25pm
 Location: Teesside
 Outfit: Challenger Sport 524 + Volvo V90 D5
View Hairywol's Profile View Profile   Reply to Hairywol Reply   Quote Hairywol Quote  
Joined: 02/6/2005

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1430
Tent Reviews:   6

Site Reviews Total: 29
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Are caravans like cars? I've always changed my cars regularly: some have been at the end of a lease; others, that I've owned, usually because I'm bored with them and fancy a change.

Got my first and only caravan new in 2014, and I'm still as pleased as punch with it. I'm using it all year round, took it on a good three-week tour last year and am spending nearly a month touring Europe this summer.

I don't feel I ever want to change my caravan, but looking to change a car again.

Do others change them regularly, or keep them until they fall apart?



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Camping Gear expands so as to fill the space available for its transportation.



15/4/2016 at 4:34pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Volvo V60 & Swift Challenger 565
View JuanHuNose's Profile View Profile   Reply to JuanHuNose Reply   Quote JuanHuNose Quote  
Joined: 09/4/2014

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   415

Site Reviews Total: 7
Site Reviews 2024: 3  
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Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 15
Site Nights 2023: 7
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
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Site Nights 2018: 1

6 vans in 30 years.

First one lasted 6 months, last one (1st brand new one) we kept for 10 years and would have been happy to keep it for another 10 but SWMBO decided a different layout was the way forward.

No. 7 arrives in 10 days and will see me out.

If it suits, is dry and solid, does what you want, why change?


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15/4/2016 at 4:44pm
 Location: Shropshire
 Outfit: Bailey Phoenix GT 75
View 664DaveS's Profile View Profile   Reply to 664DaveS Reply   Quote 664DaveS Quote  
Joined: 24/7/2007

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Forum Posts:   4383

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We owned an Abbey Gts which we bought new in 1990 or 8 years.
Lovely van .
Most since then 3 to 4 years.
Now retired we intend to keep our Unicorn longer,as long as it is ok.

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DS-There's more to life than football!!!


15/4/2016 at 4:48pm
 Location: north wales
 Outfit: Sprite Quattro FB
View brianconwy's Profile View Profile   Reply to brianconwy Reply   Quote brianconwy Quote  
Joined: 25/9/2005

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Forum Posts:   4286

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We bought our first one new and kept it for 4 years but then got a bigger one, which is the one we have now. We have had this over five years from new and will probably be our last van.


15/4/2016 at 5:36pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Inner Zone's Profile View Profile   Reply to Inner Zone Reply   Quote Inner Zone Quote  
Joined: 18/5/2010

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One caravan in 25 years.


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15/4/2016 at 5:44pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Opensauce's Profile View Profile   Reply to Opensauce Reply   Quote Opensauce Quote  
Joined: 25/1/2010

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Forum Posts:   4530

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Caravans are not like cars. Cars cannot be economically run indefinitely, caravans can. So that's the difference.

There's no reason a caravan should ever 'fall apart' if it is properly maintained. A caravan, unlike a car will never get to the stage where you are throwing good money after bad by keeping it running because a caravan is mechanically simple.



15/4/2016 at 6:01pm
 Location: West Lothian
 Outfit: 20 XC60 B5 18 Elegance 580
View IainM's Profile View Profile   Reply to IainM Reply   Quote IainM Quote  
Joined: 16/3/2004

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Forum Posts:   1509

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Some we have kept for ten years others just one. Lately we have been changing every two years but current one is over two now but can't find anything to top our Challenger SE

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2020 Volvo XC60 B5 R Design Geartronic / 2018 Swift Elegance 580

Best Wishes

Iain


15/4/2016 at 9:41pm
 Location: Ivybridge Devon
 Outfit: Bailey Pageant Burgundy series 6
View robert/julie's Profile View Profile   Reply to robert/julie Reply   Quote robert/julie Quote  
Joined: 20/4/2004

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Forum Posts:   343

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We have had 3 vans in 5 years only because bought our first ever van in 2010 used to camp but wanted to try a van had never towed so didn't want to spend a fortune in case we didn't like it. We changed in 2012 after our 1st van lost it's skylight which we were unaware of in heavy winds/storms and got very wet. We had our second van until last September when we bought a newer fixed bed van. Mainly because we weren't too fond of the L shape. Thought it would suit us but after a couple of trips realised it wasn't as comfy as we thought it would be. Planning on keeping this van for quite a few years


15/4/2016 at 10:15pm
 Location: Little Hearing
 Outfit: 2014 Coachman VIP 520 4 BMW X3
View Les Medes's Profile View Profile   Reply to Les Medes Reply   Quote Les Medes Quote  
Joined: 15/4/2016

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12 in 40 years

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Les


15/4/2016 at 10:34pm
 Location: DURHAM
 Outfit: Mondeo TItanium 140 Avondale Mayfly 25
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Joined: 21/3/2005

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5 vans in 44 years


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16/4/2016 at 7:25am
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
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Our abbey is our fourth van in 7 years of caravanning, first one the elddiss was a cheap £500 to see if it was for us without spending a lot of money.
Second was a swift that was written off second trip out
Third was a fleetwood which my family outgrew
So then 3 years ago we bought our abbey, which sadly now is too big for us and cannot bear to even go away in now
But we are keeping it

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Who needs travel agents,we have our static


16/4/2016 at 7:37am
 Location:  Whitchurch shrops
 Outfit: Swift conqueror 480
View nora's Profile View Profile   Reply to nora Reply   Quote nora Quote  
Joined: 28/12/2003

Diamond Member
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Forum Posts:   2138

Site Reviews Total: 9
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
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Site Reviews 2022: 0  
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Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
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we bought our first van to replace our frame tent . Very basic no electrics . We used to plug the 12v into the car for lights , and use a foot pump for the water . This was replaced with a new swift rapid . Single seats at front, side toilet and end table with bunk above . We had this for 13 years .lovely van and layout for the 4 of us.
Then a compass with side dinette . Again lovely . 4 years later a pastiche two berth , perfect. then up sized to our fixed bed caravan we have now . This has been horrendous and nearly put us off caravanning . We hate it not the layout just the problems. But it's going and we have just ordered a new swift two berth . I don't think we will change again due to our age . I just hope it is as good as our last swift that we started with .


16/4/2016 at 7:40am
 Location:  Whitchurch shrops
 Outfit: Swift conqueror 480
View nora's Profile View Profile   Reply to nora Reply   Quote nora Quote  
Joined: 28/12/2003

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2138

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Site Nights 2019: 21
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Sorry I should have said apart from the first one .that was 13 years , the others about 4 years .
I do think older vans have more character .i always admire them when I see one in nice condition .


16/4/2016 at 7:47am
 Location: Luton (no jokes plea
 Outfit: Coachman and Hyundai
View Mrs. Bonce's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mrs. Bonce Reply   Quote Mrs. Bonce Quote  
Joined: 05/6/2006

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Our first van was old and very basic, then we were lucky enough to get a Castleton Rosella which although old had been well looked after and was the bees knees for its age. Then an Elddis Hurricane, then a new Swift Lifestyle from Barrons when it was going (we sold it and it still lives up the road), then a 6 month old Sterling Elite Overlander which was stolen September 2012. CC insurance paid for our current Sterling Elite Explorer which will need replacing before too long as we use it so much.

Anne


16/4/2016 at 10:17am
 Location:  Wales
 Outfit:  Volvo XC60 R Design
View madasaman's Profile View Profile   Reply to madasaman Reply   Quote madasaman Quote  
Joined: 13/3/2011

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Our last van we bought new in 2002 and would still have it if my daughter hadn't pleaded with us to give it to her. Went a year without, then bought a new Swift last October, this hopefully will see us out. 6 vans in 32 years

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73 going on 25
Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder



16/4/2016 at 11:26am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View milly123's Profile View Profile   Reply to milly123 Reply   Quote milly123 Quote  
Joined: 29/5/2013

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We are on our 5th caravan in 20 years, plus a trailer tent which we used one year.
We have only changed our van due to changing family needs.
Ie gone bigger when children growing, and change of layout as bunks outgrown.
Now settled on 5 berth double dinette for foreseeable future.
Wouldnt change it otherwise. If it aint broke why change it!
Regards



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