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Quote: Originally posted by happywalker on 11/4/2011

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Shhh,  on about the cost. My husband's looking!

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PMSL my thoughts exactly.....well with reguards the wife

It is pricey when you look at it this way we're lucky as we have the caravan at home and we only pay for mileage outside of the UK so our £ per night isn't so bad.  I suppose when you compare a caravan holiday to a package holiday at least you own the caravan - you don't own the holiday apartment so might not be a fair comparison if you were to include the cost of the van into the price per night?  Does this mean that if you include the fixed costs of owning a caravan to the costs per night of caravanning then it works out cheaper the more nights you spend in it - sounds like a great argument to get away more to me!!!

The true cost seems to be an arm and a leg!

But.... we are enjoying it so far!

I prefer not to think too much about the cost but instead look forward to all the many trips out and short breaks.

We have just bought the van from e-bay a 1982 sprit muskateer bone dry and in very good condition a snip at £320.Already nicknamed "Daisy" Hope to have loads of outings this season and make sure i get my moneys worth

Most items only need to be purchased once and i belive you can make it as expensive or as cheap as you like.

Heres to a great summer  and lots of hot weather (hopefully)

Quote: Originally posted by jamesA114 on 11/4/2011

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I don't want to know the costs as long as I can afford it. getting away and seeing my 2 kids having a great time for what feels like a cheap holiday makes it worth while!

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Exactly ! its what life is all about giving the children what we didnt have as our parents did and them before.

better four or six short holidays than one Sun Sea and Sangria for two weeks, and a credit card bill.

as prev the cats home can wait for their bit.

Working over a 10-year term, say a van costing £15,000 would end up worth about £3,000.  Take an avaerage annual service of £150.  So 12,000+1500 = £13,500.

Allow an average of 90 nights a year (weather and commitments will vary this) at £15 pitch fee per night.  This all comes to about £30 per night. Then you add on things like gas, and other items like replacements bits and bobs, fuel to get to and from site, and it does start to sound expensive.  But caravanning is all about quality of the great outdoors in rural surroundings; and generally doing what you want, when you want.

I'm sure there are people who spend on other forms of pleasure in much the same "paying through the nose" approach; possibly spending more than a caravanner does but not grudging one penny for what they get out of whatever pastime they follow.  For example, an avid soccer fan conceivably spends more on himself in a year than a caravanner does to treat the whole family.

Only last week, on TV, a watchdog-type programme described passengers who had suffered an horrendous week or so on a "luxury" cruise liner, and paid thousands for the privilege.  When you hear tales like that, the cost of caravanning is a breeze!

Bertie.

In much the same vein as my fellings, Dan.

Bertie.

Whats the true cost? What's it worth more like.......Money in an ISA at , what, 2%. Do you get more interest/benefit in the van or from money in the bank? Time for lateral thinking........

Phil

For us its a hobby that gives us great holidays.  We enjoy owning, towing, playing with, discussing, maintaining, preparing and setting up our van.  The great holidays with like minded mates and getting to take your home from home are the icing on the cake.

I spent the last hours of yesterday on the front drive with caravaning neighbours putting up a second hand awning we brought and having a great laugh doing it.

The kids absolutely love the holidays, and allthough they enjoy the odd trip abroad, they get nearly as excited about a holiday in the van as they do Christmas.  Though they dont seem to get the adult thing about obsessing about it which they see with their parents.

We've met some really great people along the way and made some lifelong friends.  Its, in short, the best hobby I/We've had to date.

Tony B

Quote: Originally posted by DanTheVanMan on 11/4/2011

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Just reread my last posting - some quite deep thoughts there. Anyone who knows me will realise its all an excuse to go to the pub! Dan

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try a stroll to the tea rooms for a change nice cuppa tea and slice of cake "aunt sally" much better than all that beer so I am told !

but then again ??? Lets ave anuva shallus ?

Hi All, The cost of caravaning could be small or large depending on all the van bits n bobs,and everything related to caravaning taken into account, Is it all worth it all the expence, What pleasure do you get from it, and Why do you do it,  If I was asked these questions, would not know how to put it into words, I think I would try and explain it like this, I would ask them, 1, When you first meet your partner or wife, and set up home together,with all the expence that incurs over the years - Was it worth it?. 2, When your children were born- what pleasure did it give you.?.  3, Why did you do it ?. So to sum up, 1, Caravaning for me compares to the feeling the first time we set up home together.   2, The pleasure of the birth of our children, and now their children. 3, Why do I do it, because I love it. Caravaning comes 4th in line to all the above, As for cost, compared to home and family and the tens of thousands, they cost over the years, The cost of Caravaning fades into insignificance. And the pleasure you get from it far out weighs the cost.