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Quote: Originally posted by avctaylor on 24/11/2009

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We approached it the other way, decided that we'd barter the dealer down to the lowest we could get just for the van then pick and choose the other stuff we wanted or needed item by item, and by shopping around.
From the other posts I've read about what people have paid for the van we're getting and what they got "thrown in", the end result is pretty similar.

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They should check the fire,water heater,gas system,water system,possibly a damp check depends on how much of a service you want them to do and what you want to pay.

Andy

We use Caravan Approved Services, Bishopton which is a mobile Caravan Engineer. He uses a 35 point check list and took 2 hours to work his way through this.

Our van (in the gallery) gets a very thorough service each year at £120 and if nothing else, it gives us complete peace of mind and, IMO, it is worth every penny.

However, many caravan owners on this Forum do their own servicing and I have done so in the past, but cannot now due to ill health.

Also keep an eye out at the local scrapyard. You'd be amazed what people leave in their vans when they send them away for scrapping.

Most folks that visit scrapyards, do so for car spares and never look inside old caravans.

Many of the parts that I have found were almost new and include 12v strip lights, a quick boil lettle, a good 85Ah battery, a caravan step, a spare rooflight, etc etc.

Quote: Originally posted by Fat Belly on 25/11/2009

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If buying a new van don't be tempted to do your own servicing until the warranty has run out - use the dealer or a mobile person registered with the manufacturer AND get it done in the required time window. There have been numerous threads about warranties being invalidated because of missed services.

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The manufacturer of our caravan is in London. I contacted them and asked if it was okay for me to have a local caravan service engineer do my services and I got it in writing that that would be acceptable to them, as long as I sent a copy of the report.

So always contact the manufacturer regarding your servicing and clear it with them.

Quote: Originally posted by alan126 on 25/11/2009

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i would say on a 12k van you should get the aquaroll, wastemaster, power cable, battery and gas bottle with it, i did on a 3.5k van, all i had to buy at 1st was the step, wheelclamp, hitchlock and towing mirrors. you got to haggle with the dealers, part of the sport :-)

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If you buy a new van the pumps, mains lead and step come as standard. Additionally in some vans spare wheels and batteries come as standard, and there are always small quantities of loo chemicals. Anything else you get is by negotiation.

I have noticed that nobody has mentioned cost of the "trips away" in your caravan. I have just done a check for this year from March to my tip ending today (probably my last to New Year) and staying on Caravan Club sites mostly in low season and mid season I have spent just on £1000 in site fees! Add to that the cost of fuel (diesel in my case at 40mpg tow average) I spent another £400. So approx £1500 for 90 days away which is £17 a night approx.

I know this sounds a lot on top of the other costs but where can you pitch up in places like Bala lakeside, Llandovery, Skye etc you probably wouldn't do it!.

I shopped around for insurance this year after 5 years with one provider and got my insurance down to £155 which was a good £35 cheaper!

Storage at home is out for me so I pay £280 for a year. But I know this is cheaper than most as it is in North Yorkshire. Down south will definitely be more expensive unfortunately.

One way to save money on servicing costs is to get it serviced at this time of year, as most caravan dealers are doing good deals at around £99 all inclusive instead of their normal £199, however you can use a mobile service guy who will do it at your home or in storage compound for around £130-140. By bringing mine forward 5 months, it will allow me in future to take advantage of the cheaper winter service deals. If your van is under warranty however like mine, then the warranty provider may require the service carried out by a reputable firm or accredited service agent who is VAT registered.

I know from experience that having a van for years which didn't have a motor mover how much easier it is with one fitted....no more stress, shouting matches with the OH, bliss....well worth the £799 I shelled out but if you do you may need a bigger leisure battery (I had to upgrade to a 113A battery) which added another £79 to the bill. I will never have a van without a mover as I do a lot of "single" touring so it makes hitching up a doddle!

Regards KevinBFg 

What no-one has mentioned is depreciation. 

I reckon I lose about £1000 a year on my 6 year old van. more on a newer van.

We manage to get away about 30 nights a year, and for us it averages at £66 a night, all costs averaged over the year.

True, the four of us could squeeze into a Travelodge room for the same money, but its not the same. Or buy a tent for £300, and then shiver...

Its as cheap or expensive a hobby as you make it.