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We usually go camping with our tent however last year and this year we've found that we're watching every caravan that goes past with just a hint of the green eyed monster! Both hubby and I would love to get a caravan.

Finish paying the car off next year so probably wouldn't buy anything before then as our current one (Scenic 1.5l) wouldn't tow much.

Could you help me with the running costs of a caravan? IE do you need road tax, mot, saparate insurance, etc...what other costs are there?

When's the best time to buy one? Wouldn't want brand new since we've never done it before. 2nd hand would be fine and I like the idea of an awning.

There's 4 of us - 2 adults and 2 children under 8.

Thanks for all your help!!

You buy your caravan and then you need the essential gear.

Gas cylindars at £48. After that the refills cost about £19 if you use calor Lite. You may get a van which can carry two cylindars which is useful so that you don't run out when cooking!!!

Water Hog at £40.00

Whale Pump at £45

Waste Water Hog at £40

Driving Mirrors at £43 for two

Fire extinguisher at £14

Battery at £73

Wheel lock at £80

Hitch Lock at £80

Electric Hook Up cable at £25

Levellers at £20

Noseweight Guage at £35

Caravan Storage if you can't keep it at home about £300 -£400 per annum

Caravan insurance £300

Chocks at £3.00

Kettle at £12

Toilet chemicals at £15 - you need to buy these regularly. We buy about every three months..ish

Bathroom cleaners

Knives forks crockery...raid the house although melamine crockery is useful for its lightness

Looking around for a second hand caravan you may find that you can pick a lot of this gear up with it.

Now for Optional extras

Tyre Inflator at £45 - many garages have the air pump in the most awkward places for caravans

Awning (probably an essential item really) £600 for full awning or £200 for Porch awning................Rock pegs

Battery charger at £38

Fire Blanket at £23

Torque Wrench at £50

Large jerry Can at £12

Green Flag Rescue Cover at £70

Aquasource mains supply pipe if you use a fully serviced pitch £44.

Corner Steadies £10 or just use pieces of wood.

Cloggies....very handy for just slipping on to pop to the loo without having to do laces up every time. Most folk use them.

Ventilator covers for winter £28

Towball cover £2.00

Motor Mover anything up to £1000

CC or C&CC membership about £38 each

Awning carpet £55

Voltmeter £10

Vacuum cleaner £40

Watering can for filling toilet £4.00

Table and chairs £120 for awning

......................

No Road tax to pay for a caravan but you will need to have it serviced once a year. Just had mine done for about £160. Warranty requires that it is serviced as well as common sense.

Think long and hard about the layout you want and then look for the right caravan with that layout. With two kids just think about night time. They are in bed and you want to watch telly but not in bed so how are you going to manage that. Maybe their beds at the back and yours a made up one from the front benches. So, maybe a twin dinette style?

We find an awning essential. With a dog its vital to have a dry area to sit her down after a walk to dry her off before she is allowed in the van.  Keep the wet clothes in there to dry as well. Then there is breakfast as the sun shines in. Dinner as the sun sets. We have a full awning but bought a porch awning as it takes up such a lot less space in the car and so we can carry more gear. A porch awning is plenty big enough for the two of us and just as OK when the two sons call in.

I note that you are thinking of buying next year. Just remember that VAT goes up to 20% in January so any van will cost more than it would if you get one before Christmas.

Above all have great fun looking around as many dealers as you can to see what layouts and prices are available.

Phil

    hi there Chickadee,

       we to started with a tent and progressed on to a caravan. the basics are very simple. the first thing you should do realy is goto your local caravan dealer.there you will be able to see all the layouts. go in and check them out. if you are buying second hand check out every thing for the dreaded damp. all courners and under seats etc. buy a damp meter. they are cheap enough.

         buying private is normaly cheaper but you wont get any form of warrenty whist buying from a dealer you will. and nomaly a dealer will throw in a few of the basics.

     most of the things listed on the last post will come with time. and you can buy in free adds etc.

       as you stated,,, your tow car is another area you will need to consider. any good dealer wont sell you a van that means you wont be able tow it......

     good luck in your search and keep us updated

                               Richard :)

You could go on flea Bay and buy at about half the above prices, and depending on cost of caravan , insurance could be half that price, and will you need a motor mover, I don't.

 A lot of private sale caravans have plenty of gear included in the price

Quote: Originally posted by murano on 08/8/2010

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If you are looking at second hand private sale, you will most likely get alot of the equiptment throw in, as alot of people who are selling up will throw in the aquarolls leads awning ect ect with the sale,towing mirrors I bought a pair of milenco for £20 of eBay , and other bits and bobs there too , I won't say it's cheap to start up but for some items second hand and eBay are good as starter items,but get the basic esentials, and then after you have been away a couple of times you will find out what you need and what you don't.

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Can you store your caravan at home?  If not then storage will be needed. 

Most people selling a 'van will include the awning as they are all different sizes.

If you buy from a dealer make sure he includes a starter pack.  Most will do but don't always advertise it. 

You will need insurance and depending on how old the 'van is and the extra equipment in it will decide the price.

Our servicing was about £200 this year but we have to have it done because it's still under warrenty.

The weight of the caravan will help you decide on what car to buy so even if you don't intend to buy now get an idea of what caravan you do want and note the weight of it so that when you come to buy the new car you will know what weight it needs to be able to tow.

http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/caravans.html  http://www.whattowcar.com/ 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/

These will all help you.  The 1st one will help you decide on what layout you want and then look on ebay for the photos :)  The 2nd will help you decide on what car you need to tow your 'van and the last one will tell you the kerbweight and other stuff you might want to know about your chosen car like performance and economy and specifications.

Its really not that complicated so don't let all this info put you off.  Like anything you will learn it all.  Keep your eye on all our posts and you will pick up a lot of what you need to know :)

storage can be £600-1000 depending on the vans location, the quality of storage (inc security) and also whether its kept inside or outside.

Some storage sites limit the ability of owners to access and tow the vans out i.e. they do it for a fee each time.  Some sites/clubs also enable you to store the van on site and they will pitch the van for so it ready for you  on arrival.