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Having read many listings on the forums we are ready to buy a used caravan. Hopefully for about £1500 ( 1990 -1994)

We know what weight we can go upto and the layout that we would like, my question is

What are all the extra cost that we need to know about and estimated prices

Security as in alko, wheel clamps etc

Insurance

Yearly service

Caravan covers (do i need one)

Storage

obviously repairs can be an open cheque book

any suggestions that i may have forgot, trying to budget.

Heres an idea. You can get the following (essential?) items at various prices by shopping around. The prices given are indicative

Brilliant CW.

We been camping for years so we have a lot of equipment already.

Is those prices an average and i suppose they vary where you live

Forgot to ask.

Can we use the new ehu we bought for the tent or do we need a different end to plug into caravan. it is one with 3 sockets on the end.

hopefully we can buy a caravan with lots of these items in the price.

Not so worried about mover.

We are members of C&CC

Whats the watering can for?

Filling the cistern on your van can be awkward unless you have something with a spout that can go into the inlet and a watering can is the best thing. Get a lightweight one though!!! Prices quoted above are what I paid but shop around. My advice...don't try to do caravanning on the cheap. My list comprises of what I think are essentials. Others will have different views. You can build up your gear and, as you say, you may just find the right van with most of the essentials thrown in. Just take your time looking around.

Go here and scroll seven posts down to an earlier post of mine which you may find useful when looking for a van

Phil

You don't need half the stuff on the list above . We have not got loads of it and we have been at it for years. And I certainly wouldn't pay those prices if I did want it.

I wouldn't insure a £1500 van anyway but we pay £129 for our £5000 van. We always have had several awnings but you don't NEED one. We have never paid more than £100. I don't have a torque wrenchand we only pay £22 for green flag.

I could go on.

I Know the list is presented as indicative but its enought to frighten anyone off.

silly question but why do we need a torque wrench?

You should always check the Torque of your caravans wheel nuts before every journey to ensure that they are properly secure. Then if you ever need to change a caravan wheel you should also check the torque. Ask anyone with a Bailey Unicorn! Never seen anyone do it before setting off, so I may be in the minority

Most insurance companies require you to have at least a wheel clamp and many also require a hitch lock. Mine requires both, hence I have both listed.

I charge the battery on the charger about three times a year and particularly over the winter period rather than leave it in the van running down, hence the battery charger. Its cheaper than a new battery every now and again

I also check that the tyres are at the correct pressure before towing and you can't always get a van up to the air pump at many garages, so a tyre inflator is mandatory in my view. Never seen anyone do that on a site before setting off

Noseweight is mandatory (IMO) to ensure that I do not exceed the tow ball weight. Never seen anyone else use one before setting off on a journey either.

The list may look "frightening" millermicm, but its just essential stuff IMO

Phil

Quote: Originally posted by millermicm on 07/6/2011

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You don't need half the stuff on the list above . We have not got loads of it and we have been at it for years. And I certainly wouldn't pay those prices if I did want it.

I wouldn't insure a £1500 van anyway but we pay £129 for our £5000 van. We always have had several awnings but you don't NEED one. We have never paid more than £100. I don't have a torque wrenchand we only pay £22 for green flag.

I could go on.

I Know the list is presented as indicative but its enought to frighten anyone off.

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I think the only thing I haven't got on the list is the torque wrench.

I have to say, I pay over £100 for my Green Flag cover, but that includes my wife, double journey, at home, rescue, recovery and anything else I need help for, in any car even if I'm not driving.

Brilliant thread - and this isn't even our first caravan - I had no clue about the watering can either so thanks !  Our last wee van had no separate flush tank but this one does... glad I saw this before we go away in it

but OH MY GOD what a list !!!    Not a criticism though as CWD did say it's his personal idea of essentials but no way have we got even 1/2 of this stuff.   Deffo take a torque wrench & tyre inflator & suchlike but a motor mover is a very expensive item so if you personally don't need one (we don't) that's a big chunk of dosh off the massive shopping bill there - phew  We've managed to have lots of holidays on the cheap in our caravans without compromising safety. You can get by with far less imo & also pick up stuff 2nd hand. 

Pease tell me someone, what are `big foot steadies', and why is a Y tube thingy needed for the waste ????