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I have had two caravans.  One was written off in an unforecast hurricane when only three weeks old!  The replacement caravan is now 18 months old, and still looking good.  It has a three year parts and labour warranty, and a five year water ingress guarantee. Husband and I saw a nice new caravan last weekend, but it does not seem sensible to change it yet.  Of course the dealer is keen for us to do just this, and it is a lovely van...  Is there an optimum time to keep a caravan before part exchanging it for a new one?

Difficult to say...it all depends on the deal!

Will you enjoy your van or holiday more if you change it?

How much will loose against your gains in other areas?

What else could you do with the money?

Will your present tow car still be OK?

Just some thoughts that we are having!

regards

Mr Ulti-Mate

I suppose if you feel like you have got a good price for yourself then why not go ahead now.

 Netty

I'd guess change it if you fancy a change if not enjoy the one you have. i'll bet the dealer would be more than happy ££££££ is what he'd see

Quote: Originally posted by oomin on 02/10/2006

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I have had two caravans.  One was written off in an unforecast hurricane when only three weeks old!  The replacement caravan is now 18 months old, and still looking good.  It has a three year parts and labour warranty, and a five year water ingress guarantee. Husband and I saw a nice new caravan last weekend, but it does not seem sensible to change it yet.  Of course the dealer is keen for us to do just this, and it is a lovely van...  Is there an optimum time to keep a caravan before part exchanging it for a new one?

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Yep, about 15 years.  :-)

the dealer will be keen as heck

you will be giving him money for the new van and he will be getting proffit from your old one too after all he will tell you its second hand and only worth xyz......then he will tell new buyers its only 18 months old used for 2 weeks as new and get just a smidgen under the new cost for it

why change your van now if it meets your needs keep it

how much are you gonna loose on your 18 month van and how much is your new one gonna cost? add them together and devide by number of weeks you have had away in old one.....this will tell you how much its cost you per week to holiday in your van unless you have serious issues with your van why change and loose money?? unless money isnt an issue to you

I don't know that there is an optimum time.

When we got married in 1994 we bought a 4 year old 'van.

Traded it in in 1995 for a new Bailey and lost nothing.

Kept the Bailey till the back end of 2004 when we traded it in for a 2005 Abbey - lost about one third of the Bailey's value in 9 years.

Hated the fixed bed in the Abbey so traded it in at the back end of 2005 for a 2006 Swift.  Lost about 3 grand on the Abbeys new cost.

My father passed away in June (at only 63 very suddenly) so we needed to trade the two berth Swift in to accomodate my mother who still wants to caravan sometimes.  So have just traded the 2006 Swift in for a 2007 Abbey.  Lost about 2 and a half grand this time.  We also sold my parents 2005 Bailey Senator Series 5 (for the reason stated above) privately and lost about 3 grand on its new cost.

If you want to change you 'van and can afford it I say go for it.  It is going to cost you but what price do you put on the buzz you will get from changing??