Rose Tinted Spectacles?

[noviceandknowit]

Hi.

 

Please accept my apologies if this post is 'too long' (and dull) and/or in the wrong section.

 

I have a couple of questions but it's probably best that I first offer some background info for context.

Like many, I'm separating. It's all good but the point is, I've chosen to 'live' in a caravan rather than live alone in the family house. I don't want to sell and I don't see the point of renting some other house - else I may as well stay in the one I have.

 

I have a good job (and commute to/from London) and therefore when I say 'live in a caravan', I guess what I really I mean is I'm putting my 'head down' weekdays and spending time repairing my marriage at the weekends. There will be weekends where I hope to use the caravan for family getaways / a retreat - perhaps once or every other month.

 

Therefore I want the caravan to be practical and sturdy, warm and big. I like the idea of a twin axle for the space. If I'm going to live in it and use it for family stuff, I don't want to feel 'restless' or limited.

 

I'm budgeting £23k (finance) for the caravan. I've used 23k because I'm thinking of buying the new 2015 Bailey Unicorn Barcelona and, well, that's what they cost. Rationale: new warranty - better peace of mind, good heating, proper shower etc. Is this a good caravan for the lifestyle that I have in mind? I've sat in it and I 'feel' comfortable in it. I guess my fear is that I might be buying something that's good for 3 or 4 holidays per year but not a day-to-day 'van (if such a thing exists)

 

Unfortunately, I have little 'real' money for the car. My budget is a max of £8k. My current car (Skoda Octavia - which I love) isn't up to the job (from what little I know about Kerb weight / 85% etc. and how this might affect towing the caravan that I have mentioned) and therefore I am thinking either '07 Volvo XC90 or similar reg Grand Cherokee. It has to be auto (as my wife will be using it as the main family car during the week when I'm not using it - and she only has auto licence). I understand that mpg will be a lot higher generally but I'm more concerned about reliability and safety.

 

I've joined both caravan and camping and caravan clubs. I intend to pitch up on the smaller CLs for most of the time, venturing out and about (to stay on the more distance/scenic/family friendly sites) as and when the family opportunity exists. I know I will need to move on every 28 days but there's quite a few sites in and around Botley (Hampshire) to make rotating seem possible / practical.

 

I like the idea of pairing down my possessions. In fact, looking back, i've wasted so much money on meaningless pap! I like the idea of having the freedom to move about should I need to. I'm looking forward to using the caravan for the traditional family trips.

 

Am I wearing rose tinted spectacles?

[chad]

'Just Do It' enjoy every minute, good choice of van

[sleepyfolk]

As far as living goes the van will be fine, personally I would go for an older van due to the hassle with warranty claims and teething problems that many people seem to get and use some of the money for a better towcar and less finance.

Although our van is getting on as a 2005 model - you may well be able to get a 2010 or so, ours has been relatively faultless apart from normal running repairs (gas regulator/ battery charger) which is more than can be said for the 18 month old car!

 

If you get a van that is just a few years old it will have had any warranty issues sorted and if you make sure it has a full stamped service history you'll be doing as much as you can for peace of mind, remember to also do a CRiS check (like a car HPI).

 

My gas bill for the past year has been £40, site fees at £300 a month, £15-20 on mifi broadband, now saving towards a V8 towcar with the surplus income!

 

Go for it, it's a great lifestyle

[lesbunny]

Sorry to hear of the seperation & good luck with the weekend reconcilliations. As you will be "circulating" on CL's within commuting distance to London, you may find some of these close for winter & not all have electric hook up - so a new Barcelona ( or any van with built in solar panel on the roof ) would sound like the right way to go to me. I would also invest in a good awning to double your living space ( if you can find one the right size, a second hand Isabella would be my choice ).

 

You will find lot's of helpful people on this forum to ask questions on anything caravanning - Good luck.

[wigelywoo]

When insuring your caravan, check to see if the cover allows "Living" in the caravan,. some don't. ,

[WispMan]

I agree with sleepyfolk and buy good s/h, save the VAT and put it in the tow car. Do keep us up to date with the news as we care and we are a nosey lot

[John W]

Buy a second hand van, save a fortune and use the extra for the car. The extra money left will sort a solar setup, about £500 for a 200 watt system fitted. You can then use the CL sites that are £5 a night all year, find 2 you like and just stop at each alternating 28 days.

 

It's a fantastic lifestyle, I have a friend who does it and couldn't be happier.

 

Oh and invest in a safefill bottle too, cheap gas!

[Clears]

Some excellent advice and I think buying second hand allowing you to budget more for the car is a great idea; you could still get a great van for much less than buying a brand new one. Keep us posted

[Capricorn12]

My advice would also favour buying a second hand van of about 3 years old. Any older may mean less luxuries which are required if semi permanent residence is anticipated. This could mean a saving of £6000 which could be used for the car, which normally has to be more reliable than the van. Best of luck with the relationship and if all goes well and the van has to be sold the loss will not be as much as a new van.

[macafee2]

go for second hand. if your trying to save your marriage what happens if you buy new and don't save it?

macafee2

[wigelywoo]

John W

 

You can then use the CL sites that are £5 a night all year, find 2 you like and just stop at each alternating 28 days.

 

Can you do this with the Caravan Club. It breaks the 60 day "Residential" rule with the Camping and Caravan Club.

 

Now, I'm not saying this doesn't happen. And I'm not saying if I know it does

Edited September 13, 2014 by wigelywoo

[DeeTee]

John W

 

You can then use the CL sites that are £5 a night all year, find 2 you like and just stop at each alternating 28 days.

 

 

 

Can you do this with the Caravan Club. It breaks the 60 day "Residential" rule with the Camping and Caravan Club.

 

Now, I'm not saying this doesn't happen. And I'm not saying if I know it does

Caravan Club CL rules state CLs are for recreational touring purposes only. Also sites cannot allow a caravan or motorhome to be unoccupied on site even for a day or two -'storage' requires planning permission.

[Durbanite]

When insuring your caravan, check to see if the cover allows "Living" in the caravan,. some don't. ,

How will they know if you are living permanently in a caravan? We lived in our 2004 Lunar Lexon 640 for over 2 1/2 years with 4 dogs and cat and had no issues. Post was directed to my father's address and vehicles and driving licence also at the same address. I agree hardest part was insuring the caravan so told a "white" lie. We stayed on one site for 11 months of the year.

[a13est]

Hi.

 

Please accept my apologies if this post is 'too long' (and dull) and/or in the wrong section.

 

I have a couple of questions but it's probably best that I first offer some background info for context.

Like many, I'm separating. It's all good but the point is, I've chosen to 'live' in a caravan rather than live alone in the family house. I don't want to sell and I don't see the point of renting some other house - else I may as well stay in the one I have.

 

I have a good job (and commute to/from London) and therefore when I say 'live in a caravan', I guess what I really I mean is I'm putting my 'head down' weekdays and spending time repairing my marriage at the weekends. There will be weekends where I hope to use the caravan for family getaways / a retreat - perhaps once or every other month.

 

Therefore I want the caravan to be practical and sturdy, warm and big. I like the idea of a twin axle for the space. If I'm going to live in it and use it for family stuff, I don't want to feel 'restless' or limited.

 

I'm budgeting £23k (finance) for the caravan. I've used 23k because I'm thinking of buying the new 2015 Bailey Unicorn Barcelona and, well, that's what they cost. Rationale: new warranty - better peace of mind, good heating, proper shower etc. Is this a good caravan for the lifestyle that I have in mind? I've sat in it and I 'feel' comfortable in it. I guess my fear is that I might be buying something that's good for 3 or 4 holidays per year but not a day-to-day 'van (if such a thing exists)

 

Unfortunately, I have little 'real' money for the car. My budget is a max of £8k. My current car (Skoda Octavia - which I love) isn't up to the job (from what little I know about Kerb weight / 85% etc. and how this might affect towing the caravan that I have mentioned) and therefore I am thinking either '07 Volvo XC90 or similar reg Grand Cherokee. It has to be auto (as my wife will be using it as the main family car during the week when I'm not using it - and she only has auto licence). I understand that mpg will be a lot higher generally but I'm more concerned about reliability and safety.

 

I've joined both caravan and camping and caravan clubs. I intend to pitch up on the smaller CLs for most of the time, venturing out and about (to stay on the more distance/scenic/family friendly sites) as and when the family opportunity exists. I know I will need to move on every 28 days but there's quite a few sites in and around Botley (Hampshire) to make rotating seem possible / practical.

 

I like the idea of pairing down my possessions. In fact, looking back, i've wasted so much money on meaningless pap! I like the idea of having the freedom to move about should I need to. I'm looking forward to using the caravan for the traditional family trips.

 

Am I wearing rose tinted spectacles?

Yep!

[John W]

Caravan Club CL rules state CLs are for recreational touring purposes only. Also sites cannot allow a caravan or motorhome to be unoccupied on site even for a day or two -'storage' requires planning permission.

Yes, that may be, but as long as you are discreet and everyone is happy who cares?

 

Lots of the CL sites I use let people do this so it's not impossible.

[barrychas]

Delta Towner says they told a white lie over insuring the van. ..well from my own experience if that insurancecisnt perfect in every way you might be committing a fraud if claiming . ...and they look for any excuse to duck out of a claim.

Or have I misinterpreted your post.

[DeeTee]

Yes, that may be, but as long as you are discreet and everyone is happy who cares?

 

Lots of the CL sites I use let people do this so it's not impossible.

I for one care and probably the Caravan Club cares, as it is thanks to their's and the C&CC's efforts in lobbying the government in the 1960s that the certification scheme became enshrined in Planning Law.

 

CL's can and do lose their certification as a result of breaches of the terms and conditions. This leads to a reduction in the number of CLs in the network which is a loss for regular touring recreational Club members. Not all neighbours of regular caravan sites, CLs and CSs are happy about their presence in the neighbourhood and will sometimes report to the local authority any breaches of certification or planning licence.

 

Without the certification exemption from full Planning consent all clubs would have to find suitable land to lease or purchase and apply for Planning consent for new sites which may or may not be granted, in order to increase pitch numbers to make up the loss of certificated sites.

[MalH]

Hear hear!!!

[screenman]

You have wasted money on pap, and you want to get back in debt. Not learned from it then less way less than 50% of that money would buy you something habitable.

 

Do not forget, when money goes out the door love goes out the window.

[Durbanite]

Delta Towner says they told a white lie over insuring the van. ..well from my own experience if that insurancecisnt perfect in every way you might be committing a fraud if claiming . ...and they look for any excuse to duck out of a claim.

Or have I misinterpreted your post.

Nope just neglected to mention it and they never asked so no fraud. Caravan is actually safer than when in a CASSOA Gold Storage site so we have never understood why it is so difficult to insure a caravan if living in it permanently.

I for one care and probably the Caravan Club cares, as it is thanks to their's and the C&CC's efforts in lobbying the government in the 1960s that the certification scheme became enshrined in Planning Law.

 

CL's can and do lose their certification as a result of breaches of the terms and conditions. This leads to a reduction in the number of CLs in the network which is a loss for regular touring recreational Club members. Not all neighbours of regular caravan sites, CLs and CSs are happy about their presence in the neighbourhood and will sometimes report to the local authority any breaches of certification or planning licence.

 

Without the certification exemption from full Planning consent all clubs would have to find suitable land to lease or purchase and apply for Planning consent for new sites which may or may not be granted, in order to increase pitch numbers to make up the loss of certificated sites.

There are many commercial sites that will allow you to live in your caravan 11 months of the year which is better than moving every 30 days especially in the winter when it is raining, snowing and freezing cold. At least if on one site for the winter you can make arrangements to stop the water pipes from freezing up.

[DeeTee]

There are many commercial sites that will allow you to live in your caravan 11 months of the year which is better than moving every 30 days especially in the winter when it is raining, snowing and freezing cold. At least if on one site for the winter you can make arrangements to stop the water pipes from freezing up.

Commercial site which permit almost all year occupancy of a pitch can only do that within the terms of their licence.

 

Seasonal pitches of about seven months occupancy are also subject to the licence conditions. In recent years it appears that some terms have been extended so that a seasonal pitch can be occupied for eleven months.

[Muddywheels]

I lived in a caravan for a year back in the 80's while saving up for a deposit/mortgage on a farm that wasn't registered with cc or ccc and loved it.

 

I know a ccc site nr Oxford that is open all year round and has permanently lived in vans for years and well over 5 vans constantly so inspection/enforcement appears to be a lottery.

 

My cousin lived in a caravan a few years back on a farm while working for Airbus for couple of years.

 

I hope one day to spend as much time as possible living in a caravan and touring - the rat race is over rated

[Pebble]

There's a difference between full timing and long terming. I'm assuming the OP has an address where he'll be on the council tax list and electoral register. If that's the case, what's to say that he can't stay forever how long he wants on a seasonal/all year pitch? Surely it's just like having a very long holiday? On many seasonal pitches, there's rules and regs that don't apply to those touring, for example, no washing lines, nothing to be stored under the 'van, awnings to be taken down if you're away or at the end of the summer season etc, etc. .

 

Even if there's a 21 or 28 day rule on some private seasonal/all year sites, most, under their licence terms, only ask that you, not the 'van, vacate the site for 48 hours.

Edited September 14, 2014 by Pebble

[Pebble]

Am I wearing rose tinted spectacles?

 

No, not with the right planning, homework and research .

 

There are some 2014 'vans out there, brand new and a good discount off new.

[kobelcokid]

Sorry to be negative but if you cant sort your differences at home then you got no chance in a caravan, i tried this 14 years ago and it failed miserably BUT i was living in my Olympus Pearl which was no Hilton of caravans .

 

In fact i nearly froze too death !!!

 

And that made me want too . .................... the EX .

 

Ste