The Bottom Line?
Well all the other posts and topics seem to have missed the point. We started caravaning as it was cheaper than Hotels, B and B's, static vans, running a camper van etc, better than tents and/or trailer tents. You are towing your own bedroom/kitchen/lounge etc, its cheap accomodation. Whilst tents/trailer tents are more likely a personal choice kinda thing the way to make it cheaper is simple. Do not spent 22k on a new caravan and use it twice a year, make sure your tow car is sensible. We have a 20year old van, and a 1.5derv Renault Scenic, road tax 120£, the car is the family car it does more miles as a family car than towing. The van spends more time in storage than on site. The price of your van is critcal in the holiday cost/over van life. So to with the choice of car, no point in driving something that will raise the Titanic if you caravan now and again. If you are non stop towing, and out every other weekend a 1.1 Peugeot 106 5door may be great for the school run and trips to the shops but you'll not tow much. So the point is really its all a balancing act. If you stay on a site with loos and washrooms run off the battery, if you have the choice. Be sensible with the choice of car, and balance the cost of your van against its use. So far we have had 3 out of 5 holidays in our van, a few DIY niggles but thats it. Dora will shortly have paid for her self against our previous holidays or those considered or viewed in comparison. It would not have been as cost effective if we had spent 10k on a van. Further more its a tourer, no point in staying close to home. I mean you can do that in a day without a van. Bio diesel, bio rubbish, where does it come from, how much does it cost to make and where do the raw materials come from, by ships that burn 30metric tonnes of fuel oil a day - false economy, so many labouring under same false understanding that anyone who has got a Toyota Prius is. If CC sites are too expensive then there is a massive choice of others to choose from with a range of facilities, from non to the full monty. Its a bit odd to complain about site costs and be a member of the club. Do Lotus Owners in the Lotus Car Club complain about running costs??
My tip, the tip, be sensible as you would at home. If I was that worried about saving money I'd be in a tent, simples, really isn't it. Everything else frankly is common sense. Or have I missed the point to making it cheaper..........................?