How much a night?
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In 40+ years of touring, first in tents, later in a caravan, I never kept any records of costs. If we could afford it, and in our early married life it was touch and go at times, we would go. We'd be away for some 100 nights per year in recent years and even after we retired and bought our static we would still get away in the tourer for 50 nights a year or so.
It's only relatively recently when we've taken holidays further afield in February and October that we've cut down on touring. Last year we used the van for only about 20 nights. We reckoned the cost of storage, insurance and servicing finally outweighed the benefits of being able to up and go at a moment's notice.
So from now on we combine trips to Cornwall, with a couple of weeks in cottages and a couple of overseas trips in hotels. It works for us, still providing plenty of variety. But even now I wouldn't be able to tell you how much we'd spent a at the end of the year.
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In summary the benefits are best described as "intangible" and therefore difficult to put a price on. I recall from my banking days that "goodwill" turned up on balance sheets under intangible assets but from a banker's perspective was always regard as unquantifiable. We seem to have the same situation here.
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Some excellent replies, thanks for taking an interest and sharing your views. In actual fact cost doesn't really come in to my calculations either otherwise I wouldn't still have the 'van. It is it seems for most it's as much a lifestyle choice as anything else although perhaps those 100 nights a year users might baulk at the cost of doing that in a hotel.
Some of the benefits suggested I do challenge though... not dressing up for dinner for example. We don't usually wherever we go (Africa,Asia) and I think it's the one thing my wife occasionally misses. We prefer to spend our money on holidays abroad rather than eating out in overpriced restaurants for average food here in the UK. I'm also far more likely to eat outdoors when on holiday than ever in the caravan, that would be a rarity indeed, as it tends to be at home too. We eat most meals in the awning when caravanning, in fact we spend most of our waking hours in there too other than when out walking or whatever. Fortunately we both enjoy cooking so a typical night's entertainment is pre dinner drinks, a meal and a bottle of wine, post dinner drinks then bed! No drink and drive considerations for us, we just don't do it. We rarely bother with the TV preferring each others company instead and are often sat in the awning when the glow of all the neighbours TV sets is all around us.
I guess one of my biggest disadvantages is that I already live in one of the most scenic areas of the UK so finding somewhere comparable is difficult here in the UK and towing long distances is now something of a chore. We have tried cruises and they are not really my choice, too many people in a crowded space. Overpriced tours and rip off destinations.In some ways though they are the nearest alternative to caravanning tours, you travel to different places but your room is constant. Living out of a suitcase is indeed tiresome.
As for my now rather aged caravan, it was top of the range in it's day. Although by my own admission I have only paid one brief visit to a dealers in the last 15 years to see what was on offer, and usually toss the club magazine in the recycle bin without a page read so I am blissfully unaware of what a new van might have that I would desire. I do remember that when I first started 'vanning I would glean every scrap of information, read every letter and opinion published and buy every must have gadget. Back then many "long in the tooth" caravan owners would decry the modern additions, even down to electric hook ups in some instances. On the other hand I guess right now many years later I find it hard to understand why some people basically use their caravan as a portable bed and don't use the onboard cooking, shower or toilet facilities no matter how luxurious. Although I can see it would be nice to have your bed ready made up, my wife looks after all that and by choice puts ours away very day. A fixed bed with the corner cut away has no appeal and the sacrifice made in making one up every day is small compared to the space you lose or the extra size you have to tow to compensate for one. It's a personal choice of course and each to their own to decide. There's no way I want to use communal toilets and showers either!
Anyway, this year we are making a long promised trip to Scotland, a return after perhaps 20 years and to justify the effort and distance will stay there for a minimum 28 nights. It's surprising though, given a country of it's size how little provision there is for caravan sites, especially as many will remain closed all season in the far north where I aim to go. We'll see how it all pans out before I commit to another trip though!
In the meantime, happy trips everyone. Keep your distance and stay safe!
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It is it seems for most it's as much a lifestyle choice as anything else although perhaps those 100 nights a year users might baulk at the cost of doing that in a hotel.
In many UK towns hotels can double in price Monday to Thursday compared to weekends as they cater for the business users
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Back to the question of costs per night .
Motorhome hire seems to running at about £125 a night for a newish vehicle - so adding in £25 for a campsite you have a base figure of £150 a night for UK use, with fuel extra of course.
If owners of newish motorhomes were to add up depreciation, insurance, servicing and storage that's probably what their own vehicle is costing them per night too.
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Probably not far from the mark, certainly for our first year of ownership. However, we did plenty of research before buying and don't intend to replace what we bought. There is no reason it should not last us 15 or more years, if we are physically able. Once the initial depreciation is over, the figures will become a lot more acceptable.
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If owners of newish motorhomes were to add up depreciation, insurance, servicing and storage that's probably what their own vehicle is costing them per night too.
Disagree with that. Hire companies are probably writing off the cost over 3 years or perhaps even shorter.
Here is a real case, my ownship over 10 years of my first motorhome, an Autotrail, based on the actual part exchange price I got for it.
Cost of ownership
For those who maybe wondering what the total costs are to own a motorhome, excluding tax, insurance and depreciation, the costs of maintaining and repairing our Autotrail Mohican over 10 years of use have averaged £650 per annum. Insurance and tax costs averaged £513 per annum. Total running costs all depend on how much you use it, the more you use it the more benefit you get. As at the end of 2011, our total average annual expenditure was £4,860 for on average 100 days use a year. We rarely wild camp and have averaged 7200 miles a year with an average night stop cost of £10. Fuel consumption averaged 23.6 mpg which included towing our Micra C+C.In terms of cost per mile and nightly costs, this works out at 67p a mile or £48 per night but, if you include depreciation, this rises to 98p a mile or £68 per night. Costs of extra equipment, are not included in these figures. Not as cheap as some might think but still thoroughly enjoyable and good value for money
That was 8 years ago and i think my current motorhome, now 8 years old, is worth only slightly less than what I paid for it looking at the asking price of other similar second hand vans up for sale.
I have made no adjustment for inflation in any of the above.
peedee
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The C&MC. Been with them from the beginning. I have only insured the van for £4k and don't include contents as anything of value is covered on my home contents list.
I noted I got a 4 year no claims bonus on this years quote, not sure what the maximum is but I have only made one claim in 33 years and that was at least 25 years ago!
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