Buying Static Caravans real experiences...

Welcome to your section of the site. Real life experiences of buying and owning static caravans by you...

1st November 2007

My husband and I bought our static holiday caravan just over a year ago and enjoy it so much that this season we have lived in it 90% of the time. The first tip I would give any first time buyer is to choose your site carefully as you are investing a lot of money in your caravan and the last thing you want is to love your van and come to hate your site – it is expensive to move a caravan. My second tip would be to buy a new caravan straight off, if you know that you like caravanning then buying new from the start gives you more years to enjoy your van as most caravan sites will ask you to replace your old caravan when it gets to the age of about 15 years.

All “caravaners” are a friendly lot, we help each other whenever we can and are always ready to offer a cup of coffee and have a “natter”, so if anyone is thinking of buying a caravan just make sure you also have a kettle and a jar of coffee!!!

Sylvia.

31st October 2007

My husband and I have had our static caravan for nearly 12 months now on Abbey Farm caravan park in Lathom Lancashire. It is very quiet and friendly and spacious. During our stay there I have realised how many people are eager to buy a holiday home and believe me once you find the site that suits your needs then keep your hopes up, it does take a lot of luck.
Finding the caravan you like is the easy bit, ask the site to keep you informed of any new pitches or available caravans for sale, getting onto the park is the most important thing and also the hardest.
Get to know someone on the site to also keep you informed of any interesting developments.
Buying a static is the best thing I have done and the most important thing is USE IT.
I am lucky enough to be not far from work and that could be something else you need to think about.

Mrs K

29th October 2007

We have recently bought a static caravan in North Wales. The ease of buying was really surprising. We bought a 2 bedroomed caravan on Marine Holiday Park and the only things i can complain about is the lack of kitchen cupboards and the steep site charges of £2700 per year, otherwise everything else is fine.

Tracey

27th October 2007

We bought our first holiday home this year and it was the best move that we have made. We have a 3 year old son so going abroad would be a nightmare with all the stuff that you have to take, now we just grab a few things and off we go to the caravan, everythings already there. Our son loves it he thinks its a huge adventure! We have a fantstic caravan at Warden Point on the Isle of Sheppy which has views that you'd normally pay a fortune for, they're amazing. We've definately no regrets and theirs definately no downfalls.... We'd recommend this to anyone, it's the perfect holiday at any time of the year for all ages!!!!

Lesley

26th October 2007

My husband and I have had our static caravan since March 2007.

On reflection from our very short period of owning a static we consider that the most important thing to consider is the site and its facilities, e.g. quiet site which is secluded and no club or entertainment or one which is a very busy commercial type site; sub-let statics, daily entertainment and clubs.

At the same level of impotance as far as we are concerned is the actual pitch location (the view, how close you are to the next caravan), then comes the standard of the site fees, rent, gas, electricity, water and refuse, followed by how amenable the site management are.

The other main point to consider is the variety of places and attractions what are in easy reach of your base (no more than 1hour 25minutes), and how far you are prepared to travel to get to your static from home. The quicker and easier it is to get there the more often you will use your van.

Christine

26th October 2007

We have just had our first year in our new caravan & have thoroughly enjoyed it. We came upon our site by sheer good fortune (I happened to see it on the website), we came down for a visit & fell in love with it immediately. It is “Highlands End Caravan Park” situated on the clifftops above Eype in Dorset.

We have had lots of family & friends come down to stay with us throughout the year & they all consider us to be very lucky to have such a beautiful location to come down to. The whole area is kept immaculate & conservation is a very high priority, it can also claim stunning views out to sea from the clifftops. Although it is a very peaceful place to escape to the site can boast an indoor heated pool, a pitch & putt green, a children’s play area and an excellent bar & restaurant serving reasonable priced drinks and mouth watering cuisine.

Christine

19th October 2007

I have recently purchased a new caravan on Cardaniel Caravan Park at Tally-bont Nr. Barmouth - the site is heaven on earth if you want peace and quiet with an amazing view of the sea and mountains. Barmouth has many beautiful attractions, magnificent scenery. I am now near retirement and have been going to the same holiday camp since I was very young. My caravan is smaller than I would have liked only one bedroom with a pull-down bed in the lounge, but the site owners friendliness and be lovely camp site does not make me want to look at a larger cheaper option which I know is available.

19th October 2007

Hello, I’ve recently bought a static caravan in the New Forest and have listed my tips below:
Ensure you are happy with the pitch, we felt this was of utmost importance.
Go halves with a friend, saves pots of cash and you still get more than enough time in the van.
Get the biggest one you can afford. You may spend a lot of time in it if it rains.
Explore the holiday park thoroughly before you buy, some have entertainment and pools etc.
Check for areas of damp in the van, check the bathroom and under the sink in the kitchen and under the beds, these places can be damp sometimes.
Be wired in. Our van if fully wired into the electrical supply and water mains.
Ask if the site will prepare the van for the winter for you, this could save a lot of bother.

Paul S

19th October 2007

We bought our Caravan in March this year and have not looked back. Its great on a Friday night just to pack up and go. We have made it a real home from home and just love being there away from all the stress, the phone ringing and the door knocking. Its even better when we are able to go for a long stay and we find it so relaxing. The sea air does wonders for a good nights sleep. Its not always peace and quiet though as the family love it too and often pop down to stay with us, but then I suppose thats nice having the room for them and of course the facilities on site suit us all with plenty to do for everyone. The only downside is that the season is nearly over for this year and we will miss going there so much but hey...Roll on Next Year!!!! I would recocomend to anyone thinking of buying a Caravan holiday home to go for it and hopefully you will never look back too.

Sharon

19th October 2007

1) Location, Location, Location
And I don’t mean the holiday park. Find an area geared up to the age group of the people you wish to entertain.
Most locations favoured by older generations are not the best place to take your young children and vice versa.
Find a location where people with common interests are flourishing.

2) Decide on your budget before visiting any holiday parks.
There is nothing worse than being shown luxury locations or accommodation if they are outside of your price range and then being shown what is hidden around the back.

3) Crime and Security
Don’t forget your holiday home will sit empty most of the year. Purchasing a holiday home in a location filled with board delinquents is asking for trouble. “Weston Super Mare anyone?”

4) Health & Hospitals
If you enjoy healthy outdoor activities are prone to illness or an elderly couple. Picking a rural location miles away from hospitals and heath care may not be advisable.

I have attached my top tips to be included in your website.

Kind regards,

Gareth

18th October 2007

The best advice I can give to anyone looking for a static van is to remember that what they are buying is a " lifestyle change". It becomes far more than simply a place to spend a few weeks holiday and its a perfect antidote for a stressful work and busy home life. Think of the many planned and impromptu weekends you can have where you can spend quality time with your loved ones away from the distractions of home. You can spend as much or as little as you like or can afford. When it comes to getting away you can choose exactly when you come and go to avoid traffic hold ups and to suit your life, rather than working to holiday companies schedules. Arrive early, leave late and there's no hours of waiting at check in or lost luggage to contend with. You can take real advantage of good English weather and make your stays as busy or as relaxed as you like. Dine out, dine in. Spend time touring with your static as a base or find somewhere where everything is on your doorstep. Its your choice.

The above has been our experience since we purchased our static van on the Snowdonia coast last year. Since then we have become young grand parents and now we are looking forward to taking our granddaughter on many holidays in the future. So this lifestyle change and choice has been good for us and our ever extending family.

Mr R

16th October 2007

I bought a static caravan in Cumbria in September last year.

I didn’t buy it through a published advertisement, but from a friend of a friend. My first problem was to discover whether the price was a fair one. There isn’t, as far as I know, an equivalent to the various car pricing guides available on the market, and I couldn’t get much joy from the internet, so I had to assume that the price was fair, partly because I was informed that the seller was a reasonable individual. I contacted him, and he agreed that I could spend a night in the van to try it out, which I duly did. My next problem was to know what to look for. I thought the site fine; the facilities were limited, which didn’t concern me, since I assumed that was reflected in the rental - again, I was at a loss to compare this until later conversations with my new neighbours.

The site manager then informed me, politely, that what I had done (buying direct from the previous owner) was not standard practice, and that she had people lined up to buy the caravan. I was genuinely ignorant of this procedure, but the site owner later (I believe) received her percentage from the former owner.

Then, as to the mechanics. Though not of a technical bent I managed to operate the gas and reconnect the water supply, but again there was much trial and error.

Buying it, however, has proved an excellent decision. It has been used extensively by family and friends, which is exactly what I wanted anyway, as well as by me. Although nearing retirement age myself I was surprised to find that I had reduced the average age of caravan owners on the site quite tangibly, but I have enjoyed the experience and I would unreservedly recommend this kind of holiday acquisition.

So, problems: price comparisons difficult, both of the caravan and the site rental.

Availability of technical support and guidance

Advantages; holiday location available whenever required

Quick and easy to maintain

Children just love caravans

Gordon