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A bit of a spin off from the retirement thread. My own retirement is drawing closer and a campervan is on the horizon. I've written off getting a caravan but I'm not sure why. They are a lot cheaper and we already have a car that can tow so why is a campervan the answer? I'm happy that it is, but has anyone tried both and found one really didn't work or worked better than expected? Or is it all a an Instagram lifestyle dream and you are better off just getting a hotel or Airbnb as and when and not having the campervan bills? Very happy for the thread to include pictures of campervans (or Travelodges) 🙂
We have this recurring thought about Campervans v Buildings.
The only way a van makes sense is to buy 2nd hand.
IMO camping fees are fairly significant, as is all the faff involved.
What happens when ICE vans are banned?
For me the size of van I would want, it would be too big to park/drive easily, so then you end up towing a car, which is all just a bit silly.
Edit: The other thing you missed is buying a super yacht or holiday home/apartment. I dont know anyone who has bought a superyacht, but I do know people who have bought holiday houses. Its something I would never do as, without exception I have never know anyone who hasnt ended up regretting buying a holiday home as it limits where you go on holiday.
All options have compromises, so just pick the ones you can live with.
Different use case but we've gone from campervan to caravan to big tent - each worked at the time we bought them, but circumstances change... T5-sized campervan with pop top was great when just Mrs a11y and me: plenty of space, convenience being the size it was for touring around, stopping off enroute, etc. Arrival for 2 x mini a11y's ended that: now too small, lacked storage and a generally a hassle for anything more than one night away. Swapped to caravan: cheap, loads of space, comfortable, ideal for longer hols but not convenient for short trips. Killer for us was lacking storage to keep it at home, requiring storage at a dedicated facility a 25min drive from home (costly and time consuming as well as inconvenient for loading/unloading etc). Now onto a huge tent which again is great for longer hols but has the obvious downsides of being a tent.
As a family I'd still favour a caravan over a campervan (assuming use is more on longer hols than weekenders), but if just for a couple then a T5-sized campervan with onboard toilet would be my choice. It comes back to compromises though.
We have a campervan (converted Trafic) and have occasionally thought about something bigger (with a toilet) but the cost is such that we're sticking with what we have and spending the upgrade cost on other types of holidays.
The Trafic was bought when we lived near Edinburgh and we were regularly using it for ad hoc weekend trips. Since moving to the Scottish Highlands, more of the places we'd want to visit are close enough to reach in day trips so it's not used so.much.
The Insta dream of off-grid parking up has largely gone as there are so many campervan and motorhomes trying to squeeze into the same spots. Campsites are usually less crowded as they have legal limits on pitch density.
We need a second vehicle still and a motorhome would be too big for regular use (like parking at Aldi).
Caravan would require additional storage space. We don't have a drive big enough and storing it somewhere else costs more and is less convenient for a quick trip.
We still enjoy going away in the campervan though. It's a nice place to chill in and has flexibility that hotel/B&B/self-catering often lacks.
For me the size of van I would want, it would be too big to park/drive easily, so then you end up towing a car, which is all just a bit silly.
100% this – I was having this very conversation with my brother at the weekend (we were on a motorway following a camper towing a car). For all that campers have some benefits (easier to drive than a car + caravan), that is mitigated when you then tow a car behind it. Why not just have a car and caravan then there is no noise (drivign a camper drives me mad with all the rattling of stuff) or, as mentioned in the OP, not bother at all and just drive somewhere and pay for accommodation.
I love the idea of a van, T5 or custom size, no plans to wild camp so don't need a loo or shower. But I wouldn't want to have to keep a couple of bikes outside on a rack, so I'm then up to Sprinter/Crafter size.
Came to the conclusion the romance isn't worth the cost. Premier Inn/Travelodge are cheap and secure and plentiful. This week I've got 4 nights in a one bed lodge with Hoseasons that let's me keep the bike indoors and has a hot tub for £80 a night. If my mate was free we'd have got a 2 bed for £90 a night.
Pragmatism has crushed my dreams. But I was cosy in a proper bed when I woke up to rain this morning
We had a camper van, Renault Trafic for 2 years. It was excellent great little van, easy to drive, good for quick get aways and long trips too. However, you were always a little squashed in it and sat close to one another, although the awning helped. We’d probably still would have had it but we had an itch for an motorhome after a taste from the campervan.
My mother took ill last year needing heart surgery, I also also was due to retire and my eldest brother later this year. It was a shared van amongst us all. With my mother getting older and taking ill it would be difficult for her to use the rock and roll bed, pop the roof and it as mentioned always felt cramped without the awning.
When heading to the hospital one afternoon for a visit I seen loads of small motorhomes heading north, with that I thought “**** it we are upgrading life is too short”. It took a few months of looking and shopping about but we got a Elddis 105 secondhand with very low mile for a great price. It is also easy to drive, a little wider and a good bit longer than the Trafic but not huge. It has everything in it, including a shower and toilet.
Go for the campervan as they can be used easily as a daily vehicle too, it may give you a taste for motorhome though. Enjoy what they open up for you.
What happens when ICE vans are banned?
Nothing, it’s new ones that are being banned.
Nothing, it’s new ones that are being banned.
Yeah but how long before national parks bring in low emissions zones etc. These big heavy modes of transport are not the most eco friendly
We've had caravans for about 14 years, was great as the kids grew up for a holiday where you stuck it on a pitch for a week or 2. We have done a couple of touring holidays (moving on every few days), which were fun, but quite hard work with all the setup / set down. Kids are now late teens and the caravan is up for sale, with a view to myself and Mrsnre getting a campervan that will fit the bikes in the back, so the 2 of us can do more of a touring holiday where we move on every day or 2. This is much easier with a camper with onboard water and waste and bikes 'onboard'.
When we first looked at getting a caravan I created a spreadsheet to look at costs vs hotel/self catering, and the result was that camping didn't save an awful lot, but we went for it anyway, as we like the outdoor life and it was great for the kids to have some freedom on sites as they grew up. Campervans are so expensive you definitely don't go down that route to save money, you have to want the freedom that they (hopefully) bring!
After 15 years of campervan ownership, we're selling it and going over to using AirBnB/holiday let/statics.
Really loved having the van (T5 SWB), it worked brilliantly for the two of us and previous dogs, but current dog is too big to fit in it (old dog used to sleep in the front footwell, this one won't fit). Plus, it spends most of it's life just sitting on the drive.
It basically also comes down to how much you'll use it. The fixed costs for insurance/servicing etc are about £1000 a year. Add to that, when you do go away, you have site fees of about £30 a night anyway. So for our, say, four weeks use a year (one two-week holiday, a one-week holiday and then odd weekends), that's another £850ish. So there is the thick end of two grand that could otherwise be spent on AirBnB/holiday let/statics, and at a rough £100 a night, that's 20 nights of the aforementioned four weeks a year covered anyway.
Then there is also the cash raised from selling the van, hopefully £8-10k, which can also be put in the holiday pot for the next few years.
We skirted around buying a caravan instead but basically came to the same conclusion (sorry NBT...)
Saying all this, in about seven or eight years we will both hopefully be retired and, well, the dog will probably be dead... At that point we may look to get some kind of van again as we'd take it to the continent and live in it for weeks on end.
We bought this camper nearly 10 years ago, after many years of renting them. My view that we wouldn't camp very much was proven right, but the format is flexible enough that it served as our main vehicle for 5 years and then as an indispensable part of the family furniture ever since. Many miles, many smiles.
All options have compromises, so just pick the ones you can live with.
Very much this. I own a static caravan an hour's drive away in a beautiful part of a Argyll. It's a comfortable home from home I use most weekends and for occasional longer breaks. The upsides are significant convenience in just driving a car (or cycling) there & ease of use on arrival; everything is levelled and connected. Double glazing, central heating, dishwasher, Netflix etc etc. There are no storage worries and packing for trips is simple; food and clothes. It's largely stress free but the compromise is that it's quite expensive and rooted to one spot. This for me is worth it as it's a beautiful area with lots to do.
Couple across the road own a motorhome that they keep at home. They've had to build a 2nd driveway, with EHU, to store it. It's quite a slow, lumbering thing. Big enough to be comfortable and have a loo / shower but a worry on single track roads or when manoeuvring on site. Their upside is that they can and do go all over the country in it. If it's wet in Argyll, they can go to Galloway or East Lothian. For them, the faff of booking sites and setting up on arrival are worth it to satisfy their wanderlust.
I'm not sure how the buying and running costs of a large static on an expensive site versus buying and running a large motorhome to various sites compare but once fees, energy bills, insurance and safety checks are factored in, neither will be cheap.
You'd get a lot of hotel or B&B stays for that kind of outlay.
Nothing, it’s new ones that are being banned.
Yeah but how long before national parks bring in low emissions zones etc. These big heavy modes of transport are not the most eco friendly
They’re not exactly eco-friendly no but I have severe doubts that national parks will bring in ULEZs, it would right off 3/4 of Northumberland to vehicles that don’t meet.
I keep mulling this over as well and look at Crafter sized campers for the extra bit of comfort.
The prices are pretty high really and are a lot of hotel nights!
And,
If you do not wild camp , then camping fees need to be factored in, some places shut off season as well.
A bigger camper is a better on site, but less easy to use when out and about and maybe a faff to set up and set down of you go out on day drives not to forget the parking at a destination village shop or similar!
The image of van and wild camping is being spoilt by the few who leave a mess and puts me off that.
Premier Inns can be got for good rates booked well ahead.
Vehicle depreciation/ costs maybe a factor as well.
We mix camping and hotels at the moment, i think the prices for campers is too high to justify unless you can really afford it.
I can see the reason why caravans are so popular.....but cannot see myself being a caravaner (at the moment). You can hire statics as well not that we have and not really looked at that mkt (yet).
When we camp we can cook/eat in our van and sit in it if the weather is cooler or inclement.and the tent sort of stakes our turf in the campsite as well.
Maybe hire a camper and see if you enjoy the experience.
Smaller vehicles and day type vans are more appropriate for us and serve us well at the moment. Fits in car.park bay in Tesco and we can sleep in it as well if we want to.
But have you seen that Sven Hedin vw 😍....
If we are retired will we really use a bigger camper more? and the site fees will add up as well. Its a hard one.
Our trusty old van may soldier on a bit longer yet.
Premier Inn/Travelodge are cheap and secure and plentiful.
That last bit really depends on where you want to go. Looking at a map showing PIs and TLs, very, very few are anywhere I want to visit 😉
I have also been thinking about this recently and don't think I can justify the cost of the a camper when you still have to pay £30 per night for a campsite, that goes a good way to a cheap hotel, airbnb or a room above a pub.
Another option that I looked at is a tent box. Easier to pitch than a tent, takes up less space in the car/van and significantly cheaper than a camper.
Premier Inn/Travelodge are cheap and secure and plentiful.
That last bit really depends on where you want to go. Looking at a map showing PIs and TLs, very, very few are anywhere I want to visit 😉
Same feedback from me, very rare that I want to go anywhere that is populated enough to warrant building a premier inn. If the town is big enough to justify the permier inn, I normally worry about security of my bikes and kit in the carpark.
It basically also comes down to how much you'll use it. The fixed costs for insurance/servicing etc are about £1000 a year. Add to that, when you do go away, you have site fees of about £30 a night anyway. So for our, say, four weeks use a year (one two-week holiday, a one-week holiday and then odd weekends), that's another £850ish. So there is the thick end of two grand that could otherwise be spent on AirBnB/holiday let/statics, and at a rough £100 a night, that's 20 nights of the aforementioned four weeks a year covered anyway.
then you've got depreciation and cost of capital on the camper van.
I asked the question on the other thread- what are the real cost per night of ownership (and what does that work out per night) over a few years? Someone must have worked it out.
When we first looked at getting a caravan I created a spreadsheet to look at costs vs hotel/self catering, and the result was that camping didn't save an awful lot, but we went for it anyway, as we like the outdoor life and it was great for the kids to have some freedom on sites as they grew up. Campervans are so expensive you definitely don't go down that route to save money, you have to want the freedom that they (hopefully) bring!
what did you work it out at? I can't help feeling you get to the point of spending £200+ a night to sleep in a small uncomfortable bed with a view of a load of other camper vans most of the time. It definitely makes loads of sense if you've got kids but I'm just not getting it.
Someone's talking about camping in Ainsa in Spain in another thread. It's £40 for a 2 person pitch. A really pretty nice hotel in town, with great bike storage, is only £70.
I've done both. Started with my campervan 11 years ago, absolutely the best fun we've had was travelling to europe a couple of times, using it for regular weekend trips and days away. Then we realised that we wanted more comfort and a bit more space to move around. So we bought a caravan, a very light Sprite Alpine 4 berth that my Yeti could tow quite easily.
We need to have it in storage, this costs £400 a year, but its only a 10min drive away and close enough to the A1 to be heading North or South quickly.
Sites have gone up in cost in the last 2 years, some quite significantly. We enjoy the ability to move around the UK to favourite areas and new places, it only takes around 45mins to be set up and a full size bed and mattress every night is pleasant.
When I first started looking at Motorhomes and panel conversions 11 years ago you could buy something 4-5 years old for £30k now you start at £20k for something 20yrs old, prices have rocketed following covid. Campervans are very practical and easy to drive and park (and put bikes on the back of).
Just from another perspective, I've never considered getting a van or a caravan, when the kids were young it was just me & the 3 boys, definitely no cash for such things anyway & realised if we hired a cottage it would be like at home where I had to do all the cooking and cleaning, so we camped and ate out each night 🙂 The mondeo hatch swallowed all we needed for the four of us, could even get four bikes on the back with a rack. At one point I bought a trailer when the boys were bigger but to be honest didn't use it that much. Now with just me & Mrs dB both around 60yo, whether cycling, motorbiking or driving we would camp, B&B or hotel, no need for a van of any sort camper or otherwise, even the tandem goes on the roof of one of our V40 or Mazda 3, so no big car required. The outdoors can still be enjoyed without the use of a big box on wheels 😉
The Scottish Highlands hotels and accommodation are so expensive now in the summer season so that may influence a decsion as well if you plan to visit alot which we would do.
But you can get some good self catering deals at times off.season at less rip off prices in Scotland.
We tend to use Premier Inns or similar hotels enroute not as a destination to save money and if attending an event within range of a short drive or just a shorter break they.do tend to be by motorways or in industrial estates and very few Scotland etc.
I am not sure the future of Air b.n b is releable with housing shortages etc.and starting to cause friction in some areas.
All things to consider as well.
Yeah but how long before national parks bring in low emissions zones etc. These big heavy modes of transport are not the most eco friendly
With that attitude there's no pint in doing anything or buying anything, as soon it will be obsolete, broken or banned, may aswell not bother....
No, get out there and enjoy the things you like/want while we can do it.
Then complain about it after
I am not sure the future of Air b.n b is releable with housing shortages etc.and starting to cause friction in some areas.
This is something we keep in mind. We try to be really careful and only rent stuff that is true 'holiday' accommodation (like statics, chalets, converted annexes, that kinda thing), not little cottages/houses that would otherwise be someone's home.
v normal camping in a tent? Well that's what we mostly do, but add in some holiday cottages/gites/airbnbs from time to time. One advantage of camping is smaller, more remote sites that do not cater for caravans or campervans. We do have a van though, but it's just a kombi and not converted into a camper. We had thought of doing that when the kids were older/did their own trips, but we are just going to sell it instead and go back to a lightweight approach, small tent, small sites, car only. That's how we used to tour the country/Europe and it was fine and hopefully that's what we'll do again now we are older.
but I do know people who have bought holiday houses. Its something I would never do as, without exception I have never know anyone who hasnt ended up regretting buying a holiday home as it limits where you go on holiday.
I am currently sitting in our holiday home which we have had for 18 years or so, we both agree that without doubt it has been the best purchase we have made.
Being about 10km from the Wild Atlantic Way and inside the Ring of Kerry camper vans are common and becoming more of a nuisance; people crapping all over the place when “wild camping”, “wild camping” in general, blocking up streets and carparks used by local residents, usual stuff. They probably bring some money to the local economy but less than those using B&Bs and hotels. It’s just a problem that comes from living somewhere nice but not a lifestyle I’d fancy.
Air B&B has just been hammered here by the government, planning permission is now required to run one throughout the State so that might hit availability.
Mine is different to many as i spend 25+ weekends a year away camping, however they do have limited facilities at most, including food usually. However 90% of the time we cook ourselves. Due to size of van, price of vans/campers we've gone down the tents/gazebo route, but we're in the same place from Fri>Sun usually as it's at a race event.
Sometimes we do Airbnb it instead though as the weekends are pretty long and hard in the tents when it rains a lot. I guess a XLWB with an awning for ease would tick a lot of boxes for us and it's something that may happen next year, but that depends on a lot.
The downside being i can't find something i'd want for less than £35k.
This is something we keep in mind. We try to be really careful and only rent stuff that is true 'holiday' accommodation (like statics, chalets, converted annexes, that kinda thing), not little cottages/houses that would otherwise be someone's home.
I do think about this when booking places and there has without doubt been an explosion of short term lets in recent years.
It is more nuanced in some areas though. Quite a few seaside towns were Victorian purpose built resorts with more accommodation than local residents can use. I live somewhere that has a lot of holiday accommodation and while some could be homes for people a lot of them were derelict in the 60s and 70s. It is only an increase in domestic holidays that has seen some of them refurbished and returned to use.
I grew up with a lot of caravan holidays and the thing that struck us was that we could set up for a week or three and easily drive off to do day trips and whatnot, campervans on the same site had to pack up loads of gear to do that, or tow a smart car or something. I think the length of stay/style of travel you want is a big factor in which way makes most sense. We were a family with loads of 'stuff' and an awning of course, if you're going lighter in a smaller camper it's not such a big deal.
Have deliberated this, whilst my sister just bought a small 4 berth motor home. I like some comfort, but a T5 sized camper van might be the answer for daily use - park somewhere nice, maybe stay away with dog, use overnight before a race (slept in the car in Saturday night and it didn't end well). Don't want to tow, but think having something on the drive (and it's not a big drive) means it will get used. Booking AirBnB is an excursion in itself. A second/holiday home has been an option, but that's really for full-on retirement.
How is a T5 for a daily driver? I drive very little anyway! Kids have left home, but eldest would soon be back to "borrow" a camper van!!!
I think you should add motorhome to the list as it's markedly different to what I would call a camper van.
I have a VW T4 which I absolutely love. Together with all the kit I've built up, I have absolutely everything I need for a long weekend/week. But need to pay campsite fees as like to have toilets and showers. It was brilliant when the kids were little and as teenagers we had an awning which made it useable (if grumpy teenagers actually wanted to come along!). Now it's just me and the wife, as its an LWB it's the perfect size if we keep things organised.
Along with the ability to just get away when we like the thing I most enjoy about it is that it 'forces' us to be more active and spend time outside. Just sitting and having a tea or a beer outside when the weather is 'ok' which we wouldnt do when at home. It also enables us to explore new areas for hiking and biking.
Mind you, the van is 25 years old now and I bought it before the explosion in camper van prices so only cost me c£8k. I'm not sure I'd be paying the ridiculous prices that people do now for campers (esp with the VW tax for T5 &T6).
Depends... (I haven't read the thread so this may have already been said).
Where do you want to go and how much planning are you putting in to things?
We've got a Citroen Relay, it's the perfect size to still be able to get everywhere in, takes 2 bikes, kitesurf kit, skis / snowboards, us and a cocker spaniel.
The bonus for us is the flexibility to just jump into it with zero planning and without the hassle of finding dog friendly places. It's always pretty much ready to go, takes 30minutes to load bikes, food and clothes and head off.
We use it loads from just the odd night away in the Tweed Valley to ride for a day to 3 week long trips to the Alps, to ride or snowboard. We usually have a loose plan of where we are heading but tweak it on the way based on the weather, where friends might be or the snow forecast.
If you want to go and stay in one place for a week at a time then you're probably better off in hotels / B&Bs, we could have a lot of hotel rooms for what the van cost us.
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Or is it all a an Instagram lifestyle dream
Well it's not all glamour, sometimes you have to pour away your poo
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Oh, I see that replies aren't loading agin then 🙄
How is a T5 for a daily driver?
Absolutely fine, mine was my daily driver for years when I was commuting to work
I've owned one of these for the last 14 years, small enough to park at Tescos and fit on a normal drive, big enough to stay in for extended periods. Currently worth about 8k more than I paid for it and around £1300 a year running costs (tax,mot insurance etc)
https://ireland.apollo.olxcdn.com/v1/files/wjj78ebb3vmk-PL/image;s=1000x700
We've got a transporter, but as a family of four it's a bit of a squeeze. I really don't think I can justify going bigger. As time goes on large vans with only two people in the doesn't really feel like part of the solution. In fact this summer the van will drive us to Slovenia*, and the we will be off bike packing for 5 weeks.
* I know that's hardly part of the solution either.
How is a T5 for a daily driver?
It's fine. It's mondeo sort of footprint anyway if you go SWB. High up so good visibility. Air con, sunroof, usual car stuff. SWBs fit in supermarket carparks, LWBs overhang a bit.
Mines up for sale in the classifieds, but not converted. Fancy a project?
Have a big caravan that I'm currently using for working away - we will also use it for a week or more away. The whole faff of getting it out of storage, towing it to wherever, setting up, de-camping, putting it back in storage makes it far too much hassle for a couple of nights here and there
Just bought a T6 which is ideal for just me and Mrs STR for the odd night. I'd happily do longer, but she's not too keen. Will be taking it to the local festival this year rather than lugging the caravan and will be perfect for biking trips away with the lads
i think the trick with a van is to use it a lot.
If you use it as often as you would stay in a hotel (a few times a year?) then by the time youve paid campsite fees, tax, insurance, mot, you might as well have a bed and not have to cook your own breakfast.
but if you have the van, you can go away EVERY weekend, for cheap, or even in the week. i know people who go camping from work, local spot they know, beers in a pub that isnt the local, early morning swim off the beach, and back in time for work the next morning.
Caravan: bigger space (sometimes?) than a campervan. Having the car seperate to explore whilst you're pitched up is a massive plus. Loads cheaper to buy.
Campervan: easier to drive/navigate small roads. Can park at a beach and watch the sun set, take pics for instagram etc.
Best option: buy a Porsche and stay in hotels.
How is a T5 for a daily driver?
As a van, brilliant. As a camper van with a bed, hob, fridge etc in it, absolutely useless. Bikes struggle to go in it, trips to B&Q for big stuff you have the same problems as a car, passengers in the back if a fixed bed are sat 10ft away from you etc. All that stuff in it weighs a load as well.
Best option: buy a Porsche and stay in hotels.
Well after Saturday night, I can't recommend sleeping in a Porsche - even on an inflatable mat. But race started at 04:30 so hotel was hardly worth it for three hours. But this I can relate to:
Can park at a beach and watch the sun set,
I keep a log of nights away. We have had campers and a caravan since 2003 and added up over 1,100 nights away. We got the caravan in 2012 and still have it accounting for over 760 of the nights away. They both have there place so it is a matter of working out what you need or replace your current car with a camper and get a caravan. We tow with a small camper.
Campers are great for short breaks, it is much easier to have a meaningful last day of a break in a campervan. Caravans usually mean heading straight home. They are superb as a day van to make trips to scenic areas much better. A place to relax, get changed have lunch or a cup of tea. Small vans work for two big vans can be a pain to use but have their place for the right type of holiday.
Caravans are a much more comfortable home from home. If you have space they can be an excellent addition to the home. Ours lives in the garden in summer and our daughter uses it two nights of the week and my wife uses it one night to get away from action film night in the house. In winter we have started to put it on a seasonal pitch that we use every other weekend, Christmas & New Years and Easter. Insurance and maintenance is cheaper for a caravan. When on holiday we really like to explore in the evenings so having the car to get out and come back to a ready made bed really works for us. Maintenance is far less stressful or expensive for a caravan especially as a camper gets older.
Neither are really cheap holidays. We paid £9k for our caravan brand new which is unheard of now, it is still worth half of that at least so the capital cost has been low but insurance, maintenance and pitch fees obviously add up. But there are very few occasions when I would rather be in a hotel
As a van, brilliant. As a camper van with a bed, hob, fridge etc in it, absolutely useless. Bikes struggle to go in it, trips to B&Q for big stuff you have the same problems as a car,
One advantage of not going for a pre-built campervan and going bespoke is the ability to change the layout. With our Trafic I can still fit in two bikes lengthwise and long items from B&Q aren't an issue either. This was always a key requirement for me.
Bit of everything here.
We were 'given' a static by the in-laws some 12 years ago. They's had it about 6-8 years but were getting older and couldn't go as much - given by the fact we picked up the ground rent and insurance etc whilst they still went to it occasionally. We did use it alot though, and the kids enjoyed it. Roll on 10 years and we got the 'you need to upgrade or go' letter. Looked at nearly new statics and for £35k plus they weren't a patch on our old one (top of the range Willerby Aspen). So we decided to leave. Ground rent, insurance and bills were £5k.
So we decided for 2024 it would be camping and hotels and a couple of overseas holidays. Still cheaper than £5k, and we did about 24 nights under canvas, 6 nights in hotels, 14 nights overseas.
I was 55 early this year, so took 25% tax free out of a couple of 'spare pensions' that had done well. My car was great, but at 22 years old, it was old. Looked at motorhomes, campers, large cars, vans and people carrier vans. Camping meant the cars were full to the brim and only two of us could travel (tent, bikes, kayak/sup).
Motorhomes - too big to keep on my drive, and too long for the parking spaces next to the house - can't use as a daily.
Campers - mega bucks for an old vehicle, and most were pretty underpowered. New were silly money compared to what you get in a motorhome.
Vans, would need insulating to sleep in but cheap.
People carrier van - hang on..... huge spec, sunroof, front/rear air con, powerful, loads of space, can become a van, or 'part van', insulated, classed as a car (important where I live with potential emissions charges)
We already have a nice cotton tent and camping gear.
Remember, there are compromises with all.
Went with a people carrier van - Vauxhall Vivaro Elite (3 year old - can't get newer dino juice versions as all electric with poxy battery), all leather, 180 bhp, 40 mpg, seats come out. Really drives like a car. Fast.
So we now still do hotels, still go abroad, camp with tent (3 nights or more) and sleep in van (one or two nights). We have a bed system from Van-Gear that lives under the parcel shelf, and we just remove two chairs (went with the 3+2 seat option, not the 3+3 option as the double seats weigh a tonne).
Can manage a small site without a porta potti, but bought a Decathlon awning (cheap) as a solution for bad weather and ability to take the loo, especially on larger sites.
Pros, can use as a car, loads of space and seats inside, very well equipped and a real mile muncher. Despatches steep hills without any issue in Wales. Down side, a little cramped in headroom when sleeping in it as bed system folds over the existing seats. That's it.
Very versatile as it can carry much more than a camper, and is properly classed as a car, some campers aren't.
This year has been testing out the options with the van. Camping without awning, works well if weather dry, but no-where for a loo or to hide the bike (using ground anchor) and if you leave site for day may lose spot ? Awning - needed to be cheap and quick to put up, and freestanding. Decathlon Arpenaz Base - 2.5m square, can stand up in it. Goes up fast. Tested last weekend with daughter sleeping in the awning. Van not too full, but had kayak and SUP in it too as well as three people.
Away next weekend, van and awning, just two of us, minimal gear but EHU. Recently 5 nights in Bala, took tent, bike, Kayak - didn't fill van to roof (unlike the cars), and could see out all round - ideal on motorway. Another trip coming up in August - touring Wales. Taking tent for 3 night stops, sleep in van for single nights. A camper wouldn't take as much gear.
As mentioned, each option is a compromise.
And not being VW it was a heck of a lot cheaper, and much better specced, and more powerful. Engines seem reliable (2.0 HDI), Japanese 8 speed gearbox great, and parts availability very good and well priced. Service/MOT pack was cheap. I'll be keeping it long term.