Getting away from the discussions about who tows what with what and back to the original question, "caravanning will stay affordable to all" for exactly the same reasons that any other holiday pursuit, type, destination, whatever will stay affordable to all. That reason is because there are way too many folks making a dammed good living out of it for them to worry overly much about a road tax hike or whether some grass goes yellow.
The vast majority of sites in the UK are CL sites earning a bit of pocket money for farmers whose main business lies elsewhere. At 4 or 5 quid a night and none to luxurious on the amenity front, they are the backbone of British Camping and will always remain the cheap and cheerfull reason why so many folks find our way of holidaying so atractive.
It is only when we come onto the regimented Club or Commercial Caravan Parks that problems of size, price or rules start discussions and dissent.
Between Wild Camping areas, CL Sites and Club temporary holiday sites, there is no holiday pusuit cheaper than camping/caravanning and even for those that like a bit of luxury, they can pay a bit more and have that too.
Camping and Caravanning is and always will be Affordable To All.
Rather than hugely unpopular car tax if Gordon Brown wanted to reduce carbon emmissions here are two very easy suggestions
1.Production of any light bulbs other low energy to be phased out
2 All electric appliances be produced with an automatic stand by cut out after say 15mins. inactivity. The "Green " issue in years to come will be seen as one of the great modern swindles. Thousands of firms and consultancies are already getting very rich
Harold B
Harold,
LED bulbs are the future and in a few years time they will be capable of dimming, far more efficiant over that of low energy in your home, car or caravan. I think i saw that Australia is banning the standard bulb after 2010 in favour of LED light bulbs, so invest in a company in China making LED bulbs....there u go top investment tip for free
------------- Regards
Mick + Tina
Good Bye To Our Abbey Spectrum 520, Hello To Our Elddis Crusader Cyclone
Are the "bulb police" going to come and check what we are using? We have a load of bulbs to use up, we use them where we have dimmer switches, as we have put low energy ones in most of our fittings.
And will it apply to the lights in the caravan too?
See, I was right, lots of people out there do seem to hate anyone driving a 4x4. When did we become a target? What are we doing that is so wrong and why does it bother them all so much?
Emissions from cars and road transport generally are only a small percentage of the emissions for this country as a whole - its just another excuse to target the motorist again. Ah ah, you say, but those rich folk who can afford a luxury car can afford it, and you'd be right, but would you call a small 4x4 a luxury car?
For those of us with cars registered before March 2006 this massive hike in VED will not apply but what will happen when we need to replace our motors in a few years time? This will obviously have an affect on the cost of our hobby if you need a substantial car to pull the van. After all, the tow car is often the most costly item for caravanners and "substantial" cars also seem to be those with the highest CO2 emissions = higher rate VED.
Incidentally,4x4s are good for towing a van, don't care what anybody says, and as has already been pointed out here, more than useful sometimes to have four wheel drive when pulling the van to a pitch across a wet campsite.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.