we have had tents then caravans now we want to settle in one place we have found a site and are going to look at a few statics today has anyone any tips and questions to ask the salesman ? as well as what to look for in a static that might be on its way out (so to speak) and is there a caravan surveyor person? (reasonable price ) also was wondering roughly how much static caravan insurance is ? any help ,advice is so grateful
There is a static section. Although I have stayed in statics a couple of times I am not sure what questions need to be asked when buying. With some sites they only allow statics under a certain age.
You need to clarify with the site what they accept and what expectations they have. For instance some will only allow you to buy vans through them be it pre owned or brand new ones. Some require you to scrap your van at 10 or 15 years old regardless of whether it is tidy or not to maintain their image.
Be totally sure you know what you can bring to the site before you go hunting. Also be aware of the costs once sited.
I really loved the idea of owning my static until i realised how much the site fees are even when you never use the caravan. i hoped to go there lots at the weekends and in the summer but never happened much due to work or lack of money. now hope to visit various sites in our tent and not have the worry.
Hi MAKINS, Have heard some bad reports, about sites as in snowy747 post, site fees, maintenance, gas, electric, community tax vary site to site, £800 to over £2000, vans having to be sold back to the site at a huge loss, vans moved way to the back of beyond after certain age, some sites allow you to rent out your van, and even guarantee you tenants for the first year, others will not, look into it very thoroughly before you take the plunge, as has been said it could turn out to be very costly, Good Luck in whatever you decide to do.
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I had a large tourer and it was very heavy. I struggled all summer to tow it, and needed a big car to pull it. I found a nice site that would let me have a pitch for the summer and storage for the winter.I would try the same.it was there for 12 years, so I was able to buy a small car as I didn't have to tow any more.You could try the same
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thanks everyone we went to a caravan park we both love + we know a family friend whos been there over 20 years we have stayed there before but we did spot a static and discussed the age thing the rule is we get a contract to keep it there 5 year no matter who owns the park as the van is 13 years now but it is squeaky and has been well maintained as we ourselves would of done there was a lot of add ons to be fair the ground rent is £2,300 but you can let out to family and friends which i would have to charge for then theres the elec twice a year then insurance why is it so expensive
Check whether your ground rent includes Water Rates. We had statics for nearly 20 years on two sites (not at the same time!) One included water rates in the ground rent and the other didn't. Your insurance will depend on whether you go for "new for old" or market value. If you can only keep it on the site for 5 years, it is likely you will get nothing back at the end - unless you then buy a much newer van from them. I had a brand new van in 2001 and got back about 20% of the cost after 7 years, in spite of the fact that it had never been let out and was in excellent condition.
Having said all that, we loved our statics and only gave them up because my mother developed Dementia and we couldn't leave her so the van wasn't getting used.
Check whether your ground rent includes Water Rates. We had statics for nearly 20 years on two sites (not at the same time!) One included water rates in the ground rent and the other didn't. Your insurance will depend on whether you go for "new for old" or market value. If you can only keep it on the site for 5 years, it is likely you will get nothing back at the end - unless you then buy a much newer van from them. I had a brand new van in 2001 and got back about 20% of the cost after 7 years, in spite of the fact that it had never been let out and was in excellent condition.
Having said all that, we loved our statics and only gave them up because my mother developed Dementia and we couldn't leave her so the van wasn't getting used.
yes the water rates are included in ground rent basically the rent is £2,300 per year then theres electric twice a year to pay, any gas bottles you use and caravan insurance we we goig to rent it out to family and friends to help us with the ground rent. we have done the tourer on a seasonal pitch the last 3 year and the fees at that park were near to £1400 so i just need some good positive vibes from you lot
A friend of mine has got one and loves it, they chose a park 1 hour from home so it's near enough for weekends & minimises diesel costs.
On the minus side though my inlaws had one & got fed up of going to the same place and they also lost 7k in 2 years on the value of the van, they've now got a tourer that's sited so they have the option of moving it & will hardly lose any £££.
A friend of mine has got one and loves it, they chose a park 1 hour from home so it's near enough for weekends & minimises diesel costs.
On the minus side though my inlaws had one & got fed up of going to the same place and they also lost 7k in 2 years on the value of the van, they've now got a tourer that's sited so they have the option of moving it & will hardly lose any £££.
hi esther1 the park we have chose in 50 mins away its at barnard castle (riverview) used to be eastlendings as i said we have done the trailer tent , luxury tent , starter caravan then a newer caravan toured around then put it on a seasonal pitch for 3 year so we wanted something a bit bigger on a nice park which it is its just all the added extras + the park is up for sale we know a few friends who have been on there some time but known our luck when the new owners come on it will all change again. i really appreciate all replys
We've just bought a static near Filey but only a smallish site with no facilities(60 vans) we didn't want a site with everything on because that's when the prices are high.Our Ground rent and rates are £1400 per year(10 month season) no Comm Tax
Electric runs on average £300 Gas 3 Bottles average £55 apiece for year
Insurance (New for Old) on a £38.000 van cost £280
hi, we own a static in France, on the Vendee - and consider it a great 'use' of our money (as opposed to an investement, which it certainly isnt!), to give you an idea of cost
annual fees 2100 euros (to include all facilities, 3 pools, fishing pond, grass cutting, water etc) van can be occupied 12 months of the year ( a couple of people virtually live there!! - though i wouldnt do full time myself!)
electricity around 90 euros per year
gas 30 euros per cylinder - lasts around 4 weeks (plus!!)
insurance - new for new - 90 euros per year (through a french company - we originally insured through uk company at 3 x that amount!)
the site allows you to bring your own van on site or you can buy from the site, or from owners currently on site, we bought a vsn in uk and had it shipped out. a 5 year old van in great condition for around £12k. it has held its value (and we have added some extras, decking, outside utility with washer/fridge freezer etc) and next doors recently sold for £14k and ours is newer, better and bigger, so if we sold we would get ALL our money back we have invested (we get asked if we ever sell to give people first option quite regularly) inc the cost of decking/utility etc, so unlike many sites in the uk AND because we didnt buy a brand new van, when we sell there is a chance we may get most of our money back.
no age restrictions so long as its tidy and washed once a year !!! there are some vans on that must be more than 20+ years old!!!
pitch size around 200 sq m's -
vans can be rented out (we dont rent ours though)
downsides -
cant use it every weekend - though doubt if we would anyway - we live by the seaside already and rarely use our beach hut!!! wife works in a school so we go every school holiday - when we dont use it the inlaws do, so i suppose in total it gets used around 12-14 weeks per year. it takes 12 hours door to door to get there and back at £200 inc ferries, though its only 40 miles from Nantes airport if we fly/hire etc
and the million euro question, would i recommend it - YES !!! but its not cheap, you could prob get 2/3 weeks away in a different location every year for what we pay, even more if you have a tourer, but it suits us - all i need to do is get the wife to join me in retirement and then we can spend even more time in the van!
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.
Topic: has anyone got a static caravan on here ?
why is it so expensive 
