Message Forums

We're having to sell our lovely perfect caravan :(

I've put it on the freeads on here and the Caravanclub and will put it on ebay on Tuesday. 

My dh has been off sick for a few month's and we don't know when or even if he will go back.  He has IBS.  He will have an accident often which is where the caravan came in so handy.  When we were travelling we could stop and he could either use our loo or get changed if needed.  His work don't want him back.

So obviously without a job we can't afford to keep the caravan.  Just to service it each year is £200 and then the insurance is another £300 odd a year.  So she will have to go to another family who will be able to enjoy her.

We are sad to see her go but there are worse things in life and that is how we are looking at it, really if that is the worst thing at the moment then we really are extremely lucky.  I know the IBS is not a nice thing to have happen to us but i am not squeamish and we have learned to live with it and there are so much more serious illnesses to cope with than this.  We were actually greatful to be diagnosed with IBS as at 1st they said it was Chroens Disease.  Poor DH was devasted when he was told that but then they said that it was IBS he was really pleased.

We hopefully won't have to give up camping as we can get a trailer tent or tent but not sure how we will make that work for us even with a portapotty.  But we are very good at adapting so hopefully will make it work :)

I'll still be on here reading how everyone is getting on and probably giving out loads of advice as usual lol

I am so sorry, is there no way you can keep it, maybe by using CLs or CSs with facilities? At least, as you say, it isn't life threatening.

Anne

Really sorry to hear that.  At least the health issue isn't as bad as it might have been.

If you can, just take a couple of weeks to think about it.  It might turn out there will be a way to keep it.  Otherewise, put some of the proceeds into an older caravan, and that might leave you with enough cash to pay insurance and servicing for a while.  Better an old caravan than no caravan.

Also, CLs are ever so much cheaper, so you might be able to make savings there.

I wish you well, whatever you do,

Jim

Hi Jeanie

i am very very sorry to hear your news you all must be very heart broken.

Please dont make any rash desions would your life / critcal illness not cover the morguage and the van?

Try not to sell the van untill next year so you can acheive a better price.

All the best  

Oh no,  Ashwell girl I've not been using this forum for very long but already picked up just how much your caravan holidays mean to you, I am so very sorry to hear this bad news. How horrible your husband's employers can't be more understanding & try to work out some way of keeping your husband on, even if in a different post.  He must feel pretty demoralised.

The bright side as you've so sensibly said is it could be so much worse, his health is the most important thing of all, but neverthless your stoic attitude does you credit - it's far from easy losing your main or only income, especially in this way.

I'm another who hopes you won't rush into selling - you never know what's round the corner, & something good just might come along .... Hold on to your caravan as long as you can. If you do have to part with it though, there are as you know, much worse things you could lose. Good luck to you both.  

oh no, I know how much you love your van, I hope you manage to sort something even if its a cheaper van

Thank you all so much for your suggestions and sympathies :)

We have thought long and hard about selling the 'van and though we know how hard it will be to see her go we know that we really don't have any choice.  Yes we could find lower insurance if we didn't go for new for old cover and we could find a mobile servicer but it will still be over £300 a year.  Just for her to sit there looking pretty.  We've never wanted a 'van that we couldn't use and have never understood why anyone would have a 'van that they never used.  We've worked out our budget and we just can't justify keeping her :( 

We can get a trailer tent or tent and can have the contents insured under our household insurance for no more than it is now.  We'll only be able to go away for 1 maybe 2 weeks anyway so we'll only miss her a little bit then.

This is only for now and hopefully things will be better in the future and we'll be able to come back to caravanning :)

Thanks again

Just looked at the van you are selling,rather than not have a carry a van at all why not down size,maybe a older van or less births.

That way you can still enjoy you hols.I think you would find camping hard work compared to having a van.

ps sorry for the situation this has left you in.

Really sorry to hear you're in this situation.  You've obviously thought long & hard about your decision.  I so hope things turn out well for you & your family in the long run.

In the meantime, just felt I had to say I love your outlook & attitude to life.  Even when things are tough you can stay positive & look on the bright side.  Good luck to you - you deserve it.

So sorry To hear of your situation. When my wife died suddently I was going to get rid of my van but I did'nt and so glad I kept it now.Things may change as it did for me. All the best and I hope you and hubbie the best...John..

So sad to read this. I know how much we get attached and it sounds like caravanning is ideal for you.

I agree with the posts about downsizing. Compile a list of all the ways you could save money and carry on with it.

Hope you find a solution.