Aah, I'm 37 (young enough) and as Alec says, its mainly to save having to tow it about. I like the idea of being in one place for 2 reasons - we use the van more often because we don't have to think about booking up in advance, we can just go on the spur of the moment. Most weekends, weather allowing. And the 2nd reason is that my kids are still relatively young - 6 and 8, and when we got our first van they were 3 and 5 (or is it 4 and 6??)......anyhoo, they aren't allowed out at home (busy road) and I like the fact that being in one place, they know everyone, everyone knows them and they know where the van is if there's a problem.
We can let them go off and have their freedom (its a relatively small site) without worrying about where they are and who they're with. If I was on a different site every weekend, I'd be following them around all the time, especially on a busier site.
Why not get a static in that case? I don't like the idea of being stuck to one site with no choice. As the kids get older, they might well want more facilities (ours just has the basics) and then we can just find another site or start towing. Plus if the site fees get too high, or we fall out with the owners, we can just take her somewhere else (easier said than done in Pembrokeshire with the waiting lists!)
The reason we picked park resorts is it has a pool and park and entertainment ,and we can leave the awning up all the time. so all we have to do is drive down after work and all is set up ready and waiting........................
1st awning stayed up from March to Oct but the ground sheet had to be lifted .... we used a thick tarp (large cardboard boxes flattened - due to bad drainage on site) and breathable ground sheet ..... backing up the breathable went in the van - the boxes lifted and placed on table, to dry out lol - and the tarp folded and hung from awning roof rails to dry - and every now and then we scattered grass seed ..... being on the same spot for 3 seasons the grass dies
2nd awning were only allowed if you were sleeping in the van
both sites allowed the leccy to stay connected - 1st at extra charge - 2nd was includes in the pitch fees
Quote: Originally posted by Karen13 on 01/11/2007
Why not get a static in that case? I don't like the idea of being stuck to one site with no choice. As the kids get older, they might well want more facilities (ours just has the basics) and then we can just find another site or start towing. Plus if the site fees get too high, or we fall out with the owners, we can just take her somewhere else (easier said than done in Pembrokeshire with the waiting lists!)
Karen
A static would be lovely, but the very price of them stops us going into it any further. We live on the south coast already, and want a site within easy travelling distance in the summer (it can take an hour or more to just get from Bournemouth to Poole in the season). East Devon is ideal for us, 60 miles away, an hour on a good run, but up to 2 hours in high summer. The problem is that everyone else wants to holiday in this area too. £35-45k is the norm for a static van, and often more for the sites with more amenities. Then there's the site fees, water rates and electricity charges on top of that. You are restricted to buying and selling 'vans through the park owners. Most sites have a fixed life on a van too. There are a couple of static sites near to us, which are selling second hand vans - average price is about £25k + yearly fees, with a maximum life of around 5 seasons remaining on that site. After that, you have to remove the van from site. If you want another van you have to buy from the park owners. The expense is horrendous at those rates. If you sublet to recover some money, there's a whole new minefield opened there!! Anyway, you want something for your own use, not to make a living out of it do you!
Jenny I believe from our site owner that 4 sites in the Torquay area ceased to offer seasonal pitches and the area is full of peeps seeking new sites. This of course is driving up prices and waiting lists are horrendous.
Good luck in your search, luckily we are seasonal from next March and can't wait to put the large awning up and leave it up, awww, bliss.
Quote: Originally posted by Dorset Belle on 06/11/2007
Quote: Originally posted by Karen13 on 01/11/2007
Why not get a static in that case? I don't like the idea of being stuck to one site with no choice. As the kids get older, they might well want more facilities (ours just has the basics) and then we can just find another site or start towing. Plus if the site fees get too high, or we fall out with the owners, we can just take her somewhere else (easier said than done in Pembrokeshire with the waiting lists!)
Karen
A static would be lovely, but the very price of them stops us going into it any further. We live on the south coast already, and want a site within easy travelling distance in the summer (it can take an hour or more to just get from Bournemouth to Poole in the season). East Devon is ideal for us, 60 miles away, an hour on a good run, but up to 2 hours in high summer. The problem is that everyone else wants to holiday in this area too. £35-45k is the norm for a static van, and often more for the sites with more amenities. Then there's the site fees, water rates and electricity charges on top of that. You are restricted to buying and selling 'vans through the park owners. Most sites have a fixed life on a van too. There are a couple of static sites near to us, which are selling second hand vans - average price is about £25k + yearly fees, with a maximum life of around 5 seasons remaining on that site. After that, you have to remove the van from site. If you want another van you have to buy from the park owners. The expense is horrendous at those rates. If you sublet to recover some money, there's a whole new minefield opened there!! Anyway, you want something for your own use, not to make a living out of it do you!
Jenny
Couldn't have put it better myself! The owner of our site has the same rules regarding who you buy off etc and the fees are double the tourer rate, couldn't afford them if I wanted to. They have you over a barrel - best stick to a tourer. Plus its more fun - I'd sit on my butt with a newspaper all day in a static, with the tourer I'm more inclined to sit outside or play with the kids - not so much room to lounge about, static is too much like home!
Couldn't have put it better myself! The owner of our site has the same rules regarding who you buy off etc and the fees are double the tourer rate, couldn't afford them if I wanted to. They have you over a barrel - best stick to a tourer. Plus its more fun - I'd sit on my butt with a newspaper all day in a static, with the tourer I'm more inclined to sit outside or play with the kids - not so much room to lounge about, static is too much like home!
They all charge more or less the same rates as each other because they all belong to the same organisation (British Holiday Parks Association or something) and they set the rates (and rules) when they get together at their meetings.
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: Seasonal pitch advice
