you're all going to be really fed up with me and my questions before long! But I don't know anything about caravans so I'm picking other peoples brains before taking the plunge.
What i wondered this time was, whats the avaerage life of a caravan, I know things will vary depending on how its been looked after and where its been stored. but I just wondered how long does a caravan last?
fin
------------- the differnce between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits
20 years. You can easily spend £20k on a caravan so depreciation £1000 per year averaged over it's life. Add on the cost of maintenance, insurance etc. Its an expensive holiday before you even move it off your storage plot unless you use it often.
Vans before 1985 are reasonably rare on the road now . Mine is a 1978 model and I will see very few as old or older on a trip . Mid 80`s are quite common but 1990 seems to be the watershed for a reasonable ``old`` van .
Taking account of all those with a short "life" the average is probably around 15 years, although if you take out accidents a well cared for caravan should last 20 or more years.
It also depends what sample you are using, e.g, how long will a new 2011 caravan last on average or what is the average age of caravans still on the road.
My van is was 20 years old. Outside has lost a bit of the showroom shine but inside as new. Just sold it on and bought one that is 11 years old. Outside is nice and shiny and inside you notice the cushions have a lot more life in them. Apart from that I would say it depends how it has been looked after
No janx I think Helens Holli and mini really are that colour, arnt they just amazing I would love a holli van just like hers 'awesome'
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
My thinking is running along the same lines as Fiona's - I reckon in general if you back about 30 years the caravans then were much better built, I doubt the newer ones will last nearly as long as those used to.
I'd also plump fpr 20 years or perhaps 15 being the average age of caravans still on the go( & servicable for touring) nowadays. Our one is a 1995/1996 & the last one was about 20 years old.
On our storage site which is an old mill there are some vans that are only taken out for two weeks a year unlike ours which is used for 100+ nights a year so which one will last longest?.........
Mine is 1982 and still going strong. Had a few probs with damp and other stuff when I first bought it but now mostly sorted out and just the maintenance to keep up. But you have to do that anyway,,, I find the older the van gets, the more you have to do to keep it in running order as things start to wear out.
Quote: Originally posted by Janx on 04/8/2011
Helen just looked at your gallery pics...are your van and car really that colour? I suspect it's an 'enhanced picture'.
No it's not an enhanced picture - Wilma (Mini) and Holi (caravan) really are that colour!!
Wilma is used everyday for work, school run and shopping and Holi gets regular outings - she is equally bright inside too!!
ours is an '82 avondale , to be honest she's showing her age a bit now, 1 or 2 little dinks externally ( they were there when we bought her) , the original decals are faded too and some of the vaneer inside is a little worn but she's still bone dry, warm, comfortable and easy to tow,
my missus has done a great job decorating the interior, ( twice now in 12 mths ), so the old tin tent looks really good for it's age so not in no hurry to 'upgrade' just yet,
i'am looking tho'
------------- no tin tent outings booked as yet ,just another cruise in Sept' booked so far
Quote: Originally posted by Janx on 04/8/2011
Helen just looked at your gallery pics...are your van and car really that colour? I suspect it's an 'enhanced picture'.
No it's not an enhanced picture - Wilma (Mini) and Holi (caravan) really are that colour!!
Wilma is used everyday for work, school run and shopping and Holi gets regular outings - she is equally bright inside too!!
They are lovely
------------- the differnce between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits
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: Whats the average life of a caravan?
), so the old tin tent looks really good for it's age so not in no hurry to 'upgrade' just yet,
