I have wanted a caravan for some years now, and since getting my latest car, a Ford Mondeo 2.0 Lt, I knew it could become a reality, so towards the end of last year I started looking around for one. Being in no mad rush I took my time until I found one that suited my requirements, layout, budget constraint, etc., and was within sensible distance to view. Finally towards the end of June I saw what I was looking for, it was a Elddis Tornado XL, 1990 model. Advertised on EBay, but eventually bought privately. Excellent condition and within my budget. Now I have used caravans before and being employed in agriculture for a good part of my early working life had no qualms about towing or reversing, so I was all set to go, but no hang a minute what about all the other things I would need.
First thing was a full service.
Then because I have a Westfalia tow bar, decided to fit a Alko hitch, but then had to buy a Alko stabilising kit so that it would fit the caravan tow bar.
An Alko hitch lock
A new Bulldog wheel clamp
A new leisure battery
New shelves for fridge
Then today a visit to Camping and General in Canvey, to buy a porch awning (the caravan came complete with a full awning), a waste carrier, levelling ramp set, rock pegs and many other necessities.
Luckily I had many things left over from my camping days, but totalling up what I've spent since purchasing the caravan it still comes to just under £1000. And to think I haven't been away in it yet.
Wyn, where have you been hiding for the last few years ? Good to see you posting again. Congrats on getting civilised with a van, hope it all goes well. The initial outlay is a bit pricey especially if you do it in one hit. We seem to accumulated loadsa kit over the years and havn't really bought anything new for ages, have to steer her away from Camping International at Gillingham, if I let her loose in there it's fatal. I'm trying to think of the name of the site where we all met up with Caz etc, the vineyard place in Sussex when you fetched the strawberries, happy memories !! Don't know what happened to Caz, I think that was the last meet she organised and she seems to have disappeared. Maybe she'll pop up one of these days. We're sadly lacking in south east meets now, maybe we should be looking at something. Anyway, keep us posted on how it goes.
Mick (And Taffy Joan of course)
Hi Mick, great to see you again, and the site was called Hidden Spring, and it was a great weekend. I have been around but had nothing to really post on here but as you can see I've started up again.
You right we are seriously lacking in meets in the South East, and so many lovely places to go to. And before you ask, no don't ask me I have enough on my plate already...lol
Ooh camping and general on canvey hubby dreads letting me lose in there wanted an inner tube for jockey tyre on Sunday thatvisit cost over ,£60 as I went and got an inner tent for the 260 porch awning and a solid tyre will the spending ever end ! ! have spotted some really comfy isabella reclining chairs at ,62 each just working out how they can become essential camping gear
------------- Live life to the full you are a long time dead
Yeah we have three steps and eight chairs for the awning, we use two everyday and one or two more with visitors. Why have we eight??
Also two inner tents because one was too small for new bed.
Two water pumps, one for spare (had that for nothing).
A pop up tent from before we had a inner tent.
Extra tables we don't use,
Extension leads, how many ??
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: First time costs
