The True Cost Of Caravanning

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Caravans, like cars can cost you any number you care to mention. It depends on your budget and how much you’ll use it. Assuming you’ve bought a caravan. Now what? What other expenses are involved.

You’ll need a few of things before you go on your first trip. But what will you need when you rock up to your first caravan site, without people saying “all the gear and no idea?” ( I’m assuming you have nothing but a caravan and a tow car )

If you’ve purchased one from a dealer, then they probably tried to sell you everything you need and really, it’s a flipping long list. You might already have some of the things you need, like, I don’t know, cutlery and bed sheets. In this case you can of course take some from your home with you. However, we find it a good idea to buy stuff specifically for the caravan, otherwise you forget stuff. Also, if your caravan is in storage, you’re bound to come home and leave stuff in the caravan you need.

Think about what you need when living in a house; water, electricity, a toilet, everything you take for granted you also need when holidaying in a caravan. Makes sense right? Of course it does, but I’ve lost count of how much stuff we’ve forgotten when going on holiday in our caravan, it’s embarrassing! Something silly like forgetting the TV remote control, is very annoying, therefore, making a list might be a good idea to start with.

Necessities

Water

Why do you need water? Well, apart from drinking, we might need to wash dishes and wash yourself of course. You could probably get away without having it but you’d be relying on bottled water and washing up at the on site facilities and using the shower block. You’ll need a container to put the fresh water into. Something like an Aquaroll will cost you about £50. Here’s the sort of thing available on Amazon.

546 Reviews

Hitchman 40AQ Caravanning Camping Aqua Roll, Beige*

Hitchman 40 litre Aquaroll
Best selling portable water carrier that rolls across the ground
Comes with filler hose and tap connector
Features collapsible, removable handles
Can be used with the mains adaptor to provide a continuous fresh water supply

Electricity

Unless you’re into wild camping – living off grid like an 1970’s hippy – you’ll need to plug stuff in. Think of phone charges, the kettle and hair straighteners they all need electricity. So you’ll need a special cable that plugs into your caravan, then into the Electric HookUp Point on site. One of these orange things is pretty much what everyone uses. A 25metre electric cable will cost you about £30

25m Orange Caravan / Camping Hook up Extension Lead Cable with 16 amp Blue Plug and Socket*

16A Male Plug and Coupler (Socket) commonly used on UK Caravan and Camping Sites
High visibility orange cable
Constructed to Relevant British Standards
Great Quality product can be used time and time again

Waste Water

So, you’ve washed the dishes and emptied the sink, but where does all that waste water go? Well, if you haven’t got a waste container, it’s poured all over the pitch. Waste water (not from toilet) is collected in a container that needs emptying when it’s full. This is sometimes called “grey waste”. A grey waste container can cost anything from £20 – £50.

16 Reviews

45 LITRE WASTE CADDY. SLIM-LINE ON WHEELS (Previously Pyramid)*

Streetwize 45 LITRE WASTEHOG. Waste container on wheels (Previously Pyramid)

Toilet Fluid

You need two types of toilet fluid usually pink and blue in colour (although the blue can also be green as a nod to our environmental friends) Pink goes in the water that’s used to flush the loo and the blue / green goes in the toilet cassette which will need emptying. I always use more than I need to ensure no foul smells interrupt my sleep!

Pink and Blue can be bought for under £20

Elsan Blue Pink Chemicals Grey Tank Fresh Fluid + 8 Toilet Rolls Caravan Motorhome*

Caravan Step

You’ll of course need to get into the caravan, a step is the way to do it. These are priced around £15-£30

375 Reviews

Royal 199100 Single Deluxe Step, 25.5cm x 43cm x 35cm, Grey*

Strong, rigid tubular steel construction
Quality non-slip tread
Dimensions (H x L x W) 25.5cm x 43cm x 35cm
Maximum weight capacity 150 kg
With a manageable weight of 2.01kg and a height of 25.5cm, it is easily transported in your caravan

Royal 199200 Deluxe Double Step Non-Slip, Grey*

Made from steel to offer that extra strength
Ideal for use with caravans, motorhomes, 4 x 4's and also help the disabled in and out of vehicles
Each step has a non slip rubber surface
Fitted with steel cross members for additional strength

826 Reviews

Milenco - Giant Double Step*

Step Height: 20cm / 39cm
Tread Size: 50cm x 27cm
Base size: 72cm x 61cm approx.

Leisure Battery

You might need a leisure battery, this will power things like a motor mover as well as lights and water pump when not connected to mains electric. We recently purchased one with our caravan from a dealer and it was around £120.

No products found.

Gas Bottle

You’ll want to cook something. Gas can also be used to power the fridge if you have no mains available. When you initially get a gas bottle (cylinder) it’s more expensive as you have to pay a deposit on the bottle. We recently bought a 6kg Calor bottle for just over £60. However, to refill it is about £23. You can get refillable bottle from Safeill, these are over £100 to buy but refills are cheaper. However, not everywhere lets you refill bottles, so be aware of this and do some research up front.

Security Devices

You’ll want to sleep at night knowing you’ve done all you can to deter a criminal settling your pride and joy. You can buy cheaper locks, but these are considered premium items, cheaper ones are less than half the price. Check any insurance policies as there my be a section telling you that you need to keep the security devices on at all times, even when on site.

Hitch Lock: £200
Wheel Lock: £200
Leg Lock Nuts: £25

Maypole Stronghold 5412C Hitch Lock (Alko) - Sold Secure*

Stronghold hitch hock (Alko) - Sold Secure NOTE:The Black and Grey handle on the image is part of a caravan and is used for illustration purposes only.
Hitch lock for use on AL-KO AK130, AK160, AKS1300, AKS2004, AKS3004 and AKS3504 couplings (including the new 2012 range)
Sold Secure tested and approved at Caravan Gold standard
Easy to fit hitched or unhitched, and a high-visibility deterrent
Comes with a handy storage case and plastic ball for extra security for fitting unhitched

21 Reviews

Saracen Hitch Lock AL-KO purpleline*

Saracen Hitch Lock ALKO Purpleline
Suitable for ALKO AK130 AK160 AKS1300 AKS2004 AKS3004
Carry case
Security hitch ball
Lock protector

Sale

255 Reviews

Maypole MP956 Hitchlock for Alko Hitches*

For AK130, AK160, AKS1300, AKS2004 and AKS3004 Alko hitches
Immobilises hitch to prevent tow-away theft
Highly visible deterrent
Dimensions: 170mm(H)*134mm(L)*90mm(internal width), Weight:1.7kg

Sale

Stoplock Wheel Clamp HG 400-00 - Anti-Theft Lock Device for Small-Wheeled Cars Caravans Trailers With 13" to 15" Wheels*

Wheel lock that helps to prevent your vehicle from being stolen
For wheels that are 13" to 15" diameter and up to 8" deep
330mm to 382mm in diameter and up to 205mm deep
A robust physical and visual deterrent
Quick and easy to attach and supplied with three keys

50 Reviews

Purpleline Fullstop Excalibur Wheel Clamp*

Purpleline Excalibur Caravan Wheel Lock
Will it fit onto steel wheels? * It will not fit this type of wheel.
What is the weight?
What is the weight? * Approximately 7.5kg .

So far:

Water Container: £50
Electric Hookup Cable: £30
Waste Container: £50
Toilet Fluid: £20
Step: £20
Battery: £120
Security: £425
Gas £65

Total: £780

Other things you will need, but might already have

Plates, bowls, mugs, cutlery

Bed linen

Towels, tea towels

Other Ongoing Costs

You’ll in all likelihood want to insure your caravan, you might also need to keep it in storage. There are yearly services, but no tax or MOT. Insurance will cost around £300 – this of course varies greatly on the type of cover you want and the caravan you have. Storage could cost as much as £600 a year, you can no doubt get it cheaper, so farms have storage facilities. Servicing I’d allow around £200.

Added to this you of course have the cost of the holiday itself; site fees not forgetting fuel.

Additional Items

These are what I’d consider luxury items, others may also consider these essential!

BBQ
Awning
Outside Chairs
Outside Table
Levelling blocks

There are seemingly no end to bits and pieces you can buy. For many it’s a hobby as well as something to go on holiday in. These prices will vary and are meant as a guide.

If that lot hasn’t put you off, why not have a look at our article on why you should buy a caravan

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*Last update on 2022-01-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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