Caravan holidays: How much does buying a caravan cost as staycation interest rises?
CARAVAN holidays experienced a bit of a boom this year as international travel became increasingly complicated during the pandemic. Many Britons may well be tempted to buy one themselves - but how much do caravans cost?
Caravan holidays enable holidaymakers the freedom to travel wherever and whenever they want. With UK holidays booming during the pandemic the temptation to invest in a caravan may likely rise, too. Indeed, searches for caravans were up 18 percent this summer, according to figures from automotive marketplace Auto Trader.
But how much does it cost to get a caravan?
Caravan insurance company Ripe Caravan Insurance have put together a guide to the average set-up and running costs of tourers and statics.
They analysed data from 891 caravan owners to find out exactly how much they spent on purchasing their caravan or static home, fitting it out and decorating it.
Ripe Caravan Insurance also examined ongoing maintenance, annual fees for gas, electricity and water, site fees and other regular costs.
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Based on an average usage of 60 nights per year, the team calculated the average costs of owning a caravan.
How much does it cost to buy a touring caravan?
A touring caravan is separate living quarters towed behind a regular vehicle.
To buy and set up this type of caravan, the total average cost is £26,429 for a brand-new van and £14,311 for a pre-owned van.
The average annual running costs, meanwhile, stack up at £2,266.
Ripe Caravan Insurance broke down the costs:
Set-up
Brand new caravan - £23,649
Pre-owned caravan - £11,531
Fit-out (including the kitchen, bathrooms, flooring) - £551
Contents (including bedding, cookware and electronics) -£590
Outdoor accessories (including awning, tow-hitch and tyres) - £1,158
Security devices (including wheel clamps and padlocks) -£481
TOTAL set-up cost -New £26,429 / Pre-owned £14,311
Annual maintenance
Pitch fees - £949
Servicing - £334
Storage - £345
Gas and Electricity - £236
Water and Drainage -£180
Insurance - £219
TOTAL -£2,266
How much does it cost to buy a static caravan?
A static caravan is also known as a mobile home, caravan, trailer, trailer home or house trailer.
It is a prefabricated structure which is transported to site and often left permanently or semi-permanently in one place.
For static caravans, the costs are higher. To buy and set up a brand-new static caravan costs an average of £47,535, while a pre-owned van comes in at £32,497.
Ongoing maintenance and running costs add up to an average of £5,090 per year.
Set-up
Brand new caravan - £43,333
Pre-owned caravan -£28,295
Fit-out (including the kitchen, bathrooms, flooring) -£1,418
Contents (including bedding, cookware and electronics) -£1,225
Outdoor accessories (including garden furniture, a BBQ) -£1,239
Security devices (including CCTV and a burglar alarm) -£320
TOTAL - New £47,535 / Pre-owned £32,497
Annual maintenance
Site fees - £3,750
Servicing -£472
Gas and Electricity -£422
Water and Drainage -£239
Insurance - £205
TOTAL - £5,090