Basic Knowledge

[AndyMcD]

Hi all,

I'm looking for lots of good advice and comments please.  I am starting from scratch and need to build up my knowledge and have a number of general questions regarding static caravans.  I know a lot will be very subjective but looking for ballpark feedback please.  I want to educate myself so that I don't end up making a costly mistake!  My first set of questions:

1) What is the average lifespan of a static caravan if well maintained?  Would you expect windows etc to need replaced during this lifespan?
2) In terms of caravan externals, how often do static caravans need cleaned, how is this cleaning done (jet wash or whatever, do any special chemicals need used)?
3) Do they become excessively hot in summer or excessively cold in winter?
4) In terms of summer and winter costs, what would gas & electric costs be approx for a week's stay.
5) When the caravan is left unused during winter time, is it ok to leave cold inside or should low heating be on?
6) I know all static sites have different annual fees etc, but are there any hidden costs to watch out for which may not be obvious?

Apologies if these questions are obvious, but I'm staring from zero knowledge.  Thanks in advance

Cheers
Andrew





 

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[Sparkalicious]

Hi AndyMcD,

First off welcome to the forum.

You are starting off where I was just over a year ago so I'll have a stab at answering your questions from what I have gleaned from my experience.

1) What is the average lifespan of a static caravan if well maintained?  Would you expect windows etc to need replaced during this lifespan?

So as for average lifespan, I can't tell you that. What I can tell you is most parks have a maximum age on their park that a 'van can be there. Mine is 15 years. (Can be rented through their scheme for just 10 of those)

2) In terms of caravan externals, how often do static caravans need cleaned, how is this cleaning done (jet wash or whatever, do any special chemicals need used)?

This will be mostly down to where the van is located. If by the coast you have the pesky birds to deal with. If under a tree, you'll have leaves etc to clean out of the guttering come autumn. I would say once a year should be fine. That is what we do and we are by the sea and under a tree. We don't use any particular chemicals, jet wash for the decking, lower the pressure for the van itself and also use a bucket of soapy water for any tough bits. We make sure we pay special care with the jet washer around any seams etc to make sure we get no water ingress or damage any seals/sealant.
 
3) Do they become excessively hot in summer or excessively cold in winter?

Yes and yes. They are basically a poorly insulated tin box. So in the summer will be pretty warm and in the winter a fair amount of gas to keep them warm. Never leave your dog, or any pet, in the van in summer. It will get scorching inside.
 
4) In terms of summer and winter costs, what would gas & electric costs be approx for a week's stay.

A week is a very hard one to guess for me so I think I'll let someone else answer that. We have an EV that we plug in to the van and that warps price somewhat. What I would say, the price of our electricity on site is not inflated so it is not a shocker.

5) When the caravan is left unused during winter time, is it ok to leave cold inside or should low heating be on?

During the winter months, when the van is not used, a drain down is done. This involves blowing out all the water in all the pipes in the van (not the heating system if you have central heating, this will have antifreeze in it). So if it get's really cold there is no water present to expand and bust a pipe. This is also usually mandated by your insurance. All the water in ubends and toilet bowls will also need a good dose of antifreeze to prevent them freezing over.
 Also depending on what part of the country you are in it could be advisable to do it every time you leave the van dormant. It's a pretty straightforward procedure, and once you get the knack will take about 45mins to an hour. Gerry who runs this site sells the hosepipe adapter that is needed to do it or you can grab them off of ebay for about a tenner. Then you just need a car pump to blow the air out. If you don't fancy that then most sites will do it for you for a fee. Ours is £75 I think.

6) I know all static sites have different annual fees etc, but are there any hidden costs to watch out for which may not be obvious?

For my site there were no hidden costs really. I get my leccy and gas bill, and site fee. Have to sort my own insurance. Not found out anything else other than that. I'm sure others may have different experiences.

I hope that helps. Ask away if you have any further questions.

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[AndyMcD]

Hi Sparkalicious,

Many thanks for your welcome and reply, very much appreciated.  Your first question answer is very enlightening and is something I was unaware of.  I've yet to dig into specifics at various sites, just getting my background info together at the moment.  A lot of site websites have minimal information available up front.

In terms of the winter period after drain down, are there ever any issues post winter with dampness/mould internally (I'm guessing a van in good condition with well maintained seams/seals etc shouldn't have issues?).

Thanks
Andrew




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[Ian157]

Hello Andrew and welcome to the forum from me.

I think Sparkalicious has covered most of your query.

I will say though regarding the age of a caravan onsite will depend on which park choose. A lot of the smaller sites like the one i am on have no age limit.
We have several statics onsite 20 or more years old. Providing you keep the caravan in a clean and good condition then there is no limit on age.

Good luck

Ian

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[AndyMcD]

Thanks Ian.

Another question regarding sites: I believe a lot are classed as holiday sites rather than residential and impose limits as to how often and how long you can stay there each year? 

Thanks
Andrew

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[Ian157]

Yes. On a Holiday Park you have to have a permanent address. So you will need proof of Council Tax with your name and address. Even though some sites offer 12 month seasons they are not residential and have limits on how often you can stay onsite. It is illegal to use a holiday home as a permanent residence
To live in permanently you need to be on a residential site.

Ian.

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[fhb2]

Are you researching for a static caravan to use for holidays, or a park home caravan to live in?
The answers to your questions will be very different depending on your intentions.


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[AndyMcD]

Hi,

I'm researching for a static caravan to use for holidays.

Thanks
Andrew

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[fhb2]

OK, in that case the answers already given are all applicable.
I'll just caution you that while, as Ian157 says, there are many smaller independent sites which do not have an age limit, this sometimes means that the contract is an annual one - and if the park undergoes new management, they can quite legally decide that all vans over a certain age will have to be removed or replaced.


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[Slattster]

Hello Andy , basic rules when looking for a static are , find the right site first then the pitch then the van last.When things open up visit sites in and around the area your looking at .Sites inland will generally have cheaper ground rent. Have a list of questions ready for the site .
Everyone’s figures will be different but my gas & leccy comes in about £200 for the year , insurance is around that as well. Clean the van  once a year , I use car shampoo and a sponge on a stick , one of them you can bend in half to wring it out. As stated , Other costs are draining down or you can do it yourself , I have got a flo device cost £225 ish but I can now drain down from inside the van in 15 minutes , then you’ll need some antifreeze. Other costs for me is decking oil . Will cost about £1500 to kit it out with tv , bedding , pans etc. Other costs involve coffe shops and fish&chips 😁

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[DaveE]

Hi Andy, welcome to the forum from me as well.
Can I say the others are all offering sound advice.
At this point can I just explain about licenses.
Firstly, sites have to have a license from the local authority to be able to operate. This will stipulate what limits they can operate within (length of season, no of ‘vans,& sometimes max.length of individual visits etc)
The site then issues individual ‘van owners a license( or contract) for a ‘van their site.
These tend to fall into 2 types as regards the lifespan of ‘vans. The first is a fixed term type which states a ‘van is OK to stay for a set number of years. The second is no fixed term but the vans right  to stay is subject to an annual revue.
Their are variations of these but you need to understand what types of licence a Holiday Park operates within and issues for ‘vans, as to whether how they operate is what you will be happy with.
It is too late finding this out once you’ve bought a ‘van.  It’s all about research before you put your money down.

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[AndyMcD]

Many many thanks to everyone for their answers and advice.  It is very much appreciated.

As everyone has pointed out prior investigation is essential, I'm already starting to understand a lot more and this is all building my knowledge.

It sounds like each site will have it's own rules/plans and options and individual investigation is necessary.

Do most people own their own vans or rent via sites?  One concern that is springing to mind is that if there is a max age for vans on a site, is this the actual age i.e. how old the van is, or does this refer to the length of time a van has been on a site?  Sorry if this is a daft question!

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[DaveE]

Most people own their own ‘vans, especially on holiday parks but some residential parks do long term ‘van rental.
In respect of a ‘van’s lifespan, I believe that the majority of parks tend to go from the date of the ‘vans build or original siting. In some cases when a ‘van is sold on the parks offer the new owners a revised term, to make the ‘van worth buying.
As you said there are many variations to this so you do need to read those licenses before you spend your money.


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[Scorpio]

Hello Andy, I think most of your questions have been well answered.  Regarding extra costs, I would consider gas, electricity, and WiFi as the main items.  If you can do your own drain down in winter, it saves a few quid. 
We clean the outside of our van once a year, using car shampoo or caravan cleaner.
The gutters need cleaning each year as we are near trees. 
Our site allows a 20 year stay, with annual review after that.  We can visit the van as often as we like, for as long as we wish to stay, but the Site closes for 2 months in the winter.
We leave the heating on frost protection during the winteer, so gas and electricity are always left on.


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[Sparkalicious]

In terms of the winter period after drain down, are there ever any issues post winter with dampness/mould internally (I'm guessing a van in good condition with well maintained seams/seals etc shouldn't have issues?).

So to answer this question, yes you need to basically winterise your van. As they have poor insulation any moisture will collect on the inside of the walls, as they are generally cooler than the air in the van.
For example, when we boil some water on the hob or kettle, or even have a shower, we will find small amounts of condensation on the internal walls in some of the rooms if the windows have not been opened. This water will not disappear unless it is absorbed.

So when we close down for the season we move all the soft furnishing away from the walls (mattresses, sofa pillows etc), remove our nets and curtains to be cleaned or vacuum packed and then place trays of cat litter in every room to absorb the moisture. Some people use salt (but apparently can tarnish chrome), others use mini dehumidifier kits.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ANSIO-Interior-Dehumidifier-Condensation-Dehumidifiers/dp/B01C6V5IVG/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3PF4Z3GSQCPKD&dchild=1&keywords=de+humidity+pack&qid=1615887748&sprefix=de+humidi%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-3

All does the same job. Another tip I got from here, I place pipe lagging on all the cupboards and doors to stop them from closing allowing free movement of air to all the rooms and nooks and crannies'. This then stops the place getting air stagnant and hold backs the mould.
A winterised turn down can take a good day, a sad one as it means that there is no return for 3 months.

Then as we return, it's open all the doors and windows to give a good blast of air and put everything back.

We also remove/hide the TV and anything looking nickable to stop any light fingered so and sos from helping themselves over the winter months when no one is looking 

Another question regarding sites: I believe a lot are classed as holiday sites rather than residential and impose limits as to how often and how long you can stay there each year? 

And to answer another question from my experience, in terms of length of stay, our site is open 9 months of the year, closing for December, January and February but there is also a limit of 30 days allowed on site consecutively. I don't think the site would check but they would use if they felt they needed to.

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