A family van???

[ktgloss]

Good evening, for those still enjoying a summer break i am green with envy.;)

I have been following threads on this site for some time and could really do with some help and advice from the friendly bunch here. . . My (young retired, internet phobic) parents have decided that they would like to buy their first static with a view to it getting regular use from themselves, me ( plus 2 young boys and hubby) and my sister (plus one little girl, one on the way and hubby). Their idea is very much one of a van we can all use. My sister and I have happy childhood memories of our grandparents static on Anglesey and I think this is where the idea has come from. I think this is a fab idea, as a teacher I envision lots of hols there and would happily pay a share of the annual costs, although this is by no means expected. Does anyone have an experience of how this would work out in reality?? We have been away with the folks 4 times this year (lodge/static/static/camping) hence their idea for a static themselves.
Also if anone has any sites they could recommend they are looking at north wales, for a site with no pool/shop/clubhouse etc, with a budget of around £20,000 for a 3 bed good condition van. Site fees £2000 max?

Any help or advice would be much appreciated. :)

[DianeW]

Hello and welcome.....that sounds like a really good plan for all the family.

My experience of similar has been somewhat different, but all families are different and i totally understand that - just wanted to give my experience.

Years ago my In-Laws and myself and husband bought a static in Wales between us, total split of costs down the middle. They were retired and used it in the week, we used it at weekends etc.

The issues came from other members of Husbands family sister, brother and nephews etc - all felt is was ok to just ask In-Laws to use the van anytime they wanted. Everyone else felt there was no problem with this EXCEPT US!!!

We were paying and everyone else was using it for free. It caused bad feeling in the family and things are not the same even now...years later after the van was sold, eventually we ended up buying in-laws out, but the fees etc were just too much for us, at that time in our lives.

Good luck with plans...hopefully it will all work out and you will all spend many happy times.

[TreeTops]

Good evening, for those still enjoying a summer break i am green with envy.;)

I have been following threads on this site for some time and could really do with some help and advice from the friendly bunch here. . . My (young retired, internet phobic) parents have decided that they would like to buy their first static with a view to it getting regular use from themselves, me ( plus 2 young boys and hubby) and my sister (plus one little girl, one on the way and hubby). Their idea is very much one of a van we can all use. My sister and I have happy childhood memories of our grandparents static on Anglesey and I think this is where the idea has come from. I think this is a fab idea, as a teacher I envision lots of hols there and would happily pay a share of the annual costs, although this is by no means expected. Does anyone have an experience of how this would work out in reality?? We have been away with the folks 4 times this year (lodge/static/static/camping) hence their idea for a static themselves.
Also if anone has any sites they could recommend they are looking at north wales, for a site with no pool/shop/clubhouse etc, with a budget of around £20,000 for a 3 bed good condition van. Site fees £2000 max?

Any help or advice would be much appreciated. :)


Oh my park (Tree Tops (http://www.treetopscaravanpark.co.uk)) so nearly meets your needs! Sadly our pitch fee is just a bit high as around £2550. I will see if I can think of anywhere else. Have you looked on www.ukparks.com? It's the web site of our trade association, the BH&HPA (http://www.bhhpa.org.uk/). All parks listed are members.

Good luck

Andy

[Maddy]

Its exactly how we use ours. It belongs to John and I so no negotiation ! no arguements ( although there haven't been any). I work in a school which makes holidays expensive and letting not a viable option. The four grown up children their partners and the grandchildren use the van when ever they want both with and with out us. It seems to us the only way to get enough use out of it to justify the cost. I think you have set your site fees a little low and may have to go up a bit.

[Angela B]

Hi, welcome to the forum, have a look using the search button lots of info to be found about sites, fees, extra costs, family usage, and especially 'what to look for when buying a used caravan' ~ especially DAMP etc...
Other members will reply with suggestions for you, my site is very commercialised (but I'm far away from the hustle and bustle thank goodness!) but I have direct access to a beach which was one of our main considerations, as well as there being a very 'relaxed' attitude towards age restriction (something you need to bear in mind if you are buying a used caravan). Buying used will definitely get you a much 'higher spec' caravan, believe me, there are some REAL BARGAINS around at the moment:rolleyes:
Do lots of research into running costs, insurance site fees etc, it all adds up quickly, plus you may be lucky enough to find one fully equipped (great to start you up) that too starts to add up cost wise.

Happy posting :)

[ktgloss]

Thanks so much for the posts, there is certainly much to think about! I agree about the possible fallouts that could arise, but it would be my parents van, with us using it around them. I think they plan on a mix of time alone there as well as time with the family and the us using it on our own. My dad's brother has a static sited on Anglesey and has done for 20 odd years . . . this is I think where the rough site fees of £2,000 comes from but it is not set in stone (thanks treetops - your site looks beautiful and the website very honest and useful). Keep your thoughts and advice coming, regarding site fees - would a site inland be much cheaper than coastal?

Thanks again

Katy

[treetopper]

Thanks so much for the posts, there is certainly much to think about! I agree about the possible fallouts that could arise, but it would be my parents van, with us using it around them. I think they plan on a mix of time alone there as well as time with the family and the us using it on our own. My dad's brother has a static sited on Anglesey and has done for 20 odd years . . . this is I think where the rough site fees of £2,000 comes from but it is not set in stone (thanks treetops - your site looks beautiful and the website very honest and useful). Keep your thoughts and advice coming, regarding site fees - would a site inland be much cheaper than coastal?

Thanks again

Katy

Hi and welcome Katy,
from our observations there are quite a few people that have "family Vans" and split the costs.I would recommend obviously Treetops because you have the best of both worlds country/coastal,and on a 5* park,and well sited for exploring North Wales/Anglesey.

[TreeTops]

Hi and welcome Katy,
from our observations there are quite a few people that have "family Vans" and split the costs.I would recommend obviously Treetops because you have the best of both worlds country/coastal,and on a 5* park,and well sited for exploring North Wales/Anglesey.

Thanks Mr N, I really should put you on the payroll! :D

[yogabreathes]

Your scenario, is similar to ours. Its our caravan, we use it in the week, my son and grandchildren can use it at weekends or by agreement with us during the week in school holidays. My daughter could use it if wanted, but she is in Kent, we are in Yorkshire. I have been asked by all the in-laws and have said no. I pick up the bills because its my caravan, my son has enough expense with the fuel costs to get there. Because I own it and pay the bills, i have final say, and no one argues. I might sound a bit of a soft touch with my son and his family, but I don't care. Life is hard for families these days and the R word is always hanging over them.

[BarryD]

We'd love to be able to share the cost of our van, but no one in the Family seems interested - shame. The site allows sub-let until they are 7 years old - so we will sub-let until then and after that see how we go.

[ktgloss]

I think the folks have decided on Anglesey as the best area to look for a site now. They are planning a weekend away before the end on the season to hopefully scope out some sites!

[TreeTops]

I think the folks have decided on Anglesey as the best area to look for a site now. They are planning a weekend away before the end on the season to hopefully scope out some sites!

A friend of mine has a park on Anglesey. I don't know anything about their costs, but we've known the family for a couple of generations.

Google: meldrum leisure and look for Capel Elen

Cheers

Andy

[ktgloss]

I thought I would give an update as alot of people seem to post looking for help, but not finish the story!

My parents went to Anglesey to visit a few sites this weekend and have bought a 2 bed willerby for £8,000. They really liked the site after visiting some that were much bigger. It has only 32 statics and in uncommercialised, they really liked the large space in front of the vans where the kids can play.

The van itself is immaculate and was a reluctant sale by an elderly couple. There is a nice patio, new shed and a fenced off area ideal foe penning in toddlers. It is 11 years old, but the site owner has 20 year old vans on site if they are kept tidy.

Seems ideal for my parents and the whole family, but the site was the real selling point. Site fees £2000. The plan is that in 4/5 years if it all works out we could invest in a newer van between us.

[ktgloss]

:oOops posted twice in excitement

[Tiamaria589]

hey there and well done....
i notice you have posted this on the 'before owning a static thread....

well now it needs to be on....

I HAVE A STATIC THREAD( otherwise known as owning a static thread ) .... YIPPEE :D

[Clarissa]

We bought ours so that it suited our daughter and family, too. Don't expect them to pay anything towards it as they have a young family to support. Happy to see them getting fun out of it. I'm sure it will all work out for you if you all agree from the start what is expected of each other.

[eddiesolo]

Good points are sharing costs. Bad points are that a major family bust up can cause all kinds of issues-this happened on our site, parents bought the van, kids used it with their family-no subletting on our site but family welcome to use it-young kids trashed the van slightly (no parental control) parents walked away, the van was abandoned, right mess. I am not saying that anything like this will happen to you, but just bear in mind that with various families using it the van could get well used and maybe 2 years doen the line it may not seem a good idea.

If you are a tight close knit family and see things the same then it could work a treat for you.

We have offered our van for use of family, only thing I insist on is that they pay towards gas and electric while they are there-think that is fair.

What you could do is get a slightly older 3 bed van on a site with no age restrictions for say £12k and use the remaing money towards doublr glazing £2kish and for putting toeards slightly higher site fees.

Si:)

[eddiesolo]

Poo...really should learn to read all the posts...sorry :(

Sounds great that you have found something that meets your needs, let the good times roll!

Si:)