As you might know already, static caravans or holiday homes are an excellent option for having a fully functional home that you can use during a vacation, for storing things you don’t often use, renting, and so much more. But more and more people are using these “small” homes for camping. Naturally, people don’t camp at home, but they set it up at a holiday park near the wilderness, a residential park, on your land that is out near nature, or you can rent a space where you can put the caravan. Simply put, having a static caravan is a great thing, no matter how you will use it.
However, there are many things you need to consider before making a purchase. After all, this is a big decision, and the price isn’t that low. So, here are some tips that you can use to help you find a static caravan for your camping trips.
Calculate for Running Costs
Many people only consider the initial costs of buying a static caravan and the deposit they need to make. But they don’t think about the running costs that go along with owning a holiday caravan. So here are the running costs you should consider:
Utilities: Electricity, water, and gas
Insurance: Very important, since you won’t be there during the whole year
Park fees: If you put your caravan in a park (which is likely), you can expect to have yearly fees ranging from $2,500 and up to $5,000
Maintenance costs: It’s always a good idea to have someone maintain your caravan throughout the year
The average running costs per year can go from $4000 and up to $10,000. Here’s a list of static caravan site fees so that you can calculate your potential costs.
Set Your Budget
The first thing you need to do is set a budget and stick to it. Then, when you have a budget, you will know which static caravans to take into consideration. This is important because there is a lot of variety out there, and based on the caravan features, the prices can be very different.
On average, prices for a static caravan range from $15,000 to $100,000 and even more for some exclusive accommodations. However, since your primary goal is to get a static caravan for camping, you can get one for a lower price.
Know What You Need
As we mentioned earlier, static caravans come in many varieties. Luckily for you, since you are looking for a place that will be your hub for camping, you don’t need much. Instead, look for a static caravan with a kitchen, bathroom, storage room, and two bedrooms if you have children or want to bring friends on your camping trips.
There’s no need to waste money on amenities like hot tubs, central heating, refrigerators, flatscreen TVs, and so on. All of these things cost a lot, and you don’t need them for camping. The best type for this need is the single unit caravan.
Storage is Important
Since you are renting a static caravan for camping, you will likely want to keep all your essential camping gear at the mobile home. You don’t want to carry your equipment back and forth since your park home will primarily serve as storage.
This is why it’s essential to buy a unit with a large storage room where you can put your tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, chairs, camping tables, hammocks, pots, pans, hammers, and all the other things you might need.
Where do You Like to go Camping?
Yes, static caravans are also called mobile homes, but even though it’s possible to move them in theory, this doesn’t happen that often. You need to call professionals with designated vehicles and licenses to move your caravan to another location.
At best, you will be able to do this once per year. This is why you should choose the park location wisely and make sure that there are plenty of places around where you can camp.
Subletting Won’t be Possible.
Many people sublet their mobile homes throughout the year since they only use them during the holiday season. But if you plan on getting a place with limited amenities and where you will be able to store all of your camping equipment throughout the year, chances are this won't be possible.