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quoteIn last month’s poll we asked you to tell us what you thought should be the maximum cost of a caravan. Before we go through a few of your comments, let’s get straight to the all-important results.
Here’s how you voted…
As you can see the majority told us that between £15,000 and £20,000 should be the maximum price for a brand new touring caravan, but 29% of voters told us they wouldn’t spend more than £15.000.
Only 4% said they would pay more than £30,000.
Now let’s find out what you had to say…
Stuart got in touch to tell us, “As the owner of a 2011 Buccaneer Clipper I run a caravan that cost in the high 20ks. I believe that if you want luxury and quality you have to pay for it. However I do think that the overall manufacturing quality of UK caravans is not keeping up with the increasing prices.”
David agrees with Stuart in part, telling us, “I don’t think you can put a maximum price on a caravan. Caravans are improving all the time with more and more extra luxuries available; but there will always be somebody who wants that something else that makes their caravan more to their liking, so are prepared to pay the extra cost, and as long as the manufacturers keep adding these things to the basic vans the cost will continue to increase because nothing comes free.”
He continues, “My only real wish is that manufacturers would do more to ensure that new vans leave their site in a more perfect state.”
At the opposite end of the spectrum is Jon who simply says, “For me, £18,000 max.”
Meanwhile Rob says that, “Whilst I agree that if you want quality you have to pay for it, I am finding that the vast majority of vans now have what used to be extras fitted as standard. I don’t require a microwave, as we don’t usually have hook up, or a state of the art music system, or TV. Comfort without the add ons doesn’t seem to be available.”
Do you agree with the vote? Let us know using the comment box below.
On the basis that a modern £20,000 car is a well made marvel of modern and technological advancement a caravan should cost no more than £11,000 and for proof of this look under the cheap fittings and furniture and see how the manufacturers use every trick in the book to save every penny they can. We are being ripped off.
Looking between different makes, it’s frustrating that there’s so little difference in what’s offered internally. For instance, I like a really good fixed bed but don’t want huge seating areas, and I prefer minimal space taken up by the kitchen (holidays are for eating out, for some people!). All the electrical ‘extras’ shouldn’t be standard – as another commenter says, when you’re not hooked up, they are wasted. And I don’t want things like integral heating (what’s wrong with a fan-heater on the rare occasions I need it?
I think all vans should be available in basic version and you should pay to customize according to your lifestyle, by choosing from, say 3-5 versions, like you do with your car. Yes, you’d need to plan ahead and wait for your new van, but with a purchase of this value you plan ahead anyway.
We like the idea of customised caravans Jane!
Caravan Guard
Whatever the price, in this day and age there is no excuse for poor manufacturing quality. In my experience and reading comments from the poll this is a common issue with certain UK manufacturers. The problem is compounded by some dealerships who appear to operate like a cottage industry rather than a professional organisation when it comes to action on warranty claims.
Personally I think that UK manufacturers are very lucky that they have not had to resist a determined ‘foreign invasion’ in the same way as car industry. If they had perhaps their fate would be the same as many UK owned car producers.
Should we have to vote with our feet? – certainly my next ‘van won’t be from a UK manufacturer.