Campsite costs
139 replies
replied on 18/06/2022 16:46
Posted on 18/06/2022 14:34 by peedeeIt is true that I bought the van to be largely independant of site facilities in the first place. Most vans of decent size come pretty much the same.
peedee
Tinwheeler replied on 18/06/2022 16:46
Posted on 18/06/2022 15:56 by Rocky 2 bucketsToo true TW👍🏻, I love debate & finding out about folks gear & their travels but I just wish it could be done to help folk & not being disingenuous☹️
SteveL replied on 18/06/2022 17:03
Posted on 18/06/2022 14:20 by TinwheelerBut, PD, you didn’t get the rest of your gear as a free gift. You paid for it as part of the van's total cost.
Posted on 18/06/2022 17:03
As did we, but we paid for it for different reasons and just happened to find we enjoyed using the off grid capability while in France. We don’t have an inverter as we have no need for one, we can manage without 240 volts during our off grid stops. The actual reason for splashing out for the solar was to keep the batteries charged whilst in storage and the Gaslow system to save my back lifting cylinders. So in our case the off grid was a sort of free bonus.
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Tinwheeler replied on 18/06/2022 17:10
Posted on 18/06/2022 17:03 by SteveLAs did we, but we paid for it for different reasons and just happened to find we enjoyed using the off grid capability while in France. We don’t have an inverter as we have no need for one, we can manage without 240 volts during our off grid stops. The actual reason for splashing out for the solar was to keep the batteries charged whilst in storage and the Gaslow system to save my back lifting cylinders. So in our case the off grid was a sort of free bonus.
peedee replied on 18/06/2022 19:07
Posted on 18/06/2022 16:46 byIn my experience PD even less expensive MH's come quite well equipped needing only a gas bottle or bottles to complete the set for quite reasonable independence.
Posted on 18/06/2022 19:07
My experience too. The only extra facility my current van came with which you would not see in any standard production coachbuilt or A class was the inverter which is only 750w. That is plenty for what I need. I have just checked and the cost at todays price is about £280,. So for a little over £500 you could easily equip any standard van to be quite capable of going off grid.
peedee
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Hja replied on 18/06/2022 20:27
Posted on 18/06/2022 19:07 by peedeeMy experience too. The only extra facility my current van came with which you would not see in any standard production coachbuilt or A class was the inverter which is only 750w. That is plenty for what I need. I have just checked and the cost at todays price is about £280,. So for a little over £500 you could easily equip any standard van to be quite capable of going off grid.
peedee
Posted on 18/06/2022 20:27
We have solar and one ordinary battery and compressor fridge. All standard for the van. To do more than one night off grid we would need lithium. That would cost at least £500. So that would be about 50 off grid nights to pay for it. We don’t go abroad. We largely use CLs. So with a mix of sites it would take several years to pay back the investment.
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replied on 18/06/2022 20:58
Posted on 18/06/2022 20:27 by HjaWe have solar and one ordinary battery and compressor fridge. All standard for the van. To do more than one night off grid we would need lithium. That would cost at least £500. So that would be about 50 off grid nights to pay for it. We don’t go abroad. We largely use CLs. So with a mix of sites it would take several years to pay back the investment.
Tammygirl replied on 20/06/2022 19:48
tonker replied on 20/06/2022 20:44
Posted on 20/06/2022 20:44
some really good points here everyone. We have been to a site in Stratford-Upon- Avon that was £9 with no facilities, just peace and quiet. This weekend we went to a site near Devizes and it was £15 without hook up.
There are cheaper sites out there as suggested but then the price of fuel drives everything up!
Enjoy your touring.
cyberyacht replied on 21/06/2022 07:24
Posted on 18/06/2022 10:22 by Rocky 2 bucketsHave you ever worked out what it would cost an owner to go from mains power dependent to totally off grid & how many nights away would be needed to actually recoup the initial outlay CY, genuine question as I struggle to find any proof-‘Off grid is one way to keep your costs down’🤔
Posted on 21/06/2022 07:24
I would concede that an off-grid setup will cost but even that will vary depending on the amount of sophistication/duration that is required. My setup permits indefinite off grid with full use of kettle/toaster/microwave. TV is 12v anyway. Initial outlay was around £1300 although I have recently added another lithium battery for greater resilience, although not strictly necessary. Have just completed 30 days in France, of which 13 were off-grid. Nightly costs averaged under £11. Thirty days on club sites will set you back somewhere in the order of £900, possibly a bit more. So that month could be said to have saved me £600. It doesn't take long to recoup the capital cost and you get to pick where you want to go rather than be constrained by the regimentation of sites.
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tonker
Motorhomer