to buy a caravan against DH's wishes

[Babieseverywhere]

Short Version
My DH thinks I am being very unreasonable but AIBU to want to sell MY things to fund a cheap old caravan which I will use ON MY OWN with our children, so they can have a holiday ?

Long Version
My DH works very hard to support our family, whilst I'm currently a SAHM to our 4 DC's. DH is happy with this arrangement and I will be returning to work in a couple of years time, when our youngest is at school.

Our budget does not cover luxuries like proper holidays and so we usually have a few day trips each year. However last year my MIL invited us to stay in a static caravan for a week with the DC's and we had a ball. Really enjoyed the beach, the children's playgrounds on site and the onsite swimming pool.

I have been trying to convince my DH to buy a tourer caravan to enable us to have cheap self catering holidays but he claims to hate tourer caravans though he has never had a holiday in one. He had previously claimed to hate static caravans too, but really enjoyed last years holiday in one...all I wanted him to do was have a go before making a decision on how he feels about it, but he is stubborn (like me) and he remain unconvinced.

I decided that I will sell anything I have of value which I paid for pre-children...my laptop, my mobile phone, my collection of baby slings (bought with maternity money for first child), mobile cashbacks etc and buy a cheap caravan.

Looking to spend (if I manage to raise this much money) £400 or less on a 4/5/6 berth one with a minimum of two double beds, to pile my small children on. If anyone has one they are getting rid of in the North West PM me.

I don't expect my DH to come away in this caravan, I will go on my own with the children. No, it won't be a relaxing holiday for me but the idea is to give the children a nice time and I'm on my own with all the children every school holiday anyway. I do hope DH might try it one day but I am buying it with no expectations of him ever setting foot in it, as he hates caravans.

DH is still against the idea of me even self funding a caravan and when I mention my caravan fund (barely started), he is very negative and is trying to put me off the idea...telling me I can't put the caravan on our drive...I could put the caravan on our double drive but this would mean I would have to park my car on the road which I am willing to do but he says no.

I aim to buy a couple of food tins every food shop through out the year, to put in the caravan, that is what we did as children. Had a tourer holiday where we ate tinned food for a week with fruit ! Then the money I would of spent on a food shop the week of the holiday, can cover site fees on a basic caravan park...we'll have so much fun.

Caravan insurance will be around a £5 a week/month (can't remember which) and this I will take out of the child benefit for our youngest which we have just started receiving and isn't currently in our budget IYSWIM, as it is a benefit for our children.

My father has already agreed IF i get a caravan he will be willing to tow it nearby for me (within a couple of hours drive). So I don't need to get a tow bar, nor worry about towing the caravan. I'm sure my father will help me set it up for me on site :)

DH's parents live permanently in a caravan travelling around Europe and England and I'm sure I could pitch up next to them for a few nights. They don't see enough of the grandchildren and I'm sure would love for me to do this. Likewise my own parents are retired and have a tourer and would love to spend a few days at the seaside with their grandchildren.

AIBU to buy a caravan ?

[quercuscircus]

Argh, I missed the last page and the updates. Proves the naysayers wrong though :) Yay!!

[quercuscircus]

I think if you have the support of your parents for towing and maintenance in place of your DH, and it really will be affordable then I would go for it.

I LOVE camping and caravanning and think it is perfect for a young family and cheap hols as and when.

You need to be sure of what you can realistically get for your money. Would be a good idea to take your Dad and do some viewings before you sell your stuff.

Your DH is entitled to his opinion but not to be unreasonably obstructive about your hobby. If he wanted to take up cycling or fishing etc on a similar budget then he would expect to have room in the shed or garage for his equipment and that would be fair enough. It is up to you where you park your car.

I expect your DH will come around to the idea (so long as you don't choose a money pit!) Get the best you can and don't give him the chance to say I told you so :)

Go and be free and have loads of fun!!! :)

[Sleephead1]

Op ive just read all the thread so glad you got your folding camper. It sounds like you have had lots of fun it it. I thought getting a caravan and heading off in it sounded lovley even if the price may have been a little unrealistic. I wanted to suggest glamping we have just done this it was amazing 139 for 2 nights its on a national trust site so we got free entry, there was low rope challenge, huge park, nature play area, grounds and gardens and got to do the kids activities. It was really good it had fold out setee beds, a woodburner fire, ice box that you got fresh ice packs daily, clothes storage and all kitchen equipment, a 2 burner stove, fire pit and kitchen, toilets, shower on site. We will be going again just loved it and thought i would mention as might be suitable for you whilst you save for camper. Loved your determination to have a holiday with your kids

[WhatALoadOfOldBollocks]

Just as I got annoyed that it was such an old thread when I noticed OP had come back to update. Love it! Glad the folding camper was useful, and it's given me ideas. Just looked at whether my little car could tow one and it could! You may have just sown a seed there OP.

[Dowser]

Thanks for the update Babies.
You can only do what your budget allows.
At least you and you family are having a holiday.
I can't believe how much it costs to camp in a field. Our site was £30 at Easter.

It makes an annual site fee really cheap.
We're in the middle of cleaning ours as it's up for sale. Horrible job. Hopefully it will sell quickly.
I'm finally getting where I want to be, a nice roomy static on a quiet field.
No restrictions on length of tenure as long as it's kept tidy.
if we get 10 years ill be 75. Hopefully we will still be caravanning. Who knows

[user1494409994]

I think it's a lovely idea and I've caravanned for years but I wouldn't do it. I couldn't subject my kids to a damp caravan with the summers we've been having recently. You'd need to have bedding for it too and the thought of sleeping in damp smelling bedding would put me right off. Site fees aren't cheap either particularly if you're looking for a site with a pool. I've taken my kids to static caravans since they were born because that's all I can afford but I would love a touring van. I can't afford that and the bigger car that I would need. I've also towed a van before so even that wouldn't be an issue for me.

[Blobby10]

Babies so glad to read your update!! We had a Conway trailer tent then a Pennine folding camper and they were brilliant with our young family. Borrowed my parents caravan for a year after husband and I split up and then went away in a tent last year as just me and daughter. Have to be honest, although I would love a caravan now its just me, I'm so glad we didn't have one when kids were younger.
Happy Camping!!!

[SometimesMaybe]

I love this thread, have read since the beginning! I can't wait for an update in 2023 when you get your 6 berth :)

[Chatoyant]

Best OP every to still update her post 5 years later!
So glad you've had some great holidays and weren't put off by some of the replies!

[Babieseverywhere]

I would prefer caravan, folding camper and then tent in order of preference.

We won't ever get a caravan due to towing/storage/cost issues.

I am happy with our tent for the next couple of years but really hoping to get a 6 berth folding camper after that :)

[mikeyssister]

Fold up not folder. I hate auto-correct.

I planned to camp this year, only for a weekend, which is eminently doable as we're all scouts except DH. 2 DC were away, and we were supposed to visit them. First DH pulled out then DC1 and then DC4, so it ended up just me visiting and I slept in the car as everywhere was booked up for the bank holiday and I couldn't be bothered pitching a big tent just for me. I just felt if we'd had a camper van it would have been more comfortable and no one would have pulled out.

[mikeyssister]

Ah that's fantastic @Babieseverywhere, I've read all your updates with keen interest.

Would you still prefer the folder ahead of a camper van if you had the money?

[talonofthehawk]

If you can't tow it yourself, you'd be a fool to buy it

[Babieseverywhere]

Littlest Read the thread. Your advice is well meaning but five years late ;)

[Littlestgirlguide25]

I have caravanned and tent-camped all my life.
I would advise against buying a caravan for as little as £400. It is likely to be grotty and damp, and a damp caravan is a money pit.
Especially if you can't tow it yourself.
Even to stay on very small, basic sites such as a caravan club CL (usually a farmers field with electricity and water, nothing else) can cost £20+ per night now, before you start on things to do while you are there.
Have you considered a trailer tent?
A bit more luxury than a tent, and you'd be more likely to find one within sight of your budget. Would take up less room on the drive and cost less to insure. You may also be able to tow it yourself, as you wouldn't need a hefty car.
My own caravan is now 12 years old and we have owned it since new. It is starting to show its age, has had some damp (now fixed at some expense) but it is still worth 15x your budget. I don't think you are going to get anything you want to sleep in for £400.

[Babieseverywhere]

We outgrew our five berth folding trailer as our fourth baby grew bigger and more mobile, so we sold it (at a profit) last year and bought a tent last year.

Camping is ok but I would like to buy another bigger folding camper, money permitting in the future. :)

[Dowser]

Thanks for the lovely update Babies
I hope you're folding tourer is still going strong three years down the line.

Reading all these posts with interest as we've just bought a static after six years and three tourers.

Love caravanning. Especially if you are on the right site.

[Notso]

Higheredserf It isn't the place, I love the place it is beautiful. I will happily visit for the day and would stay in a hotel and we have rented a cottage there several times. The beaches are amazing.
It is the caravan definitely, I'm just not a caravan person. I am lazy like to lounge around on holiday. I want to have a lie in not have to get up at the crack of dawn because the kids want breakfast and we're sleeping in the kitchen!

[Shonajay]

A £400 caravan will be dreadful. I made the same mistake. The tow bar was rusted through the inside was peeling and damp, the tyres were awful,and the underside was basically rust.

[Babieseverywhere]

Lol :)

We can no longer afford to rent static caravans in the school holidays, too expensive !

Unless they change policy on taking holidays on school holidays, it is camping or nothing, which is fine as we like camping :)

[McFlickle]

Sorry didn't RTFT

[McFlickle]

Sorry if repeating but why don't you use the money to rent a static for a week or two? Then you don't have any of the hassles or ongoing costs of ownership. You said this van is only to last 2 years til you go to work, so seems like dead money anyway.

[hiccupgirl]

Hadn't read this thread before now but I'm really glad you had a great time and found a way of making it work for you.

We used to go to my gps static caravan every summer and I loved it. Got into tent camping with my DH and then 2 years ago we upgraded to a campervan which I love. I do like going to more upmarket holiday cottages or B&Bs but I struggle to justify the cost when I could camp for so much less.

[Notso]

Posted that too soon, PIL and SIL and BIL LOVE it. Maybe I am doing it wrong.