Full Time Caravan Living

Thanks for all your help so far everyone! It is really appreitated.  It is great to get some experienced opinions as for some things you just can't tell what the pros and cons are before hand.

Some really interesting points so far. I will definitley have a look at solar panels. Can solar panels alone generate enough power for day to day living? I have also seen small wind turbines - would a combination of the two provide a more reliable power source? It is good to know that the range of clothes washing options work well as that was the major practicality that was worrying me the most. The info the sites is also great.

I think my next step will to be to phone round some of the sites in the areas I would be planning on staying to ask about if they are happy for long term living/booking requirements. 

One other question I assume security is good on sites/comparable to living in a flat?

If anyone else has any useful info to add then please feel free as it is all useful!

Thanks

Yes, you can run on solar for a large portion of the year. There will be a power gap around to shortest days, so I'm afraid electric hook ups are probably the way to go. I'm not to sure about wind power. Speak to the site owners. It might be possible. Noise and visual compromise likley to be the main issues. But wind would possibley cover the winter power gap. Have a read on this thread >>>Here<<<  Speaking to site owners is always good. 28 days at a time should be no probs. 48 hours off site before a return is allowed, or something like that. Sometimes landowners have a wee off site corner in a field that could be made available if they take to you. Hence my insistance, face to face talking is allways good.

I've never had an issue with security, but my insurers insist on wheel clamps or hitch locks. Nothing extra on the doors or windows, but then I go to the more desolate places. Suggest others pitch in here with their views. Get the expensive stuff right before hand, power generating capacity, fit 12 volt everything, tv lights, whatever. Minimise 240volt as much as possible. I just run my computer from a small pure sine wave inverter. Thats it. Microwave is a no, no. Inverters are wastful, but sometimes neccessary. You will learn  lots along the way. Just get the expensive bits correct right at the beginning. Remember, as a young person, you are more adaptable than retired old f@rts like me. Take that into concideration when you read what is said. ;-)

Thanks John. That is good advice and I definitely agree it is good to get the expensive stuff right before commiting! 

What would you say the average price is per night for a CL site with electric hookup? Around £10 a night seems to be what others have said, but I suppose if we were to be staying for longer periods we may be able to negotiate a lower rate.

As you mentioned insurance do you know of the best companies to talk to for full time insurance? I have heard Comfort and Safeguard mentioned the most but don't know if there are any others that are suitable?

Thanks

Sites differ in some way. £10 as good an average, but £14 is not uncommon in my neck of the woods. http://www.caravanguard.co.uk/  works best for me. Shop around, premiums vary dependant on lots of risk factors.

Don't forget the Safefill gas joined with a solar installation and you will be well away to independence at the less expensive sites. 

I have never felt insecure on sites of any sort here or in France and I am a Solo OAP (with 4 legged body guards admittedly!) and like the others the insurance insists on hitch lock and wheel clamp - (sometimes specific manufacturers). 

You will find a lot of technical info in the thread on How to Survive without EHU - to give you the ability for the less expensive and more rural sites.  Rather a long thread but worth reading I would say.  I have a smallish inverter to run the occasional thing (made mayonnaise with a hand held mixer the other day) but wouldn't dream of a microwave.  So while the largest solar panel you can afford is good advice I am not sure I would bother too much with control panels - my caravan one gives me a reading for the battery which is helpful.  I have a "wonderbag" (amazon have them) which works like a slow cooker but really I use my pressure cooker more often.  (I am not overkeen on chopping up onions first thing in the morning!  And a pressure cooker cooks a beautiful stew from cheap meat in 20 mins)  Lakeland have smaller pressure cookers and of course they can be used as ordinary pans too. 

That is good to know. The gas point is interesting. Perhaps a stupid question, but is the only thing that uses electricty  in a campervan lighting and electrical appliances such as laptops and the fridge?

If so how long would a bottle of gas last when in use for everything else on a daily basis (by two people)? Also how long would you be able to go without charging the battery when it is been used for everything that can't be powered by gas? I wouldn't want the hassle of moving every few days seening as I will be working full time. 

Thanks

Have you considered a motorhome rather than a caravan?  A winterised motorhome, such as a hymer, would keep you toasty warm in winter.  The over cab can be put away easily during the day and you would still have a good sized living space.  Ours is under 3.5 tonnes, which means I can drive it in my post 97 license.

The trouble with a motorhome, unless you have a car as well, is that if one of you goes out in it the other must as well.

Fridge runs on gas. Only thing that EHU is essential for if long term in one location is to charge the battery for internal lights, fridge control pannel and maybe a heating pump. A decent size solar pannel can cope with that aspect I would have thought.

Charging laptops etc and phones can be done using inverter or I suppose phones can be charged when driving.

We did think about getting a campervan but the main issue was that we both needs cars to get to work so having three vehicles would not be practical. Also we decided you got more living space in a caravan for the amount of money spend whihc is clearly vital to us if we are going to be living in it full time. I would be very interested to hear what other experices people have with electricty consumption.

Thanks

That's why I suggest the Safefill - I have their largest cylinder but can't say how long it lasts as I have topped it up everytime it's convenient.  The Fridge and water heater are your largest consumers of gas rather obviously.  You will find that some lights work on 12v so you want LEDs bulbs for those and the mains lights don't work if you aren't plugged in - I have plenty of 12v ones in the caravan - the important ones are 12v.  i.e kitchen, hall and bathroom as well as spots over the seating area/bed.  As you are comuting to work you can charge laptops and phones in the car?  My very small solar kept the battery topped up fine for a few days one very dreary early February long weekend although the tv was probably the only draw as I use candlelight.  I think you could have a spare battery to recharge on your commute in the car I used to have an aligator clipped wire that plugged into the socket on the tow car - however that was MANY years ago so that may not be up to date!  I still have it actually but would need an adaptor now I have the new electrics!  So far one battery has sufficed for me - and I don't need the extra weight of a second one.  Also lots of CLs have battery charging facilities so a spare battery might be helpful to you.