The easiest way to make touring cheaper

Thanks for elaborating, TF. I definitely got the impression that you were shunning club sites regardless of all factors but it seems that’s not the case.

We're not actually a million miles apart although your OP caused me to think the opposite.

Anyone remember the old adage "take care of the pennies..."?

Whilst the cost differential over a seven night trip may not be significant, for anyone touring for 70-80 nights plus the amount soon mounts up and the choice to use CLs or similarly priced sites can result in a saving of over a thousand pounds in a year's touring, if not more. For those of us whose surname isn't Rothschild that is not insignificant.

Well Mrs M reckons I'm tight - I call it frugal! But always on the lookout for a bargain. To be honest, location comes first every time, then we'll look to see what's available. Because the shower area in our van is of necessity used for storage, we usually look for sites with facilities, although for a stopover we're quite happy with non facility sites.In low season, when we're likely to stay close to home it often turns out to be a club site, but in higher season it's usually a CL, particularly if they charge the same rate all year. The one exception is when we have a specific event and want to guarantee a good standard. Next week we'll have a few nights at Chatsworth, yes expensive, but worth it for us.  

We've been too often disappointed with commercial sites which look good on paper and a glossy website but turn out to be nothing special when we arrive. 

At the end of the day a site is only good value if you're happy to pay the going rate. 

and that's great if you want to save that money but otherwise don't question those that want to spend their money on what they want to enjoy their life.

Am I'm pretty sure club sites are not full of Rothschilds but rather people who just want to pay for what they think is best for them. Why they should face questions about why they use club sites when they could save their money is beyond me? 

There’s an argument in there, CY, that suggests if people can’t afford to pay for the number of nights they want to be away, then maybe they’re trying to live, or holiday, beyond their means. There are two ways of looking at it.

Certainly for those wishing to save money there are good CLs about. 

For the times that I travel there is generally little to be saved (if any) by using sites other than club if not using CLs.

I thought this was the 'tips for making caravanning and touring cheaper' section, where I fully expect to see posts about 'saving money', and using CLs (or other cheaper alternatives) in lieu of (either) club sites, seems pretty good advice.

...as is CY's, where most of the 'longer term' touring members (and I could name a few) generally choose to make use of CLs, Aires, discounted deals etc, to enjoy their holidays.

there aren't many who spend (say) 20-35 weeks a year in their vans and yet stay wholly on club sites....it would be too expensive for many.

these longer term tourers are pretty savvy at eking out their season based on using 'cheaper' (than Club) sites....

yes, perhaps those who spend just a few weeks away might use club sites all the time, but these aren't the folk I'm thinking of...

We don't spend enough time away to think too much about costs so we pay a variety of prices. In the height of the season this year we're planning on THSs which will certainly reduce costs but they're not for everyone. We're also using a CL in June, but it's not cheap and we've paid upfront for a place we want to visit. Also a week long rally with the club in July. There are some bargains out there, something for everyone. 

There are some bargains Brue but only if they are where you want to be when you want to be

As a "long term tourer" ( 250+ nights per year) cost is a major concern for us. We could probably afford the addional £2-3000 a year it would cost us to use club sites but would not then be in a position to change our van or car when we feel the need to do so. Hence we limit our cost per night to a maximum of £15 apart  from exceptional circumstances, and we are able to find sufficient sites to suit us throughout the country, be they CLs, small Commercial sites and certain CC sites at specific times. We could of course tour less but that is not what we choose to do while we still can.