Getting a static caravan is one of the best things you could do if you love the idea of having a holiday home. There’s a wealth of beautiful holiday parks where you can pick your perfect holiday home and enjoy years of quality time with family and friends.
But how long would you be able to keep your static caravan lifespan on the chosen pitch? How long can they even last?
Before answering these questions, let’s see what you need to consider before putting your hard-earned money into one of these lovely holiday homes.
Key Factors to Consider Before Buying a Static Caravan
The most important question to ask yourself before buying a static caravan is this: will you use it regularly?
If it’s going to sit unused, then what’s the point of buying it in the first place? Not being there for regular maintenance to help you identify and fix potential problems, such as leaks, would accelerate its depreciation rate and devalue it.
If you end up being unable to use it, you could let your family and friends stay there occasionally or rent it out.
Another factor to consider is static caravan site fees —when buying static caravan pitfalls are a normal occurrence.
Why are they pitfalls? Because the prices can get sky-high, depending on the park’s location, facilities, and general standards.
The average for static caravan site fees in the UK range between £2,000-£5,000. The site fees in affluent parks with impressive facilities can reach up to £10,000.
In addition, you’ll need to consider the general maintenance costs and potential insurance (most holiday parks require obtaining insurance coverage).
How Long Can Static Caravans Last?
With proper maintenance, static caravans can last decades. We’ve seen many mobile homes remaining functional even after 20 and 30 years of use and more.
That’s because you can replace all the parts anytime, whether to repair or renew them. You can refurbish the entire caravan, ensuring it stays up to your chosen park’s standards.
You can spruce up the interior and upgrade the caravan in many other ways, ultimately extending its lifespan and increasing its value.
3 Essential Steps to Extending Your Static Caravan Lifespan
To make your mobile home last longer, take the following steps.
Galvanize the chassis
Many providers offer static caravans with a galvanised chassis, which protects against corrosion.
If your caravan isn’t galvanised, fit proper skirting around it for extra protection. That’s particularly crucial if the park is next to the sea, as salty air can make the chassis corrode quickly.
Maintain the flooring, roof, and gutters
If you fail to maintain the caravan’s flooring, roof, and gutters regularly, you may end up experiencing numerous problems down the road.
The flooring wears over time, and the roof may develop leaks or cracks in the rubber seals. That’s because they use skylights, which can degrade easily due to exposure to the elements.
Unmaintained gutters are a sure-fire way to damp issues and corrosion, so keep them clean to stop potential problems in their tracks.
Winterise your caravan
Preparing your mobile holiday home for the winter is key to keeping it in good condition.
That includes draining down the caravan to keep the water pipes from freezing and bursting—pouring non-toxic antifreeze solution down all the plug holes and sinks to combat the frost.
How Long Can You Keep Your Static Caravan on Site?
If you purchase a used caravan, you would likely be able to keep it on the site for eight years before the park reassesses it to determine if you can renew your site or pitch license.
If you buy a new caravan, you’ll be able to keep it on the site between 10-20 years, depending on the park operator.
What Can You Do When Your Site License Expires?
When your site license agreement comes to an end, there are four steps that you can take. Here’s a quick rundown.
Renew the license!
If you want to keep your static caravan on-site, you can simply renew the license. As long as your mobile home is in good condition and has remained up to the park’s standards, the license renewal should be a breeze.
The keyword is “should” because there’s no guarantee that the park will extend your license. For instance, they might plan on replacing it with a newer model. If that happens, the options below can be great alternatives.
Move the caravan to another park!
If you don’t want to give up your holiday home, you can always move it to another park. Granted, that would incur certain costs, but you would be able to keep your lovely home for many years to come.
When scouting locations to find your new ideal park, look into all their requirements to ensure your caravan is a good fit. Once you lock in on a location, hire a professional moving crew with specialist equipment that can relocate your home safely and securely.
Sell the caravan!
If you think the time has come for your caravan to get a new owner, you can sell static caravan it in no time. There are many traders eager to buy used caravans, and with that much demand, you’re sure to do it quickly.
You can sell your mobile home to your park operator as well. Most parks are willing to purchase caravans back from their lodgers, so the process should be seamless.
Part-exchange the caravan!
Part-exchange is an excellent way to trade your old caravan for a new model. It’s probably a solution that your park owner will offer at the end of your license agreement.
It allows you to stay at your chosen park, keep the site or move to a better one, and get a brand-new holiday home without a fuss.
And it may not cost you a fortune at all! Holiday parks tend to offer favorable prices when it comes to part-exchanges. Talk to the owner to find out what they offer and determine if it suits your needs.
Conclusion
If you’re planning on buying a static caravan, keep the tips above in mind to maintain it properly and extend its lifespan. The more you take care of it, the longer it will last, and your chances of staying at your desired park will increase.
Don’t forget to get a favorable long-term warranty and purchase insurance for your mobile home. Those are necessary steps to cut costs on potential repairs and enjoy stress-free moments in your holiday home for as long as it is yours.
