The True Cost Of Caravanning
Caravans, like cars can cost you any number you care to mention. It depends on your budget and how much you’ll use it. Assuming you’ve bought a caravan. Now what? What other expenses are involved. You might be surprised how many caravan accessories you’ll need / want.
You’ll need a few of things before you go on your first trip. But what will you need when you rock up to your first caravan site, without people saying “all the gear and no idea?” ( I’m assuming you have nothing but a caravan and a tow car )
If you’ve purchased one from a dealer, then they probably tried to sell you everything you need and really, it’s a flipping long list. You might already have some of the things you need, like, I don’t know, cutlery and bed sheets. In this case you can of course take some from your home with you. However, we find it a good idea to buy stuff specifically for the caravan, otherwise you forget stuff. Also, if your caravan is in storage, you’re bound to come home and leave stuff in the caravan you need.
Think about what you need when living in a house; water, electricity, a toilet, everything you take for granted you also need when holidaying in a caravan. Makes sense right? Of course it does, but I’ve lost count of how much stuff we’ve forgotten when going on holiday in our caravan, it’s embarrassing! Something silly like forgetting the TV remote control, is very annoying, therefore, making a list might be a good idea to start with.
Necessities
Water
Why do you need water? Well, apart from drinking, we might need to wash dishes and wash yourself of course. You could probably get away without having it but you’d be relying on bottled water and washing up at the on site facilities and using the shower block. You’ll need a container to put the fresh water into. Something like an Aquaroll will cost you about £50. Here’s the sort of thing available on Amazon.
Hitchman Aquaroll 40L Portable Water Carrier – Durable Food-Grade Rollable Water Container with Ergonomic Handle for Caravan Motorhomes Camping and Outdoor Events*
- High Capacity & Versatility – The Hitchman Aquaroll 40L Portable Water Carrier is perfect for camping, festivals, and outdoor activities, offering a large capacity for all your hydration, cooking, and cleaning needs.
- Durable Food-Grade Material – Made from 100% food-grade virgin material, this water carrier ensures safe, hygienic water storage while providing long-lasting durability for repeated outdoor use.
- Effortless Portability – Designed with a rollable body and ergonomic handle, transporting up to 40L of water is quick and easy, even on uneven terrain.
- Compatible & Convenient – Features an additional side neck for hassle-free filling and is compatible with the Aquaroll Mains Adaptor (Sold Seperatley), enhancing its functionality for a variety of outdoor scenarios.
- Space-Saving & Guaranteed Quality – Lightweight, collapsible design allows for easy storage when not in use, and the included 10-year container guarantee ensures unbeatable value and reliability.
Electricity
Unless you’re into wild camping – living off grid like an 1970’s hippy – you’ll need to plug stuff in. Think of phone charges, the kettle and hair straighteners they all need electricity. So you’ll need a special cable that plugs into your caravan, then into the Electric HookUp Point on site. One of these orange things is pretty much what everyone uses. A 25metre electric cable will cost you about £30
25m Orange Caravan / Camping Hook up Extension Lead Cable with 16 amp Blue Plug and Socket*
- 16A Male Plug and Coupler (Socket) commonly used on UK Caravan and Camping Sites
- High visibility orange cable
- Constructed to Relevant British Standards
- Great Quality product can be used time and time again
Waste Water
So, you’ve washed the dishes and emptied the sink, but where does all that waste water go? Well, if you haven’t got a waste container, it’s poured all over the pitch. Waste water (not from toilet) is collected in a container that needs emptying when it’s full. This is sometimes called “grey waste”. A grey waste container can cost anything from £20 – £50.
Waste Hog Caddy / Carrier For Camping Caravan / Motorhome 45 Litre Capacity*
- Streetwize 45 LITRE WASTEHOG. Waste container on wheels (Previously Pyramid)
Toilet Fluid
You need two types of toilet fluid usually pink and blue in colour (although the blue can also be green as a nod to our environmental friends) Pink goes in the water that’s used to flush the loo and the blue / green goes in the toilet cassette which will need emptying. I always use more than I need to ensure no foul smells interrupt my sleep!
Pink and Blue can be bought for under £20
Caravan Step
You’ll of course need to get into the caravan, a step is the way to do it. These are priced around £15-£30
Royal 199100 Single Deluxe Step, 25.5cm x 43cm x 35cm, Grey*
- Strong, rigid tubular steel construction
- Quality non-slip tread
- Dimensions (H x L x W) 25.5cm x 43cm x 35cm
- Maximum weight capacity 150 kg
- With a manageable weight of 2.01kg and a height of 25.5cm, it is easily transported in your caravan
Royal 199200 Deluxe Double Step Non-Slip, Grey*
- Made from steel to offer that extra strength
- Ideal for use with caravans, motorhomes, 4 x 4’s and also help the disabled in and out of vehicles
- Each step has a non slip rubber surface
- Fitted with steel cross members for additional strength
Milenco – Giant Double Step*
- Step Height: 20cm / 39cm
- Tread Size: 50cm x 27cm
- Base size: 72cm x 61cm approx.
Leisure Battery
You might need a leisure battery, this will power things like a motor mover as well as lights and water pump when not connected to mains electric. We recently purchased one with our caravan from a dealer and it was around £120.
Yuasa L36-100 12V 100Ah 900A Leisure Battery*
- Optimised for repeated charging & discharging
- Original equipment quality & specification
- Supplied charged & ready to fit
- Enhanced safety features including integrated flame arrestor and carry handle
- Up to 1380 watt hours and up to 160 cycles
Deep Cycle Leisure Battery 12V 75AH SuperBatt LM75 Battery Caravan Motorhome, Marine Boat*
- Voltage: 12V ; Capacity: 75AH (C100) ; CCA 650A
- Dimensions (size) – L 278mm x W 175mm x H 175mm (H – Including Terminals)
- Dual Purpose (Starting & Auxiliary) Leisure & Marine Heavy Duty Long Life Battery
- Maintenance Free with Advance Calcium Technology
- 2 Years Manufacturer Warranty
Gas Bottle
You’ll want to cook something. Gas can also be used to power the fridge if you have no mains available. When you initially get a gas bottle (cylinder) it’s more expensive as you have to pay a deposit on the bottle. We recently bought a 6kg Calor bottle for just over £60. However, to refill it is about £23. You can get refillable bottle from Safeill, these are over £100 to buy but refills are cheaper. However, not everywhere lets you refill bottles, so be aware of this and do some research up front.
Security Devices
You’ll want to sleep at night knowing you’ve done all you can to deter a criminal settling your pride and joy. You can buy cheaper locks, but these are considered premium items, cheaper ones are less than half the price. Check any insurance policies as there my be a section telling you that you need to keep the security devices on at all times, even when on site.
- Hitch Lock: £200
- Wheel Lock: £200
- Leg Lock Nuts: £25
Stronghold Hitchlock for Caravan and Trailer AL-KO Hitches Including AK130, AK160, AKS1300, AKS2004 and AKS3004 Sold Secure Gold Standard*
- Hitchlock for use on AL-KO AK130, AK160, AKS1300, AKS2004 and AKS3004 couplings
- Approved to Sold Secure Gold standard for caravans, plus Secured by Design approved.
- Immobilises hitch to prevent tow-away theft
- The strong and robust high visibility yellow hardened steel casing with anti-saw features covers the fixing bolts of the hitch to protect it from being stolen
- Weighing only 3Kg it is easily fitted, hitched or unhitched
Saracen Hitch Lock AL-KO purpleline*
- Saracen Hitch Lock ALKO Purpleline
- Suitable for ALKO AK130 AK160 AKS1300 AKS2004 AKS3004
- Carry case
- Security hitch ball
- Lock protector
Sale
Maypole ALKO Hitchlock Suitable for Securing AK130 AK160 AKS1300 AKS2004 AKS3004 Caravan and Trailer Hitches, Yellow*
- Hitchlock for Alko hitches
- For Alko hitches: AK130, AK160, AKS1300, AKS2004 and AKS3004
- Immobilises hitch to prevent tow-away theft
- Highly visible deterrent
- Strong & robust
Sale
Stoplock Wheel Clamp HG 400-00 – Anti-Theft Lock Device for Small-Wheeled Cars Caravans Trailers With 13″ to 15″ Wheels , Yellow*
- Wheel lock that helps to prevent your vehicle from being stolen
- For wheels that are 13″ to 15″ diameter and up to 8″ deep
- 330mm to 382mm in diameter and up to 205mm deep
- A robust physical and visual deterrent
- Quick and easy to attach and supplied with three keys
ProPlus Excalibur Wheel Clamp*
- Wheel clamp Excalibur
So far:
- Water Container: £50
- Electric Hookup Cable: £30
- Waste Container: £50
- Toilet Fluid: £20
- Step: £20
- Battery: £120
- Security: £425
- Gas £65
Total: £780
Other things you will need, but might already have
Plates, bowls, mugs, cutlery
Bed linen
Towels, tea towels
Other Ongoing Costs
You’ll in all likelihood want to insure your caravan, you might also need to keep it in storage. There are yearly services, but no tax or MOT. Insurance will cost around £300 – this of course varies greatly on the type of cover you want and the caravan you have. Storage could cost as much as £600 a year, you can no doubt get it cheaper, so farms have storage facilities. Servicing I’d allow around £200.
Added to this you of course have the cost of the holiday itself; site fees not forgetting fuel.
Additional Items
These are what I’d consider luxury items, others may also consider these essential!
- BBQ
- Awning
- Outside Chairs
- Outside Table
- Levelling blocks
There are seemingly no end to bits and pieces you can buy. For many it’s a hobby as well as something to go on holiday in. These prices will vary and are meant as a guide.
If that lot hasn’t put you off, why not have a look at our article on why you should buy a caravan
*Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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