Flyboy
Guest
Im a full-timer
I live 24 7 365 totally full-time and only spend Christmas on a camp site so truly wildcamp .
I live 24 7 365 totally full-time and only spend Christmas on a camp site so truly wildcamp .
Full timers?
- Thread starter Paulus
- Start date
LesleyKH
Guest
Sort of part-time full-timers at times! We lived in our van for a year and travelled. Rented the house out. Then husband lived in it for 5 years working away from home during the week on contracts and coming back to our house at weekends. He is sooo much tidier in the van than in the house that I'm almost tempted to just live in it full-time, or maybe just kick him out, but then I wouldn't have the van!
Lesley
Lesley
10para
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Full-timer
I've been full timing now for nearly 4 years
I've been full timing now for nearly 4 years
Deleted member 71374
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Full timers
Sorry guys but I never knew anyone replied to my post as i I get no email notifications at all
Well you see my intention is to go full time one day but how do you find the Insurance please guys & If reasonable where from too please?
Maybe who's asking
Sorry guys but I never knew anyone replied to my post as i I get no email notifications at all
Well you see my intention is to go full time one day but how do you find the Insurance please guys & If reasonable where from too please?
Rockburner
Guest
We're going to be ringing around various companies, if I see an recommendations I'll add them to my list.
Not sure if the comparison sites can be used, but it's worth a try.
martinmartin
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full timing
Hello Fulltimers :wave: To be or not to be that is the question,Full decloration attracts parrasites so sometimes its better to just spend a great deal of time in your van rather than declare being a Full Timer.
Hello Fulltimers :wave: To be or not to be that is the question,Full decloration attracts parrasites so sometimes its better to just spend a great deal of time in your van rather than declare being a Full Timer.
maingate
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Last activity 14/05/17. :rolleyes2:
jagmanx
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If you are not honest
A claim can (and no doubt) will not be met !
Thus we pay up !
Comfort / Aviva
If do do not pay the usual UK housing expenses (rent/mortgage council tax Services) you are saving a fortune anyway.
Swings and roundabouts or snakes and ladders..ONLY 1 big snake (insurance) but lots of good ladders...
EG my council tax would be £150 x 10 (Direct debit) = £1500 more than enough... then there is Water Energy Telephone......
You would pay anything fro £250 to £500 for insurance anyway.
Yes it was a bit of a shock to me when I first notified my insurance company but now it does not bother or worry me
A claim can (and no doubt) will not be met !
Thus we pay up !
Comfort / Aviva
If do do not pay the usual UK housing expenses (rent/mortgage council tax Services) you are saving a fortune anyway.
Swings and roundabouts or snakes and ladders..ONLY 1 big snake (insurance) but lots of good ladders...
EG my council tax would be £150 x 10 (Direct debit) = £1500 more than enough... then there is Water Energy Telephone......
You would pay anything fro £250 to £500 for insurance anyway.
Yes it was a bit of a shock to me when I first notified my insurance company but now it does not bother or worry me
Deleted member 967
Guest
I will second that after 6 years of full timing it is no cheaper than living in a house but at least you get a change of view and you aren't bothered about neighbours to much.
Bossangel
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A couple of months ago I would of vehemently disagreed over a pint of cider and bag of pork scratching.
However now I'd have to concur after having to buy another van as the 2nd one died. I'm back to just above if I was renting but not by much . I'm full time 11 months
REC
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Don't think it costs anywhere near as much for us living in the van than when we were running the UK house. Reckon we were spending £500month in bills which have stopped. Fuel is a cost but it depends on the size and economy of the vehicle. Insurance and breakdown cover for Europe is biggest cost. Paying £75 month for storage of our belongings and about £25 month for phone/ broadband. Gas seems to last much longer than we thought it would. Food similar cost, campsites very occasionally cost a minimal amount as we wildcamp or free Aires. Plus we have money in the bank from the sale, which brings a (small) amount of interest. However we only stay in the van for extended periods as half time in Portugal. Costs there are less than one month's council tax in UK for a year in Portugal, just council tax 19euros year and electricity 70 euros year with free solar and free water. I suppose each individual has to cost it out with their own circumstances in mind. Currently feel we have the best of both worlds!
Trish1997
Guest
I'm in my 9th year of full timing, a have lost quite a bit of money in changing vans but doesn't every notorhomer do that when they change vans.
Yes insurance is more expensive and I am truthful with the only company that will do it which is comfort. This winter I am in the UK but used to spend it in Spain when my husband was alive.
Still sorting out stuff about that but will tour France in the spring.
It's hard to make relationships when you are truly full timing though as most people I meet are amazed when I say I live in my van.
I'm retired so don't have the ability to earn money so make it go further when touring France by using the free Aires.
I can't see myself in bricks and mortar anytime soon until health forces it I guess which I hope is nit for a long time yet.
Yes insurance is more expensive and I am truthful with the only company that will do it which is comfort. This winter I am in the UK but used to spend it in Spain when my husband was alive.
Still sorting out stuff about that but will tour France in the spring.
It's hard to make relationships when you are truly full timing though as most people I meet are amazed when I say I live in my van.
I'm retired so don't have the ability to earn money so make it go further when touring France by using the free Aires.
I can't see myself in bricks and mortar anytime soon until health forces it I guess which I hope is nit for a long time yet.
jagmanx
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Depreciation of MH and yearly cost analysis
I suggest factoring in Depreciation costs is not appropriate as these would be incurred if just using for holidays/touring
Yes a an extra amount for depriciation
So here goes Firstly savings
1 Council Tax £1500 pa
2 Water rates £500 pa
3 Telephone internet 12x£15 = £180 pa
4 Gas & Leccy say £1000 pa
5 Other house expenses maybe £300 pa
Total £3500 pa at least
Costs
1 Extra insurance £700
2 Extra Depreciation maybe £500
3 Extra diesel £600 based on 60% of Total
4 Extra gas £70 again 60%
5 Secure storage over the winter £300
6 Campsites £400 again based on 60%
Thus GT of £2600
OK this is based on our routine where we use the vehicle 100% for 5 or 6 months not a full year
For a full year diesel and gas and campsites would be more but I would save £300 on storage so a net loss of maybe £600
Thus a change from reasonable saving almost £1000 to minimal saving
So as others have posted Not much in it.
BUT it depends so much on Mileage and Campcosts
Clearly no point in have a vehicle and "not going out"
in 5 and a half months last summer we travelled 5000 miles
Previous year Scandinavia we travelled 8000 or so but we had a supper 4 months !.... surely that is the key
You are also saving a vast amount compared with "Normal Holidays"
eg 2 weeks in Spain for 2 people just costed at £2000 full board...I suggest this figure is "very minimal" other costs will be incurred
Finally
WE want to use our MH as described above thus we let our house for several reasons
1 No big bills (only TV licence and house insurance £400 pa)
2 House occupied
3 House secure(ish)
4 Rental income
5 House appreciating in value
Items 4 and 5 above are "game changers" and I do not include the income or appreciation in my analysis
House rental is not without it's problems
We have had 4 very good years but as of today (early Dec 2017) we have a problem with both reduces income and causes stress
However we are sill saving on the house services cost (all items listed earlier).
Our house agent will deal with all the hassles and of course this will cost !
We expect the problem to be solved by April when we are reasonably confident that normal service (ie income) will return
I suggest factoring in Depreciation costs is not appropriate as these would be incurred if just using for holidays/touring
Yes a an extra amount for depriciation
So here goes Firstly savings
1 Council Tax £1500 pa
2 Water rates £500 pa
3 Telephone internet 12x£15 = £180 pa
4 Gas & Leccy say £1000 pa
5 Other house expenses maybe £300 pa
Total £3500 pa at least
Costs
1 Extra insurance £700
2 Extra Depreciation maybe £500
3 Extra diesel £600 based on 60% of Total
4 Extra gas £70 again 60%
5 Secure storage over the winter £300
6 Campsites £400 again based on 60%
Thus GT of £2600
OK this is based on our routine where we use the vehicle 100% for 5 or 6 months not a full year
For a full year diesel and gas and campsites would be more but I would save £300 on storage so a net loss of maybe £600
Thus a change from reasonable saving almost £1000 to minimal saving
So as others have posted Not much in it.
BUT it depends so much on Mileage and Campcosts
Clearly no point in have a vehicle and "not going out"
in 5 and a half months last summer we travelled 5000 miles
Previous year Scandinavia we travelled 8000 or so but we had a supper 4 months !.... surely that is the key
You are also saving a vast amount compared with "Normal Holidays"
eg 2 weeks in Spain for 2 people just costed at £2000 full board...I suggest this figure is "very minimal" other costs will be incurred
Finally
WE want to use our MH as described above thus we let our house for several reasons
1 No big bills (only TV licence and house insurance £400 pa)
2 House occupied
3 House secure(ish)
4 Rental income
5 House appreciating in value
Items 4 and 5 above are "game changers" and I do not include the income or appreciation in my analysis
House rental is not without it's problems
We have had 4 very good years but as of today (early Dec 2017) we have a problem with both reduces income and causes stress
However we are sill saving on the house services cost (all items listed earlier).
Our house agent will deal with all the hassles and of course this will cost !
We expect the problem to be solved by April when we are reasonably confident that normal service (ie income) will return
Trish1997
Guest
Ok. Thanks. I'll nit add any more then.
Deleted member 967
Guest
No one seems to have made an allowance for wear and tear and breakdowns in their calculations.
We found we needed to replace a tap every 12 to 18 months (bathroom or kitchen).
We had at least one breakdown a year that cost on average £1000 per year over the 6 years of full timing. Our major breakdown expenditure was on Fan Belt Tensions and Vacuum exhauster pump. We had to replace road springs and track rod ends. I allowed £1,000 in the budget but exceeded it some years.
Tyres wear out faster Full timing.
Batteries also wear out.
Gas Appliances also wear out. We had to replace the water heater, one Truma heater and a burner/Control unit in another.
There is a bigger risk of damaging something on your van that has to be replaced urgently. If not full timing you could put it off until later. Mirrors, Steps come to mind.
Upholstery and surfaces also take more hammer as do floor coverings blinds etc.
Add to that the other thing you may feel the need to add on such as more solar, B2B charger, Generator, A Gas Tank it all adds up but make life better on the road.
We found we needed to replace a tap every 12 to 18 months (bathroom or kitchen).
We had at least one breakdown a year that cost on average £1000 per year over the 6 years of full timing. Our major breakdown expenditure was on Fan Belt Tensions and Vacuum exhauster pump. We had to replace road springs and track rod ends. I allowed £1,000 in the budget but exceeded it some years.
Tyres wear out faster Full timing.
Batteries also wear out.
Gas Appliances also wear out. We had to replace the water heater, one Truma heater and a burner/Control unit in another.
There is a bigger risk of damaging something on your van that has to be replaced urgently. If not full timing you could put it off until later. Mirrors, Steps come to mind.
Upholstery and surfaces also take more hammer as do floor coverings blinds etc.
Add to that the other thing you may feel the need to add on such as more solar, B2B charger, Generator, A Gas Tank it all adds up but make life better on the road.
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jagmanx
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Yes Indeed
A new gas regulator £90 including fitting/testing
A new tap £70
Summer 2015
4 New tyres £400 so let us say £100 a year
Routine Servicing / MOT Allow £400
I have a motorhome "Budget account" (as you do I Think) and now Put £200 a month aside for ALL yearly expenses (inc insurance) probably not quite enough but as we only pay 6 months road tax I pay that from our normal account ( as well as I do with diesel gas campsites Ferries and Small maintenance eg tap)
Summer 2017
A new gas regulator £90 including fitting/testing
A new tap £70
Summer 2015
4 New tyres £400 so let us say £100 a year
Routine Servicing / MOT Allow £400
I have a motorhome "Budget account" (as you do I Think) and now Put £200 a month aside for ALL yearly expenses (inc insurance) probably not quite enough but as we only pay 6 months road tax I pay that from our normal account ( as well as I do with diesel gas campsites Ferries and Small maintenance eg tap)