Opinions on selling up......

[T6ChrisO]

So, in between two minds at the minute on what to do with the Crafter.

Truth is its barely getting, and going to be getting used due to me and my partner having 4 dogs between us. Its becoming a pain trying to find family to look after them and we cant take them with us as its just mayhem .

I'm wondering what you guys would do if you had a camper sat there on the drive, potentially only getting used a few times a year and those few times, would probably only be weekend breaks, not week or fortnightly breaks?

If it wasn't costing me anything per month, I could potentially just leave it parked up and use it when the chance arises BUT I took out a small loan costing £300 per month to help buy it so I have that hanging over it.

Opinions welcome from you wise folk...................

Chris

 

[Vanderlust]

Would hiring out the van occasionally be sufficient to offset the cost of keeping it. Don’t know all the ins and outs and could be more hassle than it’s worth but some folks make it work and could advise.

 

[T6ChrisO]

Would hiring out the van occasionally be sufficient to offset the cost of keeping it. Don’t know all the ins and outs and could be more hassle than it’s worth but some folks make it work and could advise.

I ran a camper hire business for 18 months and then sold the business. It can be made to work but its very tieing always having to be around for collection/ drop offs. You find your weekends just arent your own anymore. Insurance is the biggest cost at approx £2500 per year for the policy so its not something I'd look at doing at the minute

 

[Kind of Blue]

I empathise, years ago we had a a pair of rescue Irish Wolfhounds they where exceptionally well behaved and trained. They had to be because we live amongst farm stock, sheep and cattle. The adjacent farmers here just shoot anything if it is a problem, wild life, badgers foxes some birds, etc just get exterminated and they have no sentiment at all towards dogs, they even treat their own work dogs harshly. The problem was their sheer size if we took them away or to the pub. Standing up on hind legs they where far taller than us so took up a lot of space so visiting apart from initial curiosity could be problematic as one dog if allowed could stretch out and take up an entire sofa. I do miss them, unfortunately they have short lives but we can not have another the responsibility is just too great. Oh and the Dog loved travel, open the vehicle door and in he went had to be coaxed out if not going any where, he would stand looking through the windows enjoying every minute leaning into curves if travelling quickly in fact the faster the better for him! The Bitch unfortunately loathed vehicle travel absolutely hated it. It was something to do with a former owner. I understand one of his dogs died and looking through news paper from the area she came from, I saw something unpleasant with dogs being left in a vehicle too long in the blazing sun.

Have you considered intensive training for your dogs? It is such a shame that you can not continue with your van with your dogs dogs are like children and they come first.

 

[T6ChrisO]

I empathise, years ago we had a a pair of rescue Irish Wolfhounds they where exceptionally well behaved and trained. They had to be because we live amongst farm stock, sheep and cattle. The adjacent farmers here just shoot anything if it is a problem, wild life, badgers foxes some birds, etc just get exterminated and they have no sentiment at all towards dogs, they even treat their own work dogs harshly. The problem was their sheer size if we took them away or to the pub. Standing up on hind legs they where far taller than us so took up a lot of space so visiting apart from initial curiosity could be problematic as one dog if allowed could stretch out and take up an entire sofa. I do miss them, unfortunately they have short lives but we can not have another the responsibility is just too great. Oh and the Dog loved travel, open the vehicle door and in he went had to be coaxed out if not going any where, he would stand looking through the windows enjoying every minute leaning into curves if travelling quickly in fact the faster the better for him! The Bitch unfortunately loathed vehicle travel absolutely hated it. It was something to do with a former owner. I understand one of his dogs died and looking through news paper from the area she came from, I saw something unpleasant with dogs being left in a vehicle too long in the blazing sun.

Have you considered intensive training for your dogs? It is such a shame that you can not continue with your van with your dogs dogs are like children and they come first.

Two are partially blind and getting on a bit. both bad on their legs too so if we did take them, we are pretty much rooted to the spot that we park up. The other two are fine.

I've never had kids so my dogs are like my children ha ha. I'll always put them first which is why I wont put them into boarding anymore (with their ailments). I think in a year or twos time, I wont have this issue

 

[david173]

Two are partially blind and getting on a bit. both bad on their legs too so if we did take them, we are pretty much rooted to the spot that we park up. The other two are fine.

I've never had kids so my dogs are like my children ha ha. I'll always put them first which is why I wont put them into boarding anymore (with their ailments). I think in a year or twos time, I wont have this issue

Obviously sad to think of it this way but if its only a year or two then does it matter so much the van isn't getting used to its full potential?

If you were to sell up, then in 2 years time want to get a van again it is probably going to be a lot more expensive than just keeping the van for 2 more years

 

[DaveD]

I empathise, years ago we had a a pair of rescue Irish Wolfhounds they where exceptionally well behaved and trained. They had to be because we live amongst farm stock, sheep and cattle. The adjacent farmers here just shoot anything if it is a problem, wild life, badgers foxes some birds, etc just get exterminated and they have no sentiment at all towards dogs, they even treat their own work dogs harshly.

Good, you're right, it is important to be in control of your dogs.
Sadly not every body is, my own father was very upset when he shot and killed two German Shepherd cross bred dogs, partly because he didn't want to kill anything, partly because they'd already killed 40 of the 150 sheep in the field and weren't going to stop for anybody. Sadly most of the other sheep aborted their lambs due to the stress.
My father could have allowed the dogs to continue their killing spree, showing some sentiment toward the dogs, but we already had enough cleaning up to do.

 

[kg1709]

Our van has covered just 4k miles since 2022. It is a 2019 with just 28k on the clock, we have access to other cars for general running around and the van is used only for weeks/weekends away and that is very seasonal for us. It has taken us to the continent and many great places in the UK. I have considered the same during the winter months, but would surely at some point miss it if it went (not wanting to go back to tenting!) and to purchase another one later on would be even more expensive so am keeping.

 

[DaveD]

Two are partially blind and getting on a bit. both bad on their legs too so if we did take them, we are pretty much rooted to the spot that we park up. The other two are fine.

I've never had kids so my dogs are like my children ha ha. I'll always put them first which is why I wont put them into boarding anymore (with their ailments). I think in a year or twos time, I wont have this issue

I'm afraid I'd have to sell it, it's costing you money every month and I guess that as you're already asking yourself if it's good value, it's probably not.

 

[Kind of Blue]

Good, you're right, it is important to be in control of your dogs.
Sadly not every body is, my own father was very upset when he shot and killed two German Shepherd cross bred dogs, partly because he didn't want to kill anything, partly because they'd already killed 40 of the 150 sheep in the field and weren't going to stop for anybody. Sadly most of the other sheep aborted their lambs due to the stress.
My father could have allowed the dogs to continue their killing spree, showing some sentiment toward the dogs, but we already had enough cleaning up to do.

The Dog was absolutely bullet proof, faultless absolutely superb with cows even dairy.. He was very instinctive, seemed to know what I wanted. I have no farm training but when cattle from across the river broke over every so often and wandered up the steep hill through the woodland I could with him round them all up and then march them down all the track ways and across the river he would be ahead of me pushing them herding if one turned he would be strait at it turning it back and it would go where he wanted. If I put my hand up he would stop or like a football winger go to the outside to stop them breaking away. Always he would look over to get my face and approval. I never ever had a problem with cows with him it was a pleasure. The Bitch on the other had was tentative to start then would be in and out splitting them up all over the place, useless, more hard work. Had to keep her in on those occasions. I would never leave them on their own with sheep but I did not need the lead for him but occasionally for her. Even though I trusted them I would never leave such powerful animals on their own with children or farm animals. It just would not be fair on any of them and it is too easy to be sorry after but once bad is done it can not be undone. I cried and sobbed when I eventually had to put the down with the vet coming out it was just like murder. Murdering ones own children that is what it felt like. I never want to feel that ever again but they where suffering badly with age related problems heart and so on. I did it for them! I miss them! great big affectionate things

 

[JoshB_]

Get a towbar and a teardrop caravan for the dogs.

 

[Drive Wayne]

Why not try one of our more intimate gatherings in Leicestershire, once you, your lady and the 'pups' have sampled Forum Friendship, you may well find a common interest in vanlife. A couple of years ago I was worried how my Mrs would cope with meeting up with new folk, but she was welcomed with open arms and open bottles and she can't wait for Springs gathering! People travel further than you Chris, you are a legend in your own right, we would look after you and yours.
You never know, it could be the start of a new shared interest that has been very healthy for my Mrs and I! It's so good to have a common interest that doesn't involve her talking about the NHS!

 

[Green Giant]

Do you still have your lovely T6? Maybe if you do, you could put the Crafter up for sale at a price to recover the full cost you paid for it, we are coming into the season when the campervan market starts to pick up, there will always be other vans to buy in the future and convert into a camper, we once brought a brand new caravan, brought all the kit you need for it, paid a years caravan storage, insurance, etc, we only had 10 nights away in it, one long weekend and one full week away, owned it one year, sold it for what we paid luckily.
If I ever sold our T6 I would buy a big estate car and go back to camping, the camping kit you can buy these days is worlds apart from the kit of my youth, I still really enjoy camping

 

[T6ChrisO]

Why not try one of our more intimate gatherings in Leicestershire, once you, your lady and the 'pups' have sampled Forum Friendship, you may well find a common interest in vanlife. A couple of years ago I was worried how my Mrs would cope with meeting up with new folk, but she was welcomed with open arms and open bottles and she can't wait for Springs gathering! People travel further than you Chris, you are a legend in your own right, we would look after you and yours.
You never know, it could be the start of a new shared interest that has been very healthy for my Mrs and I! It's so good to have a common interest that doesn't involve her talking about the NHS!

We both have the love for vanlife, thats not the issue. Its the 4 dogs. If we didnt have them, or just had two, we'd be away most weekends I think

 

[T6ChrisO]

Do you still have your lovely T6? Maybe if you do, you could put the Crafter up for sale at a price to recover the full cost you paid for it, we are coming into the season when the campervan market starts to pick up, there will always be other vans to buy in the future and convert into a camper, we once brought a brand new caravan, brought all the kit you need for it, paid a years caravan storage, insurance, etc, we only had 10 nights away in it, one long weekend and one full week away, had it one year, sold it for what we paid luckily.
If I ever sold our T6 I would buy a big estate car and go back to camping, the camping kit you can buy these days is worlds apart from the kit of my youth, I still really enjoy camping

No that sold last month. Whenever we did get away in the T6 with just two dogs, it felt cramped so I cant even consider going back to a cheaper T6 and sell the Crafter as I would still be in the same situation. I am seriously contemplating selling the Crafter now

 

[Drive Wayne]

We both have the love for vanlife, thats not the issue. Its the 4 dogs. If we didnt have them, or just had two, we'd be away most weekends I think

Thank goodness for that Chris, I was worried that you had hitched up with a weirdo who preferred staying in luxurious hotels rather than sleeping in a tin box in the middle of nowhere!

 

[Stay Frosty]

Sell and save yourself £75 a week.