Caravan Cost of Ownership Calculator
What does your caravan really cost to own? Not the price on the forecourt, but the yearly bill once depreciation, storage, insurance, servicing and pitch fees are added up. Put in your own numbers and see the cost per year, per month and per night away.
The figures already filled in are examples only. Replace them with your own quotes for the most accurate answer.
Estimates only, based on your inputs. Depreciation uses a fixed yearly percentage of the remaining value. Finance interest is averaged across the years you keep the caravan, and the full repayments are shown separately as cash out. Real resale values, quotes and prices will vary.
Depreciation Is the Bill Nobody Budgets For
Ask an owner what their caravan costs and they will list insurance, storage and pitch fees. Few mention the biggest number.
Take the example figures above. A £20,000 caravan losing 10% a year is worth about £11,810 after five years. That is £1,638 a year, more than insurance, storage and servicing combined.
Add the running costs and the true cost comes to about £3,954 a year, or £132 for every night away.
So what changes the number most?
- Use it more. Go away 60 nights a year instead of 30 and the cost per night falls to about £81. Most of the cost is there whether you tour or not.
- Buy where the steep fall is over. A caravan a few years old has already taken its biggest drop in value.
- Keep finance short or small. £15,000 on finance at 9.9% over five years adds about £778 a year in interest to the example.
Typical Running Costs
Prices vary by region, site and caravan. Use these as a starting point, then get your own quotes.
| Cost | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Secure storage | £250 to £500 a year | Higher near big cities and for indoor storage |
| Insurance | £150 to £300 a year | Depends on value, storage and security |
| Habitation service | From about £200 a year | Usually needed to keep the warranty valid |
| Pitch fees | £10 to £50 a night | Coastal sites and peak season cost more |
| Caravan and Motorhome Club | £66 a year (2026) | Member discounts on Club site pitch fees |
Five Ways to Cut the Yearly Bill
- Shop storage. Prices between sites in the same county can differ by hundreds of pounds. Ask whether a secure site lowers your insurance too.
- Check whether you can store at home. Read your deeds or lease first. Many new-build estates forbid it.
- Join a club only if you will use it. At £66 a year and £15 off per night on Club sites, five nights pays for Caravan and Motorhome Club membership.
- Tour off-peak. Pitch fees drop sharply outside school holidays.
- Never skip the service. Damp found early costs far less than damp found when you sell.
For Caravan Dealers
Buyers who understand the full cost before they buy are less likely to regret it. Share this calculator with first-time buyers, and you have a fair, honest conversation about running costs before the sale, not after it.
More Ownership Tools
Caravan Ownership FAQs
How much does it cost to own a touring caravan per year?
It depends on what you paid, how long you keep it and how often you use it. A £20,000 caravan kept for five years, stored on a secure site and used for 30 nights a year comes to roughly £4,000 a year once you include depreciation. Use the calculator above with your own figures.
How much does caravan storage cost?
Secure outdoor storage is often quoted at around £250 to £500 a year, and more near big cities or for indoor storage. Prices vary widely by region, so get quotes from sites near you. Storing at home costs nothing if your deeds, lease and local rules allow it.
How much is touring caravan insurance?
Many owners pay a few hundred pounds a year, but premiums depend on the caravan's value, where you store it and the security you fit. Ask insurers whether a secure storage site or a tracker lowers your premium.
How much do caravans depreciate?
There is no fixed rate. Brand, layout, condition and demand all matter, and values tend to fall fastest in the first few years. The best guide is the asking price of the same model at three and five years old on used listings. Enter your own estimate in the calculator.
Is club membership worth it?
Do the maths for your own touring. In 2026 the Caravan and Motorhome Club charges £66 a year and quotes a £15 saving per night on its UK campsite pitch fees for members. On those figures, five nights on Club sites covers the fee.
Does a caravan need servicing every year?
Yes, an annual habitation service is strongly recommended, and most manufacturer warranties, including water ingress warranties, require one. It checks gas, electrics, damp, brakes and running gear.
Should I count finance repayments as a cost?
Only the interest. The rest of each repayment pays for the caravan itself, which you already account for through depreciation. Counting both doubles the cost. The calculator shows interest as a cost and shows your full repayments separately as cash out.
Does this work for static caravans?
Not well. Static caravans swap storage and pitch fees for annual site fees, and their costs and resale values work differently. This calculator is built for touring caravans.