TonyC123
Free Member
- May 29, 2020
- 81
- 81
- Funster No
- 71,193
- MH
- Currently looking
- Exp
- Newbie
Once again I must apologise, as I cant see this topic raised in a recent thread, but I feel sure it must come up for discussion regularly.
There are a few factors which seem likely to develop over the next 10 years or so, and which might influence how people go about the business of full-timing.
These are a couple of the potential issues that might arise:
There is the possibility of increases in tax on fossil fuels over the next 10-15 years- not a decisive increase maybe, but I would expect there to be increases as the profile of the coming climate problems continue to increase, and government efforts to discourage combustion engines start to ramp up.
There is also the issue of increasing restrictions. I believe Fife is considering introducing regulations forbidding camping in vehicles outside of designated locations (which will have some services, and be charged for). Portugal has I believe also just introduced a ban on wild camping.
We don't know if this is part of a growing trend to restrict the freedom of motorhomes and campervans, or just isolated moves- but I am getting the impression that the level of antagonism towards motorhomes is increasing as the numbers of them increase year on year, and the no parking/sleeping signs are reportedly becoming more common.
The pandemic seems to have crystallised a lot of anti-motorhome sentiment as well. There are numerous tales of wild campers being harassed and even threatened by local vigilante groups in rural areas, and struggling to find safe locations free of harassment by locals or police.
Europe would have been a potential haven for full timers, but after 31 Dec we are limited to 3 months our of 6 in any part of the Schengen region, (broadly speaking).
I personally believe there will be a continuation of some level of the antipathy towards motorhomers even after the lockdown is fully over. But who knows?
So are these potential future issues affecting the thinking and the planning of full timers, or "most-timers"?
Are you considering packing it in at some point, if it becomes too restricted for your preference?
Has the hostility towards motorhomers during the lockdown made you change plans or reconsider the long term future?
Or are you carrying on regardless and have no concerns about the future issues?
As I'm planning to splash up to 60k on a MH in August, I'd be interested to know people's long term plans and ideas, and whether you've considered alternatives- caravanning maybe? Personally, as I want to stay mainly on CLs anyway, and wild camp maybe 100 nights a year, the lockdown hostility or future fuel cost increases probably won't change my plans or expectations.
There are a few factors which seem likely to develop over the next 10 years or so, and which might influence how people go about the business of full-timing.
These are a couple of the potential issues that might arise:
There is the possibility of increases in tax on fossil fuels over the next 10-15 years- not a decisive increase maybe, but I would expect there to be increases as the profile of the coming climate problems continue to increase, and government efforts to discourage combustion engines start to ramp up.
There is also the issue of increasing restrictions. I believe Fife is considering introducing regulations forbidding camping in vehicles outside of designated locations (which will have some services, and be charged for). Portugal has I believe also just introduced a ban on wild camping.
We don't know if this is part of a growing trend to restrict the freedom of motorhomes and campervans, or just isolated moves- but I am getting the impression that the level of antagonism towards motorhomes is increasing as the numbers of them increase year on year, and the no parking/sleeping signs are reportedly becoming more common.
The pandemic seems to have crystallised a lot of anti-motorhome sentiment as well. There are numerous tales of wild campers being harassed and even threatened by local vigilante groups in rural areas, and struggling to find safe locations free of harassment by locals or police.
Europe would have been a potential haven for full timers, but after 31 Dec we are limited to 3 months our of 6 in any part of the Schengen region, (broadly speaking).
I personally believe there will be a continuation of some level of the antipathy towards motorhomers even after the lockdown is fully over. But who knows?
So are these potential future issues affecting the thinking and the planning of full timers, or "most-timers"?
Are you considering packing it in at some point, if it becomes too restricted for your preference?
Has the hostility towards motorhomers during the lockdown made you change plans or reconsider the long term future?
Or are you carrying on regardless and have no concerns about the future issues?
As I'm planning to splash up to 60k on a MH in August, I'd be interested to know people's long term plans and ideas, and whether you've considered alternatives- caravanning maybe? Personally, as I want to stay mainly on CLs anyway, and wild camp maybe 100 nights a year, the lockdown hostility or future fuel cost increases probably won't change my plans or expectations.