Should 'goodies' such as microwave ovens be offered as standard?
- Tuesday, 13 May 2008
- 1 Comments
The Big Issue image of Punch and Judy
YES says Jo Benson
Caravans today are truly sophisticated, but are they too sophisticated? It's difficult to find even an entry level caravan that doesn't come without a raft of features that used to be found only at the top of the range. As a result, we are forced to buy, yes, buy, because they sure do not come free, a gaggle of goodies we just don't want.
In today's environmentally alert society, it doesn't make sense to expend precious energy on the manufacture of superfluous gadgets and clutter up landfill with their eventual disposal.
But what to miss off? One man's must-have is another's why-have. Personally I'd dispense with the latest ubiquitous accessory, the microwave, but a labour-saving cook will love it, preferring to give the oven the old heave-ho, while barbecue fans might have little use for either.
Some folks may willingly ditch the dual-fuel water heater in favour of the free hot water in the onsite facilities. There are those for whom the charms of a stereo system fall on deaf ears, yet others gleefully luxuriate in full surround sound. The list goes on.
Manufacturers already foist upon us upholstery and fittings standard in their blandness. Relegate, then, all those extras back to the realms of the optional and give the customer some room for individuality. 'Choice' is the politician's buzzword, and I don't see why we caravanners should be denied the freedom to choose.
No, says David Mayer
Just like everything else in this world, caravanning has progressed over the years. Not so long ago, we were happy in caravans which had nothing more than a couple of gas lights and a foot or hand operated pump for the cold water supply.
Now however, many caravanners want more and more equipment so that they can use their caravans throughout the year rather than from around Easter to October. But it’s one thing to have essentials such as double glazing, mains electricity, full cookers, flushing toilets and showers, it’s quite another in my opinion, to have optional extras such as microwaves, satellite dishes etc. I firmly believe that these kinds of goodies are taking things one step too far. There has to come a point where you draw the line. If we go on adding optional extras we shall reach a point where the difference between the MRO and the MTPLM is so small there won’t be any allowance for clothing, bedding and the other items we need when we caravan.
Of course it could be argued that all that needs to be done is to increase the overall weight of the caravan. But the downside of the argument is that with the ever increasing cost of petrol and diesel – plus the extra charges which the government has announced on 4x4s – many people could be forced to quit the pastime. And that I believe, is the last thing anyone other than Jeremy Clarksons of this world would want!
Reader comments
Add your commentsNovember 16 12:34
Stuart Gardner
The trouble with having so many extras, is the weight that they add to the vans. Microwaves are not only heavy, but are almost always placed high up where we know full well only light items should be placed. As items are added, so many people need larger cars to tug them with, placing many vans outside people's price range.
In the environment we find ourselves in these days, we are firm believers in companies giving us the same good quality, but less of it, making vans lighter, but with the option of adding extras if we wish to.