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Subject Topic: Too old to begin caravaning? Post Reply Post New Topic
24/3/2015 at 5:21pm
 Location: west country
 Outfit: vw Touran no caravan yet
View adenjack's Profile View Profile   Reply to adenjack Reply   Quote adenjack Quote  
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Hi
Hope to get a secondhand touring caravan (with a motor mover) soon... but just slightly worried that we will be over stretching ourselves physically or just kidding ourselves and therefore wasting our time and money!
We are a capable, fit, couple in our mid 70's, still doing all maintenance jobs, gardening and decoration etc around a (large) house, though it does take longer than it used to do as unfortunately we are not as strong as we were.
Are we being silly to dream of touring here and abroad again with a caravan, not having done it for about 20 years.
Have any of you experience of caravanning in older age and have you any advice to share?
Thanks.


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Adrienne


24/3/2015 at 5:35pm
 Location: Ceredigion
 Outfit: Swift Archway Sport 21 2
View Lynm's Profile View Profile   Reply to Lynm Reply   Quote Lynm Quote  
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I met a couple in my local dealers who were both 78 & just part exing their caravan for a new one. Go for it!


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Lyn xxx
Harbury Fields March
Moreton in the Marsh March/April
Hawthorn Cottage April
Lamb Cottage April
Somers Wood May
Maxstoke Hall June
Houghton Mill June
Lamb Cottage August
Somers Wood September
The Meadows, October


24/3/2015 at 5:40pm
 Location: west country
 Outfit: vw Touran no caravan yet
View adenjack's Profile View Profile   Reply to adenjack Reply   Quote adenjack Quote  
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Cheers....... and thanks.
That's my feeling but husband more cautious than me...
Thanks.

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Adrienne


24/3/2015 at 5:48pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View SGThomas's Profile View Profile   Reply to SGThomas Reply   Quote SGThomas Quote  
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Hallo there welcome to the site, it is nice to have some youngsters on here.

We are older than you and go touring on the continent for long periods, so there are no problems, in principle, with your age.

Any caravan you get must have a motor mover fitted. All the tugging and shoving is taken care of.

The main problems for abroad is in acquiring health insurance. Over 70 it is assumed you are decrepit and over 75 you have no right to be alive.

The main point to remember is that you don't have to rush anywhere and once on a site, people are more than willing to help.

So stop being a wimp and go for it, because you are getting near to snuffing it.



24/3/2015 at 5:54pm
 Location: west country
 Outfit: vw Touran no caravan yet
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no where near snuffing it ha ha ... though have made a Will.....
have bank travel insurance which is valid till we leave the bank...
how helpful is the EU health card... ?
and further questions... how heavy is a full awning to put up... seem to remember them as very unwieldy and heavy... are they still?


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Adrienne


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24/3/2015 at 6:12pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View SGThomas's Profile View Profile   Reply to SGThomas Reply   Quote SGThomas Quote  
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You will need the EHIC card for your private insurers to pay out.

As we have only just moved over to caravans from trailer tents in the last 18 months, I don't know the historic weights of awnings.

We have a lightweight one which has no front panel and aluminium clip together poles. It is really a ginormous porch.

It takes 15-20 minutes to thread it through and completely assemble. And no hardship for the two of us working together. We have a Walkers Awning

Post last edited on 24/03/2015 19:37:01


24/3/2015 at 7:10pm
 Location: North Essex
 Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400
View billy's Profile View Profile   Reply to billy Reply   Quote billy Quote  
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A full 'proper' awning is heavy but you can get lightweight nylon porch awnigs or sun canopies but if theres only 2 of you then an awning don't seem much point. Choose a caravan with fixed bed & dinette. If its warm enough to sit outside you don't need an awning.


24/3/2015 at 9:05pm
 Location: Wirral
 Outfit: Swift Freestyle 520 on seasonal pitch
View alan29's Profile View Profile   Reply to alan29 Reply   Quote alan29 Quote  
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Awnings give you somewhere to change out of muddy shoes without making the caravan dirty. Hang wet coats etc there too.


24/3/2015 at 9:34pm
 Location: Ayrshire
 Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs
View Fiona W's Profile View Profile   Reply to Fiona W Reply   Quote Fiona W Quote  
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Alan, us motorhomers manage without an awning! We want to move on quickly without spending the time putting up an awning (we might as well use a tent and have the convenience of a car). Just needs a bit of discipline like the German campers use - outdoor shoes off, tuck under motorhome, slippers on - and the caravan (or motorhome) stays clean. (Dogs, however, don't follow these rules...)

Adrienne - get the caravan first and enjoy!! the awnings etc can come later. Mark Twain says you regret what you don't do more than what you do do (I'm not quoting him, as you can tell, just the gist of it) - so go for it. None of us is getting any younger. As we said when we got our MH - if not now, when? Folk on sites are friendly, you'll always have a helping hand if you need it.



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2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.


24/3/2015 at 9:35pm
 Location: Staffordshire
 Outfit: Freelander 2 2.2GS
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Wouldn't advise getting a traditional canvas awning - there are lots of lightweight ones out there so you are sure to find something suitable - so much easier to put up, lighter to transport etc. We have a 390 Sunncamp one that takes us about 30 minutes from getting it out of the bag to sitting down in the chairs in it with a cuppa.

There are even new awnings that inflate! They are quite expensive but I have read good reviews on them.

If all you want is somewhere to keep the muddy boots and extra storage, a small lightweight porch awning is ideal and you can buy one for about £100 or less if you shop around.


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24/3/2015 at 9:37pm
 Location: Staffordshire
 Outfit: Freelander 2 2.2GS
View Patches's Profile View Profile   Reply to Patches Reply   Quote Patches Quote  
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BTW meant to say we are not quite in our 70s yet! but I do have decidedly iffy knees and problems with arthritis and carpel tunnel


24/3/2015 at 9:54pm
 Location: west country
 Outfit: vw Touran no caravan yet
View adenjack's Profile View Profile   Reply to adenjack Reply   Quote adenjack Quote  
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actually thanks to everyone for their help and support......
certainly helped clarify our thoughts.... will go for a lightweight sun porch...

looking at a 4 berth caravan with fixed bed and a shower in a cubicle...and a motor mover.... pure luxury...

and although fit and healthy now... had two hip replacements and now as good as new... in fact, better.
And thank you folks..... very much appreciated.

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Adrienne


25/3/2015 at 6:47am
 Location: Scotland
 Outfit: Coachman Highlander (Amara)
View feeblecat's Profile View Profile   Reply to feeblecat Reply   Quote feeblecat Quote  
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Age is just a number. My father in law tent camped and walked up Ben Nevis in his 80's. If you're fit and healthy go for it. But I agree that making it as easy as possible is the way to go (for anyone) so a motor mover etc is a good move.


25/3/2015 at 7:18am
 Location: west country
 Outfit: None Entered
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I don't see a problem at all. My only advice would be get a motor mover on the caravan and use a lightweight awning. Full canvas awnings are hard work.

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Steve




25/3/2015 at 11:20am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Motorhome
View Romaway's Profile View Profile   Reply to Romaway Reply   Quote Romaway Quote  
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I go to many rallies and most of the people I camp with are over 70. I am considered young because I am in my 60s.

Many have had health problems but they manage fine.

Some of the jobs are hard and heavy like loo emptying, but on an all facility campsite you should be fine.Agree about a light awning. Many manage without. If you just want extra storage for chairs etc a small pop up tent might suffice.


26/3/2015 at 10:37pm
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Avondale Dart Caravan
View Blakeney's Profile View Profile   Reply to Blakeney Reply   Quote Blakeney Quote  
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We are both in our 70s and still caravan we have a moto mover and last year we brought a oxy air awning

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Cuckoo corner nr Hereford 2to 9th September 2017
22nd 23rd September 2017 St Neots
9th 14th October Mablethorpe



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