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We have just got back into camping after a good few years away and have had to buy all new gear, I haven't compromised on anything and have got exactly what I wanted............haven't bothered to count up the cost cos all the fun is worth it.....and we can trot off when we feel like it, the freedom has got to be worth the outlay.

Linda

Quote: Originally posted by ricohman on 15/4/2006

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Its allright saying carravans are capable of keeping up with the traffic, you want see how many carravans are broken down and on their sides this weekend, i live in the Lakes and the roads have been a nightmare.

Do carravans not go through a M.O.T because some of them shouldn't be on the road.

 

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Or try following one up Ditchling Beacon at a snail's pace, or crawling through our winding lanes.

Met one the the other week who'd managed to block 3 lanes by getting stuck taking a tight corner in narrow lanes - he'd followed his satnav. One guy had to to do an 8 mile detour to get home!

 

Quote: Originally posted by ianork on 15/4/2006

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I think not, but its only a question of time before they do and I expect that will be closely followed by the need to have a diffirent licence to just a car licence if you wish to be towing things like caravans.

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I think that's an excellent idea, tbh.

I've never worked out what all our kit cost us, but it's an interesting exercise:

 

Khyam tent -  £250

Khyam windbreak £22

Footprint          £25

2 sleeping bags £30 (half-price bargain)

Air bed              £30

Pump  £10

Stove (2 burners + grill)  £45

2 chairs £24

Lamp £12

Headlamps (2) £10

Water carrier  £1.75 (originally contained 9 pints of Harveys Best Bitter from local brewery shop)

Dog stakes £9

Kitchen utensils & knives £10 approx (Ikea bargains)

Tea cosy £2

Folding step £3.99

Fleece blankets £10 (Ikea)

Mattress cover £5

Gas bottle - free from friend 

Plates, pans, cutlery, tea towels etc - surplus to requirements from home

Table - free from friend

Mallet £3?

Extra pegs £10?

2 plastic crates to keep it all in £10

We have a kettle and teapot so ancient I have no idea what they cost, but I bet they were no more than a fiver each, tops.

 

Which all comes to under £500, I reckon, about the price of a decent 7-night package holiday for one!

It all fits easily into a Passat estate too, even with the dogs in their crates taking up half the back.

 

Quote: Originally posted by atko on 14/4/2006

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trailers slow you down and so do caravans!

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Funny - my husband swears that the trailer pushes the car along at times

Our upgrades to our camping set up over the past 24 months to cater for a growing family has included 3 tents (long stay, weekends and overnight) and totalled about £750. We have used them all, covering about 6 weeks away in total over that time. This cost plus pitch fees, fuel, activities and food still comes in under what we spent on a 10 day "affordable" holiday for 3 (including a child at half price) in Malta last year when all the costs of that holiday are included. Apart from memories and photos we have nothing to show for the Malta holiday, whilst this year we have a set-up that should do us well for even cheaper holidays for many years, whilst allowing us many more days away for the money this year. Still going to go abroad - albeit using our tents in future.

Helen