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 via mobile 09/8/2024 at 7:29am
Location: Manchester
Outfit: Bailey Pusuit 540-5
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Joined: 14/2/2014 Standard Member
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We currently camp in a tent, an airedale 7se, which I like, but my husband is saying maybe we should think of getting a caravan for the following reasons.
1, We camp abroad so when we have been driving 4 hours to Portsmouth or Dover then 5 or 6 hours in France it's hard work setting up a tent with all the accessories (we do like our home comforts)
2, It can get cold over night
3, More comfortable beds
My reasons for staying in a tent
1, cost of buying a decent caravan
2, heat in the caravan during the day and having to cook in it.
3, costs more on the ferry, toll roads and fuel
If you have swaped to caravans or tents what's the pros or cons please?
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09/8/2024 at 10:52am
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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I switched from a tent to a custom-converted panel van motorhome as I did not fancy towing (I did tow a small leisure trailer when I was a tenter for my gears).
I decided to switch unit from a tent to a MH as the time and efforts, and the recovery period required to set-up and pack up was getting harder and longer for me as I aged.
I opted for a MH as I did not wish to tow on my own.
My PVC MH is small, just under 6m in length, being a medium wheel base VW Crafter. It has a 2-burner induction hob, a bathroom with a flushing toilet and shower, and a decent size fridge with a freezer compartment. The drop-down bed provides me with a decent living area underneath.
There is also a wind-out awning for use when the weather is nice.
She can just about fit into a normal size parking space without causing obstructions.
Height is an issue in that being 2.5m high with the roof mounted air conditioning unit, she cannot fit into certain car parks with a height restriction.
The van is too big to use as a daily run around, and I have a small car for that purpose.
I opted for a MWB VW Crafter as I liked to be self-contained with a functional bathroom with a toilet and shower. In addition, I dislike the idea of having to make and pack up the bed every time I have to use it. Hence a smaller vehicle like a VW T5/6 would not have suited my requirements.
I can cook with the back doors opened. Tunnel crossing (I only use the tunnel by choice) is cheaper than car + caravan. Don't know about fuel cost as I used to get more MGP in my car when I was towing a leisure trailer for having a lighter right foot!
I too would suggest hiring a campervan/MH to try it out for yourselves to see if you like it.
I didn't do that, however, I did visit a number of big shows and examined quite a few MHs and PVCs to come up with my own needs and wants in a van.
Good luck!
DK 
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* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
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- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *
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09/8/2024 at 1:08pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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Tents, camper-vans, trailer-tents, caravans, and motorhomes, they all have their various advantages and disadvantages.
We switched from a tent to a caravan decades ago when our kids came along, as it was much more convenient with all the paraphernalia that goes with having young kids. Those kids of ours now have kids and even grandkids of their own, so that's how long ago it was. One of the main disadvantages for us of a mototorhome (apart from initial cost) was that we would need a second vehicle for day to day use. A camper-van was fine when we were young, and in fact our first holiday in married life was spent in one borrowed from a friend, but it would be too cramped for us now.
We have stayed with caravans as they suit us perfectly. I don't mind towing as I once did it for a living. We are not in the least "flash", we don't have to have a new anything, consequently we have a 1992 caravan we bought 7 years ago for just £1,100. It does us just fine, we have not long come back from 2 weeks away with it. One of the main things we like about a caravan is that you can leave it all set up on a site and you still have the car to run around in. Nothing to unplug or stow away when we just want to nip to the shops for a loaf of bread.
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Best Regards,
Colin
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via mobile 09/8/2024 at 3:48pm
Location: N. Ireland
Outfit: Elddis Xplore 304
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Have you thought about a folding camper ? Once you get used to it they can be set up / dismantled in 10 mins or so, they have surprising room inside, they have 2 fixed beds and are much more comfortable than a tent (but not as comfortable as a caravan), fridge and electric, etc. Not as expensive to buy (2nd hand anyway), cheaper on the ferry (less height) and way cheaper to tow, also as cool as a tent inside, er, since it is a tent lol.
We've been through small tents, big tents, mobile home rental, folding campers and caravans, and while we love our current small Xplore caravan, I'd be content to go back to a folding camper if I had to. But not a tent.
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11/9/2024 at 3:48pm
Location: high wycombe Bucks
Outfit: Royal Winniepeg 4 Daxara trailer
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Joined: 09/9/2010 Gold Member 
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we went from tenting abroad mostly to a new caravan... bit of a risk, but we love the van. My husband enjoys cars, so a motorhome ,campervan was not an option for us. Even a new caravan is much cheaper than Motor homes.
we haven't used the caravan as a direct replacement to the tent. We used to go to France in the summer holidays, instead we use it every month in the UK. yes it is more expensive on the ferry etc, and for us that would mean taking it abroad for an extended period of time eg 5 weeks to make the extra cost more palatable.
Have just returned from a11night stay in France, but that was in a friends house ,so doesnt count.
I think tenting is more sociable.If that is what you want ,but we are happy with our choice..
A wet pack,with everything but the kitchen sink was our last camping in France experience, a desire for ready assembled beds, and the knowledge that we would soon have as long as we want with no work commitments also influenced our choice.
Happy Camping
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Topic: Tent or caravan
