Advertisement
Message Forums |
|
 Topic: To buy or not to buy a caravan.........?
|
Page: 1 2
  |
15/7/2014 at 5:18pm
Location: Co Clare Ireland
Outfit: Hobby Sphinx 726
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 23/9/2011 Silver Member 
Forum Posts: 181
Tent Reviews: 1
| Site Reviews Total: | 5 |
|
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0  |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2018: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2018: | 0 |
|
Hi there,
We (2 adults 3 daughters 15, 13 & 8) have just returned from a 2 week tent camping holiday in France and now find ourselves at a camping crossroads........do we continue with the tent and buy a couple of more items to make it more comfortable or do we take the ultimate plunge and buy a caravan?
So why are we thinking about a caravan? Well this year in France we had a few periods of prolonged rain (i.e. all day and/or night and next morning) and found that it became quite suffocating in the tent, and dodging puddles running to the loo in raincoats became a pain - I found myself looking in envy at those around us in caravans with running water/toilets and their great big awnings. Also the 2+ hours it takes to set up camp and 3+ hours it takes to pack everything up is wearing thin - I have this perception that you can arrive on site in your caravan and have everything set up in 30 - 40 minutes? Am I deluded? Also our 2 older daughters announced this year that they are fed up with the tent - they love France and they love the campsite we were at this year (La Garangeoire - superb!) but, the lack of running water, lack of privacy, lack of some basic comforts and proximity to Dad snoring made for 2 grumpier than usual teenagers.
So any advice, pros and cons, etc that you can give me to help us decide would be most welcome.
As newbie tenters a few years ago this forum was a source of lots of great advice and ideas. I'm now hoping for more of the same in respect to Caravanning. If we do decide to go down the caravan route, we are starting from a position of having no clue about caravans - not an idea, so no piece of information or advice is too basic. I have read a few posts on here and have figured out that one big issue to look out for is damp. Also, apart from the obvious (i.e. 4 wheels instead of 2) what is the difference between a double axle and single axle 6 berth? Is it all down to size and weight? I've also figured out that finding out what weight caravan our car can tow is important. Mine is a Citroen C8 2L Diesel, 6 speed manual transmission, 136 bhp. How do I find out what weight we can tow? I've seen a few abbreviations regarding weights but I don't know what they mean.
If we do decide to buy, we would want a 6 berth, preferably with parents sleeping at one end and kids at the other, to mitigate the snoring issue! I've seen a Bailey Ranger 540/6 for sale that has the triple bunks, that I quite like the look of. Any opinions on that? Any advice on layout?
Basically I will accept and appreciate any information and advice.
Thanks for taking the time to read this essay!
Post last edited on 15/07/2014 17:42:03
-------------
2016: La Garangeoire
2015: La Garangeoire
2014: La Garangeoire & hopefully a couple of weekends in Ireland
2013: Des 4 Vents, Ile de France & Portland , Normandy, O'Connors Riverside, Doolin
2012: Actons, Clifden, Co Galway; Interlude, Ile de Re; Salthill, Co Galway; Westport, Co Mayo
|
| Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off! |
|
|
|
16/7/2014 at 2:11pm
Location: Co Clare Ireland
Outfit: Hobby Sphinx 726
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 23/9/2011 Silver Member
Forum Posts: 181
Tent Reviews: 1
| Site Reviews Total: | 5 |
|
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2018: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2018: | 0 |
|
Thanks so much for taking the time to reply.
Lots of good information and advice to mull over.
Audicab26, that's great information on the weights and advice re the fixed bunks - thank you. Yes, where to store it when not in use is something we have been thinking about and are looking into. As a matter of interest, does anyone know what is an average rate to pay for storage?
Millermicm, thanks for working out those rates for me - very helpful. Yes, the additional costs are something to consider. We already tow a trailer with all our camping gear when camping in Ireland or France. I actually did 2 comparison quotes last night for ferry prices with the trailer versus a <8m caravan and the price difference was only €60. In addition to France we would envisage using the caravan for weekends at home, and would hope that it would lengthen our camping season as waiting for the perfect weather to tent camp in Ireland can lead to a very long wait! Also, the set up time for the tent has made weekend camping less appealing.
Greenhill, yes we'll have to bring everyone caravan shopping and get everyone to lie on the beds! As you said I imagine the set up and packing up to be a much smaller job, which is very appealing.
Brianconwy, I know it's not the same as the kids get older, even though ours still enjoy going on hols with us (not that they have a choice!) but I can empathise with their issues regarding the tent.
Fredted, that website is great - thank you. I want to be able to not worry about the weather forecast on hols either! Even this year, in the final days of our holiday we were watching the forecast closely, as if there was a risk of more of the rain we had had earlier we would have had to pack up early and find a hotel for our last night.
Yes, putting a couple of them sleeping in the awning is another option to consider - thanks.
Ljhomer, this was our first time at La Garangeoire and won't be our last. We loved it, even if we were unlucky with the weather. It is a fab site - hope you have a great time.
I have sourced a few dealers both here and in Northern Ireland, and will make some phone calls and work out who is worth visiting. Newbridge Caravans in Co Kildare seem to have a great selection - does anybody have any experience of dealing with them?
Thanks again for your help - I love that all the responses are so positive regarding caravans!
-------------
2016: La Garangeoire
2015: La Garangeoire
2014: La Garangeoire & hopefully a couple of weekends in Ireland
2013: Des 4 Vents, Ile de France & Portland , Normandy, O'Connors Riverside, Doolin
2012: Actons, Clifden, Co Galway; Interlude, Ile de Re; Salthill, Co Galway; Westport, Co Mayo
|
|
|
7705 Visitors online !
Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite
[Message Forums]
[Caravan Sites & Camping]
[Company Listings]
[Features / Advice]
[Virtual Brochure]
[Shop!]
[Reception]
[Competitions]
[Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]
[Event Diary]
[Contact Us]
[Tent Reviews]
Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024 |
Advertisement
|
|
Advertisement
|
