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hello everyone,

After camping for a couple of years we have bought our first caravan it's a ace morningstar 2003, can't wait to try it out.We made the big switch after getting drowned in dorset last year setting up the tent, whilst trying to get dry we watched this couple pull up drop the legs on there van and in no time at all they each had a glass of wine in there hands job done, I knew there and then my tenting days were doomed.

Some eight years ago we sold up our tent & equipment after seven years of happy,  wet, windswept, & at times freezing camping breaks.  Just like you, it was the cold british camping that did it for us.   We purchased a four berth van, and have never looked back.  We now holiday up to five weeks a year plus the odd weekend.  This Easter we only drove twenty mins from our home and had a fantastic break.  I did however come home just a little stressed due to purchasing a 'new-to-us' five berth van.  Though now a week before we collect it, I am soooooooooo excited about it and can't wait!!!!!!!! 

Welcome to the caravan way of life, and all the adventures that are yet to come your way!

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caravan21

We tried a trailer tent last year but as we were on a budget I bought one, it was a bit small so sold that and bought a larger one.  We knew it wasn't perfect.., repaired it (so I thought) then went camping in torrential rains and discovered I had missed one reasonable sized hole right over our bed.  We spent one night watching the rain make a bigger and bigger damp patch and packed up and left the next morning.., a lot sadder than we arrived lol.

This year, again on a budget, we've bought a small caravan.  We didn't quite get what we were told by the owner but its damp free and came with a full almost new dorema awning so should be a totally different experience! 

We are trying it for the first time next weekend (altho we have already brought it home and checked the caravan and the awning).  We've even bought a large generator and presently sourcing a portable loo so should be able to go anywhere lol!

Obviously, it would be nice to buy a superdooper large 5 berth caravan (we've got a Sprite XL so think 2 berth sized with bunk beds to make it a 4 berth) but maybe another year lol! The awning will help with the size problem and we're planning on sleeping in the annexe provided so the kids can have the caravan and we might even get some sleep this time he he!

We've just made the switch too.  Loved tenting but with no room to dry it out at home we struggled if we had to pack up in wet.

Bought a '99 5 berth back in Feb & finally got our 1st weekend away last week.  Loved every minute!  Setting up & packing away took a fraction of the time - more time for chilling!  Even getting the beds out & putting them away again only took a few minutes.  We're totally hooked - can't wait to go again.

Congratulations on your first caravan purchase. You will not be disappointed.

We traveled from Nottingham to Scotland last Oct stopped off at Abingdon (south Lanarkshire) overnight. We arrived in high winds and torrential rain. We parked up got out the car straight into the caravan and didn't come out until next morning. We didn't unhook the caravan or put the steadies down it was just way too wet and windy for that. Luckily we only have a small 2 berth so it was ok.

Got up next morning to blue skies and sunshine. What a difference a few hours makes lol.

 we also loved tenting , and had a huge monty 12 with SIG, which we successfully camped in in october half term , terrible weather , and were pretty much the only tent on site not blown down and having to pack up and go home...loved every minute of it , even rolling on the tent to get the air out in gale force winds and rain lol.

 what did it for me was the season that all 5 airbeds decided to keep springing leaks , and we woke up many time on the hard floor.

bougth a cheap starter van 2 years ago , and never looked back ( although we did keep all the tenting epuipment and the tent 'just incase)

am now upgrading to a super big fixed bed van , and cant wait.

apart from the bed thing we also love the fact that we can keep it more or less equipped and ready , whereas with the tent we spent a week digging everything out of the loft before going , and used to pack a 10 foot trailer full to bursting with stuff ( im not a back to nature kinda girl and took all but the kitchen sink with us lol).

The rain was a major factor in us deciding that a caravan was the way to go too.  Our 1st camping trip started off a complete disaster but we started to enjoy it after a decents night sleep.  But it had too many limitations for us and we got a 2 berth cheapie caravan where we quickly realised was going to suit us right down to the ground if only it were a little bigger.  Hearing the rain and wind doesn't bother us in our lovely snug and warm 'van lol.  We soon moved onto a 6 berth and have just ordered our brand new Bailey.  I can't wait for it to come...

You have done the right thing, enjoy your holidays in it

We did the same as you in Devon last year !! now going back but in the van cant wait!!!!!