Message Forums

We had a huge 9 man dome tent that took forever to set-up/pack-up so weekends away were too much hassle.  We're now on our 3rd year in a caravan & love it - loads of weekends all year round as well as the main holidays.

Towing isn't as bad as I expected - I dreaded it 1st time but last year I towed in France quite happily.  Still not got my head around manoeuvering though but that's OK because OH always does that bit    I believe the Club towing courses are very good for anyone who's not towed before & they also teach about loading, checks etc...

Do your research & take your time finding the right van (preferably in winter when the prices are lower) & you'll never look back.

I agree with Jaqugra - caravanning is far more comfortable.  A number of years ago we had a number of expeditions with the tent (In fact they are still in the false roof)

We are now in our 7th year of caravanning.  We bought an old caravan to start with to see if we liked it which came complete with the awning and several other extras so it wasn't necessary for us to buy much.  There wasn't water containers with it but we didn't go to the expense of aqua rolls to start with - just bought the small black waste container and water containers that cost less than a tenner each. 

After the first season we were hooked so started buying better gear and bought a better caravan which we had for five years.  Changed it again last year for a fixed bed model which was five years old.  With a bit of luck by the time I retire we will be able to change it again for a brand new one which hopefully we will keep for many years of happy caravanning.

I hope you decide to get a caravan - I don't think you will regret it.

We love caravanning and would recommend it to anyone.  I prefer it to any other form of holiday, but it is not necessarily a cheap option, in my opinion. One still needs to be very realistic about things that need to be considered.

Apart from the initial outlay of equipment, caravan, awning etc., remember that a caravan will need to be insured (especially if is a new/newish van).  It will need to be serviced every year (specifically a requirement if the van is still in warranty).  You will have to consider storeage.  Would you store it at home?  Would you be allowed to store it at home?  If not, you would (like us) have to use a storeage facility.  Your insurance company might specify a level of security for a storeage facility e.g. a gold CaSSOA site.  They might also specify security devices on the caravan - hitch lock, wheel lock, tracker device.  You will need to make sure that your car is able to tow the van you wish to purchase - it needs to be compatible.  Ask on here - folk will be most willing to advise.  Beware of retailers who say, words to the effect: 'You'll have no problems pulling the van with your car - it'll pull anything'.  It they can't give you/ explain the figures specifically, then they don't really know - do your own independant research.

I'm not trying to put you off - we love it.  If the van and the car is matched up correctly, you will get used to towing quickly.  The worst part is reversing, IMHO, but the Caravan Club do run very good courses to help yuo through if you are concerned.

The lovely thing about a caravan is that you can set it up relatively quickly.  It's great to have heating, a comfortable bed, running water, gas cooker, microwave, toilet and shower all ready to use.  You can put clothes in a wardrobe/ locker before you start and you don't have to unpack.  After having given up tenting for caravanning, one of the first things that most caravanners do is buy an awning....... another tent!    It gives you an extra room, but the important thing is, it's not absolutely essential.  You can put it up the next day, or take it down the day before you leave to save time on the day, or to avoid the rain shower/storm or the inevitable morning dew.

We have a complete set of equipment we leave in the van.  The only thing we take out are personal items/clothes, bedding and linen.  The rest stays in - saves a lot of packing.  When your caravan is 'at it heaviest, take it to a weighbridge to check to make sure you are not overloaded.  It's surprising how much stuff some caravanners take.

Look forward to an increase in he m.p.g. when you are towing, but after all this, we still wouldn't have it any other way.

Towing & manouvring is another skill to learn but whilst the club courses are very good most people learn these skills on a self taught basis so it can't be difficult can it.  Thousands of people do it routinely and I am sure you would have no trouble after a bit of practice.

Just make sure you get the right (dry) van

We have just bought a caravan 2 weeks ago after many years of camping,and due to my back problems it was the only answer to an easier set up and pack away. We are trying her out in a couple of weeks and we are so excited,

Karen

Hi margankaz77.

I satarted off in a tent then moved to a trailer tent but two month's ago bought our first van,we only went to look but fell in love with it so bought it there and then, i haver never towed something this big before but backed the car up and hitched the van on and i'm about 15miles from home,thats where the problem would be as we live in a dead-end street and have parking bays,the drive home was not what i expected as the car felt like it had no shocks at the back(bouncy) and i had to stop off in the city to pick my step-daughter up so had to drive through the town was not looking forward to that bit either but if you just take your time and watch the corners and roundabouts as when towing the van doubled the lenght of the car,it was quit easy,now when i arrived home i had to turn the whole lot around to face the other way and reverse up hill to park it in the bay,it took a few attempts to get it their, car almost overheated (radiator fan switch broken).

It was left there for a few days until we found somewhere to store the van but found a place 30 miles away for £180 per year,thats the storage sorted now for the first camping trip we booked a weekend at hollywell park,we had two cars and three kids twins of 4 and a 5 year old when we got to the park it was the dreaded parking on the pitch but i got it on my second attempt(i find the hardest thing is turning the wheel the wrong way you want to go ).

As for setting up you unhitch, wind the legs down get your cable out plug in to the post then the van get the water put kettle on and rest ,we have done two trips so far and looking forward to the next (July/August) but o/h loves it and already talking about getting a bigger van in a couple of years time and she has never camped before.

We love it and don't think i could go back to canvas again unless she kicks me out the van and i have to sleep in the awning lol.

but do look around for the right van and take a damp meter with you we didn't and got a van with some damp in the shower so two inner panels will have to come off to see the extent of the damage i have to repair but this site has years of knowledge and they will to help if they can but someone on here will know something about your questions.

Good luck on you quest to join the (wind jeremy clarkson up club).

Barry...

hi

we have had tents for years but on a recent trip saw some second hand vans for sale, we decided to go for a 1997 Abbey, only paid £650 for it, and even went 50/50 with the inlaws who have always wanted to give it a try but also hesitant to spend loads encase it wasnt for them. Turned out to be a great, sound and clean van, we all love it and its definately been a 'learning experience'! the first weekend we used it (easter) was pretty much spent finding how to switch/plug things in from the changing the toilet casette to blowing the fuses on the first night! lol --- there is alot to learn about caravaning even before you get one! but we found that other caravaners on site were a great help when we were totally confused?!!

give it a go with an older cheapie van and see how you like it!

good luck!