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 Topic: Caravan and toddler
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29/4/2016 at 9:52pm
Location: Cheshire
Outfit: Trigano Odyssee
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Hi, I am hoping you can help us decide. We have a trailer tent and have camped for years but when baby number three came along 2 years ago we have just stayed in mobile homes. This summer we were planning on camping again. However, I am having second thoughts as she is a livewire and not the best sleeper. I don't see how we can contain her in a tent and I don't think the whole experience would be a relaxing holiday! The reality of putting up a trailer tent with a toddler hit me last week when we tried it out on the drive. So we are wondering whether a caravan would be better for us. I think she would sleep better and if she wakes wouldn't be waking up the whole campsite with just canvas walls. Also just simple things like going to the toilet would be much easier.
Our other 2 children are older with the eldest hitting 13 soon so it's finding a solution for everyone. I wonder whether we would be too cramped in a caravan.
The other option is staying in mobile homes again.
We are going round in circles trying to work out what to do. A caravan would also allow us to have nights away locally which appeals but I am a little terrified of towing one.
Any thoughts from you experienced caravanners? Thanks.
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29/4/2016 at 10:56pm
Location: Pocklington near york
Outfit: Bailey Ranger
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My daughter took a travel cot for her 2yr old when camping.filled it with toys while putting tent up she slept in it to and took up blow up paddling pool.which was used a lot as was very hot.
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29/4/2016 at 11:05pm
Location: Scottish Borders
Outfit: Elddis Whirlwind GT
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Caravan could be the answer but check towing ability of car. Towing easy if you take it easier and not be in too much of a hurry. Negatively with a lively 2 year old, a caravan doorway and step is a hazard for little ones. An awning would be a must in your situation and older children could sleep in an inner tent in the awning so giving you more of a choice with vans or even sleep outside in pup tents which I am sure they would love. Still a lot of pegging so really a swings and roundabout situation. A trailer tent is another option with lots of sleeping permutations with sleeping arrangements, but rouletting at night not so easy as in a caravan. Good luck and enjoy. No one will complain about children. If they do they should either not camp or go to adult only sites (I bet that last statement sparks off a discussion)
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Doug
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30/4/2016 at 6:08am
Location: Leicester
Outfit: Avondale Argente 650-6
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I have no experience of trailer tents but imagine the amount of setting up to be similar to a caravan and awning.
We will try to find campsites with a pitch next to a playground, then kids will not be bored whilst we set up.
Other times we have used a DVD player in the car and they will watch that until the pitch is ready.
The kids love to help set up camp too, and want to get involved in levelling, leg winding, fetching water etc. When initially setting up the awning we need them out of the way, but then when pegging time comes it's another thing they can help with.
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30/4/2016 at 8:19am
Location: Near Belfast
Outfit: Ranger & Hymer Nova
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We are recent converts from TT to a caravan. Bought an older Ranger 500/5. Its perfect and its only with us since just before Easter and have been away 4 times. Your not so weather dependant. If you get an air awning as we did its super fast and easy to pitch. We take bikes with a pull along buggy for the little imp (ours is 3 so likely older than yours) but they all love the caravan. We have a 22" TV and dvd (bought of gumtree for £20 & £10). We are looking forward to next weekend away as well.
Fridge, cooker, toilet all more like home. Hot water with lights, tv toaster all easy and on longer runs you can pull in and sit in van and have lunch.
Your only downside is fear of towing. My advice on this is take a couple of lessons with a local driver training company. Make sure you explain the reason your taking lessons as if they do lessons with a small box trailer its not going to help you. Ideally they may have access to an old scrapper you can use in lessons in your own car to get used to it with the guidance of a professional. If you do everything smoothly and gently your should be fine. There are a few differences, NEVER cut a corner as van is wider and will cut it a little more so may bump up on kerb/verge. Everything takes longer, so leave much more room to vehicle in front.
As mentioned check your cars Towing capacity as this may limit your options on caravans.
We still have the trailer tent (but only as we also have a trike and you cant tow the caravan with it...lol)
We always pick sites with loads for kids to do so keeps them busy.
Good luck with what ever you do.
Biggest plus is when weather is pants, its warmer and dryer taking 5 min if needed to get ready for kids to get inside. Just leaves dad getting wet while he hooks up all the utilities.
I have of course assumed in all this you will go with a EHU, as do due to heating for imps. Ours are 10, 5 & 2 BTW.
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if your not living life on the edge your taking up tooo much room
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30/4/2016 at 2:15pm
Location: Cheshire
Outfit: Trigano Odyssee
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Hi, thanks for your replies. Yes we always use EHU with the TT anyway. Think we may go caravan shopping this afternoon.....!
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