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 Topic: Caravan or Camping van?
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01/10/2016 at 9:33pm
Location: Northants
Outfit: Rapido Club32 caravan
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Joined: 13/7/2008 Silver Member 
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Thanks all for the continuing words of wisdom and experience - definitely helping with idea formation!
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02/10/2016 at 11:50am
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Such a minefield this one, and a decision SWMBO and I have mulled over for a few years now. We have also sat in more campervans, motor homes and caravans than Status Quo have had comebacks.
For us it is a two berth, rear bathroom caravan. Light and portable, easy to tow, quick to set up, comfortable, warm, convenient with all the toys, mover, BBQ point, 240v outlet. Always nice to come back to after a hard morning at the markets, day on the beach, or that visit to a nice restaurant. My two buddies have motor home and campervan, and they are, without doubt, more restricted when on site, often jumping in with us to get to places. If you just want the odd day or two here and there, then MH or CV, but we usually do a minimum of four nights at any one place, unless on a mission to the sun.
This year was, Brittany x1, Charente Maritime x6, Pays Basque x6, Dordogne x6 and Brittany (Morbihan) x5 and for that kind of touring a caravan any day.
I must add, I am an early retiree at 57 (now 58) and my job of 34 years involved towing boats and trailers of all shapes and sizes, so towing is second nature to me and I would find it easier than driving a similar sized van around.
So, horses for courses, but for us..............A caravan any day. However I would love a camper van for short trips and days out in my native, beautiful Devon........That is after you lot have gone home! 😀👍😀👍
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Not ALL Newts get p**sed.
“Semper Fidelis”
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02/10/2016 at 7:13pm
Location: Northants
Outfit: Rapido Club32 caravan
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There's a great lot of stuff here - too much to comment on all but all appreciated! I'm turning it into a pros and cons of each table.
There'll be no substitute for actually getting to try by renting, but we're learning a lot more about intelligent questions to ask now, and stuff we'd never thought of, too, from your long term experiences.
Don't let me stop you writing... :-)
Thanks again!
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24/10/2016 at 7:52pm
Location: Northern Ireland
Outfit: Sterckeman Alize Concept CP480
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We went from small tent, to bigger, then huge, then Pennine Folder, then, after much agonizing ... to a caravan last summer.
We spent years observing the relative speed of set up ... ease of use etc
The caravan or MH don't have much difference in set up times ... I'm specifically referring to continental summer hols i.e. fair (-er) weather, where you don't need an awning ... we have a roll out Fiamma, all we need.
On the road, an MH is probably a little faster than towing a caravan, but probably more expensive on fuel ... until you are pitched ... then, any outings or exploration on four wheels, is where caravaning wins hands down. Try Paris with an MH! Or pretty well any decent sized town .... yes, there are growing numbers of parking places for MHs, but seldom central.
Every time you want to go shopping ... easy with the car ... the MH has to be packed to drive ...
And the car in non towing mode probably does at least double the mpg ... and in a much more pleasant, relaxing and comfortable way.
We go out a lot from campsites ... so it all makes sense ... if you seldom venture out of the camp site, then the argument tips a little more towards an MH.
Lastly ... unless you have a very small caravan, or an immense MH ... the space in a caravan is generally larger than in an MH ... we like space.
We are now complete converts to caravaning ... having once sworn: never in my lifetime!
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24/10/2016 at 8:28pm
Location: Northants
Outfit: Rapido Club32 caravan
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This sounds rather like the way we're currently thinking, though my wife is tempted by the vast sliding door you get on many panel van conversions, to maintain that view of the outside.
The thing would be finding one we could actually afford which had what we wanted... and it still wouldn't answer the very problems you mention, of course.
We'll still plan to try hiring a MH and see, but logic does seem to point at a small caravan for our needs. Thanks for your message and the experience it brings!
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25/10/2016 at 6:33am
Location: South Wales
Outfit: Elddis Majestic 155
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Hi,
Good question this , I have had tents,caravan and have eventually settled for a van, mainly due to ongoing back problems.
Obviously cost is a big issue ,and if you only intend the odd trip away ,a van/motorhome is a very expensive ornament sat on your drive.
The point you made about having the car to go places is very relevant also.
With the help of google earth, reviews on here and also a very useful link on the CC website, we normally go for sites on the outskirts of towns, villages etc ,or where there is a bus service near.
I will say ,we used a few Tescos in Scotland the passed few weeks and had no issues parking the van although parking in towns is generally a no go.
Some people never get on with towing a caravan and therefore the van becomes a good alternative.
As someone else rightly pointed out damp problems are not solely in caravans ,motorhomes are just as vunerable.
Whatever you decide ,take your time and have fun trying all the different alternatives.
Would be very interested to see what you decide.
Regards,
Greg
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Growing old is not for sissies
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25/10/2016 at 8:41am
Location: Gloucestershie
Outfit: Fiat Ducato campervan
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I have just moved up to a campervan. But we use are bus pass a lot when we are away. One 5van cs site in cornwall we where on had a bus every 10 mins.And at home we have a good service
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25/10/2016 at 9:58am
Location: south cheshire
Outfit: VW Caddy Maxi
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Have a look at the Romahome R20/R25's if you go down the campervan route.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJiojTLwx5Q
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