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 Topic: Is caravaning for us?
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15/2/2017 at 2:03pm
Location: Doncaster
Outfit: Adria Sportline DT 2014
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Looking for some experience advice.
Family of 4 (boys 11&9) and springer spaniel :)
We have always camped in some guise or another. Every holiday I had as a child was in a caravan. When I left home I started on tents. Then when the kids came along we decided to try a caravan. Sadly my caravan guru (my dad) had passed away so we went into the whole thing very green. I believe an unscupulous salesman saw us coming when we fell in love with a huge twin axel sterling, told us our passat estate would be fine and wondered off without a backwards glance to collect his commission. The Passat didn't cope very well and we upgraded to an Volvo XC90. This was a money pit and after 18 months we gave up as the expense of it all was draining.
Back to camping we went!! I've been on the camping under canvas thread for years bemoaning the dire weather we've had on our annual 2 weeks in the south west. 4 years straight we had torrential rain and high winds with no let up. 2015 was the straw that broke the camels back when both our neighbours tents collapsed and an extension ended up in the next field in the middle of the night. It was scary. And despite the fact we all love camping, the thought of our precious 2 weeks being damp, muddy, blustery, etc is just not palatable any more. We went to Florida 2016!!!
But we miss camping. And that's where my thoughts have turned to caravanning. Warm, dry, but essentially the same holiday. DH is not on the same page and is stil scarred from manouvering the twin axel and the hefty garage bills.
The car we could tow with is a 10 year old Audi A6 estate 2.0 tdi. I'm thinking a nice manageable light weight 4 berth. Perhaps £5-£8k - closer to £5k preferable.
It's a tricky one as caravanning is not cheap and what we'd spend upfront would pay for a nice cottage somewhere for the next few years. But cottages aren't camping and DH won't consider camping until May earliest and I thinking we could be out at Easter and october half term with a caravan, hence getting a lot more use out of it than the big summer holiday.
My only other reservation is my boys. At 14-15 I got fed up of caravan holidays. Is that a girl thing?
What do you reckon?!
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Easter - Kelling Heath
Whit Week - Watermouth Cove
August - Polmanter
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15/2/2017 at 3:36pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered
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Hi, we caravan with a bailey ranger 500/5 find this ideal for us with 2 boys 10+15yrs and wire fox terrier, its light enough to push into place in most cases. although we did have a mover fitted so that we could get it on our tight sloping drive and that's the only time we use the mover. caravan only cost us £3000 and that was 4yrs ago. we involve the boys in choosing sites and areas to go that way they are not dragged off somewhere they are not interested in, also once on holiday everyone has a day when they choose whats done on that day. So search web get reviews of sites and areas and watch prices some pitch prices are crazy once all extras are added on. That way we caravan starting with a week at Easter and end October half term when we book a site with indoor pool which costs us £25pn all included. Hope this helps your choice, we get 4/5wks away in the caravan and tow with a 2ltr x-type jaguar. One other point no matter what type of holiday you choose or where you go there comes a time when a holiday with mum and dad just isn,t cool. Albee
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15/2/2017 at 6:59pm
Location: essex
Outfit: Swift Challenger 570
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Been there and done that 2 teenage girls and a dog we are now back in a caravan. The bigger the caravan the heavier it is, the heavier the caravan the bigger the car required so its all about balance. The Audi should be capable of towing most caravans that are suitable for you,i would also give consideration to how often you would use it if you decide to go most weekends then spend more if once a month during the season then spend less. We went to the nec and very nearly signed on the line for a new Ace with fixed bed,then we realised that we would only go away once a month or so and the £16000 cost would be silly, so we picked up a really nice Bailey with fixed bed for around £7000 and we will be going to all the same places and doing the same things in this one as we would in the new one. For the amount you are suggesting to spend you could pick up something really nice without it being too big or heavy your car will cope well and you will all have a great time. There is also the option of buying a sleeping annex to add to your awning if you feel you are cramping your boys style
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its our imperfections that makes us perfect
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15/2/2017 at 7:08pm
Location: Doncaster
Outfit: Adria Sportline DT 2014
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Thank you both for the reply.
I'm so glad you've both mentioned Baileys as they've caught my eye a few times whilst I've been browsing.
If I could pick one up for £3k like Albee I wouldn't even need to get DH consent ;D
And yes, I think we would defo need an awning. Our dog would be happier out there in the day I think. And yes, the boys could sleep in the awning - my sister and I did as we got older. In honesty though, I'd just stick a couple of pop up 1 man tents in there that we already have. We did that successfully with the last caravan when DH then teenagers came with us.
The price of sites in school holidays is quite frightening. Not much better if you're in a tent either. I'd ideally want to attempt to get a week at Easter, may week, couple of weeks summer holidays then oct half term. Possible weekends here and there but probably not do much. We camp annually with friends for a couple of weekends and we'd stick with the tent for that.
Thank you again.
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Easter - Kelling Heath
Whit Week - Watermouth Cove
August - Polmanter
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15/2/2017 at 7:16pm
Location: Mid Wales
Outfit: Coachman Vip 520
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Always a problem as children getting older. We tent camped for many years, and loved it, but was restricted to summer/autumn camping due to the weather. We eventually upgraded to a caravan, and havent looked back. You can holiday all year round, as lovely and warm. I would get a full awning with an annexe. The boys can have their "space".
Try and choose areas with plenty for teens to do!
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Enjoy life while you can, none of us know what's round the corner!
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15/2/2017 at 9:18pm
Location: cambs
Outfit: Roller Team Zafiro 696
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Yep you need to be guided by your children. What are their views. My son 12 now hates going away in our van. As I've written on other posts, we've ignored him and go anyway but it takes the shine off. Not sure it will last much longer.
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Now in a motorhome
Gone via tent to tourer to seasonal to camper van
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15/2/2017 at 10:18pm
Location: Nottinghamshire
Outfit: Pennine Countryman 2010
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Can't advise on the caravan I'm afraid. However, if you enjoy walking or cycling, you and your children might like geocaching. It's a kind of treasure hunting using a mobile phone or gps unit. Containers are hidden everywhere from behind signs, under seats, in tree trucks etc . Some have swaps in them, while others just have a log. They can be as small as your little finger nail while others are larger boxes.
Further details here:
http://www.gagb.org.uk/what-is-geocaching.php
Just thought it might be an activity you could enjoy when away in the caravan. I've been introduced to it by another camper and it gives me a purpose for going on a walk. It's not for everyone but I've found it quite addictive.
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15/2/2017 at 10:28pm
Location: North Lincolnshire
Outfit: Bailey Pegasus Bologna Volvo XC90
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My girls, 21 and 19 still enjoy going away in the caravan albeit less frequently than they used to when younger. Give rallying a try with your local centre. You will get cheap weekends away and your boys will get their own group of mates in no time. They will soon be telling you which rallies they want to go on. You will also make a lot of friends.
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15/2/2017 at 10:31pm
Location: North Lincolnshire
Outfit: Bailey Pegasus Bologna Volvo XC90
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Also....just noticed your location. Your local centre is South Yorkshire, have a look at their website. We frequently go away with them and always have a really good weekend
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15/2/2017 at 11:41pm
Location: London
Outfit: Karsten 350 + SE CA EA RA FW & ZIG
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Before the Karsten chaps get to you, I'd like to suggest a really good, polycotton inflatable tent as an option. They ride wind and weather really well, are easy to heat and comfortable. I've not heard of any exploding problems post 2015 models from the main brands. It'd be closer to what you're used to and come in well below the 'notifiable' budget.
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16/2/2017 at 1:03am
Location: Stockton on Tees
Outfit: Lunar Clubman SB Kia Sorento
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If you decide to go for a caravan, try to take someone with you who is a caravanner.Damp is the enemy, people on here will give you advice regarding buying a caravan and getting a good deal.
Someone I know, recently bought his first caravan, a 'showroom model' from a dealer.Paid the asking price, and did not get any freebees. We were livid!
We are in our caravan now, nice and warm and cosy.It is Half Term and the site is very busy, our last outing was in November,.
We started with tents, then trailer tents, then a caravan.
like many people we have the TV and WiFi, which may appeal to your children.
Personally, I think if you are going to spend a lot on a caravan, you should try to use it as often as you can.
Who knows, you might decide to venture into France......
,
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16/2/2017 at 10:47pm
Location: Northern Ireland
Outfit: Sterckeman Alize Concept CP480
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I've camped for many years ... started cycle touring with a one man tent ... then bigger and bigger tents up to a tunnel tent I could have used as a garage!
Then to folding campers for ten years ... loved them ... now a caravan ... and loving it.
The main reason for our love of camping is always finding good weather ... the secret?
Cross the channel ... we have stored our FC and now caravan in France ... don't bring it back to UK as we are, essentially, fair weather campers ... once you've camped in France ... you'll never go back ... and then there's Spain, Italy, Germany et al.
there's a whole new world out there ... with decent weather ... worth thinking about?
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17/2/2017 at 6:39am
Location: Doncaster
Outfit: Adria Sportline DT 2014
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Yes taking a caravan abroad is worth considering. I looked at it with the tent but the car is massively over packed it would be uncomfortable for all of us!
We really want to explore the British isles though. That's the motivation. Cornwall, Norfolk, wales, Scotland, the lakes, North Yorkshire, Northumberland.
Mainly camped in north Devon and closer to home in Derbyshire / Lincolnshire so ready to stretch our legs. Can't face the long trips in a tent anymore and cottages just aren't the same. I love being forced outside more and my little family living in 1 room and the kids having freedom to do their own thing. Plus no sky tv or decent wifi ;)
I guess camping / caravanning is just something in the blood. As I said in my original post, we've had some dire holidays in horrendous weather in tents and our caravan experience wasn't the best but we keep coming back for more.
I tentatively asked the kids what they thought to a caravan. And they surprised me by jumping at the chance. They love camping but again, are a bit scarred from our last couple of long trips.
I'm conscious our time and holidays with them are probably creeping slowly to an end and I just want to make as many memories as possible. We love ending the day camping playing cards and as I said, I love us all forced into 1 room.
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———————
Easter - Kelling Heath
Whit Week - Watermouth Cove
August - Polmanter
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18/2/2017 at 8:28am
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Camping in any guise isnt for everyone. If kids (teens) dont want to do it, it would be hard work. Remember, kids (that have not embraced the 'outdoors' from an early age) cannot actually survive without an internet connection. Throw in 'living' in a tin box/awning (even worse), traipsing up a field to the loo/shower in a tempest, and you have a recipe for disaster before you leave your front door. Everyone has to be onside, or its an expensive mistake to buy everything, then sell it at a loss a year or two later because its bombed as a holiday option.
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18/2/2017 at 2:17pm
Location: West Midlands
Outfit: Lunar Lexon and Mondeo estate
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Take someone with you to check out your prospective purchase, or get a mobile caravan engineer to do a pre-purchase inspection. This will probably cost around £60-70, but could save you a fortune in the long run. Check your vehicle's towing capacity (figures can be found on VIN plate), then once you know what your car can tow, narrow down your search to caravans within that weight limit.
You would probably get a decent caravan for much less than £3k; for £3k you would be able to find a very nice caravan. Price is, to some extent, immaterial, doesn't matter if it only costs £500 as long as it's what you want, dry, safe and roadworthy. Personally I'd not spend my whole budget, just get something that does the job, as you might decide you can't live with the layout etc, or just hate caravanning, or whatever, and decide to sell or upgrade later.
As to having to trek to the toilets in the rain, getting a caravan with on board facilities would solve all that.
And remember, you don't have to stay on all singing all dancing sites (although I appreciate that with kids, it may be necessary). If so, have a look at Camping & Caravanning Club temporary holiday sites, many are run on big sites, with full use of all facilities, for a fraction of the normal cost per night.
Finally, look on the bright side - when the kids decide they don't want to come with you, and are old enough to stay at home, you and your other half can bugger off on your own in the caravan whenever you feel like it😀
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They have now left the nest, we have bought an inflatable tent, I'd like a caravan again but, as someone said earlier, cottages are not more expensive if you take into account extra petrol towing, insurance and depreciation.
