Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning

Topic: Single mum caravanner

Page: 1 2 3 4

learnercamper

12/6/2017 at 8:31am
Location: Northants
Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 554

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 05/8/2014

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 32

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I am a newly single mum with two boys. Hubby has always towed the van and I have decided to take the plunge and go it alone. Have found a smaller lighter weight van with motor mover but slightly nervous having only ever towed for 5 miles! I'm going to go on a towing course to get some confidence.

Any other single mum 'vanners out there with some general survival tips for me?

I'm looking at inflatable awnings and wondering what would be viable for me and my 11 year old to put up - any suggestions? I have been looking at the outdoor revolution sportair 325 which is 14kgs?

Thanks in advance.

bofs

12/6/2017 at 10:23am
Location: Cumbria
Outfit: Coachman VIP 520

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 10/1/2008

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 2672

Site Reviews Total:	102

Site Reviews 2024:	5
Site Reviews 2023:	4
Site Reviews 2022:	11
Site Reviews 2021:	6
Site Reviews 2020:	9
Site Reviews 2019:	10
Site Reviews 2018:	8

Site Nights 2024:	22
Site Nights 2023:	25
Site Nights 2022:	54
Site Nights 2021:	24
Site Nights 2020:	36
Site Nights 2019:	55
Site Nights 2018:	47

Not a single mum but I have always towed the van. Good for you for going for it - I'm sure you'll do fine and wonder why you didn't do it before!

Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!

UKCampsite.co.uk users are rewarded with up to 12.5% off Caravan Guard touring caravan insurance, folding camper and trailer tent insurance, and 5% off motorhome and campervan insurance. Static caravan insurance is also available. Get an online quote now

acampingwewillgo

12/6/2017 at 10:49am
Location: Chiltern Hills
Outfit: Bailey Senator Wyoming

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 16/6/2012

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 151
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	8

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I do all the towing (don't trust Hubby!!). It's only natural to feel nervous at first, motorway towing is much easier so maybe practice on one first. Always remember to swing out more on corners to give the van room to get round and keep an eye on your speed when going downhill. We've got a Kampa air rally pro plus which is great but probably a bit big for your needs but I would certainly recommend the Kampa air range. Good luck

blueexpo97

12/6/2017 at 12:10pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 07/2/2009

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 9851

Site Reviews Total:	24

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	2
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Although a lot of these posts are tent related some might be worth a look.

-------------
XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.

shaggy2000

12/6/2017 at 1:02pm
Location: County Durham
Outfit: Explore 304

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 27/3/2012

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 514
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Not a single mum, but I am a single caravanner. The best thing you can do is go on a towing course (like you already going to do) it built my confidence no end.

Regarding the awnings though, you really have two options, a small porch awning or a blow-up one. I've looked at getting a blow-up one but find them fairly expensive.

The other option would be to just get a normal awning and ask other kind hearted van owners to give you a hand when you want to put it up. You would be amazed at how friend us caravanners are, and will always help someone who needs help.

chrisn7

12/6/2017 at 1:57pm
Location: West Yorkshire
Outfit: Bessacarr Cameo 625 2011

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 10/9/2005

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 948

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Well good on you for continuing with your hobby!

It may not be the weight of an awning as such that might caause an issue,but rather pulling it through the awning channel at high level. I know my other half could not possibly reach up that far, even on the step!

I have a feeling that certain more recent awnings either have a loop or strap to aid this process, but regret I can't recall which...Just a thought before you commit...

Mick S.

12/6/2017 at 2:21pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 18/8/2004

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 3499

Site Reviews Total:	37

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	1
Site Reviews 2021:	4
Site Reviews 2020:	4
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	3
Site Nights 2022:	6
Site Nights 2021:	16
Site Nights 2020:	17
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

If you got a double step, you could reach. Pulling awnings through is nigh on impossible single handed - not being sexist, but id say absolutely impossible for a woman. But, the 11 year old should suffice as 'glamorous assistant'.

I wouldnt get hung up on air awnings, as they are way too expensive and way too heavy. Our Kampa pro has very few poles, and is up quicker than than any air awning. And down in a fraction of the time.

TheHeadGardener

12/6/2017 at 6:32pm
Location: Lake District
Outfit: Devon Aztec

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 24/9/2014

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 198

Site Reviews Total:	7

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	2
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	1
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	5
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	1
Site Nights 2018:	0

Another childless-lady-caravanner! I do all the towing, always have done and go away without husband as often as with him.

My 'survival trick' is lists: Endless.Lists!!! I have a list for prepping the caravan whilst it is on the drive, another for hitching it to the car and making sure I am safe to drive off.

Once on site I have a list for getting set up which is as minimal as possible and ends with "mug of tea".

An hour or so later I usually tackle the awning (another list!!) which is an inflatable (Kampa Rally Air Pro) and I have a damaged shoulder which makes working above head-height difficult ... so if I can do it: You.Definitely.Can!! Sorry Mick S., you are being sexist or just have never met a really competent lady caravanner. I stand on the step and take my time, it is not "absolutely impossible for a woman". I am 5' 5" and less than 55kg ..... so it's nothing to do with size or muscle mass.

Recently bought a small battery operated drill to wind the steadies in and out, and a box of threaded tent pegs. Almost the best caravan accessories I've ever used, really make things much quicker and easier on my shoulder.

And when it is time to pack up - yes - another list!

Sorry if all this "list business" sounds either incredibly nerdy or geeky but knowing I have a checklist which has been refined over time to suit me, and all I have to do is the next thing on the list until I get to the bottom, takes away all the stress of towing an outfit that's nearly 40 foot long and the most valuable thing I own!

Very best of luck, and don't hesitate to ask if you've got any more questions.

gailbonney

12/6/2017 at 7:00pm
Location: Cheshire
Outfit: Sterling & Superb

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 31/8/2008

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 1359
Tent Reviews: 2

Site Reviews Total:	36

Site Reviews 2024:	1
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	1
Site Reviews 2021:	3
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	4
Site Reviews 2018:	5

Site Nights 2024:	3
Site Nights 2023:	6
Site Nights 2022:	7
Site Nights 2021:	25
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	16
Site Nights 2018:	24

We have a small Kampa porch awning. It is both lightweight and easy to erect. My 12 yr old son can easily take the weight whilst I thread one of us thread it through. I am 5ft 5 and can reach off my double step. Even the poles are easy. Good luck with whatever you choose.

-------------
Gail

Izzy 15.11.02 -25.12.12 RIP my beautiful girl
Lottie 15.08.99 - 07.12.13 RIP dottie Lottie
Millie ? - 03.05.14 RIP beautiful mad Mills

2024
April - Anglesey
Aug - Normandy & Brittany avec les chiens!

learnercamper

12/6/2017 at 7:45pm
Location: Northants
Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 554

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 05/8/2014

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 32

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Thank you so much for the messages of encouragement and tips.

The Head Gardener - I LOVE my checklists! Used them all the time when we first started caravanning so will definitely be putting together some new ones😀 What size is your awning?

....and I definitely need some of the threaded tent pegs in my life!

TheHeadGardener

12/6/2017 at 8:17pm
Location: Lake District
Outfit: Devon Aztec

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 24/9/2014

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 198

Site Reviews Total:	7

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	2
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	1
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	5
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	1
Site Nights 2018:	0

Sounds like you will be ditching the "learner" plates very soon

It took a few trips to get everything down on the lists, and in the right order, and I now have them in plastic pockets for a bit of protection (and here's nerdy - a photograph of each of them on my iPad in case they get blown away!)

Awning - sorry, got it wrong earlier, we have a Kampa Fiesta AIR. It's a 350 and is very roomy, more than enough for two of us and a medium sized dog. The important thing (to me) is that it only has one pole to inflate and weighs just 14kg.

We also have an Outdoor Revolution Movelite awning which we use in winter but it's nearly 20kg and whilst I have put it up single-handed the additional weight made it a very tiring performance, one than I probably will not repeat.

Got the threaded pegs from Amazon but they seem quite widely available. Saves a heck of a lot of hammering

navver

12/6/2017 at 8:26pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 23/8/2008

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4664

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I get the feeling an air awning is harder to pull through the channel due to the extra weight than a poled awning would be.

The difficulty with poled awnings is needing someone to hold a pole up while you connect them all together. I do it single handed by using guy ropes to hold the section up, same when taking it down.

If you have children they make excellent pole holder uppers and keeps them out of mischief while you do it. They are also very good at getting down on their knees and pegging out.

I would say, go for a poled awning.

learnercamper

12/6/2017 at 8:34pm
Location: Northants
Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 554

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 05/8/2014

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 32

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I got some very sad looks because I wanted to laminate my last lists😂

350 is a decent size to be pulling through, that's useful to know.

Navver- I already have a 200cm poled kampa so might make do with that for now while I ponder on what to get.

If you see anybody walking around a campsite staring at awnings it'll be me😉😂

gazmister123

12/6/2017 at 8:48pm
Location: Redditch Worcestershire
Outfit: Mooveo Motorhome F camper & Static

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 30/5/2006

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 2587
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	32

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	1

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	1

Try not to get to hung up on the awning thing, just get something quick to put up, I have a brilliant non air outdoor revolution which is just one pole, why waste holiday time and stress by over complicating things,
I motorhome and tent camp sometimes on my own all over Europe and the U.K. with my three children all under 10, (single dad) , when abroad we don't use the awning but I do put it up in the uk when we stay in one place for more than a few days and I just tow my car with me on those occasions.

Just enjoy it, I have towed a caravan in the past but my ex used to do most the towing and when we changed to a motorhome she was the main driver,
When we split it up it was either sell the van and the kids lose out on that too or I start driving it more.
Just take your time with the caravan and make sure you chill out with the kids on your holidays, we are so busy day to day lives at home it's nice just to get away as often as possible and live life without the rushing.
Enjoy

-------------
Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.

Pixie_Hez

12/6/2017 at 10:26pm
Location: Liverpool
Outfit: Swift Challenger 560

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 05/7/2003

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1939

Site Reviews Total:	121

Site Reviews 2024:	15
Site Reviews 2023:	15
Site Reviews 2022:	14
Site Reviews 2021:	11
Site Reviews 2020:	8
Site Reviews 2019:	17
Site Reviews 2018:	8

Site Nights 2024:	78
Site Nights 2023:	75
Site Nights 2022:	66
Site Nights 2021:	57
Site Nights 2020:	39
Site Nights 2019:	68
Site Nights 2018:	44

I used to caravan quite often without my husband because as a teacher, I had considerably longer summer holidays than he did. I am only 5'1 but always took a small step ladder in the boot of the car which meant that with the help of my even shorter mum, I could put up the full awning. The more often you do it the easier it gets as you learn about the easiest way to do it. As has already been suggested, the weight of the awning is not the biggest problem, it is getting it pulled into the awning rail that is the most difficult but with the step ladder, it is not too bad. Just go for it and enjoy your caravan!

-------------
Pixie

Sparktwinkle

13/6/2017 at 12:15am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Ace Jubilee Viceroy 2008

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 25/4/2014

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 171
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	3

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	1
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	3
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Hi there,

Well done on continuing in the caravan life x

I'm 5ft 1, I do tow the van, I live by the rule, take my time, be greedy at corners and sloth like when I'm unsure

So my husband does the water, toilet, gas etc, and I get on with awning while the darling son packs his clothes away, and then proceeds to shout are you done yet lol

I have an air awning now, I used to have a poled 390 .. I use washing line through the top hole near the part that gets threaded through the awning rail, and I just pull it along, I also lubricate the awning rail every once and a while just to help things slide along.

Someone above made the golden comment, caravanners are the salt of the earth in helping each other if needed.

So many people offer help and expert advice ( like the washing line trick, lovely sweet man told me and hubby on our trip last year)

-------------
I love camping and caravanning x x x

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Jump To Page: 1 2 3 4
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

7843 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder