So... to cut a long and boring story short (about getting on property ladder and current financial clement blah blah blah) we ( myself, hubby and our two children/4 months and 3yrs) are think of living in our trailer tent or serval months come next March jumping around campsites surrounding our home town ( where we can seek warmth and hot baths from parents houses and friends if need be, plus work etc... ), in hope of getting a deposit together.
Has anyone done anything like or doing this? If so any tips, things we need to research /buy etc... Or is this bonkers?
Yes, its doable, most sites allow a max of 28days but some might come to an arrangement for a longer stay. Plenty do seasonal pitches for the summer and so on.
If you are only going to be doing it for a few months wouldn't you be better just living with one or both parents for that duration and saving all the money you would have spent on camp sites?
------------- Ollie
2016
Monplaisir - Provence
Camping Les Gorges du Loup
Yes you probably wouldn't be able to use a log burner, unless you adapt your awning. But with electric hook up (EHU) you could use fan heaters or oil filled radiators for warmth. If you could find a site with a heated toilet block too that would make your ablutions more pleasent too.
Also, just to add if you go with Electric Hook Up - you can use a slow cooker for cooking with. Not just stews - we do warming porridge in ours in about an hour, plus a roast chicken and also jacket potatoes, amongst other foods.
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2015: Somerset, Highlands, New Forest (12 nights)
2016: France (in plan)
I have always found after a couple of weeks in a tent in wet weather I have a really bad chesty cough. This has happened all my life. A caravan may be a more healthy option.
I think the damp has come up from the ground so you may be OK in a trailer tent.
I think you need a back up plan in case one of the children becomes ill and for if the new house falls through.
When buying a house, saving up the deposit is the easy bit. Most 2nd hand houses come with a long chain which keep breaking. A year is not at all uncommon to completion and move in. I don't think you really want to be in a trailer tent with young children over winter.
Do you have any small certified sites near you, they migh be more accommodating, and if you can put a caravan on a pitch for a season , the why not a trailer tent ?
Yes ehu is a must for night time heating and lighting, maybe explain to the site owner you r situation , you might find that they will let you stay for the season and maybe give you a better rate for long term pitch
I would not have an issue staying in our unit for a season
We are looking at the same next year from February onwards
For a couple of years if necessary , but we will be buying a 6 berth
Hopefully decent caravan with awning . We have a daughter 6 years and will find a few sites nearish to a school . We also have dogs and currently live abroad and so finding somewhere to rent with dogs would be hard and probably a lot pricier and defeat the object of coming back
Thanks again everyone for all the advice and suggestions.
Think EHU is a must with a baby and toddler, just have to work out pitch fees for this. Thanks for the tip to look for small certified sites Paddy01.
RTS5: I love the idea of a wood burning stove but can imagine that would be expensive to adapt a TT awning. So think your suggestion about oil radiator is probably best solution although concerned that will take a while to heat so might look at also getting a small fan heater to use for a quick blast for the little ones to warm up.
Any other suggestions welcome.
Great idea Caral about using a slow cooker big fan of warm easy cooking. Also a friend suggestion always filling a flask of hot water before bed so you can have a warm drink as soon as you wake. Making you able to get up easier in the cold and warm tent for little ones.
Navver: I agree about a back up plan with little ones. My dad has a very small double room which he is going to clear out so I can put a single bed and a cot in so if illnesses, bad weather etc hit..I can get the boys into a warm dry bed
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Saving for deposit/tent living with kids
