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
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Saving for deposit/tent living with kids
