I absolutely agree about life under canvas ...
The deciders for us were:
1. The 2-3 hours it was taking us to set-up/pack away, with all the extra kit we have accumulated over the years ...
and
2. The impossibility of doing one/two night stops with any degree of comfort, which resulted in long, mad dashes from site to site where the minimum stay had to be ten days to avoid continuous packing/unpacking.
The caravan will open up all the possibilities of one/two night stops and dawdling in a relaxed way from place to place, whilst still retaining all the functions and accessibility to what we need.
That's the theory ... now we are going to find out!
Is it a Sterkeman you've brought? They are lovely little vans, we had a Freedom years ago and I always used to have a nose round them, when we visited the dealers in Stafford.
Stuart - I have been looking at the trigano Silver vans, I quite like them, although they are expensive. Will have to wait until I'm back home to look at them in the flesh. I definitely don't want a big caravan, but we have a 11 yr old. Maybe he'll go outside in a tent with the dog?! soon, ha ha.
Indeed, Sunshine ... it is with some trepidation that we venture forth on this new era ...
I am looking forward to the expected much shorter set-up/pack-up routine ... the rest is yet to be revealed!
There are certain things we miss from the FC but are overwhelmingly happy with our decision to change a few years ago. it just suits us as a family much better including as you say quick weekends/stopovers when loaded and shorter set up and pack down times (and much more space as we have had two much larger vans)
We started with a folding camper then went to a caravan
that just dident seem like camping to us, we are now back to our second Pathfinder, and yes it does take a bit longer to set up and yes the rain can be a problem when packing up, but thats why we love it so much and at 72 we dont see any reason to stop.
Good on you, Dimbles!
I'm only a year senior ... but we carried an extra fridge, two inflatable kayaks, three bikes, three fold down cupboards, a large garden table, three lafuma recliners, four folding dining chairs, 2 aqua rolls, plus umpteen storage pouches etc ... it took so long to pack and unpack.
Had we been going away for a week or two, with minimal extra kit, then the FC would have been idyllic ... that's how we started ... but it got out of hand as 'glamping' took over and holidays stretched up to seven weeks.
I'm praying I don't miss the FC too much!
We are looking to update our ageing FC. We began with a Fiesta updated to a Sterling a few years ago and are looking to a Pathfinder this time, couldn't think of a caravan not even in the rain......
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: Sad to see the FC go
