We have been caravanners for well over 20 years, but have now, due to ill health, bitten the bullet and bought an elderly motorhome in the hopes that we can at least get away for a couple of nights here and there. A really new (and formerly unthought of) departure for us and we will have to think differently about where we go and what we do while we are away.
Awaiting arrival of our new purchase, very excited and really looking forward to it. I shall be following threads on here (and posting sometimes).
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
Glad to hear you are able to continue camping in a new outfit!
From my own experience, now the third season in my van, going out and about in the van is a chore as I am not a very tidy person. However, I get by so far, just need to have more discipline in putting things away.
Enjoy your van!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Welcome to another branch of camping. We moved from big tent to old MH some 30 years ago & freed up hours of setting up/taking down time. Habitation service gave us confidence in the old vehicle being safe, but we did inevitably have to call out the AA about once a year, Relayed home twice.
We do quite a bit of exploring from campsites by bus, but we’re in Scotland where our bus pass covers the whole country. We’re not particularly tidy either, but we don’t use an awning so it’s quite quick to tidy away & head off for the day.
I’m sure you’ll enjoy new adventures!
We have sometimes thought of doing the same but a few things have put us off, apart from the purchase price. Firstly, the need to have another car for day to day use. We wouldn't want a camper-van at our age as they are too small to provide the same comfort as our caravan, but a "proper" motorhome would be too big for running around at home and parking in ordinary car parks. Secondly, unless you can find campsites close to public transport, how do you get around? We can leave our caravan on-site and use the car, although we still do use public transport if it's available. The idea of having to stow everything away, disconnect everything, put away wheel-ramps if they are needed, just to nip down to the shops is very off-putting for us.
The idea of a motor-home, especially for touring, is very appealing to us, but there are also too many snags.
I see more MHs on the road than I see car towing a van.
I opted for a MH as I did not want to tow.
I spec'ed a car with a tow bar in 2017 with the plan to tow a caravan, even started to look for a suitable small teardrop van or to have one custom-made.
Then I changed my mind about towing and went down the MH and eventually custom-PVC route.
I opted for a MWB van so that she can fit in the space where the garage used to be, and is small enough to squeeze into a normal parking space (I normally park as far away as possible from other vehicles).
I am glad I only have a small van just under 6m and not a car towing a van, having driving down a number of single track lanes with passing places since April 2021!
I don't know how I would cope with a car towing a van!
As for putting things away - a big tub/box helps!
As for leaving furniture outside - a big enough PVC table clothe enables me to leave the table outside without worrying about water ingress (it has a laminate top), and the chairs are waterproof.
The awning is not pegged down at the feet as I use the Fiamma tie-down kit instead for quick put away in the event of sudden change in weather with stormy weather.
When I leave the pitch to go out and about with the van, I don't need to put out the reserve sign, as it is very obviously taken with all my gear scattered about, and the Wastemaster and the chocks are labelled with my van's registration (and the Aquaroll too, however, that does not come with me unless I stay at sites with no facilities except water and CDPs)!
Yes to the added expense of a second vehicle etc., however, it is my semi-retirement project, and I am very happy with that decision, to be able to go out and able while I am still physically (and mentally) fit to enjoy camping as much as I can.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
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.
Absolutely, DK, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to camping and caravanning. What suits one would be completely wrong for someone else.
I don't mind towing as I am used to it, having towed much larger trailers than my current caravan. The only thing I hate towing is my little box trailer, which I only normally use to go to the tip. On the back of my X Trail I can't see the darned thing until it has already jack-knifed! I am also used to driving large vehicles down tiny lanes, as I often had to do when I was a coach driver.
If money was no object I would have a 5th-wheeler and another car for running around at home, but that's just a pipe-dream. Even if I could afford one I would then be into storage charges as there is nowhere I could keep something that big at home, unlike my caravan. Also, the caravan costs me nothing when I am not using it, apart from the insurance which for an "oldie" like mine is peanuts.
You develop a different mindset with a MH/campervan. With a caravan you would pitch up at a site for several days and use the car to drive out to visit places and drive back. With a MH, if you wanted to visit somewhere else, you would pack up and move on to the next campsite. So unless you want to stay put and relax, you'll probably find that you choose campsites that are more convenient, either to walk, cycle, or go by bus to places. Or you visit a place during the day, then overnight at a campsite, ready to move on the next day.
When I go out and about, I don't plan to cook a fry up involving 2 frying pans, just something lighter one-pan breakfast such as a bacon sandwich to minimise the amount of washing up and tidying to do before I go out.
I don't plan to come back and cook, and would find somewhere to eat instead before returning to the campsite.
For a 6/7-night trip, I would go out and about no more than twice, usually towards the end of the stay.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
We will only be able to go away for a maximum of 2 nights at present as OH is having dialysis 3x a week, so won't be doing much going out and about while on site. We currently have a car each, so this will be an addition. The purchase price was very small (under £5k), so we won't lose much if it doesn't work for us. How running costs pan out we will have to see. We reckon we can just about fit it on the driveway with another car behind it for security.
When we sold our caravan I cancelled our CAMC membership. W are going to see how it goes before we think about rejoining.
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
Quote: Originally posted by JoannaLesley on 28/6/2023
We will only be able to go away for a maximum of 2 nights at present as OH is having dialysis 3x a week, so won't be doing much going out and about while on site. We currently have a car each, so this will be an addition. The purchase price was very small (under £5k), so we won't lose much if it doesn't work for us. How running costs pan out we will have to see. We reckon we can just about fit it on the driveway with another car behind it for security.
When we sold our caravan I cancelled our CAMC membership. W are going to see how it goes before we think about rejoining.
Hope it all goes well with the dialysis and changing unit.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
It sounds to me that the situation the OP finds herself in and the indicated type of use changing to a motorhome will be the ideal solution. The setting off and setting up is so simplified, no more complicated than going to the supermarket for the weekly shop! I doubt she will miss towing?
Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 28/6/2023
It sounds to me that the situation the OP finds herself in and the indicated type of use changing to a motorhome will be the ideal solution. The setting off and setting up is so simplified, no more complicated than going to the supermarket for the weekly shop! I doubt she will miss towing?
David
I agree that we probably won't miss towing - not in the UK anyway. We have a caravan stored in France which we could tow if we get desperate! However, at present we can't get to that.
Thanks to everyone for their good wishes. I am sure that I will have lots of questions for you all.
Jo
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
As well as going on trips away, we regularly use our van all year round for Day trips, it's good to enjoy a cooked meal and a cuppa parked somewhere nice.
It also is good to run your van rather than go leave it parked up for long periods.
Quote: Originally posted by Oswestry Ed on 29/6/2023
As well as going on trips away, we regularly use our van all year round for Day trips, it's good to enjoy a cooked meal and a cuppa parked somewhere nice.
It also is good to run your van rather than go leave it parked up for long periods.
I agree with everything that has been said in favour of motorhomes, but I think they need to be used regularly and often. That is why I don't think we could justify one even if we won one. We can't afford that much time away, and you need to keep them taxed and insured all year round. If we ever did consider a touring holiday again, I think we would seriously consider hiring one though.
Like statics, which we also love holidaying in, I could never justify owning one, simply because of the ongoing expense.
Thank you everyone for your advice. However, it won't be happening now - we've been scammed. We've lost money - not enough to make us destitute, but enough to put these plans on hold. We are in the process of making reports etc. etc.
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
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: Joining the dark side
via mobile 27/6/2023 at 9:56am
