As I posted before we have just bought a self-build campervan and have yet to go away in it.
So its a bit of a daft question but we are not sure exactly how to use it for holidays!
We have camped for years (previously had a caravan but DH didnt like towing it) What we like to do is have a base and then go out for day trips in the surrounding area.
Which brings me to my question - is it better with a campervan just to have overnight stays and tour with it, or just have long weekends and choose a park near a village and walk/cycle places.
Or can you book somewhere for a week and tour (like our camping trips) - in that case how do you make sure you get the same pitch when you get back if they are not numbered?
Obviously you can do all of these but I was just wondering how others use their vans?
Ours is loaded up with everything we need to, cups saucers sugar etc etc etc so all we need if we decide on a snap weekend or so is just to bung the food in and off we go. We have a driveaway awning for when we stay on sites. We leave a lot of stuff in that during the day while we go out exploring or just driving around. Mine is also used a s daily driver in winter.
Use it as you feel like, thats the benefit of a camper.
We mainly use ours for days out or weekends away. We have a few favourite spots that we really like, and frequently drive down to those and enjoy having everything we need with us. If we are going away for a week, then usually we hire a static van and either go in the car or in the motorhome, depending on where we are going and if we know in advance what the parking is like. If we are going somewhere for a short break, we usually stay in the van and our friend drives our car so we have the van on site and a car to go out in. Sometimes I wonder if we might have been better off with a smaller day van and a caravan, but then there would have been parking problems at home, so I think the motorhome is the better bet for us. When we don't have the children, then hubby and I would like to go off touring Scotland in it.
We have a pitch marker with our registration number on, although there is nothing stopping someone from pulling it out and chucking it. Usually though, all the sites we have been to have had the pitches allocated by the park warden, so you don't get 'pitch nabbers'. I usually ask in advance to be near the facilities and on level ground because I'm disabled, so I would be rather narked if someone nicked my pitch that the warden had taken the trouble to allocate for me. I know some people are more easy going about it than others, but to some it really does make a practical difference. I wouldn't dream of pinching a pitch that had any indication of being occupied.
Have fun.
Sara
------------- Why live for tomorrow, when you can live for today and tomorrow is yet to come?
Have been caravanners for many years but bought a small motorhome last November - longest stopover in one place so far = 4 nights but would not have had a problem with staying longer.
AsT4 Bloke says, leave it permanently packed with everything except the last minute fresh food, then you're always ready for the off at short notice!
Bought a stand-alone awning so we're not stuck for transport for trips offsite. They're really useful for extra storage, for keeping your entry/exit door area warm/dry, taking off muddy boots, hanging soaking waterproofs to drip-dry etc etc. Not had a problem with site-nappers but so far we've only stayed on pre-booked pitches. Certainly the stand-alone awning should act as a good "Pitch Occupied" sign, if you've gone out somewhere!
We're off touring Germany and Switzerland in it next month, so lots of one night stops. That's the beauty of motorhomes - so quick and easy to park up and drive off without all that business with legs, levelling, waste bottles etc.
Happy motorhoming - don't forget to wave at fellow motorhomers as you pass each other on the road!
We leave ours permanentley on standby (Defcon 1) fully packed and ready to go at a minutes notice. We even make sure we have a full tank of fuel by filling up after every trip. Things like milk, bread and items for the freezer taken on board when setting off. You really dont want to start any journey by calling at the supermarket, calling for fuel etc etc. It can set up back a couple of hours.
We use our van for days out, weekends away, and touring the UK and Europe. We never let ourselves be put off by the weather as it's so fickle. One minute you can be in a torrential storm and the next in glorious sunshine.
We've never had any problems with pitch nappers either in the UK or on the continent.
Here's a link to our write up or our first trip into Europe
We do much the same, we leave it ready to go apart from food and bedding. We use it for everything, days out, one night stopovers, long weekends and even two week holidays in France, Scotland or England. We bought a stand alone awning to sit and eat in when we went to France. We would recommend a stand alone awning to anyone, it's nice to get outside on the warm summer evenings.
I take my bike for longer stays and I try to find Camping and Caravanning clubs near walk or cycleways near a village or town. i have tried out the train service and i will try out the buses one day.My weekends are usally DA meets with the Cand C club so I am on site relaxing or strolling or friends offer me a lift.
But you can only fit so much in a weekend and my prioity was relaxing doing NOTHING and that is hard.
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: How do you use your motorhome?
