Just back from our 1st weekend in our caravan. Yes it's easy to set up. It's wind and waterproof. It's comfy. And within 5 mins the kettle was on. On the other hand, my nerves were shot towing it on the highlands " good roads" and I needed a dram after the highlands " A " roads.
The weather was awful. Gales and driving rain
No weather I'd put up a tent at all.
So why was I waking in the night thinking that I had to go and check the guy ropes.
Once a tenter. Always a tenter. Keep your tin tents. I'll stick with canvas thankyou.
------------- September 27th. I'm going away. Don't care where. Just going!!!!
welcome back ! I do get envious of the people in caravans -the speed of set up,warmer in bad weather,the extra things you can carry,a proper fridge,worktops!but as my husband would never contemplate pulling one I have be happy camping.Like you say it is nervewracking towing & I wouldn't want to do it myself either.Just wonder if we'll be able to put up a tent in our later years my shoulders playing up now & I'm only 51.
I've thought about a caravan occasionally but I wouldn't sleep for a week before having to tow one any distance. And, Outdoorgirl100, I am loads older than you and I can still put up a tent.
Thats reassuring! just love the freedom of camping and hope I can do it for as long as possible.Our black pop up tent shouldnt be a problem (collapsing it might be trickier!)
So dave are we going to see your caravan on ebay anytime soon ?
ditto. Its the reversing the thing that would concern me. We used to have a static caravan and that had everything double glazing central heating etc. But I enjoyed the planning pitching and rigging out the tent. Its just good fun and thats without meeting some really friendly people camping. Even the sceptics in our family who thought we would never go camping have had to admit it looks fun. and thats without the cost savings 35grand caravan vs 800quid tent and equipment.
Again welcome back.We had a caravan when I was little person so OH and I got a caravan.He is an hgv driver so no problems towing or reversing , he did it all as I told him if Iwas meant to go backwards I would eyes in the back of my head! Bit of a busmans holiday for him as he stays out in his truck all week glamping.We then got a tent. Didn't realise what we had missed, it's much more fun choosing pitches and putting it up together rather than just him.He's much happier now, he's just spent today buying a new tarp and putting all the gear in the shed ready to set off to the lakes on Friday morning.He's like a giddy kid.
iMO camping is not about what you're "in" - its a state of mind. I see tenters who never stray far from their tv and consols, and i've seen caravanners who never sit inside except to go to bed, and vice versa and everything in-between. I've had every type of unit and absolutely enjoyed them all, all dependent on circumstances, lifestyle at the time. Now i'm back to a tin tent (for now). My "camping" feeling comes from sitting under my tarp or awning, watching the stars. Happy days!
The outfit section in my profile states Cosalt Safari...as my current outfit....I have not used it for about 2 years!!!!! Could not get used to towing the thing...Was in a muck sweat the whole time I was on the road with it...Always vigilant..Never relaxed... Ever aware of the speed limit..Always enjoyed the ease of set up and the comfort while on site....But began to dread the journey home and came to loathe towing it!!!! So much so I might have been a danger to other road users if I had gone on towing....So now back with a tent...And fairly relaxed about the whole process of getting away...Though I could do without the packing/unpacking bit sometimes....
Jelboy.
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
I'd never noticed that on your profile (cosalt safari)The downside of caravans to me (apart from the towing ) is having somewhere to put it .A lot of houses on estates have covenants that prevent you keeping it on the drive.I guess its costs several hundred pounds to store on a site somewhere ,then there's the maintenance of it & washing?polishing it and tyres and that's after buying the thing.
I think we'll be sticking with camping...
Quote: Originally posted by feeblecat on 01/10/2012
iMO camping is not about what you're "in" - its a state of mind. I see tenters who never stray far from their tv and consols, and i've seen caravanners who never sit inside except to go to bed, and vice versa and everything in-between. I've had every type of unit and absolutely enjoyed them all, all dependent on circumstances, lifestyle at the time. Now i'm back to a tin tent (for now). My "camping" feeling comes from sitting under my tarp or awning, watching the stars. Happy days!
I agree! What's an awning, except a tent to spring off a van? What's a van, except an organised, large trailer?
Depends how you look at it. We've had both and like both, but think of both ways as still camping.
we had a caravan 20yrs back when my son was small, didn,t go camping under the canvas until 2007, but will always stay with the tent.
towing was no problem, better in the bad weather, warmer and more convenient with all the kitchen and fridge etc storage blah blah blah, but with the tent you get a sense of achievement and that does it for me,,,,,,,,,,,,,,plus i like the feeling of sitting in front of your cloth castle watching the world go by.
------------- a tent is for life not just for two weeks
We have had both caravan and tent. Pros and cons of each.
The quickness and convenience of setting up in next to no time of a caravan.
The slower process of erecting a tent and having the hassle of drying out etc when you get home.
But I could never get used to towing the damn thing. Hated it. Was a nervous wreck and I was just the passenger!!!!!
Now we have a combi camp. A happy medium.
------------- Smoke me a kipper ............ I'll be back for breakfast!!!!!
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: Tin tent weekend.
