Hi So a few years back we acquired an ancient old caravan. I thought my man was off his trolley, especially with our youngest being disabled (wheelchair user) anyway we absolutely loved it. Sadly a couple of years ago, due to finances and the caravan needing lots of work we had to say goodbye.
Last week we had the worst holiday ever at a static holiday park and hated every minute of it. I missed the open space, freedom, non production line, frequent weekends away and friendliness of camp (touring) sites and I'm thinking camping could be the way forwards. I'm not sure where to start really. We need a large set up (2 teen boys and younger girl) we really do need to stick to a tight budget but need to be comfortable too (sorry!!!) and any pointers or secret tips would be so grateful.
Although our daughters disabled, we try to give her as much adventure as possible and any thoughts on campsites that allow a small fire would be grateful too.
I'll probably be posting lots more questions, over the coming weeks! Many thanks
A thought about the large set-up you mentioned; if your boys are teens, maybe they could have their own small sleeping tents to wriggle into at night, which at this time of the year could probably be found pretty cheaply; that would give them some privacy. Then you might not need to buy one huge tent, just a smaller one for you and your daughter, maybe with a canopy or a tarp if you need extra living space. It might cost a little more in pitch fees, but would add comfort for all.
Many on here will be way more qualified than I am to offer advice - but I would say it's money well spent to buy footprints for your tents to protect them from mud and damage.
Good luck -I hope you find some bargains to set you up, and some sites that suit your needs.
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There are several ways of searching for a suitable site on here; sites permitting Camp Fires for instance, or you could decide on an area and select yout requirements on a Map Search.
Hi Vicky and welcome to UKCS...You have landed in the right place for all sorts of good sensible advice from the "Seasoned" campers on here who will gladly put themselves out to help you avoid certain footfalls and mistakes along the way.....
First bit of help from me....When you start looking at tents that fall within your budget....Try not to look at them in an "Ooooh pretty tent" way though no doubt you will get caught up in a bit of that as it happens to us all from time to time...
Consider carefully the needs of your family regarding size and space for all your other gear like tables and chairs etc that may have to be stored/used inside with you lot milling about...Consider the Hydrostatic Head rating of any tent your considering....The higher the rating the more protection you get from adverse weather...
Remember as a newbie starting out....You don't need every new gizmo and knickknack that's advertised out there....There are plenty of things in your home that can be used for camping....Like cutlery Pots and pans mugs etc till you get on your feet a bit and begin to know what's needed/useful to you....
Your basics are a tent to cover you....Something to sleep on/in something to sit on...Some thing to cook on/with and perhaps Some thing to keep you warm Like Electric Hook UP and a fan heater....
The collecting of fancier more useful stuff can be added further along your camping journey...
Have a great time sourcing it all....And try not to be diverted by every recommendation that is about to be put to you in the coming days on this forum....We tend to forget how overwhelming it can be for new folk just starting out....And though well meant....Some times having all these tips for that bit of gear or this bit of gear can be a bit off putting....
Consider ALL hints and tips and advice on here carefully....make your choices....And I'm sure you wont go far wrong....
Jelboy.
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
As Jelboy says there is some brilliant advice on here from well informed and experienced campers
Jelboy has covered it well in his post of what you need, I researched on the Go Outdoors website last month when planning our first camping trip for myself, my wife and our wee boy and just matched the basics with our budget (although i was very lucky and was able to borrow a tent)
We are now budgetting for next year to buy the tent we want and start adding to our gear!
Thanks for all your responses, that's brilliant. When I say tight budget, I mean we're real working class!!! Our main investment is the tent. We need large, not just because of our family (like the idea of extra small tents for the boys) but because our girls got a wheelchair, powerchair and a walker so where we go, her equipment has to come too. I've done a bit of research and would definitely rather buy something decent, second hand (£400 is that possible?) We're fortunate that because we had the caravan we've already got a table, some camping chairs and a Cadac, so we've got some basics to start with. As well as a tent we'd need some form of beds and sleeping bags. I keep seeing the word sim (or syms??) but don't really understand what the difference is to a blow up bed. My older boy, 16, is fine with a camping roll and has a sleeping bag as he's in explorers and camped for years but because of being a carer I've got a bit of an unpredictable back and my daughter needs comfort too, due to cerebral palsy, but the prices I've seen are really steep. I think with these things our basics would be covered and like jelboy53 says things can be added along the way......Thanks
A self-inflating mat is much shallower than a blow-up airbed, and can be handy laid on top of a camp bed for increased warmth and comfort. That's what my friend does, but I (being considerably broader in the beam than my friend!) prefer the airbed as it has more 'give' in it for my hips. I put a carpet under the airbed and a fleecy cover and sheet on top of it - it's basically a big bag of cold air at night! That's where a sim wins, being warmer, and taking up less space. I can't get used to the restrictions of sleeping bags, so I take my duvet.
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Quote: I've done a bit of research and would definitely rather buy something decent, second hand (£400 is that possible?)
£400 is a decent amount, you can probably get a second hand decent size tent for £150 - £250 (check out your local Gumtree theres usually loads and this is probably the best time of year for people selling off tents)
check out the prices of new ones on websites like Go Outdoors to see what kind of style & size you want and remember if you buy a tent and find next summer its not quite right you can just sell it on and get something else - you see loads of threads on here of people changing their tents for something else
We got a camping stove & 8 cans of gas (we only used 2 on a 3 day trip) for £15 from Go Outdoors and a sleeping bag for our wee boy wasnt much over £10, a single air mattress sets you back £10 and £15 for a double (we took our quilts & sheets from home with us and then sleeping bags and were toasty warm!
a camp bed which might be more suitable to you & your daughter can be picked up at 2 for £20
there is no need to spend a lot on your first trip, we tried to cover the basics and then we can build on that, my next purchase will be an electric hook up and heater as we felt it was a bit cold at night
Hi
Last year I managed to get large frame tent cabanon Aruba
in excellent condition plus trailer and other pieces of kit for £300 on ebay so there are bargains to be had.
Facilities are Wheel Chair Friendly, showers are large wet rooms with underfloor heating plenty of room for two
most pitches are serviced (water,electric hookup and grey waste) £15 / pitch. Also each pitch has its own firepit absolute bargain. pitches 1-5 secluded 6-10 less so but still great
Grab yourself a second hand tent....a fraction of the cost and often in great condition. Just because a tent is four years old doesn't mean it's going to be past it's best, probably only been used eight to ten times in it's life.
Take a look over on the free adverts section on this site, this time of year people are selling off....go take a peek.
Good luck....oh, when picking a tent, take your family head count and double it if you want plenty of room.
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Topic: Potential newbie camping family
