Its interesting you have been up to the NEC. I nearly booked tickets for myself and OH but having reviewed tents and looked at the sizes etc, I yesterday bought a Vermont XL too. If your OH hasn't been converted yet then my advice is to ensure that she has as many home comforts as possible and IMO the Vermont XL offers this.
We have been camping for approx 2 years now and started with a smaller Wynnster tent which has squeezed our family of 4 and 1 dog. The problem comes when it starts raining... in a smaller tent you have nothing too much to do and are further restricted because there is no room to do anything in the tent.
In terms of pricing my advise is to shop around now as I have just picked a Vermont XL up for £550 (for the 2008 model, which is the same as the 2009 model).
Good luck with the camping I'm sure you will have a good time
You make a good point, which for the few who view camping as an act of madness, ie most of my work collegues!, fail to realise is that the intial high investment of all your camping gear will after a year or two right itself of, when you consider what you would have spent say on renting a static, or package holidays etc, even after factoring in pitch charges etc. one of my mates at work went to the Vendee in France for two weeks in July, it was with Eurocamp/Keycamp, OK he was in a big posh static, and the ferry was included, but the cost was close on £1900, since talking to me he is considering Camping, as he could go to the same site at the same time and even including the cost of his tent and kit it would still work out cheaper, he agrees more effort is required, but isn't that part of the fun of camping. this were I think camping wins over say caravans or motorhomes, not quite as easy to justify the investment with those, although given time I can see myself owning an Eriba Troll c/w awning although at 19K, I will be sticking with the tent for quite some time to come!.
You make a good point, which for the few who view camping as an act of madness, ie most of my work collegues!, fail to realise is that the intial high investment of all your camping gear will after a year or two right itself ....
Well yes, but only if a) people stick with camping and b) they buy the right stuff for them in the first place. It may well be possible to put a tick in both those boxes but the experience of most people who post on here is that b) in particular rarely happens.
Its also worth remembering before venturing too far down the 'all home comforts' line that generally speaking the more stuff you take the less you go, and ultimately the less enjoyment you get from camping.
OTOH, if a family normally spends a £1.5 K on holidays for a year, then spending £1K on kit and £500 on site fees and travel, say, then if they tried the camping for a year and then binned the lot they wouldn't have spent any more money than usual.
I guess it comes down to whether you are brave/foolhardy enough to gamble £1.5K in this way!
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
Tesco direct have the small aluminium roll up tables on offer for £9.99.They are normally about £20 , and also they have gas lanterns £5.75, normally about £15.
Wilkinsons for UFO lights £3.99, do a search in equipment section for these, everyone loved them.
Crockery, poundland has some great melamine stuff, cutlery, utensils and pans take from home.
I bought loads from this place last year when I started up from scratch again
sleeping bags, I have the sunncamp super kingsize ones on page 2 and they really are very warm. single gelert airbeds under £6.
they also have double burner cookers with lid for £22, or suitcase style fom under £10. You don't ned to have one with a grill if you get a fold flat toaster like this
Try to avoid falling into the camping shop trap for accessories, eg as far as dishes etc are concerned you can pick up cheap melamine dishes in Asda and the like once they start to get their picnic stuff in, Same with lights and things we used lanterns last year but they are heavy and awkward for packing so plan on getting some of the UFO lights this year (£3 from Asda). Poundshop is also good for picking things up, we got cutlery sets last year, Go Outdoors where wanting £5 for same thing! A good idea is to keep a look out on here and you will soon find where all the bargains are also use the search facility at the top to see what is recommended. Pots & pans take some from home or else you can get a cheap set from Asda/Ikea etc
------------- Elaine
Easter Southerness
Jubilee TBA-
July - Blue Dolphin
Your teenage girls might prefer to have their own pup tent which would mean that you could get away with a smaller main tent for 3 of you, obviously you would need a large eating area as the girls would want to eat in the main tent with you (unless the weather is nice enough to eat outside!) but buying a huge tent initially may not be a wise move.
Obviously it's up to you, it's your money, but from experience (we were tent campers for 6 years before getting our caravan in 2006) I would say don't get everything all at once - just get the basics and then work out exactly what you need and what you don't need depending on your style of camping.
One thing you might want to add to your list though is a portapotty or some other form of portable toilet as traipsing accross a wet campsite in the pouring rain in the early hours to go for a wee is not fun. It is something we had right from our first trip and we were very glad of it.
Lots of tips coming through of cheap places to look for those little items like Lanterns, Torches & crockery etc.
Thanks.
Just to add:
My Mother-In-Law lives on the South coast (Selsea), Sister-in-Law lives in Basingstoke and my Dad lives in Ireland. We normally hire a caravan or stay at their houses and go for a weekend so this is another area in which we will camp. So all in all, we will be a 4+ time a year campers :o)). Thus am sure saving us some ££ somewhere along the way :o)
As for getting a smaller tent with a additional tent for the young ladies it could be a good idea for some. But these two will freak each other out all night and end up sleeping with us anyways lol so not for us am afraid!
Portaloo is something we will be getting and forgot to add to the list :o/.
Just out of curiosity, what cars do you lot drive? I have a 08 5 door Clio and gonna be pushed for room? Anybody else have a similar car and do you use a trailer or a roof box? I know this year we have arranged for the 3 ladies to travel via train and me and my son will go in the car, pitch tent then pick up the ladies etc. Same on return, just in reverse. Works out cheaper this year than buying a trailer or roof box as the gear payout is already quite huge lol but next year will invest in a trailer or roof box.
Quote: Originally posted by CraigyD on 22/2/2009 .
Just out of curiosity, what cars do you lot drive? I have a 08 5 door Clio and gonna be pushed for room? Anybody else have a similar car and do you use a trailer or a roof box? I know this year we have arranged for the 3 ladies to travel via train and me and my son will go in the car, pitch tent then pick up the ladies etc. Same on return, just in reverse.
We have a little fiat punto and 1 teenage son and we manage without a roofbox or trailor but only because we limit ourselves.
Instead of 3 chairs, sleeping bags etc you will have 5 so I fear you will struggle.
We use a suitcase stove, single burners, cadac, suitcase bbq etc. In other words, no large cooking unit and big gas bottles. If you do then they will take alot more room than what we use.
Also teenage girls + clothes = much space needed so hopefully they will take their stuff on the train with them :)
There is 4 of us 2 kids age 5 & 3 and we have a mazda 6, which has quite a big boot, we have only done weekends and struggled for space, sleeping bags were in beside the kids, boxes at their feet etc! We are going for a week in the summer so I am investing in a roofbox for this season plus we have bought a few bits & pieces since last year so hopefully we will fit it all in!!
------------- Elaine
Easter Southerness
Jubilee TBA-
July - Blue Dolphin
I think I'll need a trailer rather than a roofbox (or both). This year I plan on using the whole rear of the car, back seats folded down etc. Will all fit in that way :o) hopefully ;o)
I could use my van but it only seats 3 and there is 5 of us so that's a no no.
I did have a mad plan about getting a old Land Rover Disco say for about £600 and use it as a multi purpose vehicle. Off-roading and use it for camping trips etc. But looking in to the running costs over a year it'll be pricey. Still want to do off-roading though :o)
Firstly i would get a trailer, as its much easier, although that and the towbar will increase your outgoings it will be worth it.
Regarding the tent, i would get it now. Ive just bought a 2008 outwell mini 6 that was £200 off the new 2009 model price, and if the economy continues to be bad camping is going to be on the up. Going abroad in july/aug with the Euro/Dollar is madness now (we have done it every year but this year - no way) so a lot are going to be buying tents???? that just my personal outlook, have a look about for a good price on a 2008 model. I got mine a few weeks back but i know ive got it and can start planning, and i always look at it as if you see it and like it, and the price is right - get it.
Worst comes you can flog it on ebay and recover most of your outlay anyway.
Regarding the "right" equipment, i made the mistake of going cheap and buying crap cheapo stuff and then hated every second. Last year i bought some better stuff and now with the outwell i realise if i had bought that in the first place i would have enjoyed it a lot more. lesson learnt, going cheapo is fine, but spending a bit more on what is your comfort can make the trip enjoyable over misery. Although plates and cookware - buy cheapo from asda/tesco etc, no point in paying extra just because it is in a camping shop, or a pretty colour!!!
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: Reduced Prices for July?
