if we were to use a tent right next to the caravan would campsites be likely to charge extra for this ? We're seriously considering getting a tent for keeping muddy boots etc rather than a porch awning, but don't want to incur an extra pitch fee.
Advice please !
------------- Fools and charlatans know everything and understand nothing . Anton Chekhov
Many sites charge extra for awnings anyway Zorro so it wouldn't make any difference, though I'm not sure how you would stand if you went to a site which doesn't charge for awnings.
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
I understand that some sites will let you pitch just a small 2 man tent at no extra charge if it is pitched directly behind the caravan and is not used with any stove or cooker. This would itself be a fire risk and would breach their insurance regulations as well as health and safety issues therefore you need to ask prior to booking what their policy is on 2 man tents pitched adjacent to your unit.
I know some sites charge no extra for a porch awning or even a full awning, wondered if they'd regard tthe tent as just an awning...
With the ones which make a small extra charge we'd obviously expect to pay - but just wanted to know if it would be likely to be the same charge as an awning or double the cost or what...
It would help us decide whether to invest in a tent (which would be better for us really) or an awning. Can't really afford to pay double the pitch rates if that was likely, so would have to buy porch awning - or nothing.
Post last edited on 12/01/2011 00:01:26
------------- Fools and charlatans know everything and understand nothing . Anton Chekhov
We have used a two man pop up before to store wellingtons and chairs there was no extra charge we just explained what it was for and the site owner was perfectly happy.
I do think this does depend on the site one of the sites we have done this at is Treloy in Cornwall which does charge per person with additional fees for the dog and electricity but no other extras. For us this works out better than those who charge a set fee for the pitch to include 2 adults and 2 children as having a teenager we then end up having to pay extra because our child isn't under 14. It seems these days no where charges by the same methods and you just need to study the tariff carefully before booking.
The tent works brilliantly to keep muddy boots out of the caravan so well worth looking.
Mmmm tough one. We love our porch awning, its one of the "larger" ones though (compactalite pro 250) and is large enough for boots, storage and small table and chairs, but still classed as a porch. Also great for dog clutter and towelling them off in bad weather etc. But then we've never wanted a tent. I guess it depends how much you want a tent and if youre really considering becoming a canvas camper. Or if you want a 2 man pop up type thing to throw up instead of an awning. (not clear from your post or am I being especially thick this morning).
If the latter, Id go for the awning, but slightly bigger than the tiny porch jobbies, especially with dogs. Dont like the thought of crawling into a little tent on me hands and knees to sort out wet/muddy dogs.
Will also depend what size of tent, if youre looking at an average 4 man or bigger (and Im no expert on tents!) I think most would be wider than a porch awning or even a full awning, and take up alot more of your pitch, so might be a squeeze for your car too? Depends what sort of sites you go to. Also you might have a problem with a tent on some CC sites.
Most sites i've looked at will charge for a pup tent and/or awning so would guess that those sites would charge you for your little tent whatever you were using it for.
An awning is attached to the caravan and is deemed as being part of the same unit. A tent wouldn't be. Many sites will allow you to use a small pup tent (by definaition this is a small 2-3 berth tent with no extra living area, used for sleeping purposes only) with little or no extra charge but anything bigger would probably be regarded as a seperarte unit and would therefore require its own pitch.
The advantage of a porch awning is that it shelters the caravan door and gives you a dry area with full standing height for the removal of wet/muddy clothing before entering your van. You wouldn't get that with a small pup tent.
To keep costs down, have a look for a second hand awning from places like eBay or Freecycle. I bought a gorgeous Bradcot Patio porch awning (similar to the Portico XL) for just £32 and an Easi Canopi for £35
Many caravanners bring a small tent with them for the children to play in, and these are normally free of charge, as long as they fit within the pitch confines.
do not think a tent is allowed on a hard standing pitch unless its a trailer tent..
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Hello again, think I need to explain a bit more... there's 2 reasons we feel we'd be best with a tent....
The main reason is that we have more difficulty erecting awnings due to me having some mobility problems & Mrs Z being vertically challenged. Also we haven't given up the idea of still camping in a tent.
We were hoping we could buy a tent with smallish ground area but stand-up height which could then be dual purpose - a utility tent along with our main tent for camping, and a substitute for a porch awning when using the caravan.
------------- Fools and charlatans know everything and understand nothing . Anton Chekhov
I thought thats what you meant. Im sure the experts on the tenter's forum will come up with loads of suggestions as to suitable tents. (Ive got visions of you and the long-suffering Mrs Z sleeping upright in a utility tent!)
I cant see why a site should charge you more than an awning, some of those are huge, youre not going to sleep in it, and Ive seen lots motor homes with free standing awnings and camper vans with tents next to them on pitches. I guess its going to vary from site to site. Just tell them you have a "free standing awning" or a "full height pup tent" when you book! I think most would only object if you stuck a Monty6 or something next to the van.
Im afraid there's only going to be one way to find out. Just as some sites charge for awnings and some dont, some are going to object and some wont.
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Topic: Charges for Using Tent instead of Awning
