well done-- you will enjoy every moment. keep a notebook/diary of all your travels. fillit with info like site conditions, fees, who you were with, what you did and shops nearby plus where to get gas. good luck. gary
the wife and me were tenting for years, but then the missus said we're gettin to old for tents, so last year we jumped from a tent straight to a caravan, small easy to tow, 2 berth, last year ,we've been out in it several times now going again in a week and now we can't ever imagine going back to canvas,much as we enjoyed it at the time
------------- no tin tent outings booked as yet ,just another cruise in Sept' booked so far
Hi We are fc owners and have just been offered an old starter caravan. We LOVE our fc but are interested in trying out the van.
Anyone gone from fc to caravan and not looked back? Or has anyone gone from fc to caravan and wished they hadn't?
Will our 1.8L car be up to the job?
Thanks, Benski X
you don't say what car you've got but i pull our little caravan with a 53 plate 1.5 diesel megane, not had any prob's thus far, perhaps a few more gera changes than normal on steeper hills,but nothing out of the ordinary so personally i can't see your 1.8 having much trouble pull a 'van
------------- no tin tent outings booked as yet ,just another cruise in Sept' booked so far
We went through all the changes other replies have followed. I did regret moving on from the folding camper a Pennine Pullman but my wife was finding it all just too much expecially the awning. We bought a Sprite Alpine 4 new and have never regretted the move. It has a fixed bed and is big enough for the two of us with room for more. The surprise for us was finding that our fully loaded caravan uses the same amount of fuel as towing the folding camper. You just need to be sure your car can cope with the extra weight.
We have a Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.8 and it towed the few miles back home ok - would not like to try it on a steep hill though!
Will be spending tomorrow having a little tinker in the new member of the family!
We have a motorhome awning that we used to bodge up to the camper so I'm going to see if it will attach. It's a bit big and awkward although better than the canvas monster so I'm also looking for a bargain lightweight porch as per your recommendations.
We went from tent to FC (a Raclet Quickstop) to caravan. Loved the FC but much prefer the comforts of the caravan. When the rain is lashing down on the caravan roof, we are glad we are snug and warm in the caravan. You will not look back if you make the switch, our van is in storage but the convenience of the van is great. We have a French built van, a Caravelair Ambience 400 no oven or gas water heater but on a Club site ort site with electric this isn't a problem. The fact that the door is on the opposite side isn't a problem either as Caravan Club sites are fine about it. I have only been on one club site where it was an issue but on the whole we just park up like any other. We have to leave room for the awning though!
We went from Tent to FC to Caravan and will not be going back.
We did enjoy the folding camper but after suffering one weekend when it was throwing it down and watching Caravans arrive and within 10 / 15 mins people were inside warm and drinking tea made us re-think and we purchased a Caravan and we love it.
Thanks for all your great posts! I am starting to get quite excited although very sad about the FC being made redundant - seems I'm not alone in feeling like this.
I think everything in the van works but it's 20 years old so there could be some issues. Not to worry! It's a starter caravan.
I'm looking forward to being able to open up and tinker without the hassle. An oven! The shower! The heater! And not forgetting the shower with porta potti! Not looking forward to reversing!
1. Legs down kettle on ... though one or two reckon total time to be sorted is not that different? Our FC does give us two permanently made up double beds ... so no need to reset anything on a daily basis ... vans with a built in bed do provide this facility ... but that's one bed -v- the FC's two.
2. Snug environment and use for longer periods of the year. I have no doubt that that is true. We have only used the FC 'at home' for one week-end ... don't seem to have the time to think about regular week-ends away. So we go for 6 weeks in the summer to the continent ... i.e. we seek warmer climes ... where the FC is probably cooler than a van?
3. Towing long distances is probably more economical with an FC, and certainly faster.
4. Storage, as mentioned above, is certainly easier with an FC ... we are finally resolving this by storing it in France from this summer on. That way we don't have to tow it back and forth from Northern ireland .... just pick it up half way down France.
So ... I can see advantages both ways ... still unsure as to whether we'll trade in some day .... then there's always the consideration of a motor home .... hmmmmm
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: Anyone gone from fc to caravan?
