Re. Storage costs, anywhere between £200-500ish a year. We pay £200 a year for a secure grass compound at the far end of a campsite with CCTV but I know this is def at the cheaper end nationally.
------------- From tents to trailer tents to a tin tent to an air tent to trailer tent and back to tin tent!
We've just moved from a tent to a 'van, had only one weekend so far but convinced we've done the right thing.
Like you we've taken our Vermont and its predecessors to France, Italy and Spain over the years, sometime pitching five or more times in 3 or so weeks, which started to get a bit much recently.
My advice would be to visit big main dealer caravan showrooms. These have broad ranges of new caravans but also used ones at every price point. You'll see how different makes approach similar problems, many different layouts and, not least, their decors (some are very '70s still).
Also visit advice pages on the CC & CCC sites, which are full of sound advice.
Finally for me, we were going to spend approx. £10K on a second hand 'van but were surprised at how old we had to go to get to this price point. Given that they seem to depreciate relatively little compared to cars it may make sense to stretch the budget - even with a little help from a black horse if need be, especially if you use the intenet to secure a good bargain.
------------- Camping Gear expands so as to fill the space available for its transportation.
I used to enjoy camping in a tent - to a point. But as the OP, got sick of crap weather - worse setting up/taking down in it. So, envious once id done a night in a mates caravan, we got a motorhome. Loved it. Then swapped it for a caravan. Love this more.
We can be pitched/set up, and sampling our first vino within 20 minutes of arriving, and thats without running round like lunatics.
Tents are for kids, people who cant afford a caravan, or havent tried a caravan.
Hi there.
I haven't read all your responses so apologies if advice is repeated here. We moved from a TT 3 years ago. Definitely best thing we ever did. The benefits as I see them are:
1. Set up even with awning and finer details (unpacking bathroom stuff etc) at most 1.5 hours and packing up can be quicker.
2. Almost everything is in the van, empty car and much more comfortable journeys without all your camping gear in the car.
3. Much longer season
4. Toilet for the early hours or late at night
5. Own shower in case the ones on site are minging
6. Lovely fridge/kitchen/oven
We pay £300 p.a for storage. In the autumn/winter you will get a better deal on either new or 2nd hand caravan. Also NEC show good for looking at all sorts of layouts.
My dh did the cc&c towing course which he thought was really good especially for reversing.
Happy caravan hunting. Go for it, you will be so glad you did!
Quote: Originally posted by Mick S. on 16/7/2014
Tents are for kids, people who cant afford a caravan, or havent tried a caravan.
We felt really sad when we had to give up camping under canvas and joined the white box wrinklies. We could afford a caravan, weren't kids and had tried a caravan.
There is just something about rows of white caravans all lined up that reminds me of a cemetery with its grave stones.
I've been paying £460 a year for storage in the South of England but have decided that on our way back from France in August that I'm going to leave in a storage facility near St.Malo - mainly as my caravan is on the large side and the last few years we've only holidayed over there anyway and the storage place is only €200 a year!! Also saves on the ferry crossing for me. Even if i bring it back for the summer next year for a couple of months it's still cheaper than all year in the UK.
Claregirl70 - is La Garangeoire okay for your older children? I read a review that it was better for younger ones which is why I've booked La Guyonniere (my son is 11 going on 14!) down the road. Did you manage to get to Puy du Fou?
Why not rent a van for a week and see how you get on. A few place now rent out new vans for you to tow. Just make sure your car can tow it, and your licence allows it too.
I had La Guyonniere on my shortlist too before I booked and kept meaning to drive over the road to have a look at it when we were at La Garangeoire, but just never got around to it.
Our teenagers loved La Garangeoire, so much so that when we started talking about returning, they were all in favour. There are various activities arranged for all ages, including teenagers and there were plenty of teenagers around. I'm going to try to include a copy of the activities list for the last week we were there.
We have already put our names down to return next year, which is something we've never even contemplated doing before.
We didn't get to Puy du Fou. I did look at it beforehand and, having spoken to people on site who went, appear to have completely underestimated the scale and quality of it. We had been to something similar (I thought) in Carcassone a number of years ago and had been unimpressed. However, if we return next year, I'd imagine we will book it. Someone who had been, told us that we should make sure to go on a weekend when the nighttime spectacular takes place, but advised booking it well in advance.
Thanks all for the information and advice - much appreciated.
------------- 2016: La Garangeoire
2015: La Garangeoire
2014: La Garangeoire & hopefully a couple of weekends in Ireland
2013: Des 4 Vents, Ile de France & Portland , Normandy, O'Connors Riverside, Doolin
2012: Actons, Clifden, Co Galway; Interlude, Ile de Re; Salthill, Co Galway; Westport, Co Mayo
Quote: Originally posted by Mick S. on 16/7/2014Tents are for kids, people who cant afford a caravan, or havent tried a caravan.
We felt really sad when we had to give up camping under canvas and joined the white box wrinklies. We could afford a caravan, weren't kids and had tried a caravan.
There is just something about rows of white caravans all lined up that reminds me of a cemetery with its grave stones.
Same here. Nothing beats a night's sleep out in the fresh air. Even though my caravan has a pop top canvas roof and part sides, it's still not the same. However, it's a lot easier to set up!
OP - Have you considered a Trailer Tent or folding camper, if you are young and fit? They are like a tardis the way they unfold, and you will have much more room than in a caravan with kids. Aother bonus is that they are half the trouble and expense of towing a whacking great caravan.. The setting up time is less than for a tent, but longer than a caravan. Although I think you will have to issue the kids with ear plugs, I don't think you can ever get far enough away from a real loud snorer... I was kept awake by someone snoring on the next pitch to me last year - and not near enough to poke him when he did!!
Hi Claregirl70.
After going to France for 5 years(3 of these years we stayed at La Garangeoire)with a Trailer tent. Like what you said about taking 2 hours to put everything up when you get their and also the 4 hours packing away to go home.
Last Year we sold the TT and bought a caravan and it was the best thing we ever done, some advantages are,
You can pack all your food and clothes into the van before you leave home.
You can stop along the way and have a snack and boil the kettle.
In France we can drive further south the get the sun, as doing an overnight stop is no hassel.
We never realy used out tt mush in Ireland as the weather is so mixed and always hated taking down a wet tent. Since getting the caravan last year we spent 14 night in Ireland and the 21 we had in France. so far this year we have had 10 night away and we are going back to France for 21 nights in Aug.
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: To buy or not to buy a caravan.........?
