It's the same holiday just different accommodation. We tent camped in our lovely cabanon and had some great times but OH's job meant that we couldn't get away at weekends because of all the packing and unpacking and when we did get away he despised packing and unpacking anyway. We love campsite life and so we jumped straight in and bought a 1 yr old van. We haven't regretted it for a moment, I need the awning for anything other than a couple of nights as i find just the van a bit claustrophobic but Iove the fact that it's on our drive waiting to go and the comfort, shower, hot running water etc. We are currently in the south of France and as long as you can stand a longer journey time towing it's fab. Overnight stops are straightforward and easy and we can just pull up at any rural aire make lunch and nip to the toilet and get back on our way which is so much less fuss!! I was keeping my tent for the future but my brother has just had his first camping trip and loved it so I shall let him have ours as I'm glad to see it be used.
The main worry for us is that we are able to keep the type of holiday that we love about tenting, but with more comfort and like someone has already mentioned my husband has images of lines of caravans which he hates. I think we have already made up our minds...well me and the girls have and faced with 3 females constantly pointing out the positives of a caravan my husband doesn't stand a chance!! Now all we need is to save the pennies.
We have never stayed in the type of site where there is caravan, awning, car, caravan, awning, car, caravan etc etc - as would hate it - I love sites that feel like wild camping - except you have all your creature comforts with you and easily accessible utilities! You just need to pick them carefully...
If you're a camper at heart, you'll never end up at sites with rows of caravans on hard standing. I always look for sites that have high proportion of tents and good reviews from tenters. Then think must be my type of site.
I am in the same frame of mind as yourself, camped or years, now looking at caravans due to getting old (40 now) and luv setting up the tent etc but hate packing away. (especialy in rain)
I am reading this caravan section to try to get as much knowledge as possible about touring caravans, so as when i do go to buy next year I know what to look for.
We are mum, dad and 2 teenage daughters, (and a granny or kids friend depends who accompany us), hubby is wary of towing although we already have a trailer, that gets over filled to bursting point.
i feel as if I'm cheating on my beloved camping roots for even thinking about a caravan, but my old bones might thank me.
------------- I'm working class, I do what I have to do, to get by.
I wish caravan manufacturers would switch on to fact lots of people are campers who move to wanting bit more comfort. However it always seems big leap from tent (or trailer tent) to towing 24 foot caravan. There is a market for a good looking smallish caravan. They dont have to be ugly white boxes. Even people who have them apologise.
Quote: Originally posted by TTurtle on 19/8/2011
I wish caravan manufacturers would switch on to fact lots of people are campers who move to wanting bit more comfort. However it always seems big leap from tent (or trailer tent) to towing 24 foot caravan. There is a market for a good looking smallish caravan. They dont have to be ugly white boxes. Even people who have them apologise.
What shape do you think they should be? Might be a bit difficult to have a round, triangle etc shape caravan. There ARE different caravans for different needs.
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: From tent to caravan any regrets?
