i am a single mum to 3 children, who are all under 9. i currently have a huge Montana 12 tent, which was fine when i had a dh to help me put it up! i have been looking at s/h caravans on ebay, wondering whether that would be a better solution for me. i'm assuming it's easier than putting a monster tent up single handedly? also we do get put off by wind and rain which i don't think would bother us so much in a caravan.
i have a vauxhall zafira 1.6, so was looking at vans around the 1000 kg mark? does that sound about right? i have a driveway where i could store it (though i'd need to check with the neighbours that they didn't object). if that's not an option how much is it to store a caravan in the winter? i'm in the south east if that's any help.
We pay £320 a year for storage in the south west . I do think once you have got a caravan you'll love it . If you don't know about caravans then take someone who does when looking to buy one .
Sounds like you need a 4 berth with an awning. I would suggest you look for one with a toilet in it preferably with a washbasin. This will then give you more freedom as you will be able to use CLs etc where there are no facilities.
We started caravaning 'cos we were to lazy to tent!
Caravanning is ace! An awning would be a breeze and you dont need to put it up the first night if tou can't be bothered- plus you have the advantages of electic, onboard toilet, heating etc.
I would go for it- just make sure you research this forum to fing out the pitfalls such as damp.
Our van is nearly 20yo and has shower, toilet oven and is quite plush- especially compared to a tent. its like being in your livingroom on a rainyday, but more cosy and a tv would entertain the kids.
I would go for it!
Our van weighs 950kg fully ladened and is a two berth but i'm sure when we were looking the 4 beth version was only slightly heavier.
Good luck if you go for it- but you'll probobly be hooked!
Go for it - you can find some lovely caravan bargains - but make sure you know what you are looking for. Check out wobbly grab handles (damp), bad seals (damp), leaky windows (damp), bad smell (damp). Best not to buy from ebay - as you can't usually 'see before you buy' - see websites like this one where caravanners themselves advertise their vans, or the Practical Caravan website - in that way you may get a better deal, and 'goodies' thrown into the bargain.
We bought a cracking Elddis Shamal for our first van, used it two years, re-upholstered it myself, and sold it for as much as we paid for it.
E-bay is a good source for purchasing a caravan. Set your preference to within a fixed distance, say 50 miles, and make sure the seller has excellent feedback.
Be careful and you'll find lots of bargains on ebay.
You will love it! We have tented for many years and now I wanted a bit more comfort and less hassle. Check out your local ads but it could be useful to get an idea of layout you prefer via a dealer. Look at as many as you can and think about what will work best for you as a family. I certainly feel that we are more comfortable, warmer at night and also feel a bit safer than being in a tent.
Definitely easier than a tent (or even a folding camper).
I bought my 1st van earlier this year. It's a small (14 foot) 4 berth. First time we went away it felt really cramped and I decided it wasn't big enough so got a second hand awning & annexe (extra bedroom). What a difference. Even putting the awning up was easy, bearing in mind I'd not done it before.
So much easier we've decided to sell our FC and keep the caravan. Go for it!
we upgraded last year from a tent and have never looked back. Got an old caravan last year to see if we liked it and have upgraded this year to a bailey - 540/5 which is about 1200 kg. even went abroad this year to France - loving every minute - kids will also love the freedom and cosyness at night when you can turn the heating up and keep dry!!!!
Do check out some of the threads about buying caravans on eBay on this forum. There are some good vans on there but do go and see any you think you might bid on and check that they are sound - take someone who's knowledgeable if you're not sure.
You should also check your house deeds/local council to ensure there won't be a problem keeping a caravan on your drive.
If you get a van, I'm sure you won't regret it. We've gone from trailer tent (hated it) to folding camper (loved it) to caravan (love it even more!).
A folding camper is easier to erect as there is no pegging of the main unit, just the awning. An FC is basically a caravan with a canvas top, it actually has a caravan chassis.
Alison,
Make sure you take someone knowledgable to view the caravan or you could be buying a money pit. Don't pay for a caravan before you have seen it on ebay. Invest in a damp meter. Don't forget places like freeads.
"South East" is a big place and storage prices vary wildly from county to county.
I live in Hertfordshire and to store my caravan in Welwyn Garden City cost me £465.00 from Jan 1st to Dec 31st this year.
I have trawled the internet to see if I can do better and there's nothing less than £400.00 in Herts.
Was amazed to see in another thread that someone had just paid £400.00 to store their 'van on Tyneside. So as a yardstick, you can reckon on half a year costing slightly more than half those figures.The level of security at a storage site is always reflected in the cost as is the actual quality of the site so obviously the better the security etc, the higher the cost.
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: ok convince me!!
