Oh my goodness. We have just returned from our very first caravan trip. It exceeded all my expectations! I finally understand what all the raving is about. We have had an absolutely wonderful time.
We picked up an old sprite major 5, a bit rough around the edges etc with the money we had from our wedding back in November last year. We made the decision to wish for this in advance as we already have everything we need, so we though to think of something that would be of benefit our little family. What a perfect way of getting lots of little mini-holidays instead of just one big one each year :-) Perfect!!!!!
So my question to all of you: When did you get your first tent or caravan? how did you find it as a beginner caravan'er/tenter? And what made you decide to get one?
We've had out caravan for a few months now and love it too!
We bought a tent last year and although we enjoyed it, walking past all the 'vans when it's raining to go to the toilet block was the deciding factor me for And packing away in the rain was camping's downfall for me!
we got our first van 4 years ago a very old adria optima. We decided after several years camping in a tent that the time had come to upgrade to a van......and its been the best decision we ever made............Its warmer, drier, easier, more comfortable.....just 100% better. We go away more often too.
But this year will be the last in our wee adria..............selling her at end of season and are looking to buy a bigger fixed bed van after christmas. Mixed feelings...... our adria has been the best starter van we could of asked for...but the time for no more making a bed at night and a bit more space has come.
Hope you enjoy your first van as much as we've enjoyed ours.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it. We started out with a tent around 8 years ago but after we had our 2nd son who's now 4 years old. We camped with the tent for the last time when he was 6 months old and did 2 weeks in Newquay.
We were offered a bit of money from my parents to put to a caravan and after thinking they wouldn't be too expensive we would buy one. Boy was I wrong!! LOL, I wanted a nearly new one with our pricely some of £2000!!! Well we put a little bit to and got a lovely elddis firestorm year 2000. We loved it! But it was only a little thing for us four and I dreamed oneday we would save enough money to get another. So my newer caravan fund was formed! LOL
late last year my OH's grandma died and left us a very tidy amount of money and after doing things to our house my OH announced that we should use the rest to buy a new caravan!!!! Well I knew his grandma loved to see our holiday pics in the caravan where the kids werereally enjoying themselves so I'm sure she would most definately approve, and who was I to say any different. So of to the caravan show we went to look and ended up putting a deposit on a lovely bailey GT60. We have had it 10 weeks and haven't missed a weekend away in it yet!!!!!!!
We both work blooming hard through the week ( and lots of weekends before we got it) to save enough to go away as we are doing and to build up the caravan fund to put to grandmas money but it's been worth it.
My mum and dad couldn't understand what the attraction was in camping ..... You know, sleeping in a field!!! Showering in shower blocks!!! Well they've been to visit us a few times and 2 weeks ago they bought a motorhome. They've been with us the last two weekends and I think are totaly converted!! Infact my mums just been on the phone to check I've booked her on at clumber park next weekend with us. LOL.
I hope you enjoy camping as much as we do and all our family.
Glad you enjoyed yourselves. Our first was an old Elddis, GLASS windows and Gas Lamps.. Then we tented for years. Our current van is a Marauder. 1991. We love it. Happy towing !!!
We started 12 years ago with a tunnel tent, then a frame tent, then a folding camper and for the last 4 years a caravan which we bought new. I love it! I would do without things in the house (put off replacing furniture, etc) to have more trips away!
Same here, We got our first van nearly a year ago, an old Sprite Musketeer, we love it! Would be away in it every weekend if we could :) best move we ever made
Started about 30 years ago with a ridge tent. Then slightly bigger tent, then bigger one still. Then trailer tent. 20 years ago we bought our first caravan - last year we had our 4th van.
Been camping as a kid, wild camping as a teen, mid-twenty's, then along came the bins and it all stopped for a while. Retired the 4 man dome tent and bought an 8 man Sunncamp Stratus which has done us real proud over the the years, even the big bad wolf couldn't blow it down. Last year we bought our caravan after some trips to a few dealers to know what we wanted (L shape lounge and an end bathroom) very pleased with what we got, took some searching, but came with naff all, but all sorted now, just bought two moonchairs and now I feel my set up is complete, if not who cares, Im comfortable :)
------------- I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it. But even some days it doesn't feel like its worth chewing through the leather straps
I'm so glad, because I feel exactly like you guys did when you started going out. Before me and my husband got together I never had much fancy for camping other than as a child, but I really think that everyone of that opinion really don't know what they are missing out on!!! And personally I think it's a relief to get away from the hustle and bustle of our daily otherwise "luxurious" lives. Although that being said we saw some pretty posh and luxurious tents, caravans and motor homes out there this weekend ;-)
We got a second hand caravan last october. Since then i've repainted her and done loads of other jobs on her. We went away for the first time in her this week. Loved every minute no wet tent to put away and put back up when we got home. My only problem is even though I read every blog on weight distribution I could read and had the van evenly loaded the feeling of sway has made me feel really dizzy. We've been home since Wednesday and I still feel like I'm in the car towing the van. So it's back to blogs on weight distribution and an investment in a stabilizer bar.
I love as it strips away most luxuries, the kids have regained their freedom, and the 9-5 is gone for a while, everyone has their part to make sure it all goes to plan, only thing you cant arrange is the weather, but sometimes it makes for goodtimes, hail, wind, rain on the roof as long as your prepared, sometime almost soothing lol. Its almost primeval, out in the wild with nature, just you, the kids ds's HDTV, hairdryers, mobile phones, iPod, laptops lol (put my foot down on the PS3 though). We treat it as a social thing too, sometimes up 30 members of family and friends get away, sharing time that we dont often get to share. People who ridicule never have experienced it. No worries I say
------------- I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it. But even some days it doesn't feel like its worth chewing through the leather straps
. We've been home since Wednesday and I still feel like I'm in the car towing the van. So it's back to blogs on weight distribution and an investment in a stabilizer bar.
Penny
penny you definately need to get a bar or even better if your budget allows get a alko stabaliser, I can't recommend them enough. We've never once had a sway with either caravan whilst we've had one off these, they're well worth the money.
Just bought our 2nd caravan. We started a few years back with a static caravan but that only lasted 9 months as we didn't like the restraints of staying on the 1 site. Since we have bought our first tourer a few of our friends have also bought them so now we go away with a group of about 4 caravans. All with kid's. We all pitch in & have great fun. Would not be without my caravan at all! Love it!!!!!!
We've been home since Wednesday and I still feel like I'm in the car towing the van. So it's back to blogs on weight distribution and an investment in a stabilizer bar.
hi there penny i had exactly same thing when we starting towing few months ago felt like van was all over the road, look on here for other issues on towing, and make sure befor you get a bar or alko stabilizer you get the weight prob sorted out as the bar will not stop anything happening it just covers it up untill its too late!!!!!
i just made sure van ws loaded right and the next trip out we had was EXCELLENT
now i never will buy a bar or alko as i have no probs with wobbles or swaying, hope this helps you as the guys on here helped me so much especialy (legs down kettle on) hes top guy on the stabilizer issues!!!!!!!!
We started off with a really old tt and realised that we loved the camping lifestyle but needed the luxury of a 'van so got a 30 year old 'van just to see if we would like it. We loved it even more so got a 20 year old 'van that was lovely and are now the owners of a brand new 'van and love her even more :)
I love waking up in the morning in my 'van :) I sit all cosy in my bed with my morning cuppa and we sit and snuggle up nice and comfy :)
Some people don't understand why we would want to do such a thing but i know why i do so i don't care what they think :)
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: Just returned from "virgin voyage"!
And packing away in the rain was camping's downfall for me!
