im now on my own and was thinking about selling my beloved adria. The thing is i know ill really miss it and the relaxing hols i went in it.
Am i thinking tooooo way above my capabilities if i keep it and try n do it all on my own. I think i could tow it its the siting it and putting awning up that would b too much for me on my own
Are there any other single female caravanners out there and if so how do u do it????
I'm not single but if I ever was I would definitely give it a try, I've had a go at towing & it's really easy, you can't even tell the caravan is on the back.
I'm sure if you explain to anywhere you book that you are travelling alone & may need help to pitch it & hook it back up they will be more than happy to help.
Why don't you try somewhere local first so that you dont have to tow far & can always go home if you don't like it?
Alternatively have a look on the meeting up section & book to go on a meet, you can get to know the people online beforehand & there will be plenty of people more than happy to give you a hand.
I've been a solo caravanner for about 2 1/2 years since my husband died.
The first thing I did was have a motor mover put on the caravan. One problem I had was needing someone to check my lights for me, especially the brake light, but I overcame that with a length of wood that I wedge between the brake pedal and the seat and then run round and check the back lights.
I've only got a lightweight porch awning which it was my job to erect anyway, it takes me about 20 minutes. I find it's more than adequate for a table, chair and muddy boots or whatever.
I've got everything down to a fine art now and actually prefer to do it all without help if I can - I have a routine .
I try to use sites that I can get to using mostly motorways because my main fear is getting caught in a tight spot on a narrow road.
Give it a go, you never know what you can do until you try! Best of luck.
I am another solo caravanner (lady mature years!) I was fortunate as I used to do all the towing when caravanning with my husband. However, it still felt quite a leap to go it alone. I bought my small, elderly Elddis Wisp a year after his death and am so glad I did.
My advice would be the same as Nora- put a motor mover on your van- I did even though it is small. It will make you feel so much more confident and independant!
I also had NR make me a small porch awning (there wasn't a standard one small enough) which I can erect myself. Generally, other caravan folk are very helpful.
The good thing is if you are ever in a tight spot you could un-hitch and turn it by hand! Just knowing you can, makes all the difference!
I have taken mine on trips to Northumberland and right up to the North west of Scotland.
I've solo caravanned a couple of times (thanks to a couple of members on here who towed for me as I couldn't drive) and it was great. The first time I was a bit apprehensive about the technical things like connecting the battery, electric and gas etc but I did it how my ex used to do it and it was fine. When it came to putting the awning up I just asked another caravanner for help, taking it down on my own was no problem. The second time I just used the porch awning but it was more trouble to erect and take down than the full awning so I won't be using it again. Other than that I had no problems on either occasion and really enjoyed being on my own.
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
I love caravanning, except my OH doesn't like it as much as me so I often go away with the dog on my own as a lady caravanner.
If you are not confident on the towing part, take a course like those offered by the clubs. That's what I did when I first got my caravan. I can even reverse no probs. Last year I self fitted a mover onto the van which makes going it alone so much easier. Can hitch up and go whenever I like now and don't need to rely on OH to assist me.
Even when we are on a trip together, I aways do the towing anyway. Went to Cornwall this summer, 7hrs towing each way.
When I arrive at site on my own often I will get offers of help. But I don't need it and only accept to be polite. I'd rather do it my self. Like above you have your own way and routine. Sometimes if its a short stay I won't even bother hooking up the water. It isn't worth the bother and it takes so long to drain out when its time to leave the site.
When alone I use a small porch awning, the suncamp scenic, its easy peasy to put up alone, and only takes 10 mins.
many thanks for all your encouragment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Im going to keep caravan till next year anyway ( dont think its the right time to sell ) Ill keep in mind all you strong independent women out there and realise that if i do do it on my own that im not really alone as there are many of us out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Nell! I used to have a little campervan, but really couldn't afford to keep two vehicles on the road. I bought a micro caravan, a Dutch Kip classic, and am proud to say I can now tow alone and just completed a 400-mile trip there and back. The biggest problem I had was getting it back on the drive when I returned home, so I bought a Mr Shifta which works fine for me.
I use mostly C&CC sites as there is always someone on hand to assist with pitching if you ask. It gets easier the more times you do it!
I had never towed anything before in my life until now. I went for a test run with my son in the passenger seat and couldn't believe how easy it was. Then went for a short holiday with a friend (who didn't tow) 60 miles away, then a week long stay in the Lakes, 160 miles away, again with my friend.
Then came the big one mentioned at the beginning, all on my own! I was scared for about the first half-an-hour, after that it was a doddle. The thing I get scared of is running out of petrol, so I am going to make sure that I never go more than 200-230 miles without an overnight stop and a refill while the caravan is off the back. I know one day I will have to do that, as I will reversing - but I'm confident now that I would be able to sort it out somehow. Not good at reversing either, but with a micro you rarely need to! I'm good at going around in circles! LOL!
Have a go. You don't know until you try.
ETA: Join the C&CC club, they have loads of meets over the summer months where you can join lots of lovely like-minded people if you don't want to be completely on your own when you get where you're going! And there's another site, to do with 'small motorhomers' but also friends with caravanners, etc. Really friendly ppl.
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: solo caravanning
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