We've just had a 3 week holiday touring france, had a fantastic time as we have over many years touring before and now with our 2 children. We've had small tents when on our own and now a larger tent to accomodate the family. We've got a large car to fit all the equipment in so no probs there but I've come back from the holiday feeling like I just want more comfort and the constant packing and unpacking the tent has lost it's appeal. We are now thinking of buying a caravan something which my husband up until now has objected too. Has anyone felt like this, taken the plunge of buying a caravan and regretted it? Is it the same sort of holiday as touring with a tent or are you more restricted? We cover a fair amount of miles when touring in the Summer and would like to continue with this sort of holiday.
Yes, that I wish I had changed sooner, wouldn't go back now
Do you know how good it is to get out of bed on warm carpet to your own loo in the middle of the night, pop the kettle on climb back into bed.... Need I say more lol lol, had fun under canvas but under tin 100% better, and if I ever should miss under canvas, I would sleep in the awning, but as of yet if not wanted too.
Go on go for it, plus it extends the seasons we go in the winter now.
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
I agree, buying the van was the best thing i did. We had a large 6man tent before and although had good times with it, we (the family) by far prefer having "Bertha".
We got to a stage (not sure if it was age or comfort!!) where we were fed up with the setting/Packing up taking forever, even more so if we packed up in the rain and then having to dry the tent out when we got home.
Hitch up, drive off and 15 minutes after getting to the site the kettle is on...Bliss.
My advice... buy it, you won't regret it!!
------------- Caravanners do it with a stabilizer!
we went from tent to trailer tents traveled all france, just got back from chartes marine 800 plus miles first time in france with a caravan the difference s amazing, own loo,full size cooker, microwave and comfy bed.We actualy towed back two drivers 800 miles in one day safe in the knowledge that if we wanted to stop for the night we only neede to drop the steadies and we were set up. there is no comparasion to comfort of caravan camping even compared to a camplet trailer tent. i would advise you to make the change if you can afford it.
.....and get an awning then at least you can still enjoy putting a tent up!!!!!
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
absolutely no regrets
camped for ages then one day my back had just had enough
without doubt in the 7 years that i have been with my current partner the caravan is the best thing we have ever bought!
DO IT! you wont regret it
We went from my beloved Coleman Quadspace to a caravan (now on our second). I love the van but I do sometimes miss "roughing it" and I still spend hours looking at the new seasons tents every year.
If however, I suggested going back to canvas I'm pretty sure the OH would kill me!!!
I enjoyed tenting but now have the van , it is the home from home comfort that i like.Getting home and not having to unload the car was a big bug bear for me.What made my mind up was having a week solid of rain in Devon everything wet and muddy even our bedding got wet.I said i would not go tenting again and didn't.Im sure you won't regret it at all.
No regrets! In the tent we ended up taking so much stuff to be comfortable that it took forever to set up and pack away & as we camp in Scotland the weather doesn't alway co-operate. Now if it is pouring when we arrive there is only a couple of things to do before we can jump in the van and wait for the rain to calm down a bit - no sitting in the car wondering if we should just go home again - we can then put the awning up if/when we feel like it (very useful for wet shoes/dogs/towels/coats!). You can still be as 'outdoor' as you would in a tent, but having somewhere dry & warm to retreat to is wonderful...I will never camp again!
If you like touring lots of different places in one holiday - would a motorhome suit you better? That's about as mobile as it gets!
We changed from TT to caravan in April and have absolutely no regrets - love it. Quick, comfortable, warm, dry and spacious and we still get to enjoy the same views and facilities we had when tenting/TTing. Loved camping - love caravanning even more
------------- 2012
March - Woodovis, Devon
April - Trewethett, Tintagel
April - Santander - no caravan
May - The Willows, Abersoch
June - Killegruer, Mull of Kintyre
August - Gwithian Farm, Cornwall
September - TBC
October - TBC
I'm on my first holiday in my caravan at the minute. Loved having the tent but the caravan is better. OH said he was goin to keep the tent, just incase, but I think it will be for sale when we get home.
You know when you've driven for a while and you get to your site and still have the tent to put up? It doesn't happen, you pull up, do a couple of things and your set.
We bought an old caravan to start with to see how we found towing and caravaning in general and have just bought a newer one as we enjoy it so much.
------------- Gail
March - Bamburgh
Easter - Low Park Wood CC Kendal
May - Yellowcraigs CC North Berwick
June - Wharfedale CC Grassington
I loved my trailer tent it was great just not enough creature comforts
Its great now walking the dog in the middle of winter snow on the ground going into porch awning getting wellies and big coat off then into a lovely warm van dog gets in his bed near the heater me feet up hot cuppa reading a good book or playing on laptop dont miss the tent one bit
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?
