I would like to replace our large 6 berth tent and upgrade to a 5 berth caravan but struggling to convince the wife it is a good idea. When I said her reply was point blank NO. she enjoys camping so thought the extra comfort would be a bonus.I told her towing is not a problem as I have towed many large trailers and caravans in the past and there are a good choice of caravan within my 85% towing limit How did you fellow campers convert your OH's
Quote: Originally posted by Lummo on 19/8/2013
I would like to replace our large 6 berth tent and upgrade to a 5 berth caravan but struggling to convince the wife it is a good idea. When I said her reply was point blank NO. she enjoys camping so thought the extra comfort would be a bonus.I told her towing is not a problem as I have towed many large trailers and caravans in the past and there are a good choice of caravan within my 85% towing limit How did you fellow campers convert your OH's
Tell your wife your thinking of camping at Christmas during the cold weather
After 2 very wet summers and a bad storm in the lake District which flattened our tent during the night, we finally took the decision to move to a caravan, or at least the wife did, as she was in the tent when it all collapsed. After much research and many viewings, we purchased a second hand Elddis and our transformation from canvas to the tin tent began. We enjoy the caravan and we are able to use it all year, unlike the tent that was from Easter to September, weather permitting.
When we visit sites now that have tents and caravans we often wonder why we left it so long to to make the change and to really enjoy our touring again with all the comforts that a caravan provides.
As "she enjoys camping" just accept that fact and thank your lucky stars your family can enjoy doing that!
My two sons' families are not so well blessed. Both wives come from non camping families and refuse to even contemplate doing so, my sons and probably more upsetting to us is that my grandchildren are the losers.
Take her to caravan dealer, tell her you want a new part or something, then have a look around the vans, or take to the Lawns Show for a day out, if that doesnt convince her you nothing will
We hated having to pack the tent away for the winter the caravan has extended the season for us we now go all year round. I know some people use there tents in winter but we didn't fancy it, Christmas and New-year in the van was wonderful and so warm and cosy.
Oh Lummo, I'm in a similar situation. For years my OH has resisted any talk of caravans. He thinks its part of a comfortable settle into middle age (he works in the video games industry with a load of petrolheads). I'm a tiny bit older than him and can see the benefits of extending our camping season. We have been tent campers for years quite happily however we live in the north west currently and our camping season never seems to last very long. He works long hours, and deadlines later in the year have meant he's been unable to take much time off this summer. I am convinced of the benefits of owning a van and asked him the other day if he would be willing just to look around a few close up 'just to see' and to my surprise he didn't say no! Just have to find a time to do that now. Plant the seed!
Could you book a few days away in a caravan so she could get a feel for it? If she has never been away in a caravan, that is. For me personally that would be okay if I was in your wife's position and felt so strongly, not wanting to speak for her of course!
My husband wasn't quite so adamant but he wasn't massively sold on the idea, having said that we didn't have a tent so no comparison to make. We have just had our first two nights away in our 30 year old Musketeer and on the way home he was talking about booking some more weekends, so yesterday I did just that. Converted!
My main argument was that there was no harm waiting to find a cheap, old van in good nick, tarting it up a bit and if we found it wasn't for us, just selling it on. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I am just sorry that we missed out on using our van in the lovely weather this year!
I agree with Debs. Plant the seed and let it grow....pointing out the advantages and benefits.
For example on a day with unexpected free time, "if we had a caravan we could just go now as no need pack and unpack like a tent" (if you keep all your stuff inside like we do)
Anyway I like to call it a seed. OH would just tell you I nagged him into it.
My better half even hated camping as the cold gets to her where as I loved it as a child and into adulthood,so after a few trips camping was certainly out of the question, when I suggested a caravan I think she pictured a tent with wheels! Luckily for me I have a few friends who have had tourers for a while and I managed to persuade my better half to come out and see one of my friends set ups on a local site, to say she was impressed is an understatement, better half did not appreciated how cosy a caravan can be and of course the flexibility. That's how I managed and we haven't looked back.
------------- I refuse to join any club that would have ME as a member!! (Graucho Marx)
For me it was the wife the happened to say after camping saying its a shame caravans are so expensive as it would be nice to have a comfy bed and a toilet you dont need to walk across a dark field to use.
A few weeks i had found one really cheap under 5 miles away so took her to see it after work.
My pictures tell the rest of the story certainly not going back to a tent.
------------- She may be old, she may be rough around the edges but she is our home from home and we love it.
If you can manage to get her along to a showroom, you are very likely to change her mind. I want up for one originally but once I had a look aroundI completely changed my mind! ! Especially brand new ones..... we didn't buy a brand new one but they definitely caught my eye!!
now a view from the opposite end. in our early years we started with a frame tent ,progressed to a small caravan but decided the outlay was not being used often enough due to work ect sold van bought a trailer tent which we enjoyed especially abroad trips. when we retired we bought a newish caravan £9k but had nothing but worry's & expenditure on repairs such as damp. Sold the caravan after 3 years with a loss of £3k,I fancied a folding camper , but wifey wanted a motorhome so we bought an older m/h for £19k last year .after 2 separate 6 week trips around Europe we have both decided m/homes are not for us but we are looking at a loss of nearly £6k if we sell it.
what I am saying is be absolutely sure caravanning is for you as the losses can be quit horrendous. & owning a caravan can be very expensive ,both in maintenance & costs such as insurance a car big & heavy enough to tow it,storage ect
old chap I would agree, caravan or motorhome is generally a big expenditure as you have said.
I would recommend hiring, beg or borrow a caravan or motorhome for a trial run before spending your hard earned cash.
You may find you do not like towing a caravan or the restrictions (size, parking, having to put everything away if you go into town etc that can apply with a motorhome.
Storage costs etc.
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
Get the caravan and a large lightweight porch awning (which is like a tent) set up, you stay in caravan and let your OH stay in the awning, simples lol
I wasn't convinced when oh first suggested swapping my lovely canvas for a caravan. However, one trip to the NEC one October soon sorted that, having only ever glanced briefly in just one previously I was staggered by what was in them, fridge, cooker, microwave, TV, bunks, full bathrooms etc. bought a 1 year old van soon after and have never looked back. We camp in a tent at Shell island once in a while but its become more of an adventure in the tent now rather than a bit of a chore as it was becoming back then. Good luck!
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Topic: Trying to convert OH
certainly not going back to a tent.
