Just moving here now from "Camping Under Canvas". They'll probably call me a traitor but I'm awaiting delivery of a new Swift Challenger Sport 524 and a Dorema Awning.
The time is right: our knees are not what they were and with a bit of early retirement (or going p/t at least) for me and OH we aim to spend a bit more time around the UK and Europe.
Up to now we've taken our trusty Vermont tent with more gear than you would ever imagine fits into one car. This is OK for long weekends and longer stays, but especially in Europe we like to move on every 3 - 4 nights, which is a lot of pitching & breaking camp over 3+ weeks I can tell you!
So we're picking up our new outfit in a week, spending next weekend finding out how everything works, then off to Yorkshire the weekend after on our maiden voyage with grandson and Black Lab in tow.
Can't wait.
------------- Camping Gear expands so as to fill the space available for its transportation.
Hope you enjoy it! We changed to a caravan 18 months ago. If you are moving about a lot, it will be easier for you than with a tent. Without awning we are set up in 20mins.
That could have been me posting! We picked our tin tent up yesterday and had a practise night. Loved it. We had rain and it didn't matter! The future is bright and much easier than packing and unpacking the car!
Enjoy your new toy!!
I absolutely love my little caravan and find going away in her recharges my batteries no end as I can be on site, set up and sitting outside with a glass of something chilled in my hand in around 10 minutes.
------------- 2026
Various weekends, weather and time permitting
April - Yorkshire and Yorkshire
June - Wiltshire and Oxfordshire
Autumn - North and Scotland
We made the move from canvas to warmth, comfort and 12 months a year caravanning 2 years ago, best move ever, enjoy the experience, we can't believe we waited for so long.
We are the same picked our "Starter van" up last month. I was a little hesitant about giving the canvas up but to please the wife have agreed to have a season as a Caravanner to see how things go. . .
Have had one weekend in it and have various trips booked so far it's been good.
The advantage for me is having a family that feels the cold we now have a longer season
We also changed just over a year ago. We have had more week-ends away as we don't weather watch, we just go on our week-ends off.
I have found fellow caravanners just as friendly and chatty as tenters, which is part of the experience I enjoy.
------------- Started with a motorbike and tent.......my gallery, my life.
Have fun. I switched in January this year and haven't looked back. I've still kept my tents but so far haven't used them as the caravan is just so much easier and quicker to set up .
We ditched our Vermont too back in May. Oh my it's heaven in the van...so civilised, so luxurious, so warm & comfortable & easy.
Only had 2 trips so far but our confidence has grown a lot already.
We were under the impression that tin-tenters were aloof & snobby, actually we have found folk much chattier & helpful than anyone we met whilst tenting.
We love our van...we loved the FC, but I never felt clean in it...always just a bit grubby...and not always warm. I just don't see the point of being uncomfortable for the sake of being 'proper campers'.
We are so comfortable in the caravan...and it doesn't matter too much if it's raining when setting up or getting ready to go home.
We've just gone from a FC to a Caravan and would never go back!! I couldn't cope with my Hubby spending the whole time away looking at the weather forecast!! Along with me having 3 operations on my hands and Hubby having a bad back it was a no brainer!! Loving it!!
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: Tenter to Tin-Tenter
.
