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We have had both. On balance I prefer the caravan as once you  are on site, you have the freedom of your car as normal. The alternative for me would be a large motorhome  towing a car behind either with trailer or on an A-Frame. This then takes away the advantages of travelling with a motor home aqnd also becomes much more expensive.

I changed from a caravan to Motorhome after having a caravan for 20 years and so far think the M/H will suit my current lifestyle better, this being because I have recently retired and have more time to go more places, dragging a caravan around was getting to be too much of a chore. As a single person wanting to tour long distances I would think the Motorhome route would be best way to go but only you can decide.

My advice to you Bob is to really do your homework before you commit to spending any money, as you go around talk to others and watch what they do, ask questions, there are lots and lots of things to consider before you decide wether or not to change, it took me nearly 4 years to decide to change, I can assure you it was not easy.

Regards  Tone

We had a caravan when the kids were young, a conway cardinal clubman when they were a bit older, sold and did the whole"package holiday" thing then now, both of them have left home  although sometimes we feel  .

Bought a motorhome in October, went to France for New Year and abosolutley loved it. I agree with Nick though we have always liked to pitch up and then wander in the car, not as easy to do now. However we have found with our little experience that the best thing to do is have a couple of nights on one site and then move on. Where we used to get off the ferry and "go for it" we now have no stress and just wander along stopping when we want to. We found that France is excellent to do this because of the Aires, once you have found them!

Hope this helps a bit.

just a thought wat about hiring a motorhome 2 c if it suits u.

we ave a caravan my brother a motorhome we both c pros and cons 4 both units so it does come down 2 personal choice and wat suits ur needs.

personally we like 2 have a base 2 come back 2 every day and visit the area using car ,local transport or walk.

each 2 his own really

We changed from caravan to motorhomes around 1993.  We had them for about 8 years, and toured France extensively during that time.  For France, and probably the continent in general, they are fine.  For this country, not for us.  After retirement, I also wanted only one vehicle to maintain, and economical running costs are important.

The motorhome averaged 15 to 24 mpg.  With the van, I get 30+ mpg towing, and 45 to 55 mpg solo; sometimes more.

Just over six years ago we returned to towing a touring caravan, and we have never regretted this.  Overall, we find the van to be more homely; not having to live with the cab.

Another aspect is that it is more difficult to visit out of the way places (narrow roads) and not very easy to find convenient parking.  And the thieves know there are always some goodies to be found in a parked motorhome.

There are those who do not share my views, which is up to them, so let's have no recriminations on that score.  I camp the way that I am most at ease with, so I suggest you get a broad opinion from several  sources before you decide.  The wrong decision can be expensive, so I hope you get it right for you first time.

Bertie.

We have had a converted van with a lift up roof which was great when ther was just my wife and myself but after the children were born we bought a caravan (1988) and have one to this day. We had an unfortunate incident  one year where we picked up the caravan from storage on the Friday before going away on the Sunday but on the Saturday afternoon we had just gone to the M-in Law's and were on our way back home (without the caravan) when we were hit in the rear so preventing us from towing so the insurance agreed, with a financial contribution from ourselves, to provide us with an A class motorhome as we had already booked several points. Yes it was great until we went anywhere and tried to park up. It was too long for any parking baya and most carparks had 'gypsy bars' at the entrance making the too low for the motorhome. This meant that the only places we could park were either a coach or lorry park most of which were not at all convienient for the towns we were visiting. Also when we returned to the site with not being a regular motorhome owner and leaving something to 'mark our spot' we found that our pitch had been taken by someone else! We also got fed up of having to pack everything up to go anywhere and unpack it again when we returned. There are a lot of people the a motorhome suits and you might be one of the so if you fancy it go for it as these are just my the observations of wife and myself.

Regards

Rob

We have a car and caravan as we pitch up and use the car a lot to see the locality.  If I was single or perhaps just me and the wife, then a romahome or smaller campervan would be ok.  Then it wouldn't be to cumbersome to tour around.

Brian 

Hi have been caravanning for about 40 years ,changed for a r.v 5 years ago ,ended up towing a car on an a frame otherwise you have no transport if you want to stay put for aweek or 2 to explore the area. After 3 years we changed back to a car and caravan and we are now much happier,but for 1 person a small motorhome might be ideal.you pays your money and takes your pick.

What suits one does not suit anather

Hi we are a young family whom had a caravan.

We loved our caravan and it was great fun, but towing was always a nightmare when we went long distances to south of france etc.

Now we are the proud owners of a Motorhome. We tour europe often and have visited many countries. All you need to do different with a MH is chose your sites with far more care making sure public transport is near and or you like riding bikes. We don't do as many weekends in the MH as we did in the Cararavan but do go farther abroad in the MH. Driving a motorhome is good fun and not as stressfull as being in the caravan.

To be honest there are pros and cons to both,  and as others have said it comes down to personal choice. Mine happens to be the MH but what ever you decide make sure you find someway of touring the great outdoors.

Hi Bob,

I think you should hire one for a week to see if you like it before you buy an expensive item. Personally I am not sure why people say its stressfull towing a caravan. Its the driving of anything thats stressfull on todays packed roads. I myself have been considering a small campervan instead of a car/caravan such as a romahome so that I can park it at home and use it for everyday running about (which isnt much). Its getting too expensive to store/service etc on my caravan, but I am personally wondering if I could live with the confined space of a small campervan. Also as others have mentioned the big drawback for me is the fact you have to pack away when you want to go out. 

I will be interested to know what you decide to do

Regards

Robin

Thanks for that robin, as I stated earlier, I think it is going to be the financial side of things that will decide the final judgment, I have no problem whatsoever with towing ,or driving long distance, being a coach driver! Like you say the best thing to do would be to hire one and see how we go, thanks again,Bob

Quote: Originally posted by robin52 on 22/1/2007

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Hi Bob,

I think you should hire one for a week to see if you like it before you buy an expensive item. Personally I am not sure why people say its stressfull towing a caravan. Its the driving of anything thats stressfull on todays packed roads. I myself have been considering a small campervan instead of a car/caravan such as a romahome so that I can park it at home and use it for everyday running about (which isnt much). Its getting too expensive to store/service etc on my caravan, but I am personally wondering if I could live with the confined space of a small campervan. Also as others have mentioned the big drawback for me is the fact you have to pack away when you want to go out. 

I will be interested to know what you decide to do

Regards

Robin

 

 

Trust me.

Driving a MH is one of the most stressless things yu can drive compared to towing a caravan.

I to have been a professional driver, just ask any one of the many whom have jacknifed a caravan, or struggled in high winds, measuring noseweight, loading in certain ways, etc etc.

My MH will cruise at 80 with no worries along those long long continental roads.

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