swapping a camper for a caravan?
Discussion
I've had a converted VW T5 for just over a year and spent 3 weeks in it last year. This year we are yet to use it, but I'm planning a few weekends away next month and a week in Scotland in July.
There are 3 of us at the moment, my daughter is 17 months old. The back of the camper has a double bed but there's no where for my daughter to sleep. We did have her on a cot bed on the front seat but she has now outgrown that spot so I'm trying to find suitable sleeping arrangements for her so she can sleep comfortably and safely. As she wriggles around a lot, its proving difficult.
Its got me thinking about selling the van and buying a car and caravan setup. I'm on a post 1997 licence so can't use the van to tow. Its 2600kg fully loaded.
Something like a swift challenger with bunks rather than a fixed bed looks to be an option. Fixed beds seem to be for couples rather than families?
I've loved having the freedom of the van, its versatile and we can stop en route to our camp, but its just a bit cramped. We do have a pop up awning which we use for storage but its sleeping arrangements which we are struggling with. We still want to put her to bed early and enjoy the rest of the evening which is why we need a separate space so she can sleep without interruption.
Has anyone else gone from a camper to caravan setup and found it a better option?
There are 3 of us at the moment, my daughter is 17 months old. The back of the camper has a double bed but there's no where for my daughter to sleep. We did have her on a cot bed on the front seat but she has now outgrown that spot so I'm trying to find suitable sleeping arrangements for her so she can sleep comfortably and safely. As she wriggles around a lot, its proving difficult.
Its got me thinking about selling the van and buying a car and caravan setup. I'm on a post 1997 licence so can't use the van to tow. Its 2600kg fully loaded.
Something like a swift challenger with bunks rather than a fixed bed looks to be an option. Fixed beds seem to be for couples rather than families?
I've loved having the freedom of the van, its versatile and we can stop en route to our camp, but its just a bit cramped. We do have a pop up awning which we use for storage but its sleeping arrangements which we are struggling with. We still want to put her to bed early and enjoy the rest of the evening which is why we need a separate space so she can sleep without interruption.
Has anyone else gone from a camper to caravan setup and found it a better option?
We have a VW T25 plus two kids aged two and six years. It is a high top - which means the kids 'could' sleep upstairs - but six year old needs frequent night toilet trips and two year old would probably fall down..... So at the moment, we are using a tent with a travel cot to 'house' our two year old (with me sleeping alongside). It has worked last year and last weekend (see photo below)
The tent also provides some useful additional space and stores stuff whilst we go out for day trips....
Mike
The tent also provides some useful additional space and stores stuff whilst we go out for day trips....
Mike
I'm with the bigger van suggestion but understand a motorhome and camper are two completely different ends of the spectrum. But have to say that our motorhome is perfect for our 2.5yr old and she love it.
At the weekend she was asleep in her bed (which is effectively the sofa) whilst me and Mrs Spuff sat outside having a drink before retiring to the captains chairs in the cab before hitting the sack in our pull down bed (a class). Couldn't have asked for a better set up and still less than 6.7m length.
It is important for the kids to have their own space to sleep in order that you and the missus have some time alone to enjoy the evening too IMO. But caravan is so far from my wish list........we considered it, but just can't get over the faff for getting it commissioned and then towed and set up.
Having said that, motor homing has its drawbacks too, so there's not one specific catch all answer.
At the weekend she was asleep in her bed (which is effectively the sofa) whilst me and Mrs Spuff sat outside having a drink before retiring to the captains chairs in the cab before hitting the sack in our pull down bed (a class). Couldn't have asked for a better set up and still less than 6.7m length.
It is important for the kids to have their own space to sleep in order that you and the missus have some time alone to enjoy the evening too IMO. But caravan is so far from my wish list........we considered it, but just can't get over the faff for getting it commissioned and then towed and set up.
Having said that, motor homing has its drawbacks too, so there's not one specific catch all answer.
Bigger van is definitely out as the T5 is my daily drive.
It was built for 2, but will carry 3 but no more as rear seat is side facing. The reality of it is if we end up with a 2nd child I'm probably looking at having to sell. I could remove the interior and start again but it would be a complete overhaul for a poptop and r&r bed.
Im not going to change this summer, I'll find a solution to the sleeping problem, but I'll probably sell in the spring of next year. Will have to look for a suitable towcar but want something with comfort and power, preferably not the usual German luxobarge. Possibly Japanese.
It was built for 2, but will carry 3 but no more as rear seat is side facing. The reality of it is if we end up with a 2nd child I'm probably looking at having to sell. I could remove the interior and start again but it would be a complete overhaul for a poptop and r&r bed.
Im not going to change this summer, I'll find a solution to the sleeping problem, but I'll probably sell in the spring of next year. Will have to look for a suitable towcar but want something with comfort and power, preferably not the usual German luxobarge. Possibly Japanese.
We went from a tent to a caravan, friends have gone from tent to transit based motorhome with tent.
Issues with a caravan are storing it, luckily we can fit it on the front garden and of course having a suitable towcar.
Issues with a motorhome in my opinion are the need to pack up every time you went out, and the raised height meaning access to car parks can be a problem.
Everyone has their favourite.
Issues with a caravan are storing it, luckily we can fit it on the front garden and of course having a suitable towcar.
Issues with a motorhome in my opinion are the need to pack up every time you went out, and the raised height meaning access to car parks can be a problem.
Everyone has their favourite.
Not sure if these would work too.....
http://www.cabbunk.co.uk/
We were considering it as an idea when we were looking at a 2 berth van.
http://www.cabbunk.co.uk/
We were considering it as an idea when we were looking at a 2 berth van.
I can't imagine having such a small campervan with a young child!
We have 2 girls (nearly 3 and nearly 6) and we have a twin axle 6 berth caravan - and still struggle for space!!
Honestly, I think a caravan is the way forward when you have young kids. You need to get set up, have a base, then you can go explore in your car.
The expense of a campervan and the inflexibility of them when at your destination put me off.
Obviously a caravan takes a bit more preparation and setting up when on site but after an hour you're done.
You just need to have somewhere to keep it!
So much more value for money in my opinion (as long as you have an adequate tow vehicle).
We have 2 girls (nearly 3 and nearly 6) and we have a twin axle 6 berth caravan - and still struggle for space!!
Honestly, I think a caravan is the way forward when you have young kids. You need to get set up, have a base, then you can go explore in your car.
The expense of a campervan and the inflexibility of them when at your destination put me off.
Obviously a caravan takes a bit more preparation and setting up when on site but after an hour you're done.
You just need to have somewhere to keep it!
So much more value for money in my opinion (as long as you have an adequate tow vehicle).
Now* one's cycling independently, one's on the trailgator and one will need a tag-along.Depends what you're looking for - we use our camper for weekends away and if we're away longer, we move sites regularly.
The idea of stopping in one place for a week or more isn't attractive - we like to explore so we do a couple of hours drive, find a place to stop for the night (or two) then pack up and move on.
A caravan for us would be a real pain.
The van is a MWB transit and there are three of us (4 year old daughter) - the room inside is minimal but sufficient and the size means it fits into a standard parking space so we seldom have a problem parking. Bikes go on the back (Trailgator just purchased for this year) for local exploring.
And it takes 5 mins to set up and pack away
Also useful for finding a place to park up a camper for the night (like the Aire system in France) - http://www.britstops.com/welcome.html
The idea of stopping in one place for a week or more isn't attractive - we like to explore so we do a couple of hours drive, find a place to stop for the night (or two) then pack up and move on.
A caravan for us would be a real pain.
The van is a MWB transit and there are three of us (4 year old daughter) - the room inside is minimal but sufficient and the size means it fits into a standard parking space so we seldom have a problem parking. Bikes go on the back (Trailgator just purchased for this year) for local exploring.
And it takes 5 mins to set up and pack away
Also useful for finding a place to park up a camper for the night (like the Aire system in France) - http://www.britstops.com/welcome.html
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