Caravans: What's the Point?
Discussion
superlightr said:
Had our just over a year now. Went away about 6 times last year including 2 weeks to Spain.
We plan to use it for UK quick holidays mostly long weekends - great for the kids and encourages us just to go off for the weekend - so many places to see in the UK.
Very similar situation. Use ours for weekends away, I got fed up with dragging so much stuff around to be cold and miserable in a tent for the odd weekend with friends and their kids I said we had to get some comfort, warmth and running water. We plan to use it for UK quick holidays mostly long weekends - great for the kids and encourages us just to go off for the weekend - so many places to see in the UK.
Edited by superlightr on Thursday 14th April 16:18
Here we are, just over a year later it's fab for weekends and our kids love being onsite with other kids having fun outside.
It's actually really relaxing too.
Not quite an RS avant though.....
MattS5 said:
superlightr said:
Had our just over a year now. Went away about 6 times last year including 2 weeks to Spain.
We plan to use it for UK quick holidays mostly long weekends - great for the kids and encourages us just to go off for the weekend - so many places to see in the UK.
Very similar situation. Use ours for weekends away, I got fed up with dragging so much stuff around to be cold and miserable in a tent for the odd weekend with friends and their kids I said we had to get some comfort, warmth and running water. We plan to use it for UK quick holidays mostly long weekends - great for the kids and encourages us just to go off for the weekend - so many places to see in the UK.
Edited by superlightr on Thursday 14th April 16:18
Here we are, just over a year later it's fab for weekends and our kids love being onsite with other kids having fun outside.
It's actually really relaxing too.
Not quite an RS avant though.....
Yep, it protects the front from stone chips and flies.
It came with the van when I bought it, so I've always used it. Saves cleaning the front of dead flies, it's hard enough cleaning the bumper of a car on occasion.
I also like the fact when driving it just shows a black image in the rear view mirror as opposed to a great big white lump and windows, which I find rather distracting.
It came with the van when I bought it, so I've always used it. Saves cleaning the front of dead flies, it's hard enough cleaning the bumper of a car on occasion.
I also like the fact when driving it just shows a black image in the rear view mirror as opposed to a great big white lump and windows, which I find rather distracting.
Inspired by this thread, the availability of a free older-but-serviceable caravan in the family (subject to chassis overhaul), several recent TV progs about vanners and frankly being fed up of hauling all of our camping kit for miles across various music festival sites, Mrs PurpleTurtle and I are considering taking the plunge next year, just to see if we like it. A comfy bed, a clean and convenient bog and not having to carry all our camping gear for 4 days are major plus points - we are the opposite of what yo might call lightweight backpacking campers.
Only minor fly in the ointment is where to keep the thing. The van we have available is stored at my parents in the Midlands, we live in Berkshire - bit of a pain to drive 100 miles north to go and get it, to then travel south. What's the going rate for caravan storage in the South East? I've looked at various websites but they all seem to be a bit coy about their prices.
Only minor fly in the ointment is where to keep the thing. The van we have available is stored at my parents in the Midlands, we live in Berkshire - bit of a pain to drive 100 miles north to go and get it, to then travel south. What's the going rate for caravan storage in the South East? I've looked at various websites but they all seem to be a bit coy about their prices.
£400ish seems to be the norm for secure storage - just renewed ours for our motorhome at £420. For that we get CCTV, palisade fencing round the whole compound and a flat and level storage area. It's also got a WC and wash down/disposal areas too, plus a secondary compound with an electronic barrier where you leave the van when you return from site,they then put it in the compound for you during normal opening hours if you come back, say, on a Sunday evening. If you give them 24hr notice they'll get your van from the main compound too and stick it in the secondary compound ready for you to collect.
Pretty happy with the price at just over a pound a week.
Pretty happy with the price at just over a pound a week.
Mansilla said:
Move to Yorkshire! Apart from that being an excellent idea generally, Storage for my 'van is £20/month on a local Farm.
I pay the same for farm storage, with the added peace of mind that as it is down a track and through a farmyard, (and the farmer has shotguns) then hopefully opportunist thieves would be discouraged from trying to steal it. Unless you know that they have a few 'vans there you wouldn't know as they can't be seen from the road. I have been there several times as my lad is friends with the farmers son and I have never noticed that they store caravans there.
t puts me off them.Seriously considering getting involved.
Last few years been going on Eurocamp holidays to France staying in static caravans, which we have all really enjoyed. So we totally get the appeal of that type of holiday.
With two young kids we can only holiday when its expensive. The cost of a sensible used caravan could be bought for the price of two weeks in the far east. For that we'd be able to have 3-4 weeks during the summer holiday where we might have only 7-10 days, plus easter, bank holidays etc. Over 12 months we'd be able to afford probably about 4/5 times the amount of time away compared to the cost conventional holidays.
If money was no object I'd rather fly abroad a lot and not own a caravan, so putting up with the stigma seems a small price to pay to have the opportunity to spend so much extra time away with the family. We have a large garden with side access to park it securely, so it could also double up as an occasional spare room (which we currently don't have).
Last few years been going on Eurocamp holidays to France staying in static caravans, which we have all really enjoyed. So we totally get the appeal of that type of holiday.
With two young kids we can only holiday when its expensive. The cost of a sensible used caravan could be bought for the price of two weeks in the far east. For that we'd be able to have 3-4 weeks during the summer holiday where we might have only 7-10 days, plus easter, bank holidays etc. Over 12 months we'd be able to afford probably about 4/5 times the amount of time away compared to the cost conventional holidays.
If money was no object I'd rather fly abroad a lot and not own a caravan, so putting up with the stigma seems a small price to pay to have the opportunity to spend so much extra time away with the family. We have a large garden with side access to park it securely, so it could also double up as an occasional spare room (which we currently don't have).
Sensible thinking. It's how we justified our first one.
One reasonable long haul holiday missed, and the money has bought it.
You then use it or don't, but it's still worth not far off what you've paid, unless you buy new of course.
That 2 weeks in the Far East is forgotten within 2 months, but the money you spent in the van keeps working for you and the kids absolutely love it. Always other kids to play with on site, plus it's mini adventures each time you go away.
It also means once you've sacrificed that initial long haul holiday, next year you can go back to long haul plus infill with weekends in the caravan too.
Best of both worlds.
You dont have to slum it either, we eat out loads when away in the caravan, we basically use it as somewhere to sleep and relax, but breakfast is more often than not in nice cafes, with dinner only ever being made onsite if the weather is favourable. If not its pubs/restaurants.
Win win.
One reasonable long haul holiday missed, and the money has bought it.
You then use it or don't, but it's still worth not far off what you've paid, unless you buy new of course.
That 2 weeks in the Far East is forgotten within 2 months, but the money you spent in the van keeps working for you and the kids absolutely love it. Always other kids to play with on site, plus it's mini adventures each time you go away.
It also means once you've sacrificed that initial long haul holiday, next year you can go back to long haul plus infill with weekends in the caravan too.
Best of both worlds.
You dont have to slum it either, we eat out loads when away in the caravan, we basically use it as somewhere to sleep and relax, but breakfast is more often than not in nice cafes, with dinner only ever being made onsite if the weather is favourable. If not its pubs/restaurants.
Win win.
Caravanning/camping can be whatever you want it to be. You could buy a £1000 musty van and eat beans on toast all weekend or you could buy a £30k van, pack it full of expensive wines and then spend all weekend/week eating out in Michelin starred restaurant.
I'm toe dipping on the continent this year and by the looks of things there's a bit of everything over there. The downside is the time and preparation to get there but for the cost, versatility and taking your own creature comforts there's no other way.
I'm toe dipping on the continent this year and by the looks of things there's a bit of everything over there. The downside is the time and preparation to get there but for the cost, versatility and taking your own creature comforts there's no other way.
kentmotorcompany said:
Seriously considering getting involved.
Last few years been going on Eurocamp holidays to France staying in static caravans, which we have all really enjoyed. So we totally get the appeal of that type of holiday.
With two young kids we can only holiday when its expensive. The cost of a sensible used caravan could be bought for the price of two weeks in the far east. For that we'd be able to have 3-4 weeks during the summer holiday where we might have only 7-10 days, plus easter, bank holidays etc. Over 12 months we'd be able to afford probably about 4/5 times the amount of time away compared to the cost conventional holidays.
If money was no object I'd rather fly abroad a lot and not own a caravan, so putting up with the stigma seems a small price to pay to have the opportunity to spend so much extra time away with the family. We have a large garden with side access to park it securely, so it could also double up as an occasional spare room (which we currently don't have).
No brainer. We love it!Last few years been going on Eurocamp holidays to France staying in static caravans, which we have all really enjoyed. So we totally get the appeal of that type of holiday.
With two young kids we can only holiday when its expensive. The cost of a sensible used caravan could be bought for the price of two weeks in the far east. For that we'd be able to have 3-4 weeks during the summer holiday where we might have only 7-10 days, plus easter, bank holidays etc. Over 12 months we'd be able to afford probably about 4/5 times the amount of time away compared to the cost conventional holidays.
If money was no object I'd rather fly abroad a lot and not own a caravan, so putting up with the stigma seems a small price to pay to have the opportunity to spend so much extra time away with the family. We have a large garden with side access to park it securely, so it could also double up as an occasional spare room (which we currently don't have).
Echo the other sentiments - with kids it's a no brainer.
Ok, so our motorhome cost us a fair bit of cash more than the equivalent used caravan, but we love it and most importantly, so does our little one. We get away whenever we can, sometimes with just an hour or so notice. We try and leave as much technology behind (no TV in the van and iPad use is limited by lack of Wifi anyway at the best, most isolated sites!). It's about quality family time and adventure.
We pack a small amount of food but then basically eat where and when the mood takes us - whether that be restuarant on site, off site, Pubs, cafes or in the van.
Our motorhome also doubles as a spare bedroom for guests. We only have one spare room, so any additional people staying end up in Harry and they love that sense of adventure (and relative privacy of the van) too.
Benefit of motorhomes over caravans is that they hold their value better, but are more expensive to start with. But there is the whole chassis side of it too, which adds complexity and sometimes expense. But depends what it is you want to do - touring or remaining relatively static at one or two sites over two weeks.
We're off to the Pyrennes in Harry for two weeks in mid-June; touring down the Atlantic coast before going inland and then exploring the mountains before wending our way back up. Can't wait!
Ok, so our motorhome cost us a fair bit of cash more than the equivalent used caravan, but we love it and most importantly, so does our little one. We get away whenever we can, sometimes with just an hour or so notice. We try and leave as much technology behind (no TV in the van and iPad use is limited by lack of Wifi anyway at the best, most isolated sites!). It's about quality family time and adventure.
We pack a small amount of food but then basically eat where and when the mood takes us - whether that be restuarant on site, off site, Pubs, cafes or in the van.
Our motorhome also doubles as a spare bedroom for guests. We only have one spare room, so any additional people staying end up in Harry and they love that sense of adventure (and relative privacy of the van) too.
Benefit of motorhomes over caravans is that they hold their value better, but are more expensive to start with. But there is the whole chassis side of it too, which adds complexity and sometimes expense. But depends what it is you want to do - touring or remaining relatively static at one or two sites over two weeks.
We're off to the Pyrennes in Harry for two weeks in mid-June; touring down the Atlantic coast before going inland and then exploring the mountains before wending our way back up. Can't wait!
kentmotorcompany said:
Seriously considering getting involved.
Last few years been going on Eurocamp holidays to France staying in static caravans, which we have all really enjoyed. So we totally get the appeal of that type of holiday.
With two young kids we can only holiday when its expensive. The cost of a sensible used caravan could be bought for the price of two weeks in the far east. For that we'd be able to have 3-4 weeks during the summer holiday where we might have only 7-10 days, plus easter, bank holidays etc. Over 12 months we'd be able to afford probably about 4/5 times the amount of time away compared to the cost conventional holidays.
That was exactly how we got there - used to do Eurocamp but with our eldest starting school it all became too costly. We found a nice straight dry van that the kids immediately took to with a layout that works and have had a great time. If you have the facility to store it at home (we don't) I really don't think you can go wrong. Last few years been going on Eurocamp holidays to France staying in static caravans, which we have all really enjoyed. So we totally get the appeal of that type of holiday.
With two young kids we can only holiday when its expensive. The cost of a sensible used caravan could be bought for the price of two weeks in the far east. For that we'd be able to have 3-4 weeks during the summer holiday where we might have only 7-10 days, plus easter, bank holidays etc. Over 12 months we'd be able to afford probably about 4/5 times the amount of time away compared to the cost conventional holidays.
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