Caravan or not?
Caravan or not?
Author
Discussion

surveyor

Original Poster:

18,689 posts

213 months

Monday 7th January 2013
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Last year as a group of 6 we camped. I missed some of the home comforts, although an airbed instead of the self inflating thing would help some of that.

Now my parents have bought a caravan... It's tempting. A loo, shower, comfy bed, and double glazed windows to muzzle the noise.

But it doubles the cost, + extra fuel.

I'm also a little concerned as the drive down was fun with plenty of banter. not so much on my own at 60!

Help me out chaps... Would you?

fatboy18

19,553 posts

240 months

Monday 7th January 2013
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Stay out of our way with a bloody caravan, take it to the Top Gear track and smash it up. You know it makes sense tongue out

lucky b

353 posts

231 months

Monday 7th January 2013
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I've dragged a caravan down there (once). I've also stayed in a caravan on Houx Annex that was rented and put there for us. This is a much better option. It costs a similar amount to the additional ferry and fuel charges and means you can enjoy the drive down.
Better still, rent or buy a motor home and travel in comfort with your mates.

Chrisgr31

14,275 posts

284 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
surveyor said:
Last year as a group of 6 we camped. I missed some of the home comforts, although an airbed instead of the self inflating thing would help some of that.

Now my parents have bought a caravan... It's tempting. A loo, shower, comfy bed, and double glazed windows to muzzle the noise.

But it doubles the cost, + extra fuel.

I'm also a little concerned as the drive down was fun with plenty of banter. not so much on my own at 60!

Help me out chaps... Would you?
I am considering this as well. Mainly because we have usually been in Expo with cattle sheds for shelter from the extreme heat or wet, this year we are in Beausejour so no shelter. Now the caravan has an awning hence providing a nice sheltered area which is more secure than gazebos.

James_N

3,301 posts

263 months

Tuesday 8th January 2013
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I've taken a caravan once before, and am taking one again this year. You can't beat it really. I'm disabled, so the comfort of having a decent bed and somewhere to chill out of the blazing sun, or pissing rain, is a godsend, as well as a decent toilet and shower! No more queuing!

As for the not enjoying the trip down there, it should make no difference. Those people with any sense won't speed on the way to le mans anyway, as we all know fine well the old bill are out to relieve us Brits of our hard earned for exceeding the speed limit, however, those without any sense always post up after the event saying how they got fined. Frankly I've never seen the point. If you want the speed aspect, why burn rubber down a straight boring toll road when you can spend £100 on a trackday in the UK and have a much better time!
So in terms of the journey, stick the cruise on, relax with some good tunes on, and enjoy a nice relaxing drive down there, safe in the knowledge you wont get pulled over for speeding smile

In conclusion - Do it. Sod the extra costs. The extra comfort and luxury is more than worth it. You also have the thought of knowing all your goods are safe and secure, unlike camping! smile

gt6

1,478 posts

214 months

Tuesday 8th January 2013
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However you must remember that the best camp sites at Le mans do not allow caravans or large campavans so you will be consigned to the second class sites, and IMHO that is how it should be

allojon

282 posts

220 months

Tuesday 8th January 2013
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Maison Blanche has caravan or motorhome special large pitches, definitely worth trying to get one of those.

joema

2,753 posts

208 months

Tuesday 8th January 2013
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Is beausejour ok with caravans? We're thinking if buying a stter and living in that.

fatboy18

19,553 posts

240 months

Tuesday 8th January 2013
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joema said:
Is beausejour ok with caravans? We're thinking if buying a stter and living in that.
Ive seen them on the site, they normally put them down the far end. good luck tyring to get them out if it rains!

James_N

3,301 posts

263 months

Tuesday 8th January 2013
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gt6 said:
However you must remember that the best camp sites at Le mans do not allow caravans or large campavans so you will be consigned to the second class sites, and IMHO that is how it should be
Caravans / Campervans are allowed on Houx. This is one of the better sites imo smile

gt6

1,478 posts

214 months

Wednesday 9th January 2013
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James_N said:
gt6 said:
However you must remember that the best camp sites at Le mans do not allow caravans or large campavans so you will be consigned to the second class sites, and IMHO that is how it should be
Caravans / Campervans are allowed on Houx. This is one of the better sites imo smile
I think that you will find that they are getting stricter there are now triple sized plots that are required of caravans/campervans, and they insist that you book one of those, they will stop you taking then on to the usual 5 by 7 pitches.

James_N

3,301 posts

263 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
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gt6 said:
I think that you will find that they are getting stricter there are now triple sized plots that are required of caravans/campervans, and they insist that you book one of those, they will stop you taking then on to the usual 5 by 7 pitches.
Only just heard about this. One of my le mans camping buddies takes care of booking our tickets every year through 1st tickets. He always takes his camper but we will see I guess. We will just play dumb when we get there biggrin

Printertosh

571 posts

197 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
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If you do take a caravan you want to watch out for the side winds on the autoroutes especially the ones with the high open viaducts. Bad enough in a motorhome but at least that doesn't start fishtailing! eek

turbo-ww

1,766 posts

245 months

Thursday 17th January 2013
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A colleague at work is looking to travel down in a motorhome – Is there a site somewhere that he can look at that will give him some options of who will accept them?

gt6

1,478 posts

214 months

Thursday 17th January 2013
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The ACO site will tell you, Lemans.org i think

Printertosh

571 posts

197 months

Thursday 17th January 2013
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In previous years you could get in most as long as its under 7m. Over that i think you have to stay in the official motorhome parks (hard standing). I read on here that they're getting a bit strict with the length so hopefully the 7m rule still applies this year. Going take spanners so box on back can be removed if they get tape measures out! Official map of camping areas shows what can camp where.

Porkieboy

180 posts

202 months

Thursday 17th January 2013
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Over the last ten years I have used a Motorhome and camped on Houx , Houx annexe and Maison Blanche and most other general camping areas and have never had a problem. I have also towed a car and been allowed to transfer the entrance ticket to this vehilcle once I have pitched up.

I am not sure that there are any restrictions on any of the private sites but I am sure those operators will advise if you contact them

allojon

282 posts

220 months

Thursday 17th January 2013
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I'd steer clear of the private sites, caravan & car etc will be cost prohibitive as you'll probably need a fair bit of space. I have friends who take a caravan to the public camping areas every year, no problem at all in any they have been in, you buy two pitches together so you have a nice bit of space to spread into.

surveyor

Original Poster:

18,689 posts

213 months

Thursday 17th January 2013
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I've been stictched up like a kipper. Old man and his best friend decided to come this year.

I'm now towing the caravan and sleeping in a tent. Bugger.

MX51ROD

2,853 posts

176 months

Thursday 17th January 2013
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The PH secure site allows caravans ,
http://www.1st-tickets.co.uk/ph/enquiriesph.html
having camped last year and froze my n+ts off due to the chilly weather , the caravan is a serious consideration for next year ( got to miss this year frown )

Whilst the PH enclosure is very well appointed with showers , bar , and security , the comfort of a heated fully loaded caravan as VERY appealing
BTW the speed limit for caravans on Autoroutes is generally 130kph unless otherwise signed . something I take advantage of on my trips to mid and south France

Edited by MX51ROD on Thursday 17th January 20:31