Caravans: What's the Point?
Discussion
The best motorhome I have seen was a converted bus.
They had lopped off a couple of metres at the back to give them a rear deck, complete with awning and barbecue.
On the move, they parked their Suzuki min-jeep style 4wd runabout on the deck.
I grew up with camping with a folding caravan and tents, but now the little I do is very spartan.
I have a 4wd Mitsubishi express van - I fitted a plywood floor to the back, some built in lockers, and tie downs for plastic crates.
I sleep on an air bed in the back, and can sit on my camp chair under the tailgate next to the brazier if it rains.
They had lopped off a couple of metres at the back to give them a rear deck, complete with awning and barbecue.
On the move, they parked their Suzuki min-jeep style 4wd runabout on the deck.
I grew up with camping with a folding caravan and tents, but now the little I do is very spartan.
I have a 4wd Mitsubishi express van - I fitted a plywood floor to the back, some built in lockers, and tie downs for plastic crates.
I sleep on an air bed in the back, and can sit on my camp chair under the tailgate next to the brazier if it rains.
Slighly O/T, but in my recent searches for caravans/motorhomes/campervans (baulking especially at the big money asked for VW T5 camper conversions, even those with high miles) I happened across the Nissan El Grand.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-NISSAN-ELGRAND-CAMP...
240bhp V6 out of the Nissan 350Z and 4WD strikes me as the kind of metal that would appeal to the average PH'er going camping!
One of those with a drive-away awning is currently tickling my fancy. Anyone driven one?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-NISSAN-ELGRAND-CAMP...
240bhp V6 out of the Nissan 350Z and 4WD strikes me as the kind of metal that would appeal to the average PH'er going camping!
One of those with a drive-away awning is currently tickling my fancy. Anyone driven one?
PurpleTurtle said:
Slighly O/T, but in my recent searches for caravans/motorhomes/campervans (baulking especially at the big money asked for VW T5 camper conversions, even those with high miles) I happened across the Nissan El Grand.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-NISSAN-ELGRAND-CAMP...
240bhp V6 out of the Nissan 350Z and 4WD strikes me as the kind of metal that would appeal to the average PH'er going camping!
One of those with a drive-away awning is currently tickling my fancy. Anyone driven one?
You could get a v6 mazda bongo for half that price.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-NISSAN-ELGRAND-CAMP...
240bhp V6 out of the Nissan 350Z and 4WD strikes me as the kind of metal that would appeal to the average PH'er going camping!
One of those with a drive-away awning is currently tickling my fancy. Anyone driven one?
foxsasha said:
Setting up a motorhome of that size is similar to a caravan...You still have to wind the supporting legs down, plug in electric, take covers off fridge vents etc with a larger motorhome.
Nope!No steadies to unwind and no vents to take off...sorry! We do plug in the electric but that takes less than 1 minute. Kettle on before your average tugger has positioned their box.
Its the perennial argument which we wont resolve here and has been covered ad nauseum.
We would never tow a caravan, ever. Not our thing at all and tbh some tuggers are downright dangerous at the speeds they go with their boxes wobbling all over the place.
MH-wise we see sights on the way to where we are staying; then we can walk; cycle or use local P&R or buses; then we see sights on the way to our next place or on the way back home. We can stay on sites near villages/towns/pubs/restaurants thereby negating the need for a car. As said as we tend to have decent payload we can carry provisions (i.e. beer) with us so no need to worry about that either. For those who wildcamp, water and waste are catered for too...no whale pumps to worry about or wheelie water carrying thingies. Plus we get to use the Aires, Stelplatz etc right throughout Europe without being branded as unwelcome travellers.
Each to their own...but you tuggers will never really get to enjoy the feeling us MHists have when sitting back watching the tuggers on the pitch next to us take 2 hours to put their awning up. Priceless
oblio said:
Nope!
No steadies to unwind and no vents to take off...sorry! We do plug in the electric but that takes less than 1 minute. Kettle on before your average tugger has positioned their box.
Its the perennial argument which we wont resolve here and has been covered ad nauseum.
We would never tow a caravan, ever. Not our thing at all and tbh some tuggers are downright dangerous at the speeds they go with their boxes wobbling all over the place.
MH-wise we see sights on the way to where we are staying; then we can walk; cycle or use local P&R or buses; then we see sights on the way to our next place or on the way back home. We can stay on sites near villages/towns/pubs/restaurants thereby negating the need for a car. As said as we tend to have decent payload we can carry provisions (i.e. beer) with us so no need to worry about that either. For those who wildcamp, water and waste are catered for too...no whale pumps to worry about or wheelie water carrying thingies. Plus we get to use the Aires, Stelplatz etc right throughout Europe without being branded as unwelcome travellers.
Each to their own...but you tuggers will never really get to enjoy the feeling us MHists have when sitting back watching the tuggers on the pitch next to us take 2 hours to put their awning up. Priceless
Maybe not, but you won't get to enjoy us looking at the MH's trying to get their MH down a tight lane only to find out that the car park for the chateau they're trying to visit has a 2m bar across the entrance. With nowhere to turn round and about 10 cars waiting to get in!! I did chuckle!!No steadies to unwind and no vents to take off...sorry! We do plug in the electric but that takes less than 1 minute. Kettle on before your average tugger has positioned their box.
Its the perennial argument which we wont resolve here and has been covered ad nauseum.
We would never tow a caravan, ever. Not our thing at all and tbh some tuggers are downright dangerous at the speeds they go with their boxes wobbling all over the place.
MH-wise we see sights on the way to where we are staying; then we can walk; cycle or use local P&R or buses; then we see sights on the way to our next place or on the way back home. We can stay on sites near villages/towns/pubs/restaurants thereby negating the need for a car. As said as we tend to have decent payload we can carry provisions (i.e. beer) with us so no need to worry about that either. For those who wildcamp, water and waste are catered for too...no whale pumps to worry about or wheelie water carrying thingies. Plus we get to use the Aires, Stelplatz etc right throughout Europe without being branded as unwelcome travellers.
Each to their own...but you tuggers will never really get to enjoy the feeling us MHists have when sitting back watching the tuggers on the pitch next to us take 2 hours to put their awning up. Priceless
Different strokes for different folks, as you say.
My folks have always had caravans and I also have great memories as a child making friends at campsites. They progressed to a motorhome and I eventually bought a caravan but I found it a bit of a pest setting up especially as I was in my own with a 2 yr old. I sold my van and dad recently bought a VW Autosleeper. I was not keen at first as slightly cramped but so far I've put more miles on it than my dad. So I have now laid claim to it.
If money was no object I would be going for a Globecar and towing a KTM Xbow behind it
This would do...
http://motorhomes.autotrader.co.uk/used-motorhomes...
However my reality is this for a long time to come.
If money was no object I would be going for a Globecar and towing a KTM Xbow behind it
This would do...
http://motorhomes.autotrader.co.uk/used-motorhomes...
However my reality is this for a long time to come.
Rosscow said:
Maybe not, but you won't get to enjoy us looking at the MH's trying to get their MH down a tight lane only to find out that the car park for the chateau they're trying to visit has a 2m bar across the entrance. With nowhere to turn round and about 10 cars waiting to get in!! I did chuckle!!
Different strokes for different folks, as you say.
I've never experienced that. Tight country lanes sure, but then again so have caravanners, but I've never found myself unable to drive my motorhome where I've wanted to.Different strokes for different folks, as you say.
Antony Moxey said:
I've never experienced that. Tight country lanes sure, but then again so have caravanners, but I've never found myself unable to drive my motorhome where I've wanted to.
Really?Last year was a nightmare down in the Loire Valley. Lots of big motorhomes trying to get to places that unfortunately were just inaccessible to them.
).The worst I have had was in Lyon. I'd missed the ring-road exit, so decided to go trough the City. It was early, and quiet.
All was well until I had to change lanes to let an Ambulance past, and ended up going in the opposite direction to what I wanted. Stuck on a one way street, I could see the other, wide one way street down a succession of narrow roads. Given the wide stuff at either end, no problem so headed down one of the narrow roads.
All was well until the road was closed, and I had to manoeuvre a very tight 90 degree bend with parked cars everywhere. Took a while, especially as I was on my own.
Oh and this was the second time I had towed, the first being a 20 minute get to know you, so my first time would not be in France!
All was well until I had to change lanes to let an Ambulance past, and ended up going in the opposite direction to what I wanted. Stuck on a one way street, I could see the other, wide one way street down a succession of narrow roads. Given the wide stuff at either end, no problem so headed down one of the narrow roads.
All was well until the road was closed, and I had to manoeuvre a very tight 90 degree bend with parked cars everywhere. Took a while, especially as I was on my own.
Oh and this was the second time I had towed, the first being a 20 minute get to know you, so my first time would not be in France!
Perhaps tempting fate, but I've never got stuck anywhere in the van and don't intend to.
On the one hand it's incredibly easy to drive (and will also do 70mph easily) and also maneouvre, given its ridiculously good turning circle.
But I'm also always aware of the dimensions and keeping your options open for an "escape" if it looks like you're going somewhere where you might end up having Problems if you continue.
I guess it's just like any collection of drivers driving anything - there'll be bad ones and good ones. For every motorhome getting stuck at the entrance to a chateaux, there's probably just as many caravaners getting stuck in tight country roads or making a pigs ears of reversing their rig onto a pitch. They're the ones which stand out in your mind. But there are many others who can drive their vehicles very well and have no problems throughout their entire ownership.
I think the sheer cheapness of motorhome insurance is testament to the fact that things rarely go wrong.
On the one hand it's incredibly easy to drive (and will also do 70mph easily) and also maneouvre, given its ridiculously good turning circle.
But I'm also always aware of the dimensions and keeping your options open for an "escape" if it looks like you're going somewhere where you might end up having Problems if you continue.
I guess it's just like any collection of drivers driving anything - there'll be bad ones and good ones. For every motorhome getting stuck at the entrance to a chateaux, there's probably just as many caravaners getting stuck in tight country roads or making a pigs ears of reversing their rig onto a pitch. They're the ones which stand out in your mind. But there are many others who can drive their vehicles very well and have no problems throughout their entire ownership.
I think the sheer cheapness of motorhome insurance is testament to the fact that things rarely go wrong.
Antony Moxey said:
I've never experienced that. Tight country lanes sure, but then again so have caravanners, but I've never found myself unable to drive my motorhome where I've wanted to.
+1Research, research, research...plus a Garmin sat nav that has the vehicle dimensions in which helps a lot
Also somewhere a comment was made about slow MH's...my 3.0ltr Ducato is still pulling like a train at 70mph and I would be surprised if it couldnt do at least 90*...and its c.4.5 tonnes
- NB Not up hill though!
But at a steady 60 it returns over 27mpg so well happy with that
oblio said:
Antony Moxey said:
I've never experienced that. Tight country lanes sure, but then again so have caravanners, but I've never found myself unable to drive my motorhome where I've wanted to.
+1Research, research, research...plus a Garmin sat nav that has the vehicle dimensions in which helps a lot
Also somewhere a comment was made about slow MH's...my 3.0ltr Ducato is still pulling like a train at 70mph and I would be surprised if it couldnt do at least 90*...and its c.4.5 tonnes
- NB Not up hill though!
But at a steady 60 it returns over 27mpg so well happy with that
mikal83 said:
Luxury. In the US my 33 footer did 7 mpg!
...but with "gas" at 3p a gallon (or sommat silly ) it was not a great issue I bet We did an RV trip over there in something similar and it really wasn't a chore to do anything: roads, campsites, supermarkets, gas stations, visiting sightseeing places...they are SO tooled up!
oblio said:
mikal83 said:
Luxury. In the US my 33 footer did 7 mpg!
...but with "gas" at 3p a gallon (or sommat silly ) it was not a great issue I bet We did an RV trip over there in something similar and it really wasn't a chore to do anything: roads, campsites, supermarkets, gas stations, visiting sightseeing places...they are SO tooled up!
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