can any caravan be cool... and should I buy one?

[xPOW]

hi all. ok, I know i'm gonna open myself up to some SERIOUS pillaging here but need some advice. I consider myself a fairly normal, level headed guy. We have 2 young kids, 3 and 6. My wife has recently mentioned she'd like to go camping with them and would even like a CARAVAN... shock, horror, om my lordy lord!

After I come round, we had a sort of reasonable chat. I told her there's no way I'll be staying in or towing a beige fibreglass shed behind me.... but I would consider getting an American Airstream which I've always found to be design icons and pretty cool (even Clarkson recently said "they're cool - except you still crap in a bucket!")..

Had a bit of a scout round, and found ones like this which I really like. I'd tow it with my Defender and would love to drive it around Europe and the Alps etc.





These 'trailers' as they're known (anything to help not call them caravans lol) cost quite a lot. Money aside, I've got a few options:

1. buy a old airstream, gut it and refub it to a high standard

2. there's a company that makes replica 1950 ones, so you can get a brand new one with all the looks of the best era ones, but all mod cons of a new one

3. come to my senses and spend the cash on a 911 or something else?

4. any other ideas gratefully received


So guys and gals, any ideas?? I know, this is a red rag to a bull on PH , so I think I'm ready for what you're gonna throw at me. Be kind, but let me hear them ;-)

[redstu]

Let's face it towing anything is a bit shot.
We had a caravan for a short while and I hated it, it's ok once you're there but before and after is less than fun.
Airstreams do look good though, but I think you need to pull it with something period to get the full experience!

[davidjpowell]

Airstreams are cool, they are now being imported into the UK, but very expensive. Not sure the old ones would work. Bit big and heavy for this country.

No caravan will be cool when towing. What is nice is unhitching the van,collecting the cold bear from fridge and so on.

I've found the driving relaxing. The pressure to go that 5 mph faster is not there. You would never have found my caravan at the front of a jam though.

[slomax]

[Cotty]

xPOW said:

4. any other ideas gratefully received

Why don't you try before you buy
http://www.vintagevacations.co.uk/deatils.htm
Rent one for a few days see if its for you. No point laying out huge wonga to find out caravaning is not for you.

[Deranged Granny]

I'd have expected Garlick to have started this thread.

[y2blade]

those airstream ones are cool

[GestapoWatch]

Don't see why not.

Just because Clarkson doesn't like them doesn't mean that nobody else should never ever ever like them ever.

I personally can't see where enjoyment from living in a 'sardine tin on wheels' would be derived, but then I am fat and smelly so would be bad company in one anyway.

[steveo3002]

i do like the old airstreams , but all the money they cost plus the extra fuel would put you into a reasonble hotel with decent comfort

[Jem0911]

Very cool,
Consider the new Airstreams too.
http://www.airstreameurope.co.uk/index.html

[Sneaky Schnell]

http://static.autoblog.nl/images/wp2009/Caterham%2...
http://www.aclassluxury.co.uk/MARK+ON+EUROPE/Cater...
http://www.autoblog.nl/gallery/0_Divers/Caterham_c...
I saw this company advertised in EVO before. Rent something to see if you like it. I can imagine nothing worse than spending serious money on a camper/caravan and then realising the Missus and kids don't like it.

Edited by Sneaky Schnell on Friday 15th October 21:34

[Garlick]

Deranged Granny said:

I'd have expected Garlick to have started this thread.

I have owned a caravan before......

[W00DY]

http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=6663...

Got to love something with a bit of history. The only caravan I'd consider.

[Deranged Granny]

Garlick said:

Deranged Granny said:

I'd have expected Garlick to have started this thread.

I have owned a caravan before......

[Garlick]

But I'm moving on to motorhomes

[midgeman]

How about this?

http://www.dub-box.com/

[nobodyknows]

No caravan will be cool when towing. What is nice is unhitching the van,collecting the cold bear from fridge and so on.

Do you have to keep a BEAR in the fridge?

[Wacky Racer]

nobodyknows said:

No caravan will be cool when towing. What is nice is unhitching the van,collecting the cold bear from fridge and so on.

Do you have to keep a BEAR in the fridge?

You must have a bloody big fridge........Is it a Polar bear?

[Garlick]

I quite enjoyed towing, I felt that towing added to my driving 'skills'

[2 Wycked]

davidjpowell said:

collecting the cold bear from fridge

??