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I know! Awesome innit!
No. Funkmaster sits down and starts singing about tents.
I can’t see how they can get £15k’s worth of van chassis and put £20k’s worth of caravan on the back and make it add up to £60k
My father, sadly no longer with us was well ahead of the curve on this.
His plan was to buy a cheap flat bed truck and bolt an old residential caravan to it. Instant motorhome at minimum cost !!!
Thank heavens it wasn't one of his ideas that came to fruition 😂😂
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Hurray finally managed to post a picture, first time since the forum change 😉
Reference my post above.
You cant wild camp in caravan
Why not?
Fleetwood Heritage 640i fixed island bed jack and jill bathroom full size fridge freezer built in dvd player 2008 but immaculate as b4 we owned it, it was used as a 'rest space' for a guy when gliding....so not even slept in!
I was converted to having a caravan after a few years camping.
Camping you can't dry your gear properly.
Can't cook a full Christmas dinner (which I do every year).
Can't get comfortable when you're ill (I suffered from fatigue syndrome for years, so holidaying in a caravan was like home from home).
Can't relax properly after a full day out in the hills and fells walking or mtbing.
You get a proper good nights sleep in a caravan.
BWD - I saw a Marauder on the motorway at Easter and shouted to nbt. Yay|
If you buy one you can keep it on our drive in our affluent area. Wink.
anagallis_arvensis
Member
You cant wild camp in caravanWhy not?
cause it's caravaning, you can't ever camp in a caravan!
You can wild caravan however! 😆 Although I don't really see the OP getting that much beyond road sides! Basically, road side caravaning isn't wild camping!
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(Still can't fathom images on this site after all this time)
Caravans don't depreciate that much. Ours was £16k new in 2013 and was still £11k when we just bought it at 6 years old.
We had a Sterling Europa before hand which was nice but we wanted a fixed bed. We wanted a a fixed bed, bunks and a lounge area which could be towed by a Mondeo. Also wanted non wood construction so this one ticked the boxes. Very lightweight.
Prefer a caravan over a camper for the fact that you don't have to pack up everytime you forget something From the shop etc
Plus friends and families with campers and tents seem to have a negative view of "old man caravans" but want to use your toilet, microwave, ice cubes, oven etc.
They want to sit in the front of an evening playing Scrabble when it's raining outside, listening to Spotify, getting boozed up instead of being sat under the event shelter with a blanket and mosquitos.
The kids of said parents want to watch your TV in the warm on your sofa instead of on the floor of the tent.
Think people are just in denial. One couple we know calls caravans "misery boxes" but are happy to use it's facilities when the tent gets damp.
Towing wise I find I don't hold up traffic. It's 2019. The roads are so busy that you can't go fast anyway.
I love having a base which we can relax in after a day at the beach or walking etc. We tend to stay on farms and small sites. Our favourite on the Welsh coast is £12 a night with electric and stunning views.
Yes we take a Dyson with us from home. Little hand held thingy. Yes we have two TVs in ours. One in the back bedroom and one in the front. When the kids get up at 0600 it's easy to put Peppa pig on. We have a Dolce gusto machine. Unlimited WiFi mobile internet with fire sticks. So we could stay in a hotel or rent a cottage but it's more personal imo.
We go away for at least 4 nights every month throughout the year.
We only have one toilet in our old house so next week we are living up Oswestry racecourse in the old man caravan looking over the Shropshire plain with a 40 mile view whilst I rip the bathroom to pieces and fit a new one. Ideal.
Try it. Best thing we did in years.
[strong]taxi25[/strong] wrote:
I can’t see how they can get £15k’s worth of van chassis and put £20k’s worth of caravan on the back and make it add up to £60k
My father, sadly no longer with us was well ahead of the curve on this.
His plan was to buy a cheap flat bed truck and bolt an old residential caravan to it. Instant motorhome at minimum cost !!!
Thank heavens it wasn’t one of his ideas that came to fruition 😂😂
A bit like this?
https://daysaway.wixsite.com/website/single-post/2019/04/25/CamperTruck-For-Sale
Humble brag? Amateur.
Wait for the 'show me your second home abroad thread'.
I like caravans having been brought up holidaying in one all the time. We have a sort of campbervan, a California Beach. Mainly as we like to camp a bit and the vans mega useful anyway and it’s my car. We generally only camp for a couple of nights at a time anyway so works OK. Reason we do it and love it is that we have one kid for various reasons and while cottages and hotels are lovely she tends to be on her own. Campsite? Open van door say goodbye as she disappears off and runs wild, it’s good for her. I can totally see the attraction of a nice caravan which means I must be getting old.
For disclosure we do also have a second house abroad !
But, on my post-97 driving license there’s not many car and caravan combinations that fit within the 3.5t weight limit and can sleep 5 people.
Not sure about this. Our car is 1520kg (Passat) and the 5 berth caravan is MTPLM of 1200kg. Newer vans are heavier generally but there are still some lighter ones. But even then, the test isn't that expensive compared to the cost of a motorhome.
Re wild camping - yes, that's a clear benefit of a small motorhome, but then you've got all the other downsides of a small motor home. You can still do it though. Saw some on Mull when we were there. You can get on board water tanks for caravans, the toilets are the same as motorhome ones, and you have batteries too. So the only issue is getting onto the wild pitch which can be done in many places.
If we had enough money we'd own both a small campervan and a caravan. But not a big motorhome.
WONN UUUNERED!
In the end its what ever floats your boat.
Ours was bought when Abigale decided to compete. 3 1/2 years and 33,000 miles later it still was the right thing to do. On average ours is used twice a month on weekends throughout the year and 5 weeks in Europe biking. Most are at races and parked where ever the events are. When she races in Europe we make the stays last longer and have ridden in some amazing places.
Most of our food is precooked and frozen. The freezer can take 12 precooked meals in bags if needed and has a full size fridge so never felt the urge to shop. I would rather be on the trails.
Most of the time we are off grid. Solar, gas and diesel.
Garage will take four 29ers with wheels on and room to spare.
Apart from bikes, tool kit, food and clean underwear the van is always ready to go.
They arnt as expensive to buy as everone makes out. Ours new was cheaper than the basic T5 would have cost.
It won't be sold on as the girls will get to use it if we ever get fed up.
We wanted one in the 80s instead of sleeping on the beach when windsurfing but the time was never right.
Glad Abigale is following the dream. They hired this for the EWS in Tasmania
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Some of the campervans on here are awesome.
The caravans however are not. Horrible things. The appeal of a camper to me is that you can just jump in it and drive somewhere as easily as you can in a car. And parking anywhere you like. You can't do that with that huge monstrosity in the OP.
Also, points off for having a white landrover. Looks like something straight out of towie.
I'm sure when I'm a pensioner the idea of a large caravan will appeal however.
Call those tin tents? THIS is a tin tent:
Bloomin great, but doesn't work anywhere outside the US or Australia
You cant wild camp in caravan
What about loitering with tin tent?
If I had a Land Rover I'd tow somewhere warm and comfy behind it to sit in and wait for the AA 🙂
We used to have a caravan but we swapped to a motorhome last year and love it. With 2 dogs it’s far easier and usually cheaper than cottages, b&b etc...
Small sites are usually pretty cheap and between gas, solar for the batteries and diesel heating we’ve been using it all year.
Our work lives mean it’s far easier for us to take lots of of 2-3 day breaks than long holidays so it works well, just load the bikes on the back, some food and beer inside and head off somewhere where the weather is nice.
They arnt as expensive to buy as everone makes out. Ours new was cheaper than the basic T5 would have cost.
Yes they are. Thirty grand for a tiny thing, sixty for something for four, versus sixteen for a caravan with twice the space.
Of course a little T5 sized thingnhas advantages, but so does a caravan or a tent. But there's no denying that motor homes are expensive. I've got the Caravan and Motorhome club magazine here, in the ten minutes it lasts before being recycled. It's got their motorhome awards in it, there's a category for £100,000 and up. That'd buy three of the most expensive caravans you can get.
That’d buy three of the most expensive caravans you can get.
Airstream Colarado - £91,000
https://www.salopleisure.co.uk/airstream-colorado
Ok, the most expensive main-stream offering.
But in any case the most expensive one in the mag is £150k.
Ours sleeps 5 and at 7.5 m long has loads of room. It was nearer to the £30k new than the £60k. As I said Its whatever floats your boat.
whatever floats your boat.
Don't get them started on the price of boats!
I've had mine 9 years, put 65k miles on it and it would cost me £4k more than I paid to replace it with the same model of van.
Also, points off for having a white landrover. Looks like something straight out of towie
Work on motorways. I'd have had a grey one, but would have had to stick yellow stripes down the side
Yes they are. Thirty grand for a tiny thing, sixty for something for four, versus sixteen for a caravan with twice the space.
Erm... up the road at King of Caravans says a 6seater Camper for £40k new..
I looked at them, they’re pretty neat places to sleep and throw the surf boards in.
Erm… up the road at King of Caravans says a 6seater Camper for £40k new..
£40k? And you're giving this as evidence of how cheap they are?
Ours sleeps 5 and at 7.5 m long has loads of room. It was nearer to the £30k new than the £60k. As I said Its whatever floats your boat.
Must admit I've never seen a 7.5m motorhome for £30k.
Quite happy with my static. Just did a lads 'MTB' weekend with it, and more planned. All piled down after work on a Friday, far too many beers, MTB Sat, more beers and MTB Sunday. Managed to get all 7 of us showered and 'presentable' within an hour to go off for a cracking Thai meal on the Saturday.
Site fees/insurance are like £4k a year though...
Work on motorways. I’d have had a grey one, but would have had to stick yellow stripes down the side
It's a lovely motor tbf..I'm just not sold on the colour.
What I will say is you do appear to get a lot of caravan for your cash as opposed to a camper. So if thats your bag at least they appear good value.
Also kudos to the op .. he's posted his pics, a few folks have slated it (me included) and he's taken it in good spirits without the whole thread descending into a fight. Key thing is he enjoys it..and in fairness it's alot better than the tent I'll be staying in the next time I go camping.
For balance our diddy caravan cost £500
I've just had a browse of those wee things. I like
But I've decided that most are not aimed at me - they're 'proper' caravans, all grown up and beige.
Now this looks perfect. Shame it's £15k(!!!!) new, not the £500 yours was. Someone's done the research though. Bikes inside, canoe on roof, warm, plastic wipe down, bags for stowage, rear door etc.
What about loitering with tin tent?
This deserves a bump
Matt thats a Swift BaseCamp or something? Look great lots of neat features but quite heavy and spendy. My uncle has a Tab 320. Its pretty nice. Only sleeps 2 though.
Kip Shelter is pretty cool too
As it happens Yes, that’s cheap.
£40k? And you’re giving this as evidence of how cheap they are?
And they’re pretty decent too.
Hold their price reasonably well and offer loads of options to come and go as you please.
I like em’, I think they’re cheap for what they are.
YMMV
🤷♂️
Matt thats a Swift BaseCamp or something?
It is.
It's opened my eyes to a warmed, dry tent with a proper bed. Mrs_oab and I had been kicking around a caravan, as camper we just can't afford.
A small, well designed thing we can do weekends away in is ideal. Perfect if we can keep bikes in it.
I'm looking for ideas, but it will be older and cheap.
It seems all caravans suffer from leaks and damp, and supposedly only last a decade or so...hmmm
Our little setup that we've just been to North Berwick in...
https://flic.kr/p/TxmNA9
We had a wee game on the way up, counting caravans & motorhomes/campers. 3 times as many caravans than motorhomes/campers.
How much do folk tend to recoup in sale value when they shift them on a few years later?
My mate bought a brand new MH 2 years ago & he's going off the assumption that if you look after it you'll get pretty close to the original price cos the prices are going up all the time which means 2nd hand prices keep some pace as well.
For what we want a MH is pointless cos A, we couldn't afford a decent one, B, we'd have to use it as a 2nd vehicle, C, We love the west coast of Scotland & like to get 'offroad' (well, as far as an Xtrail will allow anyway), D, I'd hate to have to pack everything away just to go to the shops.
Etc.
Agree with BWD about caravan names. I mean for me, A Buccaneer is one of these:
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or one of these:
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Not some tin tent rotting away in a front garden.
I guess my caravan impressions are tainted from childhood holidays - my grandfather was very keen on the idea of caravanning and he went through a succession of them. He'd buy a small one, decide it was too small so buy a huge one, then have to buy a bigger car to tow it, then decide that it was too big (more too big to store and to tow) so he'd downsize...repeat ad nauseum.
Anyway, as kids, our family holidays would be me, my sister and my Mum and my grandparents. Us in our car and them towing the ridiculous tin tent to some campsite in the Lakes or Scotland. The problem was that while they were very keen on the [b]idea[/b] of caravanning, the practicalites of two elderly and extremely disorganised (and often quite forgetful) people trying to use one on a regular basis was overwhelming for them and they weren't especially wealthy so everything about it was cheap. The van itself, the stuff in it (like sleeping bags, 2 for £10 from Millets style) was always cheap and this being the mid / late 80's meant it was usually shit too.
My Mum would do her best to make it work, cooking up meals for 5 on a 2-ring gas hob in a crowded kitchen but it does require ruthlessly efficient use of space and organisation - two things which my grandparents were utterly incapable of. They once went away and forgot to pack any clothes - a case of each thinking the other had put them in - and they'd often forget to properly tie things down so everything would be strewn across the van by the time they'd driven it anywhere.
They tried their hardest bless them and we did actually have some good holidays but I'll always remember the rain leaking in through knackered old windows and the smell after 5 damp people and one damp dog had tried to dry out in it...
My brother is at a motorhome gathering in Peterborough and is upset. Apparently on the mainland dogs in prams is quite the thing.
This year he says the show is awash with soppy dogs. You can even get dog awnings.
My brother longs for the days when leather cowboy hats and crocs marked you out as a serious motorhomer 
rather than a dog on wheels.
Matt thats a Swift BaseCamp or something?
It is.
It’s opened my eyes to a warmed, dry tent with a proper bed. Mrs_oab and I had been kicking around a caravan, as camper we just can’t afford.
A small, well designed thing we can do weekends away in is ideal. Perfect if we can keep bikes in it.
I’m looking for ideas, but it will be older and cheap.
It seems all caravans suffer from leaks and damp, and supposedly only last a decade or so…hmmm
Thing is that's just a small two berth caravan with a awning specific to that model. Good marketing by swift You can keep bikes in any caravan. Mine fits under my bed with the front wheel off. Plus you won't be able to keep them in the base camp when sleeping in it as they will sit where the bed is.
Baileys from 2010, elddis from 2014 and swift 2014 onwards are all better in terms of damp. Look up bailey alutech, swift smart and elddis solid construction techniques. You could get (for example) a bailey Orion 400/2 with composite body for £7k and an air awning for £500 and be sorted. Plus when the awning wears out it's easily replaced by any brand. Not young and hip inside but nothing a few personal touches can't sort.
Bikes can be chained to the chassis in the awning. Thieves/anyone can open a caravan door in seconds so keeping them inside will make no difference
It seems all caravans suffer from leaks and damp, and supposedly only last a decade or so…hmmm
No, there are tons of 20 year old vans out there. Mine is dry.
Pre about 2009 they were all made with wood but now most are now timber free or at least limited. These should last for ages. Baileys were being sold with a 10 year warranty at one point.
Parents always took us on holiday in either a caravan/tent/trailer tent and we loved it. While I still love camping in a tent, my wife has had enough of the cold and damp so we've recently bought a 2008 Bailey Ranger and compared to our old Fleetwood van, it's a palace. Everything works on it for a start.
Caravans win over tents easily.
That depends doesn't it.
Thieves/anyone can open a caravan door in seconds so keeping them inside will make no difference
It was more for travelling.
A peruse of eBay shows a few small, light vans that would work as well. They are more 'wood, carpet and wine rack' than 'warm, washable, simple'. But functional.
How much of a gamble to buy a sub £1500 van...?
Not young and hip inside
Have a look at Knaus, a lot younger and very Euro looking. Almost looks like Ikea did a caravan.
How much of a gamble to buy a sub £1500 van…?
Quite a bit if you don't know what you're looking for, but I do. I'll write you a long PM with things to look at if you want?