I don't have space to store the van at my home either... One advantage keeping it at a storage unit is it doesn't have to be local to your home. Currently keeping mine in a storage unit just off the M5 in the south West - making it easier to get the bulk of the journey done without towing. Only need to pack clothes as everything else is already in the van. Then it's easy to get to all of the South West and Southern Wales.
you can move your storage from year to year, exploring different areas of the UK.
Of course, the downside to this is a longer journey for any maintenance chores that need doing or spontaneous weekend breaks.
Faff factor is much smaller than Camping. Comfort factor is much higher.
I wonder how the car knows when I’ve hitched just a bike rack vs caravan?
It compares the acceleration and deceleration rates against the torque or power being supplied against a standard map. Plus a little bit of tow hitch detection flags. (So a fully laden, MGVW vehicle with nothing on the tow hitch will behave differently to one of the same weight with a trailer).
Bike racks are awkward. But usually not heavy enough to trigger changes to shift maps, brake bias or other safety systems.
How do people find the faff of camping vs caravanning? Is it a million miles apart?
It is ultimately much less faff. Our first trip with our caravan was to a Big Bike Bash many years ago. We arrived about midnight, in the rain. Putting the legs down then climbing into the warm dry comfy van and putting on some cocoa as the rain pattered on the roof was sheer joy. Then getting into a comfy bed with a real duvet and a sprung mattress. Compare that with putting a soggy tent up and sleeping on the floor.
There is still some faff but it's much more limited and is the same every time so you get drilled on it. Especially when the kids get older - you get them to fetch water and empty stuff etc. Although you're not under canvas you are a lot closer to the outdoors than you are in a building. I still remember one lovely afternoon we sat inside with the windows all wide open watching steady summer rain fall whilst being warm and dry.
Don't bring a TV though as then you really will miss out on everything.
Re storage I do keep the van as close to my house as I can because we like to load the van firs with clothes and food, then come back with the bikes and paddleboards and whatnot in the boot where they stay for the journey.
Caravanning with a big awning that you can open up is almost all the fun bits of camping with none of the downsides.
A good awning goes up in 15 minutes, and you can put it up *after* you've sat down, had a cup of tea and popped down to the beach/lake/shops/nearest black run/got changed.
I sleep in the awning sometimes as well. (I have a 4 berth, but sometimes there have been 5 of us, so i take an inflatable mattress and sleeping bag that gets slotted in on top of the top bunk during the day).
A good awning goes up in 15 minutes, and you can put it up *after* you’ve sat down, had a cup of tea and popped down to the beach/lake/shops/nearest black run/got changed.
Yep, and you can opt not to put it up if you are only going for a few days or stopping overnight on the way somewhere - unlike a tent.
We completed our first trip at the weekend. Very stressful, but in the end it was fine. The Focus coped pretty well, although heading up the hill from Leek to Buxton was a struggle at times, but that feels steep even without towing anything. Plus by the time we left Glossop we had to head back home before heading to the site and by that time it was proper Friday afternoon traffic. The journey back on Sunday late afternoon was much more relaxing. I could certainly feel the weight of the van, but it towed pretty solid with only a little bit of movement at times.
We're off to North Wales next weekend and then the Lakes for a few nights at the start of July. No bikes being packed at the moment, just chilled weekends with plenty of walking etc.
We woke up on Sunday and the rain was coming down rightly and we both agreed it was a million times better than being in a tent. We will get better and quicker at getting setup and taking down, but that comes with experience.
Oh and you will definitely want a corner steady adapter for your drill. Miles better.
We will get better and quicker at getting setup and taking down, but that comes with experience.
I'm down to about 10 minutes from spotting the pitch to kettle on the hob, 15 or so if i pull the basic awning out, 30 if i have the full tent to fit.
All on my own.
Strip down takes about twice as long. Mainly from putting the kids stuff away!
My kids hate using camp site toilets so I always have to deal with the chemical toilet when we go, that adds some time on.
Currently sat in ours near Lyme Regis listening to the rain pattering on the outside (have had some sun) - loveley and cosy
