Caravan or tent ?

[Pollypickypocket]

I have two teenage children - we do lots of short breaks and some wild swimming. Have been using a cheap tent but frankly fed up of being cramped, wet and aching from cheap blow up beds.

Thinking of either mega new tent and good camp beds or cheapest small caravan.

What's your experiences ?

I'd much prefer a caravan to a tent, but have no where to keep one.... where do you all keep yours?

Neither.

Get a motorhome - best thing we ever did. You can park it easily for stops en route, get it down narrow lanes, stay for free at Britstops and secluded places, have a kip in the back while DP is doing the tedious driving, use it for impromptu overnight stays at parties, avoid paying exorbitant prices for a cuppa at National Trust tearooms. We've even gone out for meals at rural pubs and stayed in their car park (with permission) so we can both have a drink.

I still slightly miss tent camping though. I love the sound of rain pissing down on the tent roof while I'm all snuggled up inside.

As for a campervan - I'd love one! But they're ridiculously expensive for anything large enough for a family.
We keep our caravan in a storage facility a couple of miles from home, less than £20 a month.

Caravan or campervan, regrettably. We battled on with a tent for years but a torrentially wet August week in Keswick finished us off. I think it was the long morning we spent each sat in a corner to prevent the tent from blowing away, breathing in the stench from the deep mud we were virtually floating on.

If you were in southern Europe I'd say tent, but I've no regrets about joining the smug band of people with glowing windows I used to mournfully gaze at as I weaved my way though their caravans and campers on the late night dog wee-run in my wellies and waterproofs on my way too and from my wind and rain battered tent.

I'd go with a caravan as I never feel safe in a tent too many low budget horror films been watched

They both have different pros and cons. We had a caravan. Was great and cosy lovely and dry but was harder to travel anywhere. Finding stops for food or a wee was harder. Was great pulling into a layby and making a cup of tea though. Still involved setting up and making sure it was level etc. Tent has the cons you listed. We have a trailer tent now. Great compromise. Still have to set up but takes no time at all. Can use it with or without the awning so for short overnight stops easy to unfold and use just for sleeping. With the awning we have plenty space for a living kitchen area. We went camping with friends last summer they took the microwave and put it in our kitchen I laughed but it was used loads. Trailer tent tips on its side and easy to store in a shed or garage too so no storage fees or staring at a caravan on the drive all winter.

My Parents have a folding camper and we (me and ds) often go camping with them. They have a large awning so if we are away for more than a few nights we have that extra space, we can also add in an extra bedroom if needed. At a push you can sleep 6 in the camper and more in the awning.

It's great as it's easier and quicker to tow but still has a toilet and kitchen on board.