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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to buy a bloody caravan

87 replies

Llamasally · 02/11/2021 18:29

DH is really keen. We have a young baby and toddler. Even a really nice one would be very cramped with travel cot & baby kit etc. DH is incredibly untidy. I’ll be doing all I do at home except falling over everything/children and getting stressed in the process. No one will get any sleep. I would much rather stay in luxury SC until at least they are both a bit more self sufficient - it’s a bloody lot of money for what would be logistically difficult holidays. I went on caravan holidays as a child and had so much fun, but think that started more like school age…

OP posts:
ThatsGoingToHurt · 05/03/2022 14:24

If he refuses to admit it’s crap he can take the kids away for the weekend including all the packing and cleaning beforehand! You can stay at home and have a decent nights sleep!

Hallowbat · 05/03/2022 14:26

Totally agree I hate staying in caravans & pick a cottage or apartment every time, my dc aren’t keen on caravans either

EffOrfagain · 05/03/2022 14:28

We have one with a fixed bed, essential imo, but we are retired and I can't imagine going with DC, it would be very cramped, also they are quite a bit of work setting up and stuff like that. We have time for all this but if we had limited holidays it would be a bit of a pain, we enjoy it though as we can go for lots of weeks away at a cheap price

RumJerrySailorRum · 05/03/2022 14:57

I love our van, but it's just me, DH and the huge daft Labrador. (And we also have a much newer one now, with a fixed island bed and separate toilet and shower)

We have taken our nieces and nephews away in it tho, however they were older.

You either like it or you don't. You've tried it and you don't. But don't let it put you off trying again.

It does get easier the more you go. You get into a better routine, find what works best for you re cooking and cleaning etc. Yes, it still needs to be done but its not a constant drudge. For example, One of us takes the dog for a toilet walk whilst stuff needs doing in the van which makes doing it much easier.

An awning or porch really are a must though. Our boots/shoes, outdoor gear, recycling, beer, wine, camping chairs etc are all kept in ours.

Stuff is all kept in lidded boxes or baskets and it's all labelled. DH was a bit wtf at me but we both know exactly where something is and where it needs to go back to.

And I always come back refreshed, relaxed and looking forward to our next trip. Alcohol is drunk, fresh air is plentiful, and weight is usually lost too!!

AChocolateOrangeaday · 05/03/2022 15:02

I feel your pain OP.

DH is currently OBSESSED with buying a motorhome!

DS is 17 so much older than yours but would be coming with us on every trip.

My idea of hell tbh.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 05/03/2022 15:18

We love our caravan, but it's obviously not for everybody - so hiring first is a very good suggestion. We did that and loved it, hence buying our own (well-used) one.

Descriptions like 'plastic prison' are a bit silly imho - it's just a moveable dwelling, granted smaller than most fixed ones. Your house could be described as a 'brick prison' if you don't realise that it has a door enabling you to leave it often, or if you buy one located somewhere truly appalling.

Caravans aren't supposed to be an all-inclusive 24/7 entertainment centre - they're designed expecting that you'll sleep and eat some meals there but also travel/explore the outside and other places and amenities too. If you're looking for a replacement hotel, you're always going to be disappointed; if you consider it a much, much better, warmer, drier and more comfortable form of camping, that's a far more realistic way of looking at it, and is less likely to leave your (unrealistic) expectations unmet.

That said, I agree that they aren't especially compatible with the needs of very little kids and their parents. For us, the cost was crucial - and before our DS was of school age, we were able to afford (and find available) holiday cottages for much lower prices during term time, which were more suitable for a little one. Once he was at school, the balance tipped in terms of price/availability and him being age-appropriate for a caravan to work for us.

WalkingOnTheCracks · 05/03/2022 15:33

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll

We love our caravan, but it's obviously not for everybody - so hiring first is a very good suggestion. We did that and loved it, hence buying our own (well-used) one.

Descriptions like 'plastic prison' are a bit silly imho - it's just a moveable dwelling, granted smaller than most fixed ones. Your house could be described as a 'brick prison' if you don't realise that it has a door enabling you to leave it often, or if you buy one located somewhere truly appalling.

Caravans aren't supposed to be an all-inclusive 24/7 entertainment centre - they're designed expecting that you'll sleep and eat some meals there but also travel/explore the outside and other places and amenities too. If you're looking for a replacement hotel, you're always going to be disappointed; if you consider it a much, much better, warmer, drier and more comfortable form of camping, that's a far more realistic way of looking at it, and is less likely to leave your (unrealistic) expectations unmet.

That said, I agree that they aren't especially compatible with the needs of very little kids and their parents. For us, the cost was crucial - and before our DS was of school age, we were able to afford (and find available) holiday cottages for much lower prices during term time, which were more suitable for a little one. Once he was at school, the balance tipped in terms of price/availability and him being age-appropriate for a caravan to work for us.

A caravan is my idea of hell, but I have to say, @Webuiltthisbuffetonsausageroll, that that's a very measured, balanced, articulate and fair-minded response.

Are you sure you're on the right website? I mean, I don't think you're going to survive here very long with that kind of attitude.

Adarajames · 05/03/2022 15:42

We LOVE our campervan, but no kids, just dogs, and go away in it pretty much weekly, and up to a month or more at a time during festival season.

As kids we camped in a tent, only affordable holiday at the time; started going before we could even walk, think my brother was only a few months old first time he went away! We still go camping with family even though all now adults, 3 of us own Campervans / motorhomes, 1 of whom also has a large caravan, another has a caravan, only one doesn’t have either but does Glamping or borrows the caravan of other sister that has both.

I love the freedom, we park up in unofficial spots a lot and it’s been great with covid as I have own toilet and undesirable facilities available whenever we go out

CounsellorTroi · 05/03/2022 15:44

@AChocolateOrangeaday

I feel your pain OP.

DH is currently OBSESSED with buying a motorhome!

DS is 17 so much older than yours but would be coming with us on every trip.

My idea of hell tbh.

The issue with motorhomes seems is that they can be too big to explore really out of the way places and awkward to park at places you may want to eat out. You’d need to take an alternative form of transport like bikes or tow a small car!
WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 05/03/2022 16:41

Why, thank you, WalkingOnTheCracks Blush Grin

NatMoz · 28/08/2024 14:30

Heya is there an update? Do you still have the caravan now? Is it better now they are 2 years older?

Sorry for digging up an old thread. I have a 2.5 year old myself and we're fine in a tent but want to see how things are on the other side!

Original poster
Llamasally · 03/09/2024 19:45

@NatMoz we got rid of it, and good riddance 😂

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