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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

I'm thinking of buying a caravan - any advice very welcome.

54 replies

VivaLeBeaver · 12/01/2014 16:24

Thinking of getting a 2 berth caravan for me and dd. We used to enjoy camping but I can't be arsed with the faff of tents and sleeping on the ground any longer. Used to have a campervan which I miss.

I know next to nothing about caravans. Have been looking at some on the Glossop caravan website and they seem to have a good selection.

Is there anything I need or must avoid?

I'd be looking at second hand so how long do they last for? I read to expect a ten year lifetime but Glossops are selling some which are already 10 years old which look to be in great condition.

I've towed a water jetter before so although not as big as a caravan I've got some idea what to do. I don't know if I'd ever be able to reverse with one though. Would think about doing a towing course to improve my confidence.

OP posts:
Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 29/01/2014 17:20

There's a c&cc site 15 miles away which I want to go to for a weekend in feb. its one of their big sites and I figure the warden can help if it all goes tits up.

Then a long weekend in Rutlandshire in may.

A week in Derbyshire in June/July.

Have sadly paid for a week in centre parcs in August. But I'm sure we can get some weekends away through the year as well.

OP posts:
Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 29/01/2014 17:21

Oh and sadly the place where I'm storing it two miles down the road as well as the storage yard has a caravan site in the woods with fab reviews. I might drag it out the yard and into the woods 100yds away some weekends! Is that crazy?

OP posts:
Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 29/01/2014 17:22

How often do people find they use their vans?

Is it feasible to go away on a Friday night and come home on Sunday evening.

OP posts:
MsUumellmahaye · 29/01/2014 17:30

yes if your pretty organised. its all hands on deck on a thursday night to get organised then straight after work on a friday off we go, luckily enough we have sites about 30-40 mins drive from home that we love, can be set up and eating dinner by 8pm, walking along beach at 9pm, can't do that at home :)

QOD · 29/01/2014 17:31

We used to go stay in the cc site that boasted views of OUR village as it's selling point :D

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 29/01/2014 17:37

I've just found a lovely site about 50mins away right by some cycle trails which looks lovely.

Do you normally have to clear off your pitch by lunchtime?

If so you'd really only get Saturday to do something.

OP posts:
scurryfunge · 29/01/2014 17:40

Enjoy your caravan! We have an old Elddis and I prefer the end bathroom. We usually pay for the Sunday night too but leave lateish Sunday.

QOD · 29/01/2014 17:43

By 12 but we would sometimes book the Sunday night too but bugger off late afternoon.
Dh and dd hated it in the end though so we'd just get up, breakfast, pack up and go ...

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 29/01/2014 17:48

Ah, that's a good idea. Thanks. I'd never have thought of that, duh.

OP posts:
MsUumellmahaye · 29/01/2014 18:44

you do usually have to be off at 12ish but i have found nobody really bothers too much especially at the sit we go to regularly. however i don't mind getting home sharp to get uniforms sorted etc. for some reason it makes your weekends seem so much longer! I love mine so much best thing i have ever done, i hope you have as good a time as us in yours :)

QOD · 29/01/2014 18:49

Depends on time of year Ms. If in school hols then the next batch are booking in and arriving from 12/2

MsUumellmahaye · 29/01/2014 19:02

ye thats true, if its the bigger sites would make sure ready for spot on 12, our usual place is very quiet and we always ask if we are ok to leave the van while we have one last walk down the beach, he's never said no yet :) tis never the busiest though.

QOD · 29/01/2014 19:06

We've been those totally pissed off arrivals on a Saturday waiting for the sods to leave so we can have our bank holiday weekend!

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 29/01/2014 20:06

I really hope I like it.

I've spent an obscene amount of money this week as had to buy a new car to tow a caravan. If I don't like it I'll be gutted.

Though I think I got a bargain with the caravan. It was up for sale on the website for 5k so I'd thought too much. I went to look at cheaper ones and it was marked down to 4.5k. I liked it and asked the bloke if he could do it for nearer 4k, thought he'd either say no or maybe £4200.

Anyway he said he'd do it at £3400!!!!

OP posts:
QOD · 29/01/2014 20:15

Brilliant!

You will love it.

We used the front lounge bit as two singles which saved rebuilding the whole van every night, you can fling your bedding in your end bath to make it easier
Use the site facilities when you can and we had a rule ... No poo poo in the caravan cos someone has to empty that shite ,,..

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 29/01/2014 20:24

I'm planning to use it as two singles to save bed making and to save dd kicking me all night. Beds look a bit narrow though.

I have serious poo worries as dd does poos as big as my forearm and blocks the toilet at home frequently! I've already said no poos in the van but she'll ignore me.

I have some more questions of a practical nature actually.

WTF do I do with everything? Grin

I have no idea how to connect the water, empty the loo, get the gas on and off, turn the electric stuff on and off. Do you think the caravan dealer will show me before I leave. My picking up time is a booked in slot an hour long - I'm hoping they show me stuff. And show me how to hitch and unhitch.

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QOD · 29/01/2014 20:26

Yeaaaah they'll show y and honestly, there's always someone wandering over say "you don't wanna do it like that, you wanna do it like this ..." S friendly.

Take the back cushion off the benches too. You can stand them on end in yr bathroom at night. We used to fling stuff in the car in the day too

MsUumellmahaye · 29/01/2014 20:49

caravan sites are very friendly, always somebody about to help :)

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 29/01/2014 20:51

Thanks.

I love it already. Love all the little cupboards and bits of storage, etc. will be so cosy when we've got it.

OP posts:
allmycats · 29/01/2014 20:58

When you pick up the caravan the dealer should go through all the services with you and check that you understand what they are telling you. They should let you have a go at things and instruct you, and there
should be a 'book' for the caravan which tells you all about the set up/use of such as the hot water, drainage, removing toilet cassette, hooking up etc.
If you are not sure on site there are usually wardens who will help and
plenty of 'know alls' who will be delighted to put you right !! - in a friendly manner .
Hope you enjoy your caravan

MsUumellmahaye · 29/01/2014 21:02

loads of info on you tube too :)

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 29/01/2014 21:05

Thanks.

I'm so excited. Don't think I'll sleep next Friday. m off to check out YouTube.

OP posts:
sleepwouldbenice · 03/02/2014 21:51

Hi

joining the thread a little late but pleased for you!

Couple of things:

  • if you haven't booked a towing course yet then my DH booked a one to one lesson instead (ie like a driving lesson) which he liked as chance to ask his own questions and quicker - we are near Liverpool not sure if you are close or not
  • would agree everyone likes to help on site and you get quicker and quicker setting up
  • we often go after school and come back Sunday evening - as people say if its school hols then to do so you might have to pay an extra night but if not then the site often let you stay for free or a small cge if you want
  • is it serviced? if not might be worth booking it in

Enjoy!!!

Badmumof3 · 04/02/2014 13:46

We started with a 15 year old Elddis and we loved it. It was chintzy and not to our taste, but it got us started. Hardly ever had any problems with it other than the fridge not working on gas. We were fortunate 3 years ago to be able to buy a new van and we've had so many problems with it and the dealer we bought it from clearly not doing their checks properly or the servicing either. However I can't imagine any better way of holidaying with children. I'd recommend going to the caravan show if you can, at the end of February.

I'd also recommend trying rallying. It's a great way to meet people, its very child friendly and is usually tons cheaper than going on commercial sites independently. (Oud have to belong to pne of the 2 clubs to be able to do this) We are paying less that £9 per night for our holiday this year. There is no electricity available, but we invested in a large solar panel last year, so we don't need it anyway. A solar panel is definitely a good investment. We paid £300 for ours but its already paid for itself based on what we would have paid for electric hook ups.

MsUumellmahaye · 13/02/2014 08:33

viva are you still around?? would love to know how you got on on your first trip?