Camping is getting too painful for DP😔

[MrsWembley]

What with his gout and the recent cold snap, DP is starting to make noises regarding campervans. He doesn't think he could stomach a caravan...

We have always loved our tent, but have just tried glamping, in a wooden pod with the most amazing insulation that meant we didn't worry about the temperature overnight at all! But still, he wasn't comfortable on the futon, was too cold cooking and eating outside, and was just generally miserable.

Someone, please please, give me advice on these things! Will it solve his problem or just give him other ones?

[MrsWembley]

Petit, just looking back over the suggestions and I noticed you'd mentioned folding campers! How is life in one of them?

[BikeRunSki]

I see this thread is quite advanced. I was going to suggest a down jacket and a super thick Thermarest.

[MrsWembley]

We went to see some second-hand Pennines today...

Quite liked them!

[MrsWembley]

Hello, me again!

DP is now talking about a trailer camper! Anyone any experience of them?

[Just5minswithDacre]

I'm assured that they hold value okay.

[Katymac]

VW Californias?? Have you seen the price?? I could buy a second home for that!!

[Just5minswithDacre]

Ooo. I've been eyeing up the VW Californias. I wonder if "someone on MN said that they're cosy" is a good enough reason to just order one this week in time for the summer?

[petitpois55]

Thank you Soap. That's quite a reasonable price.

[petitpois55]

Me and DH were looking at Caravans like night. I sooo want one. We haven't got a drive though, and would have to leave it in storage. We would have to factor that in to the overall cost.
Does anyone who owns a caravan store it?

[MangoBiscuit]

I have a bad back (and hips, and one knackered knee, but mainly it's the back!). We opted for a trailer tent with awning, and I love it! We bought a simple electric camping heater, and a small fluffy rug for the cabin area floor, and it is so cosy, even if it's below zero outside. The awning has tons of space, we can use the cabin as a stand alone if we're just stopping for one night.

[Katymac]

Can't see any on autotrader & tbh they are out of our price range (for a first caravan)

But I want one

[ChicRock]

They're cute aren't they! My local caravan dealer is the uk distributor for them, have a look on autotrader, there's a few for sale on there too.

[MrsWembley]

That is soooo sweet! It's like a toddler caravan

[Katymac]

That looks fab just what we want apart from the price

DD has a tent so if she came too she could sleep in that

[ChicRock]

i think your car would tow a Go-Pod Katy

this

[Katymac]

Could I get a little caravan or a trailer tent if my car is a 1.4 corsa?

Is there anywhere I can look to see what it could pull?

Sorry to hijck MrsWembly - but me & DH both really miss camping & I just realised we now have somewhere to store one!!

[AnnPerkins]

We have a selfbuild campervan too. Could never afford a non-smingey readybuilt one on our budget.

We've never fancied a caravan, until we saw one at a camping exhibition last weekend. It was small enough to fit in a garage but with a pop top and such a well-designed interior that looked really spacious. DH and I could be seriously tempted someday.

[MrsWembley]

Okay, yes, stopping at supermarkets en route could work. Coming around to the idea of a caravan, though...

And we do have lots of stuff! Oh boy, do we have stuff!! We don't crouch to cook, we have the whole kitchen arrangement, with a double burner on legs and a storage unit with a prep table on top. We have an awning to add onto the side of the tent, so no cooking in the rain either.

Anyway, he's now saying that maybe he was just in too much pain and too cold to enjoy it and it will probably be better come half-term at the end of the month. Better start planning...

[Milliways]

Stop at Supermarkets between routes- oops!

[Milliways]

We plan our routes so can stop staring supermarket between sites. With bikes on the back we can go further, but we do plan sites that have easy walks or public transport. Currently in Amsterdam with a site next a 2 minute walk to a metro station so in the city centre in 15 mins.
In the uk if not going too far I sometimes takes the small car as well (DH goes and sets up on Friday and I join him after work). Considering an Afrane to tow but not sure how much it would get used.
The joy of being at a festival and returning to a heated van though is utter bliss!

[Newquay]

We've had camper vans but upgraded to Motorhome as now have 2 under 5. The con of Motorhome is that we have to park it at a farm away from the house - and pick up/drop off at a reasonable time of day so that kinda makes things less carefree. I still miss the camper van (vw t4 and t5). If it were only us 2 or if the kids were older I would go with camper van as you can park it anywhere. If you go Motorhome route do look into storage/parking as it isn't a given and can be a real pain.

[ootsideinbacktaefront]

Aw I loved my camping but Im a full convert to caravanning now, home comforts 😁

[LikeAbatOutOfHell]

We have a small self build camper van, it's a vito so easy to drive off site, fits in most car parks, classed as a car on euro tunnel and toll roads in France. Best thing we have ever done. Had caravan and tent in the past. Caravan was ok but we lost our storage so sold and got a tent. Decided we were getting a bit creaky for it.

Only thing now is not being able to stand up when cooking but we are having a pop top fitted next month