Motorhome/ camping

[glasslightly]

were a family of 5, kids all primary. We’ve done a couple of camper/motor home trips with the kids and loved it. We’re looking at doing a longer road trip (2 weeks) across the UK this summer. For the price of hiring a motor home we could buy camping equipment, but it’s a long time since I camped and I’d welcome views.

motor home pros:

• no huge set up/ break down
• more room if weather poor
• fun to be in

motor home cons:
• cost
• slow and unwieldy to drive

car and tent pros:
• get to keep the tent
• drive own car, we know it and it’s fast and reliable
• more flex (could stay in glamping/ some hotels)

car and tent cons:
• less fun
• hassle of putting up/ down (we’ll be on a road trip so travelling daily)

[Funderthighs]

Or how about a caravan, then you get the best of both worlds at a reasonable price?

[WhyAmINotCleaning]

Won't you have to secure everything once you drive off? Plus trying to park.

Never used a motorhome, but we find our huge air beam tent is great - no hard corners to bump into, great in wind, great fun and we get to keep it.

[WhyAmINotCleaning]

@WhyAmINotCleaning

Won't you have to secure everything once you drive off? Plus trying to park.

Never used a motorhome, but we find our huge air beam tent is great - no hard corners to bump into, great in wind, great fun and we get to keep it.

Just realised you'll be travelling across UK. If your kids are old enough to help and be responsible for their own things, it might work.

[itsgoingtobeabumpyride]

For a family of 5 I'd second the pp who said a caravan.
I have a VW campervan, sleeps 4 apparently, it doesn't, it's cramped with two.
We end up setting up most of our stuff outside with crossed fingers for the weather.
Camping is ok but again you need good weather, if you get wet or cold you'll all be miserable.

[Faircastle]

If you are aren't spending more than a day (or even two) at each site, tent camping with young children (and the extra stuff that entails) would be hard work. You'd spend a significant proportion of your holiday pitching, setting up, and packing away.

If you are staying in each place for a few days and doing a lot of daytrips, a caravan might work. If you're moving on each day, I think a motorhome would be the best option.

[MrsMoastyToasty]

We've done all 3.
Tent.
pros - feels like proper camping, very casual
cons- you can hear everything outside and everyone can hear you inside. The cold . If it's a small tent then you are on your hands and knees. Storing clothes is an issue- everything feels damp/cold or needs to be kept in the car. The weather.

Caravan
pros- you're up off the ground. Places to store food and clothes.
Cons- awnings are a bugger to put up. Living in a metal box the size of my lounge in a heatwave isn't fun.

Motorhome.
pros- having the freedom tomove when it suits.
cons- having to turn the gas off, lower and lock the skylight. Getting into some car parks.
(Travelling in the back isn't that comfortable either.)

[anothernamechangeagainsndagain]

In all honesty I would look at the cost of travel lodges or similar too

[Funf]

We find camping poor due to weather if you get the wether its just fantastic family time but we have had several Caravan and Motor Homes over the years.
We like both as they are different, currently we have a motor home, its a winter spec one so it can easily be used all year around, you have to consider length and weight as you may not be able to drive over 3.5T on your licence. We only buy under 3.5T and 6M max length as its easier to park. We like how you can just get in and go and often do one nighters. Its great to park near the beach early and spend the day there with your own facilities, we have several pubs who let us park on the carpark for free as long as we spend in the pub, these are great and cant be done with a caravan.
A good quality motor home should keep its value so the actual losses during ownership could be less than you think.
I feel if you are up for it why not try a cheap caravan, our first one was £100! it leaked and nothing worked so we fixed it up had a few trips in it to see if we liked it, sold at a profit then bought a much bigger 5 berth and had some great adventures in it the kids still talk about it now.
My top tips.
Plan it well pack well so you can find stuff and give each child a job

[StrongandNorthern]

If moving around a lot then the constant packing up and pitching again would be a nightmare, especially in wet weather.

[Pigriver]

We've been on a 2 week motorhome trip with 2 kids. It was great being able to pull over at the beach, go back for the loo or to make lunch and a cuppa. You can cart all the beach stuff and bikes. Fridge and a loo! I hate trekking across a field in the dark for a wee.
We only move every few days but I certainly wouldn't want to take down a tent everyday.

My main bug bear with a MH is that it's like bloody Jenga, to make the beds you have to rearrange the whole van. We now have a fixed bed 😁
We're off to Holland this year (plus a few UK visits) and hopefully France next year.
Parking can be a pain but as long as you are willing to pay, use Google maps satellite to check space/size/manoeuvrability and can keep a cool head you'll be ok.
Just don't hit up Cornwall in August!