Motorhome v caravan?
Comments
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I've been calling it vanning for ages
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I've been calling it vanning for ages
me, too....
if i want to specifically 'physical' reference a motorhome or caravan, i'll usuall say so....but when talking about our 'hobby' which we can do in various physical 'vehicles' i tend to say 'vanning'.
anyway, the sun's out so we will go vanning in our MH tomorrow....look out Wales
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Caravans are great when left on site for more than a few days. If want to explore an area in detail, parking up the caravan and using the car is the better option. We found it ideal when we used to go walking everyday with the dog. The ease of putting up
an awning on a caravan means you can expand the space for little effort - well, we always found it easy. Whilst we never found caravans difficult to tow, the unit is a big factor when on the road.Motorhomes are better if you want full days out, hop from site to site after a few days, or want to wildcamp. The Continent is ideal for motorhomers. UK is not particularly motorhome friendly so additional compromises may be required, especially over parking.
The view from a motorhome when driving, especially A-classes, is magnificent. Visibility generally is better than a car even without a caravan in tow. Motorhomes are stable on the road and less claustrophic than a car.0 -
Other motorhomer wave to you too which when we was driving our first motorhome back from brownhills , we thought it was great!
mrs bc0 -
I know, it's so sad.
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We have recetnly made the swop from twin axle caravan and 4x4 to motorhome and small tow car and found quite a few savings . i.e. insurance/tax/running costs all cheaper not to mention the ease of setting up on site. However the day to day running costs
of the 4x4 was huge compared to the £0 tax and 70mpg of the small towcar. ultimately depends on your requirements0 -
A big thank you to all who have taken the time to reply to my post. I think the general consensus is that the cost is about the same. This being the case I will draw up a list of pros and cons for both caravan and motor home to see whitch comes out tops.
If I may trouble you all once more what in your view do you think should top the lists of pros and cons for a couple in their late 50s with no kids in tow? I am leaning towards a motorhme
the wife a caravan.Listen to your wife, they are usually right. When you have a motorhome it is more restrictive than a car when it comes to parking i.e. multi story car parks, car parks with height barriers, narrower than usual roads, designated bays such as in supermarket
car parks etc etc. having to disconnect EHU and clear the decks every time you move off, depending on the size of motorhome and how much sight seeing and distance covered every day fuel costs motorhome verses car. Each to their own, like politics all parties
have some good points together with not so good points it's what suits you. Would it be possible to hire both and then see what you fancy? it could be a very costly purchase either way if you make the wrong choice.0 -
I am beginning to think that I may hire a MH for a week to get a better idea whether to swap from a caravan.
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I am beginning to think that I may hire a MH for a week to get a better idea whether to swap from a caravan.
We did that and toured Scotland. We found the motorhome restrictive. Parking at tourist spots, in town and the supermarket was difficult, We had no alternative transport apart from walking so were limited in where we could go. We bought a caravan. It
suits us, we can set up on site and explore the local area using the car. As previous posters have said it depends on how you choose to spend your holiday.0 -
The clearing up before heading off for the day issue has been mentioned but that largely depends how you live in the MH. If you're the type of person who scatters belongings all over the place and leaves a bowl of washing up in the sink it might be time
consuming. For us it generally means disconnecting the EHU, putting away the kettle and cups and, if we're returning, putting out the pitch marker board.0 -
Last October I changed from a caravan towed by a long wheelbase Shogun to a Motorhome. It is a different way to camp. You need to pick your sites if you intend to stay put for any length of time, but spending less time on one site and being able to call
into supermarkets and places of interest en route is a bonus. Buses, bike (electric) and walking give a good view of local areas. I do not miss having the car as it frees me from driving most days.Only you can say what is best for you. I don't regret changing.
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Last October I changed from a caravan towed by a long wheelbase Shogun to a Motorhome. It is a different way to camp. You need to pick your sites if you intend to stay put for any length of time, but spending less time on one site and being able to call
into supermarkets and places of interest en route is a bonus. Buses, bike (electric) and walking give a good view of local areas. I do not miss having the car as it frees me from driving most days.Only you can say what is best for you. I don't regret changing.
So therefore where ever you go you see next to nothing! not for me but if it suits you that's all that matters.
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I see plenty KJLC, especially from buses as the views are better than while driving. In your car you are insulated from your surroundings, walking or on a bike you can smell the roses.
Don't you find, BM, that you actually get to see more en route to sites now? With the MH you can meander around on the way taking in the sights, stopping for lunch and a stroll with the dog whereas when towing a cvan you would probably stick to the most major roads in order to get to the next site asap.
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After 30 years caravanning we will be off to France soon with the new motorhome. The one question we are asked by friends is how we are going to get around sightseeing etc. with a motorhome. The fact is, we seldom used the car for exploring once we arrived at a site. Not really interested in monuments or museums, in fact we stayed near Avignon many times and it was nearly ten years before we got around to visiting the city then we didn't like it too much- too busy, a nightmare to park, too many tourists like us!. We just enjoy the countryside and walking to the nearest town or village, however, we will be more selective about access to local transport, lake ferries, supermarkets etc.
So for us it was easier to take the decision to switch. If we don't like it we will give up as we wouldn't go back to caravanning. Everybody has different things they like to do when they travel and that will have a huge influence on the decision.
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The clearing up before heading off for the day issue has been mentioned but that largely depends how you live in the MH. If you're the type of person who scatters belongings all over the place and leaves a bowl of washing up in the sink it might be time
consuming. For us it generally means disconnecting the EHU, putting away the kettle and cups and, if we're returning, putting out the pitch marker board.We have a caravan and don’t scatter our belongings everywhere either. But if we had a motorhome before we could depart in it bearing in mind all the restrictions previously mentioned and as others have said we would have
to disconnect the EHU and then put a marker on our pitch and internally put the kettle away, put the toaster away, disconnect the satellite cable from the Freesat box disconnect the TV from the satellite box and place the TV and Freesat box somewhere safe
we usually have a couple of litre bottles of supermarket water to place somewhere safe often we have a bowl of fruit so that needs sorting items on the shelf such as a small radio, a torch, pamphlets maybe some other items that I have forgotten about. Washing
up liquid that normally parks itself by the sink, hand wash in the bathroom by the sink. I’m sure if I think hard enough I could probably think of some more items that would need dealing with every time I wanted to go out in a motorhome whereas I can leave
everything alone lock stock and barrel in my caravan and just get into my car and I’m off and away. So for me it is nowhere as simple as made out to be and as said before it is each to their own.0 -
I see plenty KJLC, especially from buses as the views are better than while driving. In your car you are insulated from your surroundings, walking or on a bike you can smell the roses.
It's what ever takes your fancy. Some sites have bus stops outside the entrance but 99% don't. They are restrictive having to wait until they arrive and plan your time around them when they are going to turn up, if they do, and plan your time returning, stop starting every every few minutes waiting wasting your precious time when you could be on the move if it's raining and pouring down hard getting soaked when one can be in a warm car and far more comfortable, you can only go where the bus takes you and chop and change maybe sometimes I can't be doing with all that and often buses don't go to where you want to go nor as far afield as you can go with a car in a given time and so the list goes on and on but if that's what you like then that's all that matters. Motorhome for you, caravan for me.
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I see plenty KJLC, especially from buses as the views are better than while driving. In your car you are insulated from your surroundings, walking or on a bike you can smell the roses.
It's what ever takes your fancy. Some sites have bus stops outside the entrance but 99% don't. They are restrictive having to wait until they arrive and plan your time around them when they are going to turn up, if they do, and plan your time returning,
stop starting every every few minutes waiting wasting your precious time when you could be on the move if it's raining and pouring down hard getting soaked when one can be in a warm car and far more comfortable, you can only go where the bus takes you and
chop and change maybe sometimes I can't be doing with all that and often buses don't go to where you want to go nor as far afield as you can go with a car in a given time and so the list goes on and on but if that's what you like then that's all that matters.
Motorhome for you, caravan for me.What a jaundiced view you have of buses. When I had the caravan I often just parked up and used buses. Sometimes they go by circuitous routes, which takes you to interesting places you would not otherwise see. As I live in Scotland my bus pass does not
work in England and Wales, but I reckon that it is cheaper and less stressful to let public transport take the strain.Enjoy your caravan KJLC, I enjoyed mine for 30 years.
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The clearing up before heading off for the day issue has been mentioned but that largely depends how you live in the MH. If you're the type of person who scatters belongings all over the place and leaves a bowl of washing up in the sink it might be time
consuming. For us it generally means disconnecting the EHU, putting away the kettle and cups and, if we're returning, putting out the pitch marker board.We have a caravan and don’t scatter our belongings everywhere either. But if we had a motorhome before we could depart in it bearing in mind all the restrictions previously mentioned and as others have said we would have
to disconnect the EHU and then put a marker on our pitch and internally put the kettle away, put the toaster away, disconnect the satellite cable from the Freesat box disconnect the TV from the satellite box and place the TV and Freesat box somewhere safe
we usually have a couple of litre bottles of supermarket water to place somewhere safe often we have a bowl of fruit so that needs sorting items on the shelf such as a small radio, a torch, pamphlets maybe some other items that I have forgotten about. Washing
up liquid that normally parks itself by the sink, hand wash in the bathroom by the sink. I’m sure if I think hard enough I could probably think of some more items that would need dealing with every time I wanted to go out in a motorhome whereas I can leave
everything alone lock stock and barrel in my caravan and just get into my car and I’m off and away. So for me it is nowhere as simple as made out to be and as said before it is each to their own.My goodness, you do have a lot of loose stuff in your van, KJ! We find it easier and tidier to simply pop things back in their rightful place after using them. Obviously we live differently in our units in the same way we view the pros and cons of cvans/MHs
differently. For us secondary transport has not proved necessary so is not an issue at all.I'm glad we agree on one thing, though - that as long as we're all happy with our choices nothing else matters. As has been said many a time, there are no rights and wrongs and it's purely personal choice. Those of us who have done both can appreciate how
our needs change over time which is one reason I find I'm able to accept other people's choices as being right for them.0 -
We have a caravan and don’t scatter our belongings everywhere either. But if we had a motorhome before we could depart in it bearing in mind all the restrictions previously mentioned and as others have said we would have to disconnect the EHU and then put a marker on our pitch and internally put the kettle away, put the toaster away, disconnect the satellite cable from the Freesat box disconnect the TV from the satellite box and place the TV and Freesat box somewhere safe we usually have a couple of litre bottles of supermarket water to place somewhere safe often we have a bowl of fruit so that needs sorting items on the shelf such as a small radio, a torch, pamphlets maybe some other items that I have forgotten about. Washing up liquid that normally parks itself by the sink, hand wash in the bathroom by the sink. I’m sure if I think hard enough I could probably think of some more items that would need dealing with every time I wanted to go out in a motorhome whereas I can leave everything alone lock stock and barrel in my caravan and just get into my car and I’m off and away. So for me it is nowhere as simple as made out to be and as said before it is each to their own.
Sure you have to disconnect the EHU, that is if you have any in the first place and put a marker out and perhaps put the kettle and furit bowl away but forget the rest if you have yourself organised properly. TV is on a bracket with intregral sat and freeview receiver and DVD player utilising sat dome or omni terrestial aerial fixed on the roof. No need to stow any of the above or a TV connection. No toaster, don't need it with a gas grill. Washing up liquids etc stored in handy accessible pouches, simply use and replace so they are not a problem either, neither are pamphlets or magazine because they are kept in retaining net pouches, again easilly accessible when required.
So for me to move off, it is perhaps disconnect EHU, put sign up, stow kettle and fruit, ensure cupboards are locked, switch water pump off, stow the steps, start the ignition, stow the hydraulic leveling and off we go. Perhaps 5 mins of effort.
peedee
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Darn it, I forgot to mention locking the fridge door. That's another 2 seconds
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A big thank you to all who have taken the time to reply to my post. I think the general consensus is that the cost is about the same. This being the case I will draw up a list of pros and cons for both caravan and motor home to see whitch comes out tops.
If I may trouble you all once more what in your view do you think should top the lists of pros and cons for a couple in their late 50s with no kids in tow? I am leaning towards a motorhme
the wife a caravan.Listen to your wife, they are usually right. When you have a motorhome it is more restrictive than a car when it comes to parking i.e. multi story car parks, car parks with height barriers, narrower than usual roads, designated bays such as in supermarket
car parks etc etc. having to disconnect EHU and clear the decks every time you move off, depending on the size of motorhome and how much sight seeing and distance covered every day fuel costs motorhome verses car. Each to their own, like politics all parties
have some good points together with not so good points it's what suits you. Would it be possible to hire both and then see what you fancy? it could be a very costly purchase either way if you make the wrong choice.I've never had any issues with parking our m/h whether in tourist spots or supermarkets. As for narrow roads we are currently on the Ardnamurchan peninsula which included a 60 mile round trip to the lighthouse on single track roads with no problems. To the
contrary we found a stunning location to wild camp with views over Mull on the way back and decided to stay the night. Wouldn't fancy that in a car with the caravan miles away.......As for putting stuff away all we ever need to put away is the kettle and we are on the move.....
Not for everyone but suits our needs.
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As befits my reputation as a "Right B******* Comedian" I have to suggest a Nice Well equipped comfy Motorhome towing a sweet little Eriba or some such Caravan for 'er indoors.
At this point I'll get me coat and go hunting for gold nuggets in my window boxes
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MH restrictive? Not ours, five and a half metres, we have been up the Long Mynd, down the steep narrow roads on NY moors and will hit Dartmoor later this year! Easy to park in towns and cities as well. Ok, you can't use multi storeys and need to watch out
for barriers, but we haven't had a problem at all, and have even parked up using on street parking bays.We have pack up down to three minutes now, four if awning is rolled out!
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Glad you have found something that suits you both! Have an enjoyable time, and good for coming back and letting others know what your decision has been!
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