Gone back to a caravan
after a break of 6 years with took the plunge and bought a bailey approach motorhome, in august last year, so just had a couple of weeks before we couldnt use it then winter set in so planned a tour of cornwall, and in april set off, while cost of fuel rocketed, and was getting in short supplies but we managed, averaging 29.9mpg, downsides we couldnt get into parking spots even backing with the overhang over the edge at the rear because being 7ft 11inch wide we needed two spaces width wise, tried using morrisons supermarket and couldnt even get into any spaces due to cars parked either side or opposite so would'nt be able to exit because of the swing out , plus the wind was bad and the amount of drafts getting into any gap made the van cold, so on our return we put it up for sale and it sold to a dealership for what we paid so holiday only cost running costs, so we've decided to buy a caravan and picked up a nice coachman vip460, and we are off again to try it next week, plus we now have the car to run around in and it gets better mpg even towing. plus if we have to get off the motorway around greater manchester we wont be hit with a £60 a day charge (fine). and theres no MOT or tax to pay, and the insurance is cheaper.
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That's why choosing a MH needs much careful thought and shows why many people trade them in very soon after buying. Bigger is not necessarily better in terms of MHs, especially in Cornwall.
Enjoy your caravan.
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In an ideal world, well one where we had much more money, we would have a caravan and a MH. Till that day arrives a van suits us better for what we want to do, in the same way that a MH suits others better.
Prices of both have have increased, and the cost of living has risen for us all, but the biggest single factor, that may have more effect on MH ownership, is the price of the MH itself and, as cost of living increases start to bite even more, many will find that the sums dont add up for them.
Hope that you enjoy your new van.
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Thanks for replies, we have had caravans and motorhomes in the past so did go into with our eyes open, we spent time looking even rejecting a autotrail the day we should have collected it due to dealer washing it with roof vents open flooding inside, then 12 months later spotted the Bailey at same dealers it had only just come in so he agreed not to clean it and got a hefty discount hence able to get money when I sold to a different dealer, if we get fed up towing then we will put it on a seasonal pitch.
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Hope you enjoy your caravan, and at least you didn’t lose anything on the MH.
Have to agree with Tinny, Cornwall is one of the few places we definitely prefer a caravan and towcar. Currently in Scotland, and it’s a whole different story up here. MH heaven.0 -
It does take some thinking about whether you have a caravan or a motorhome. We caravanned for 30 years and spent at least the last 5 of those years thinking about a motorhome before making the change. We had a Bailey Approach 740 for six years before changing it for another Bailey albeit a bit smaller. The point about motorhoming, especially if you have previously been a caravanner, is that it is quite a life style change. Unless you decide to tow a car, perhaps a bit counter intuitive, you have to be prepared to embark on a different style of camping. You have to be prepared to look for sites or stopping places which are near to where you want to be and look for sites where you can walk or cycle from, walk or use public transport. All these options are surprisingly widely available. However if this is not in your game plan better to stick with a car and caravan. What puzzles me a bit is that you previous experience of both caravans and motorhomes didn't inform your decision a little more?
David
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We’ve had most forms of camping across the years including tent, trailer tent, caravan, camper van & motorhome, not necessarily in that order. Each has needed a serious in-depth consideration in line with our then time of life and changing needs and each choice has involved some compromise. Don’t think we have made a mistake yet although the price of fuel is a real factor today. Who knows, a caravan next? Not for a while hopefully but if needs must then so be it. Enjoy your next phase of our shared pastime!
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We enjoyed the two caravans over the 15 years we used then, as we had tenting for the 30 years before. However, our ultimate plan had been to get a MH, which we did after a lot of careful planning and research 3 years ago. I can’t see us ever going back. The life style is just so much easier and flexible, particularly in Europe. Although as DK mentions it does need a different approach and a bit more planning. On a six week tour we would typically use 18 sites / Aires as compared to 5 / 6 with our caravan.
Yesterday I took it out of storage to top up the LPG system, it took as long as driving in with the car, swapping over and driving out. Every time we picked up the caravan it was a good half hour, power moving it out and hitching up. I think when we no longer want to MH or can’t, we will move on to different types of accommodation, such as Glamping or cottages.0 -
yes after owning several caravans / motorhomes over the years, we have enjoyed both, hence wanting to buy a motorhome after a break from travelling holidays, we did the cottage holidays even got a couple to do this year which were booked before we bought the caravan, one in st davids one on the isle of skye, trouble with cottages are the one you want is not vacant when you want it. and some might not meet your cleanse expectations, plus the prices are shooting up, we just went away for a few days and enjoyed the caravan and being on the llyn penisular we were able to get down the little narrow roads in the car, and we get more mpg even towing,
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I totally get what you are saying about rented accommodation (i.e. availability and cleanliness). We very rarely use hotels/ B&B etc.... a rare exception is when we go across to Lewis & Harris. As we can usually only go for a shorter period of time (5 nights accommodation, this time), it's not really worth the reduced MPG when towing, and the extra ferry cost and site fees on top... plus the extra time it takes when towing.
The other issue of Caravan v Motorhome... At present, personally, I can't see us wanting to swap to a motorhome. Caravanning fits the way we holiday... we like to set up on site and explore the area by car. We do a bit of walking (although a bit limited), but I drive to where we want to walk, and I'm not a fan of relying on public transport. After saying that, I 'totally get' that there are so many folk who holiday 'the motorhome way'. It's just thinking it through before you purchase, and like the OP not being worried about changing between one and the other.
Whichever way you go, I think it's probably fair to point out to anyone considering caravanning or motorhoming, that either isn't a cheap option. If you want to save money on holidaying, buying a motorhome or caravan, plus all the 'necessary equipment' (🤣🤣), upkeep, (+ storeage?) and site fees on top doesn't necessarily make it a cheap option. It the 'lifestyle' thing...... and when I use my caravan, it's as clean as I make it.... and anyway, it's only my dirt!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
David
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We switched to a Motorhome six years ago which was then an opportunity to downsize our large SUV for a smaller electric car which suits our lifestyle more. No going back now because it would mean buying a towcar far larger than we need for everyday use.
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We are fortunate in that we have both.
After 40 years of caravanning we bought a Bailey MH had it for 6 years, it had its ups and downs.
We couldn't find another MH that we liked so changed it for a new caravan.
We knew we would go back to a MH in the future, once we had decided what that would be, didn't want to rush it as it would probably the last one.
At the end of the first lock down in 2020 the dealers were desperate to sell and we were again fortunate to find locally the MH we were after. It was a bit earlier than planned (only had the caravan 20mths) but we decided fate had shown us the way to go. Dealer not offering a good trade in on caravan so we decided to keep it and sell privately. We did however get a good discount on the MH for no trade in.
During 2020 and 2021 we toured in the UK as we were not allowed abroad. This re-enforce our opinion that caravans are far better for UK touring. So instead of selling it we decided to keep it for UK use. The MH for abroad use. We have now done 2 long trips with the MH in Europe which have been great.
In our opinion its down to where you go, how long you like to stay and how fit you are. If you are not able to walk or cycle then a MH is probably not going to be for you, unless you keep the size small so you can go anywhere a car can go.
We have thought about selling the car and caravan now that European travel is allowed but anything could happen in the future. So for the time being we will keep both. Storage is not a problem as we have plenty of space for them all.
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One thing I don't think has been mentioned is the ease of motorhoming compared with caravanning. I appreciate that its a personal thing but we are far more comfortable with the motorhome as for us its much simpler leaving and setting up. We are both in our mid seventies so I expect our next move, at some point, will be move to a less intensive style of holidaying not involving caravans or motorhomes
David
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I remember the first trip in the Motorhome. Turned up on site, found a pitch and drove on to it. Engine off, handbrake on, fridge switched itself on to gas, water in the tank might as well have a cuppa. Eventually plugged in the hook-up cable and wound out the canopy, 5 minutes in total.
Watching people spend ages erecting awnings, rolling Aquarolls and dragging waste containers brought back memories.
Long stay versus short stay, comfort versus convenience etc. etc. We enjoyed our caravan days, particularly when the children were with us, now the Motorhome suits us but I do agree with Tammygirl, for the UK a caravan has many advantages. Touring without booking over here is almost impossible so the mobility of a Motorhome is somewhat negated.
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Hitchglitch wrote: "Watching people spend ages erecting awnings, rolling Aquarolls and dragging waste containers brought back memories."
Not us HG... We just use a wind out canopy these days (like the ones on motorhomes... 🤣🤣).... and we use serviced pitches. We don't even take the aquaroll or wastemaster these days - we use a Colapz Fresh Mini kit and flexi-wastepipes... 👍👍👍
David
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David, I can see that you have a Unicorn and we also had a canopy on our Unicorn. Unfortunately just a few years back manufacturers were reluctant to guarantee canopy fittings to caravans and, in fact, our Bailey dealer stopped doing it as it was proving difficult to get an effective water seal between van body and canopy. Hasn’t stopped it being extremely popular on the continent on Knaus, Hobby, Fendt etc.
Also popular which we see where we travel is a small onboard water tank topped up by a watering can. Also a bucket for waste water. Still see the occasional Brit in France with a Wastemaster but often there is no decent place to dump the waste.0 -
Fortunately, we've not had a problem with the water seal, and I checked with Bailey at the time to make sure a canopy didn't invalidate the warranty... they were happy that the holding brackets were bonded to the roof and not drilled...
I'm waiting for Colapz to bring out their new freshwater and waste system. It's taking them an age to release it - I suspect they are having problems with it... 🤥
David
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Originally they fitted the canopy to the side wall but I see yours is on the roof like motorhomes so should be better.
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