Member Since: 28 Aug 2007
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 3292
Looking at buying a caravan... or maybe large tent.
Hi,
We have 2 boys (5 and 7) and are thinking that for the next 10 years a bit of touring around Europe in the Summer Hols might be fun... and then other weekends away. Just working out whether that, or a massive tent, might be best. Seems you might actually have more room in one of those large Outwell tents (I’m 6’2, tall, wife is 5’11, and our kids won’t be short!). I need a decent mattress for a dodgy back which I can sort in a large tent, but may not be possible in a caravan.
Just been doing some sums...
On the caravan, am I being realistic to think for around 8-10K I might get something used with all the extras (side tent, battery, toilet roller, etc etc that would keep us going for a few years?
Where on earth do I start to look? Presuming dealers are the way to go?
Are there any decent sites you could please point me towards to take a look please?
Thanks very much,
John2020 SDV6 D5 HSE, Carpathian Grey +
2022 Tesla Model Y LR... almost Carpathian Grey
Previously : 2005 TDV6 SE Auto, Cairns Blue (288K) - ours for 16 years
Last edited by John C on 20th Jun 2017 7:51 am. Edited 1 time in total
19th Jun 2017 8:03 pm
BBDisco3
Member Since: 23 Nov 2008
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3646
At your mention of being 5'11" wide , I think you may sadly struggle on either option
19th Jun 2017 8:53 pm
BBDisco3
Member Since: 23 Nov 2008
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3646
Best place to look is the nearest dealer and sit in every van they have and make sure the interior layout would work for you. As for mattress, those vans with fixed beds will often have a full size double mattress rather than relying on upturned seating.
19th Jun 2017 8:57 pm
2929twin
Member Since: 24 Mar 2013
Location: by cheque book
Posts: 174
I just bought a 6 berth used caravan, off fleabay.
2000 model previous owner upsizing so unit was stripped all but for 1 gas bottle.
Paid £3600 and long trip to collect.
Spent 2 weeks part time cleaning learning etc.
Also spent a fair bit on leisure battery, water hog, step up. duvets, pillows etc
The rest of plates dishes etc coming from home and swmbo will buy new for replacing.
Didn't go for more expensive unit as its a leaning experience, and may change model as we discover the bits we don't yet know!
An awning is a must for exterior space to spread out, got a bid on ebay for hopefully £3-400
Down side is that I guess, most of the year parked up, so that to account for too
19th Jun 2017 9:07 pm
John C
Member Since: 28 Aug 2007
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 3292
BBDisco3 wrote:
At your mention of being 5'11" wide , I think you may sadly struggle on either option
thanks for the tip below too 2020 SDV6 D5 HSE, Carpathian Grey +
2022 Tesla Model Y LR... almost Carpathian Grey
Previously : 2005 TDV6 SE Auto, Cairns Blue (288K) - ours for 16 years
19th Jun 2017 9:07 pm
Deerfold
Member Since: 07 May 2017
Location: Radnorshire
Posts: 99
Evening, I will put my two peneth in!! We are not a big fan of tin tents as they seem to limit the outdoorsy-ness of our outdoors time , even with an awning and they do preclude you from some stunning camping spots (although there are some lovely caravan sites as well). We have a Helsport Valhall, log burner and the v v comfortable Exped Mega Mat Duo. Two bedrooms, space to walk about and will stand up to some decent British weather. Up or down in 20 mins and great on the continent as you don't have to lug a van about!! Another option could be a tentipi or a Seek Outside Tipi (we have a baby one for wild camps). Having said all that I am just in the process of building a trailer tent to hopefully achieve the best of both worlds??? You are more than welcome to come and see the tents up and have a snoop, borrow, try if you are ever in the Ludlow area. Ill be there in a minute!!!
19th Jun 2017 10:13 pm
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
We started out on tents and went through everything including trailer tents, now in a tintnet with fixed double bed and all mod cons and while I'll tent it on the odd fishing expedition, we wouldn't go back to full time tenting. Unlike Deerfold we think that tintneting has all the joys of "outdoorsy-ness" but none of the discomfort, perhaps we are just getting old Yes there are some places you cant go but there are so many you can go to even if like us you stick to small quiet licensed sites.
With kids tenting is probably more fun, although an awning with sleeping annex is a close next best thing.
Had to look up tentipi arent they just bell tents by another name?==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
00 Hymer B564 Lionheart
1971 Series III 109
19th Jun 2017 10:38 pm
Snowman
Member Since: 06 Aug 2016
Location: Holmfirth
Posts: 317
Having done tents and now tin tents , lots of people see it as you progress from a tent to the tin tent and that is certainly what we did.
Pro's of the caravan
faster and easier to set up and take down
Less packing and un packing
Generally more comfort and warmth
The ability to use 12m of the year
Fridge
Not having to dry out went canvas
Sunlight not waking you up at 5:30 am
Been able to get lucky with the misses without the whole campsite finding out.
Disadvantages
Storage
Cost to purchase
Insurance
Damp and maintenance
Lack of adventure
Tv
There will be loads more but these are mine.
However there is something about been in a tent and the heightened sense of adventure you get.
It boils down to this IMO.
If your going down the overland route with roof tents and anwings etc
Or
A large outsell type family frame tent ( these can be huge and weight a ton, some are so large that you need 2 pitches)
For me it came down to this issue.. At the point i needed a trailer to get the camping gear in then that was the point to get a tintent, if I'm going to tow then it may well as be a caravan.
You will find a very nice tintent for the £8-10k you mentionAndy.
Series 3 SWB Wagon OEC614Y sold
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Freelander TD4 ES Y615 YEC sold
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20th Jun 2017 5:54 am
kirkyworld
Member Since: 01 Mar 2016
Location: Northampton
Posts: 566
Having camped with 2 kids for 10 years we finally moved to a caravan almost 2 years ago. We paid £3250 for a large twin axle 5 berth Bailey with everything included. It is the best £3k I have ever spent and we had 40 nights away in the first year. I pay £26 a month to store it and £100ish a year to insure it. My family absolutely love it. It has all the advantages of camping, cooking outside, sitting outside for lunch and a glass of wine but none of the disadvantages. It sets up and packs down in a fraction of the time. We can now camp all year round too. The beds are more comfy than air beds and it is warmer at night. I can't sing the praises of a tintent enough tbh.
20th Jun 2017 5:58 am
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10361
if my maths (and your OP is correct) 5 kids plus (I guess) 2 parents = 7. You dont get many (if any) 7 berth tintents. 6 is usually the max.
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20th Jun 2017 7:07 am
Jarvis
Member Since: 16 Dec 2009
Location: West Berkshire
Posts: 280
Again, moved from tent to tintent and wouldn't go back.
Go for a fixed bed, end bathroom and get a memory foam topper for the mattress. End washroom will suit mum for getting changed in......
On your budget, one of the first Bailey AuTechs so probably Pegasus 534, 2010ish
20th Jun 2017 7:09 am
Jarvis
Member Since: 16 Dec 2009
Location: West Berkshire
Posts: 280
and then you'll discover France....
we spend half term and summer there.
Good sites to look at - Lac d'Orient or Venise Vert for your first forays.
Le Shuttle can be a good deal if you book early and use Tesco vouchers.
20th Jun 2017 7:17 am
Jarvis
Member Since: 16 Dec 2009
Location: West Berkshire
Posts: 280
then we start talking about bikes.....
where to carry them?
We have them on the roof and use the normal detachable tow bar, other use tow ball mounted racks (watch out for fouling on full look though).
Others will undoubtable chime in
20th Jun 2017 7:19 am
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
al cope wrote:
if my maths (and your OP is correct) 5 kids plus (I guess) 2 parents = 7. You dont get many (if any) 7 berth tintents. 6 is usually the max.
Al
Awning with Annex bedroom/s our "spare" van the awning has a double bedroom each end. Or pup tents==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
00 Hymer B564 Lionheart
1971 Series III 109
20th Jun 2017 7:32 am
johnlad
Member Since: 02 Dec 2016
Location: blackpool
Posts: 408
ive a 3 bedroom Vango tent available cheaply, with seperate cooking/living space, if you want to try camping,
also selling a large caravan if you want to go down that route
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, I think you may sadly struggle on either option 
, even with an awning and they do preclude you from some stunning camping spots (although there are some lovely caravan sites as well). We have a Helsport Valhall, log burner and the v v comfortable Exped Mega Mat Duo. Two bedrooms, space to walk about and will stand up to some decent British weather. Up or down in 20 mins and great on the continent as you don't have to lug a van about!! Another option could be a tentipi or a Seek Outside Tipi (we have a baby one for wild camps). Having said all that I am just in the process of building a trailer tent to hopefully achieve the best of both worlds??? You are more than welcome to come and see the tents up and have a snoop, borrow, try if you are ever in the Ludlow area. 
