Caravans, love them or hate them?

GrannyJen · Jan 30, 2015

Lay by's, especially those shielded from roadside view.

The pic is the handy car park in Kyle.

Visitor centres.

amazing how many friendly pubs, restaurants, even the rear of a coffee bar in Fort William, that there are that will be quite happy if you just pop in and ask.

Mostly I plan around britstops or campsites, I have just about every guide possible.

I often sleep with the roof down anyway, especially with 80 mph winds such as the night at Kyle, but yes, if I don't want to be noticed, and for personal safety I often don't, then the roof is down. It's also a lot warmer that way and very much quieter, an important consideration if on a busy road.

This is also just me, if wild camping I don't use my external screens, I use the internal VW ones. Logic being that the Cali security will keep me safe until I can start the vehicle but then if I want to move I want to be able to remove the screens without opening the door.

motacyclist · Jan 30, 2015

GrannyJen said:
This is also just me, if wild camping I don't use my external screens, I use the internal VW ones. Logic being that the Cali security will keep me safe until I can start the vehicle but then if I want to move I want to be able to remove the screens without opening the door.

I would agree, in fact, I think I would leave the cab screens off altogether and just screen off the rear with a blanket hung over the front headrests, making it look as if the vehicle is just parked up.

Maybe we should start a "stealth camping" thread, we've hijacked this caravan hate one. Apologies to earlier posters!

Colin

GrannyJen · Jan 30, 2015

motacyclist said:
I would agree, in fact, I think I would leave the cab screens off altogether and just screen off the rear with a blanket hung over the front headrests, making it look as if the vehicle is just parked up.

Maybe we should start a "stealth camping" thread, we've hijacked this caravan hate one. Apologies to earlier posters!

Colin

Strangely enough, travelling as a single woman, I have only ever had one bad experience. That was on a secure, highly reputable campsite in Belgium and being quite severely harassed by a rather inebriated fellow camper, and sadly a Brit.

Gasgas · Jan 30, 2015

I agree each to his own ,I have no problems with caravans,large motorhomes or big tents I have enjoyed them all at various times and meet up on occasions with friends who still have them ,but I have to say that nothing comes close to the California for pure spontaneity

LowMan · Feb 1, 2015

To be honest, I can understand why people love them, but also why others don't. As others have said, each to their own.

Have to confess, before we bought our Cali, we came seriously close to acquiring one of these...which we still think is a beautifully designed thing:

Tab | T@b Caravans Retro Camper Trailers - Airstream & Company

Alas 'Foxy' won out in the end!

GrannyJen · Feb 1, 2015

LowMan said:
To be honest, I can understand why people love them, but also why others don't. As others have said, each to their own.

Have to confess, before we bought our Cali, we came seriously close to acquiring one of these...which we still think is a beautifully designed thing:

Tab | T@b Caravans Retro Camper Trailers - Airstream & Company

Alas 'Foxy' won out in the end!

They are gorgeous, I just love airstream and if I ever went back to tugging (unlikely) then that is where I would go.

LowMan · Feb 1, 2015

GrannyJen said:
They are gorgeous, I just love airstream and if I ever went back to tugging (unlikely) then that is where I would go.

They certainly are a thing of beauty. Our first night away in our Cali, we were parked next to one. Lovely couple who owned it and let us look around. We of course returned the compliment. I think we all ended agreeing we'd made the right choices

Ps. Thanks for the BritStops recommendation earlier in this thread. Wasn't aware of it, but very useful tip.

Cheers

GrannyJen · Feb 1, 2015

LowMan said:
They certainly are a thing of beauty. Our first night away in our Cali, we were parked next to one. Lovely couple who owned it and let us look around. We of course returned the compliment. I think we all ended agreeing we'd made the right choices

Ps. Thanks for the BritStops recommendation earlier in this thread. Was 't aware of it, but very useful tip.

Cheers

Britstops is my bible for the UK, and again ideally suited for the cali. Sunday when I go back to Scotland I really would like to get as far as Helmsdale, about 400 miles, but Aviemore would be good, 350 miles, but if seriously held up, Perth 260 miles. No need to worry about booking, totally flexible.

Bramco · Feb 2, 2015

helmguy said:
Also not sure if I can go on on CC sites as no longer a member of the caravan club. Don't think they'll let me rejoin as I have a beach so no fixes sink etc...

No problem with a Beach Richard. We joined the CC last year and have a Beach.