Is the heyday of the Campervan/Motorhome drawing to a close?

[soulstyledevon]

Sorry WelshGas it’s your age…
I think you’ve got to a point in life where a caravan, may appeal to yourself and others of a similar time of life.

Without doubt people in my age group mid 40s all want Campervans and bigger vans are more appealing.
However, the cost of living crisis is biting hard in this sector, especially with the cost of these vehicles. Remember the days of the £50k Ocean? Wow, great times…

I’ve just got back from Europe, I noticed an explosion in roof top tent ownership. I would say this is a big hit for the 25-40 demographic.
They seem to be everywhere, with many different brands available.

 

[WelshGas]

Sorry WelshGas it’s your age…
I think you’ve got to a point in life where a caravan, may appeal to yourself and others of a similar time of life.

Without doubt people in my age group mid 40s all want Campervans and bigger vans are more appealing.
However, the cost of living crisis is biting hard in this sector, especially with the cost of these vehicles. Remember the days of the £50k Ocean? Wow, great times…

I’ve just got back from Europe, I noticed an explosion in roof top tent ownership. I would say this is a big hit for the 25-40 demographic.
They seem to be everywhere, with many different brands available.

I think you missed one of my points. The California can be used as a Campervan and sightseeing vehicle when on holiday, but increasingly there are restrictions on where you can go or park because it is a “ Campervan “ although being used as a “ Car “ with no intention of camping in it just sightseeing.
I now have no problem with my Multivan .

 

[soulstyledevon]

There are restrictions in some places. But I still believe this to be a minority.
Even in my 6m Mercedes I don’t have much trouble finding places to park.
So far…

Agree, there are more “no camping” signs popping up.
This seems to be the fallout from Covid.

 

[Didi]

Once upon a time with a Campervan or small motorhome you could travel far and wide in the UK and Europe and besides camping in paid campsites there were many places you could stop overnight and also use the vehicle for sightseeing etc.
But now, particularly since Covid, society seems to be turning against this community if they step outside paid for campsites.
Many areas are introducing restrictions on parking overnight or even sightseeing parking ( no camping involved ) if you have a campervan so the freedom or spontaneous element is being increasingly curtailed.
In fact a car and caravan can give you more sightseeing choices in some areas than a campervan due to parking restrictions.
I know a few people, a loy younger than us who have crossed over to a car and caravan so that they can travel to an area and go out each day sightseeing etc without worrying if they can park here or there with a campervan.

Any thoughts?

Depois do cv 19 assiste-se a uma loucura quase colectiva e fico-me por aqui.

 

[Didi]

Once upon a time with a Campervan or small motorhome you could travel far and wide in the UK and Europe and besides camping in paid campsites there were many places you could stop overnight and also use the vehicle for sightseeing etc.
But now, particularly since Covid, society seems to be turning against this community if they step outside paid for campsites.
Many areas are introducing restrictions on parking overnight or even sightseeing parking ( no camping involved ) if you have a campervan so the freedom or spontaneous element is being increasingly curtailed.
In fact a car and caravan can give you more sightseeing choices in some areas than a campervan due to parking restrictions.
I know a few people, a loy younger than us who have crossed over to a car and caravan so that they can travel to an area and go out each day sightseeing etc without worrying if they can park here or there with a campervan.

Any thoughts?

I think you missed one of my points. The California can be used as a Campervan and sightseeing vehicle when on holiday, but increasingly there are restrictions on where you can go or park because it is a “ Campervan “ although being used as a “ Car “ with no intention of camping in it just sightseeing.
I now have no problem with my Multivan .

As autocaravanas maiores não têm a mobilidade de uma California, falamos de dois mundos diferentes.

 

[The big K]

Intriguing thread, and thought a note from Oz might be of interest. We have had our Cali 6.1 Oz spec beach (basically with a kitchen that slides out the rear door, double side doors, no shore power (leisure battery runs the fridge and diesel heater, gas runs a double primus cooker) and we’ve added a pop up shower tent to the side rail that we use for our theyford toilet. We have used 50% van parks which always have room for us (not needing a Powered site) and 50% off grid sites on private farms using the Hipcamp app. Have not done a true stealth camp yet… frankly don’t feel safe enough to do that in the bush given the remoteness of most places in Australia and the damage that the movie Wolf Creek did to my confidence! The difference here is that there are so few calis that people don’t believe us when we mention we’re totally self contained campers — they look at our fog grey vw Cali parked in a normal car space dubiously. Then we show the Swiss Army knife properties that turn it into our home away from home. The first couple that we showed our van after we bought it new went straight out and bought one the next day! However, trend here is to go to really huge caravans/4WDs or MOHOs (everyone else in both my wife’s and my family have gone this way) or roof box tents (which can added to virtually anything). I also think that here in Oz the trend towards camping is going to escalate because of Starlink which allows you to not only use the internet but also use your mobile phone anywhere in Australia. Means that being able to be a part-time working digital nomad office worker is now a reality. So, in summary, Oz is still a fantastic place to travel about in a camper at the moment, Calis remain a true stealth unknown vehicle here, and Starlink is set to change the landscape re new entrants to the camping market.

 

[Goingontour]

I found this very interesting reading so far. I live by the sea in an AONB right by a large National Trust Car park, there are signs stating ‘No Overnight Camping/stays’ (clearly not big enough)! During the summer and especially Bank Holiday weekends or if there’s something on locally in the village the amount of campers and motorhomes that stay overnight is unreal! They usually start arriving after 4pm when the warden has left and some will do that for days as we see the same vans, some huge Motorhome and absolute heap of junk conversions, out comes washing, bbqs, chairs tables etc. there are no facilities whatsoever so where are they toileting? Last year my neighbour counted almost 50 staying and even a tent! I look out of my bedroom window at a load of campers, most leave it ok but lots leave their rubbish in bags behind.
There are absolutely countless caravan & camping sites in the area and with great views, so I do think these people are tight arses and inconsiderate. The NT say it’s a huge problem they’re struggling to deal with, and yes it really does bother the locals, we wouldn’t wild camp anywhere unless it was permitted (prefer a nice shower block anyday!).

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

In the UK, I stick to "proper" sites and use the small car or moped to tour the area, on the continent I stop wherever permitted and if needed take the moped out of the garage and use it for the city hops.
I saw it done in Innsbruck last year and it makes all the sense for me. I get better mpg from the motorhome than I ever did towing. And the Motorhome has so much space!

 

[sticky1]

I think you missed one of my points. The California can be used as a Campervan and sightseeing vehicle when on holiday, but increasingly there are restrictions on where you can go or park because it is a “ Campervan “ although being used as a “ Car “ with no intention of camping in it just sightseeing.
I now have no problem with my Multivan .

I have also noticed the no campervan parking notice. You are correct it’s a worrying trend.

 

[Mansfieldman750]

In the UK, I stick to "proper" sites and use the small car or moped to tour the area, on the continent I stop wherever permitted and if needed take the moped out of the garage and use it for the city hops.
I saw it done in Innsbruck last year and it makes all the sense for me. I get better mpg from the motorhome than I ever did towing. And the Motorhome has so much space!

We camped at Nattersee outside Innsbruck about a month ago and all local travel is free, buses, trams, even one of the cable cars, the one from Mutter.
Well, it’s not “free “ I suppose that’s what you pay tourist tax for, but it’s great anyway.
Interlaken was same, free bus from campsite. Way to go, one bus keeps 70 cars off the roads.

 

[soulstyledevon]

We camped at Nattersee outside Innsbruck about a month ago and all local travel is free, buses, trams, even one of the cable cars, the one from Mutter.
Well, it’s not “free “ I suppose that’s what you pay tourist tax for, but it’s great anyway.
Interlaken was same, free bus from campsite. Way to go, one bus keeps 70 cars off the roads.

We’ve just done 2.5 weeks in Switzerland.
Free transport at the “ski” resort areas.
You generally pay outside those and it’s quite expensive, but reliable.

 

[sticky1]

I found this very interesting reading so far. I live by the sea in an AONB right by a large National Trust Car park, there are signs stating ‘No Overnight Camping/stays’ (clearly not big enough)! During the summer and especially Bank Holiday weekends or if there’s something on locally in the village the amount of campers and motorhomes that stay overnight is unreal! They usually start arriving after 4pm when the warden has left and some will do that for days as we see the same vans, some huge Motorhome and absolute heap of junk conversions, out comes washing, bbqs, chairs tables etc. there are no facilities whatsoever so where are they toileting? Last year my neighbour counted almost 50 staying and even a tent! I look out of my bedroom window at a load of campers, most leave it ok but lots leave their rubbish in bags behind.
There are absolutely countless caravan & camping sites in the area and with great views, so I do think these people are tight arses and inconsiderate. The NT say it’s a huge problem they’re struggling to deal with, and yes it really does bother the locals, we wouldn’t wild camp anywhere unless it was permitted (prefer a nice shower block anyday!).

I guess that is of the National Trusts making! Surely they only need to issue penalty notices and the practice will stop or provide facilities and charge for overnight camping.
NT are buying up huge amounts of land on the coast where we have a house in North Wales and are now buying small farms on the coast to lease back with highly restrictive covenants. Whilst I’m a member of the NT I do worry about their aspirations sometimes.

 

[flying banana]

Once upon a time with a Campervan or small motorhome you could travel far and wide in the UK and Europe and besides camping in paid campsites there were many places you could stop overnight and also use the vehicle for sightseeing etc.
But now, particularly since Covid, society seems to be turning against this community if they step outside paid for campsites.
Many areas are introducing restrictions on parking overnight or even sightseeing parking ( no camping involved ) if you have a campervan so the freedom or spontaneous element is being increasingly curtailed.
In fact a car and caravan can give you more sightseeing choices in some areas than a campervan due to parking restrictions.
I know a few people, a loy younger than us who have crossed over to a car and caravan so that they can travel to an area and go out each day sightseeing etc without worrying if they can park here or there with a campervan.

Any thoughts?

If your idea of sight seeing is driving everywhere then sight seeings not for me. I walk. Take the bus. Grab a taxi. Drink beer. All this caravans are best because you can ' go out for the day' in the sodding car. Sit there with your sandwiches with the crusts cut off and mini battenburg cakes.i Park up. Walk everywhere. See far more. If you must it's not hard to drop the roof and take the van. Lots of places I know in the lake district I can overnight free no issues. But I know the area well. Caravans can't do that. So no, it's not over welshgas

 

[WelshGas]

If your idea of sight seeing is driving everywhere then sight seeings not for me. I walk. Take the bus. Grab a taxi. Drink beer. All this caravans are best because you can ' go out for the day' in the sodding car. Sit there with your sandwiches with the crusts cut off and mini battenburg cakes.i Park up. Walk everywhere. See far more. If you must it's not hard to drop the roof and take the van. Lots of places I know in the lake district I can overnight free no issues. But I know the area well. Caravans can't do that. So no, it's not over welshgas

Thank you for your considered comments completely missing the point. You don’t know us and thank goodness we don’t know you.
Having visited the Lake District frequently in the past and now knowing it’s your stamping ground I’m glad I have no intention visiting in the future.

 

[flying banana]

Thank you for your considered comments completely missing the point. You don’t know us and thank goodness we don’t know you.
Having visited the Lake District frequently in the past and now knowing it’s your stamping ground I’m glad I have no intention visiting in the future.

I work for the tourist board. 1 less caravanner is good news

 

[WelshGas]

I work for the tourist board. 1 less caravanner is good news

I wasn’t talking about touring with a caravan. A subtle difference.

 

[flying banana]

I wasn’t talking about touring with a caravan. A subtle difference.

Good. Hope for you yet then. See you in the lakes.

 

[WelshGas]

Good. Hope for you yet then. See you in the lakes.

Nash. Too crowded with the unwashed from the Midlands.

 

[flying banana]

Nash. Too crowded with the unwashed from the Midlands.

They've all gone home, not man enough for the storm

 

[Mansfieldman750]

They've all gone home, not man enough for the storm

Not true, we’re at Coniston. I’ll report back to you if I see anyone at the cucumber sandwiches

 

[Mansfieldman750]

I don’t get this stealth camping thing. If I want to take it up I have to go on the app to find out where to go, but all the other stealthy blokes are on the app too and I could end up fighting a burly midlander with tattoos for the last stealthy place.
I’m sticking with the cucumber guys.

 

[flying banana]

I don’t get this stealth camping thing. If I want to take it up I have to go on the app to find out where to go, but all the other stealthy blokes are on the app too and I could end up fighting a burly midlander with tattoos for the last stealthy place.
I’m sticking with the cucumber guys.

It's not stealth. I have the roof up. I'm not cutting the crusts off my sarnies and eating mini battenburgs on my 'day out' to some national trust house just because I'm a member and need to use it as much as possible, but I can't afford the tea room. And what's this 'midlander' thing?

 

[Mansfieldman750]

It's not stealth. I have the roof up. I'm not cutting the crusts off my sarnies and eating mini battenburgs on my 'day out' to some national trust house just because I'm a member and need to use it as much as possible, but I can't afford the tea room. And what's this 'midlander' thing?

One time, and I’m ashamed to admit it, but I came off Fairfield on the wrong side in a whiteout, and I was headed for Rydal Water when I was camped at Sykeside.
Well I got to the main road and along comes a bus, took me to Booths at Windermere.
There’s a bus sitting and I asked the driver is this the one that goes over the Kirkstone Pass. Sure enough and I’m back the van earlier than I would have been If I’d come off the right side.
Moral of the story, you can do fantastic lateral walks in the Lakes by using buses, accidental or not.
There are a couple of books by a lady called Anna Nolan, who lives in Keswick who has done the Wainwrights 10 times, yes 10, and she can’t drive. All done on buses. Highly recommend.
Happy walking, get them all done before you get mountaineers foot ( that when one foot won’t go past the other one )

 

[flying banana]

One time, and I’m ashamed to admit it, but I came off Fairfield on the wrong side in a whiteout, and I was headed for Rydal Water when I was camped at Sykeside.
Well I got to the main road and along comes a bus, took me to Booths at Windermere.
There’s a bus sitting and I asked the driver is this the one that goes over the Kirkstone Pass. Sure enough and I’m back the van earlier than I would have been If I’d come off the right side.
Moral of the story, you can do fantastic lateral walks in the Lakes by using buses, accidental or not.
There are a couple of books by a lady called Anna Nolan, who lives in Keswick who has done the Wainwrights 10 times, yes 10, and she can’t drive. All done on buses. Highly recommend.
Happy walking, get them all done before you get mountaineers foot ( that when one foot won’t go past the other one )

I was hoping to get them all done before I bought a caravan. Great story. I'm on 182. I believe the macmaster is from Mansfield? He hates the crust cutters too

 

[Mansfieldman750]

I was hoping to get them all done before I bought a caravan. Great story. I'm on 182. I believe the macmaster is from Mansfield? He hates the crust cutters too

I don’t know macmaster. I’m Scottish anyway, just happen to live in Midlands.
So, where does Midlands end and North start ? I’d say about Worksop.