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Home > Camping, Caravanning and Holidays > Okay peeps , talk to me about Caravans
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Tiger



Member Since: 06 Jul 2012
Location: Wales
Posts: 2265

2004 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Java Black
Okay peeps , talk to me about Caravans
I am a staunch tent man, but maybe just maybe a van is a better bet.

I know nothing about them.

2 kids (3&7)
1 dog (fat lab)
1 wife

Holidays are usually self sorted camping in France with a tent (Vango Icarus 600 & Awning)

Slight niggle a van (although very uncool) might just be a very good idea.

So what do I need to know?

Also I have nowhere to put it so how much does storage cost?
Post #234895 12th May 2013 3:55pm
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Laurie



Member Since: 22 Feb 2008
Location: Sussex, England
Posts: 2897

England 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Bonatti Grey
Four berth plus an awning.
Buy a cheap but serviceable model and try a long weekend away.
That way you'll find out the good points and bad points, which will give you a good idea whether caravanning is for you and what to look for in buying a decent one. 
Post #234896 12th May 2013 4:02pm
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peterl



Member Since: 08 Jan 2009
Location: Pembrokeshire
Posts: 307

1987 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Epsom Green
Make sure it is a twin axle,
Single axles look a bit gay... Rolling with laughter Rolling with laughter Rolling with laughter Rolling with laughter Rolling with laughter Rolling with laughter Rolling with laughter Rolling with laughter
Post #234933 12th May 2013 6:21pm
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Laurie



Member Since: 22 Feb 2008
Location: Sussex, England
Posts: 2897

England 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Bonatti Grey
Single axles are back in.....

[URL=][/URL]

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated Mr. Green  
Post #234941 12th May 2013 6:31pm
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SGH



Member Since: 27 Sep 2010
Location: Hellingly-Sussex
Posts: 1527

United Kingdom 
After having roof tents, ground tents, and a motorhome we were contemplating getting a caravan but I convinced swmbo a Discovery 3 was a better buy Rolling with laughter
Post #234944 12th May 2013 6:37pm
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Laurie



Member Since: 22 Feb 2008
Location: Sussex, England
Posts: 2897

England 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Bonatti Grey
Owning a motorhome means you have to clear up, wash up and put everything away before you can 'go down the pub'. Sad
A caravan means you can leave it 'til the morning. Very Happy 
Post #234948 12th May 2013 6:56pm
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bpman



Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Oslo
Posts: 8069

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
Make sure you have caravan/trailer on your driving licence.

Get big mirrors

Please pull-in every so often and let others past Thumbs Up
Post #234951 12th May 2013 7:05pm
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Pam W



Member Since: 25 Oct 2011
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 1169

England 1998 Defender 90 Td5 SW Auto Oslo Blue
Single axles never went "out" to come back "in" !

To answer the OPs question, we pay £68 quarter for storage in a secure compound (at a March to October holiday park, but there are arrangements so you can get your van out in closed season if required). At our storage there is everything from small camping trailers to 'bus' size Motorhomes. Some storage places restrict the numbers or ban altogether twin axles, presumably as they are less easy to manoeuvre in narrow aisles? Our blog - http://landytravels.com/

Yorkshire Off Road Club - http://www.yorkshireoffroadclub.net
Post #234952 12th May 2013 7:07pm
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IanW



Member Since: 12 Jun 2011
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 172

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Zambezi Silver
Some larger dealers will rent you a caravan. Why not try that for a long weekend and see how you get on. If you are on this forum you presumably have something to tow with. We started caravanning in the 80s when the children were small. Current outfit is a twin axle Abbey towed by a 110 CSW. After a couple of Discoveries and a couple of non LR vehicles this is the best yet by a long chalk. Plenty of small privately owned small sites in the Caravan Club book - just back from a week in Devon at £8 a night. Ian One wife - livid
Post #234953 12th May 2013 7:12pm
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Pam W



Member Since: 25 Oct 2011
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 1169

England 1998 Defender 90 Td5 SW Auto Oslo Blue
bpman wrote:


Please pull-in every so often and let others past Thumbs Up


On an average journey with our caravan it is usually us passing other people in cars without caravans! Mind you, we are usually in the big 5.7 V8 so .... Our blog - http://landytravels.com/

Yorkshire Off Road Club - http://www.yorkshireoffroadclub.net
Post #234954 12th May 2013 7:13pm
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SGH



Member Since: 27 Sep 2010
Location: Hellingly-Sussex
Posts: 1527

United Kingdom 
Laurie wrote:
Owning a motorhome means you have to clear up, wash up and put everything away before you can 'go down the pub'. Sad
A caravan means you can leave it 'til the morning. Very Happy


We have sold the tents and the motorome this means we can stay at the pub Thumbs Up
Post #234956 12th May 2013 7:15pm
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ARC99



Member Since: 19 Feb 2013
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 1831

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Cairns Blue
Laurie wrote:
Single axles are back in.....

[URL=][/URL]


Good looking Carlight, is that a centre pennant in the background?

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated Mr. Green
Post #234964 12th May 2013 7:54pm
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appaloosadude



Member Since: 17 Oct 2012
Location: Buckinghamshire
Posts: 630

United Kingdom 2003 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Havana
Keep the tent, and upgrade your equipment
Post #234965 12th May 2013 8:08pm
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Sonarmender



Member Since: 04 Apr 2013
Location: Guz
Posts: 338

England 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Corris Grey
Ditch the tent, when it's raining and cold you will be warm, dry and generally more happy in a caravan, yes they can be a pain to tow, but it isn't hard and is well worth it once on site. Most people who say camping is better generally can't afford a caravan. Thumbs Up

Don't be put off by people saying you should pull over and let them by, on this forum none of us drive a really fast car if they want to get by they will, just remember to look at them in the ditch a few miles down the road and laugh. Thumbs Up You only have one life, live it....forget the cost.
90XS Hardtop
Post #234969 12th May 2013 8:18pm
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WarPig



Member Since: 05 Dec 2009
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 1748

England 1996 Defender 110 300 Tdi USW Bonatti Grey
When towing, the folk driving behind me dont realise that my Defender wouldn't be any quicker without the caravan Embarassed

Tiger, there are lots of different internal layouts in caravans, i.e. bathrooms, sitting area etc. Think about which layout might suit you best and then buy a reasonably priced 2nd hand caravan that matches. Then find out that it isnt actually suitable and go through the whole process again Laughing If you bought a 2nd hand caravan and then sold it in the same season it shouldnt loose any value, might even make a profit.


Last edited by WarPig on 12th May 2013 8:42pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #234990 12th May 2013 8:39pm
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