Campervans etc..

A word of warning.....if you use SatNav with your campervan they do not necessarily tell you about low bridges, as my friends on a campervan trip found out to their cost! - definitely cost-a-load when the fanlights had to be replaced.

Ariadne we have also tried caravans the touring type and I am not at all fond of them far to used to my home comforts for having to get everything packed away before you can start cooking or eating.Caravans always remind me of mobile biscuits tins but there are obviously some biscuit tins that are better than others.

We've tried caravans and motor homes and TBH I hated them. Would much rather pay for a cheap (ish) motel, but preferably a nice B&B pub any day.

We have a Hymer on a Mercedes chassis. We have travelled a lot in this. As far as Southern Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and of course all over Europe.
Spend as much as you can possibly afford. And if possible, a rear wheel drive.

What the `ecky-thump` is a Bongo??

My friend and her husband have just bought a bongo and they absolutely love it! Bit on the small size but fine for 2

Thanks for all your input lots to think about there.. I'll take a look at those you suggest yogagran thanks.. not sure I fancy towing a van but I certainly look forward to driving a motorhome. Something I hadn't thought of was how we would get about once we arrived somewhere , I could cycle but my feeling is OH won't like that idea much . There are so many things to consider so I need to investigate muchly methinks..but your input is most appreciated..

We have had caravans too number, there are pluses and minuses to both I think. A caravan is better in that you can get away from the driving cab part and it feels more "homely", a motorhome is quick to set up when you get somewhere, we have been parked, sorted and sitting with cup of tea whilst caravaners are still getting themselves sorted out. We only need to disconnect the electric supply - the water and waste is in a tank under the van and filled and emptied when necessary on site therefore no fetching and carrying of fresh or waste water which you get with a caravan. A caravan generally is more spacious and much better if you want an awning.
As far a transport goes, we now have a small tow car which we take with us so we are independent on site. But prior to this we have managed with bikes, buses with our bus passes, walking or hiring a car from Enterprise who will pick you up from site to arrange car hire.
Swings and roundabout really - and although we have a motorhome at the moment, I sometimes think that I prefer caravans but my OH was getting fed up with towing and we needed a new tow car which was another expense. I admit that I am happier driving the motorhome than towing a caravan now although I guess that's an "age thing"

We have a touring caravan. We`ve often looked admiringly at some of the really smart, indeed, posh, motorhomes that arrive on sites we`ve stayed at, but then we think about having to up sticks when you go out anywhere, regarding disconnecting from electricity and from your water and waste water containers, and we`ve decided that a caravan`s the way to go, just get in the car to go out and leave everything as is.

tanith we have an Autocruise Starburst which we bought second hand, in excellent condition. It's now 6 years old. It sleeps two, either as singles or you can pull out the seats and make it up as a double. A bit of a "faff" we think, so we make do with two singles. Means getting out in the middle of the night to go to the loo easier too. We have tried vans with a fixed bed which is lovely but generally they're much bigger or the bed is "upstairs", which means that it's not very easy to get in and out of - and you can't sit up in bed with a cup of tea.

One of the cheapest vans (which we did have at one time) is the Trigano Tribute. Nice size to drive, fits in to a supermarket or pub car park, got everything you need in it although we did find the fittings a bit flimsy.

Do a Google search for both and see what you think.
A friend had a Bongo and thought it was brilliant but I'm afraid that I like a bit more space. All a matter of personal preference really. You could always go to a dealer and have a look at what he's got on the forecourt - that would give you a good idea of what you think you might fancy.

Lots of freedom to come and go where you like - perfect I think, even the dog comes too!

Mishap, I so sorry to hear that.

tanith - in Switzerland it is the car that's insured - and people keep their plates for life (well as long as they own a car) that pass from car to car. It also means that anybody can drive the car with your permission - great for visitors, friends and family (providing they've got a valid licence of course).

I've have always lusted after a camper van - but OH always adamantly refused to consider it - too late now as he's not well - hey ho!

Enjoy it!

Thats such a good idea granjura to be able to swap the plates. We really want one so OH and I can just go off without any particular booking or planning and travel around as the fancy takes us once OH retires. You know , if the weather looks good off we go, for a week or a month it won't matter.. its going to be second hand anyway and I saw some of those Mazdo Bongos which look reasonable but I have no idea if they are any good or what drawbacks they have.. , I just got bogged down in all the websites with so much info and thought word of mouth is better .

We've had VW campervans for years and years. DOH did up one each for DS1 and DS2 and we are currently doing up a 1956 Split Screen. In the meantime we have a converted transporter.

Can't stand up straight in ours and therefore have to kneel down to make a cup of tea if it's raining etc.... very small price to pay tho'. Also have to be very minimalist with packing!

Think that there will come a time when we need to get a bigger one in which case would certainly want one with a fixed double bed and an on board loo.

Love it, love it, love it and can't wait for first camping trip out in couple of weeks.

We were very tempted too, but honestly they are soooooooooooo expensive- and lose value quickly. We tend to use simple hotels and B&Bs, which is much cheaper and no responsibility, storage, etc. We also looked at hiring one, but again the cost was enormous. Has somebody got a good address for reasonable hire in the UK or France?

Mind you, a lot of our friends in Switzerland have one, because they can have only 1 set of number plates and 1 insurance and can swap the plates from their normal car to the motorhome, providing they only use one at a time.

Thanks yogagran I'll take a look , there is so much choice, may I ask which type you have that you are pleased with? Any types to avoid?

If you look for a magazine called "MMM" (stands for Motorhome Magazine Monthly I think), you'll find lots of information in there. You could hire a van for a trip somewhere and that might give you some idea of what to look for. We've had a motorhome for some years, had huge ones, tiny ones, ones that have been badly finished inside and fallen apart but at the moment we have a mid sized one that we are pleased with. Just come back from our first few days away this year and look forward to more