nightrider Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Just out of curiosity, what inspired you to buy your very first camper? and how did you fare, when I bought my first van I was unbelievably naive and when I think back it was rather comical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 knight of the road - 2008-11-03 1:26 AM Just out of curiosity, what inspired you to buy your very first camper? and how did you fare, when I bought my first van I was unbelievably naive and when I think back it was rather comical. After 40 years of camping all over Europe with a tent I think it was just sheer laziness that inspired me to buy a van. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I started in my fishing and courting days - soon after starting work - when the first pastime was easier with a van with a bed and a cooker, rather than a tent, and the second pastime was easier with a van with a bed, rather than the front seats of a mini! That was 1962 and although we tried tents and tourers from time to time we always came back to a camper, and then to a proper motor home in 1973 so this year is my 35th continuous year with a motorhome and we can't ever imagine not having one as long as I can drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Having disabled kids taught us that it aint easy especially trying to peg out the tent . So we thought hey why not try one of them and we did . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordThornber Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Fate for us. A horrid wet & windy weekend in the Lake under canvas about 9 years ago. We left the site and saw a large gathering of Romahomes, ( a rally?) and we thought, hmm, looks good. For good read DRY & WARM... Went to work the following Monday and a colleague is selling his much loved VW Westfalia. Quick trip to the bank and the rest is history.. Martyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Did a tour years ago in the car to Scotland and driving around the Western Highlands we saw lots of Camper vans parked up obviously for the night or longer and I thought thats what I want to do so Bingo we bought one , a pop up roof VW and it went on from there .Best decision we ever made. *-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
york brewery Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I have been a caravanner for the last 10yrs. so in the new year am going to convert to a motorhome. but having so much trouble trying to decide on model/layout etc etc. its a minefield has anyone got any good tips re buying do,s n donts??? i am tending to go for a fixed bed model???? but do want a large lounge area???? Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Dwight Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Did lots of camping in the mountains etc. Changed to a Caravan in 1970 did that for 30years, after 2 years of soul searching changed to our first Motorhome. Looking to the future we may go back to a Caravan when we cant get about on bikes and walking when away in the M/home. At the moment we are making the most of it. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twooks Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 it's a compromise for a seriously incompatible couple I never want to go home, OH never wants to leave so we get to travel while he gets territorial reassurance. we used to do a lot of canal boating, but didn't fancy the limitations of owning one B-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I bet he's a cancer then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twooks Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 leo - with a heavy dose of snail, but I get your point - :D :D :D B-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 :D Old crab Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howie Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Somebody call me?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Not a great beleiver in drugs instead of discipline :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catinou Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 york brewery - 2008-11-03 4:23 PM I have been a caravanner for the last 10yrs. so in the new year am going to convert to a motorhome. but having so much trouble trying to decide on model/layout etc etc. its a minefield has anyone got any good tips re buying do,s n donts??? i am tending to go for a fixed bed model???? but do want a large lounge area???? Tony We had camped with tents and a caravan ( not to mention a really ancient campervan - briefly years ago) but bought "on impulse" at the NEC 3 years ago. *-) We just fell in love with an Autotrail Cheyenne 635 - after years of sailing we really loved the large rear bathroom and the L shaped lounge, which gave us plenty of room for relaxing in the evenings. After using for a very short while (different story altogether) we ordered a replacement but had already decided that we needed a different layout. Changes needed were - fixed bed as we hated playing with cushions and making the bed every night in the lounge area; we also needed at least 4 belted seats as our grandchildren were reaching an age of wanting to travel with us sometimes, so an L shaped lounge with 2 forward facing seats, belted, was called for. The bathroom was not that important any more as we never used it at all on our one long trip (to Switzerland) in the old model. We therefore opted for a Dakota - lovely comfortable bed, always ready and lovely to laze on whilst travelling through the Channel Tunnel with a cup of coffee. B-) Large lounge area still but a very small bathroom - not too much of a worry as we always use the on site facilities anyway. Just remember to measure the place where you intend parking will accomodate the size chosen with room to manouvre in and out (ours has inches to spare on all sides but my OH is the driver so not a problem (to me! ;-) ) Whatever you chose Tony you will enjoy I am sure. Jenny :-> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howie Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Not so much 'inspired', but more of a introduction to camping at a early age thats stuck ever since. Tried the package holidays but missed the freedom to just up sticks and move on whenever the mood takes you. Its the sheer convenience of setting off at a moments notice, and after once spending 28 hours waiting for a flight home from Palma appreciate just how much you are in control of where you want to go and what you want to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I suppose that when one is 'just out of curiosity', a visit to 'The Old Curiosity Shop' for a packet of curiosities is called for - or do they still sell curiosities loose by the quarter does anyone know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J9withdogs Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 What are you smoking tonight, Rich? *-) :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 J9withdogs - 2008-11-05 8:24 PM What are you smoking tonight, Rich? *-) :D As well you know little lady one does not smoke - ever - except for breathing flames and exuding smoke from ears when angry - like any otherGrumpy Old Dragon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
york brewery Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 jenny Thanks for the very important info. gonna hit the dealers in jan see what bargains are up for grabs Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightrider Posted November 5, 2008 Author Share Posted November 5, 2008 The thing I like about the camping and caravanning is the sheer diversity, from tents to trailer tents, caravans, campervans and motorhomes and the huge monster 40' type coaches, there is something for everyone and to suit everyones pocket, and not only that I think that the camping and caravanning fraternity are rather nice, not met a bad'un yet. Did my time touring the continent with Shearings but you can't beat the freedom of stopping and starting when you want and not being subject to schedules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howie Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Kindred spirits Malcolm and I too am fascinated by the different modes of camping and diversity of tents, caravans and motorhomes to be seen on site, especially self build. Article in this months CC&C magazine about the 'Daily Mirror' trailer tent, which at the time was the ultimate in camping and something we almost bought and wonder if there still any in use. Another thing to look forward to next year is the apparent interest and production of American 'Teepee' tents due for 2009, and something else that will merit closer inspection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightrider Posted November 6, 2008 Author Share Posted November 6, 2008 Howie, I've seen those tepee tents a couple of times this year, would love to have a look inside one, but dont have the nerve to ask LOL. I suppose you could say my very first venture into campervan life was when I was of the divorced status living on my own, at the time I had an ex-post office LWB Bedford van that I used in my job as a self-employed plumber, I moved the bulkhead back far enough to build a bunk bed with a normal sized mattress, brewing and cooking was by using a plumbers blow torch crude but effective. Had a few weekends away staying in lay bys out in the country. it was a few years later before I could afford my first proper campervan tho, not much dough left after a divorce. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightrider Posted November 6, 2008 Author Share Posted November 6, 2008 AWNINGS.....While I now consider myself to be an experienced exponent of the campervan life, there are times when that blasted awning gives me problems and I always seem to think everyone on site is watching that idiot trying to erect his awning. The first driveaway awning we had was one of those heavy canvas ones with the tubular metal frames, one time on the Clitheroe campsite as me and the wife was erecting it I pulled my back out and collapsed in a heap in the middle of the awning, I gave out a load of French and the rather snooty Southern couple across the way looked over in disgust probably thinking "crude northerner" I got rid of that particular awning when we were at Vanfest at the Three Counties Showground at Malvern and bought a lightweight tunnel awning, a couple of years later when we were erecting it I found the elasticated cord had snapped, I re-corded the fibre rods but could I get that thing erected, no chance. After much foul language and 3 or 4 attempts I realised I had put in an extra rod which unknown to me was a spare. A guy in a coach built just across the way later said, you made my day, never seen anything so funny to which I replied "pillock" but I got my own back a couple of days later as he was coming back from the fish and chip van he tripped over the guy ropes of a caravan awning he went base over apex and his fish and chips went flying, as he regained his composure I said to him I didn't know you was a circus performer that triple somersault and forward roll that you just did was fantastic, what goes around comes around I say ha ha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliveH Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 For us it was a love of camping and walking. Small tents and then bigger tents. When we had kids it was easier to book a Eurocamp type holiday and these were totally great. Best site we went to was La Sirene near Argeles in France on the med side of the Spanish border. Sitting on the beach with the Pyrenees behind us and the fun of being able to nip across the border into Spain was great. When the kids grew we bought an old Sterckman Folding camper (bit like the Gobur today) and that was enough to wet our appetite for a bit of luxury. So after a good few years we bought an Avondale caravan that had the normal lounge/double bed area at the front and an L shaped lounge that could be converted to a small double bed or a single bed with a pull out bunk above it at the back. Never used the rear bed - just left it as a breakfast bar area as it had a great table that was easy to put in as it was to remove - it was just a pole that went into a recess in the floor and the same in the table top. So simple yet so versatile as you could set it at any angle. But what we did do was to make up our bed at the front and leave it. So we had in effect a fixed bed. As we tended to live in the awning (the campers in us, no doubt!) this was fine, but when we were away in bad winter weather and the awning could not be put up, or we were only away for a short weekend break and the prospect of a wet awning to deal with and take down just the day after we had arrived, made us think about getting a caravan with a true fixed bed. Because as has been said by others – messing about with cushions night and morning is not fun So we got a TA with a fixed bed and huge end bathroom. We find this an absolute joy to use, with or without an awning - even with two large dogs. We do plan to tour a fair bit of Europe when I retire in about 9 years time so am interested in MH’s as I feel this would be the most practical option for months away – but as has been discussed before – I still cannot see the advantage of having to pack everything away when you want to go anywhere because we would want to stay for a week or so before moving on. So am yet to be convinced that this option is the one for us. If I get hacked off with just having to make a bed up and down each day – what would I be like having to secure everything in a MH for just a trip to the shops? Rather like the 5th Wheel concept. But early days yet and the planning is for me as much fun in some ways as the actual event. Talking of awnings - has anyone any idea why the manufacturers make some with black guy ropes?????? A friend of mine had a holiday pretty much ruined because she fell over a black guy rope that was invisible in the dark. If you compare black ones to the white or better still the bright yellow variety - you have to wonder at the sense of the muppet manufacturers that say yes to using black ones :-S In this increasingly litigious age - I am surprised that no one has thought of having a go at them for what to me is a crazy idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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