Do any forummers go caravanning?

[ColchesterFC]

Mrs Colch has decided that she wants to get a caravan. I said no for several reasons, those being...

1) We bought a new tent last year to take the kids away in and have only used it twice so it's pretty much brand new.
2) Our car is a Renault Grand Scenic which would struggle to pull the skin off a rice pudding let alone a caravan
3) Mrs Colch's license won't allow her to tow it as she passed after 1997 and doesn't have B+E on her license
4) I don't want one.

So inevitably, for the sake of a peaceful life for me, we are now getting a caravan. We've been offered a really good one by friends for a decent price but according to Mrs Colch "it's too long as it's 23ft and she wants one that is 21ft". It's something to do with the pitch size at one of the sites she really likes.

So my questions are, what should we be looking out for when we go to look at a caravan? Any common faults that are easy to spot? I know damp can be an issue so will be investing in a damp meter but what else should I know? We're also going to have to change the car so I've been looking at the Ford Mondeo as a decent second hand one with reasonable mileage is within budget (around 6-7k).

Any help appreciated. Divorce isn't an option as that would be more expensive than simply getting the car and caravan.

 

[chrisd]

If divorce isn't an option what about murder?

 

[chellie]

Can you not borrow it first and hopefully put her off the idea.

 

[ColchesterFC]

If divorce isn't an option what about murder?

I think that's a whole new thread......"Do any forummers have a foolproof plan for committing a murder and getting away with it"

 

[ColchesterFC]

Can you not borrow it first and hopefully put her off the idea.

Unfortunately not an option as she went caravanning as a kid and loved it and her friends have got caravans so she wants to be able to go away with them.

 

[chellie]

Unfortunately not an option as she went caravanning as a kid and loved it and her friends have got caravans so she wants to be able to go away with them.

Bummer lol. It's never appealed to us.

 

[Rooter]

Jay: It's a sense of freedom you don't get with other holidays.
Will: It's a sense of *pooing in a bucket in a cupboard you don't get with other holidays... in England... with your parents!

 

[Pin-seeker]

Jay: It's a sense of freedom you don't get with other holidays.
Will: It's a sense of *pooing in a bucket in a cupboard you don't get with other holidays... in England... with your parents!

You Bumbder

 

[SocketRocket]

I might try it after I have no more room in my eyes to place pins.

 

[chrisd]

I might try it after I have no more room in my eyes to place pins.

Too graphic SR, after having just that done in the last few days!

 

[SocketRocket]

Too graphic SR, after having just that done in the last few days!

Whooops! Sorry Chris.

 

[chrisd]

Whooops! Sorry Chris.

Whilst awake!

 

[SocketRocket]

Whilst awake!

Still a close call on a Caravan Holiday

 

[CliveW]

You need to calculate the legal towing weight of your car against the weight of what you are towing.

 

[ColchesterFC]

That's why we're looking at the Mondeo. 2.0L diesel will pull pretty much all of the caravans that she's been looking at.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Travelodges.......the comfortable and much cheaper answer to caravans.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Why buy one when there are hundreds of decent sites with static ones already in situ. Seems unnecessary faff and cost when you can still enjoy a caravan holiday without the hassle. Tell her to log on here and we'll put her straight

 

[TerryA]

Bought my first van in 1990. Have had my current one for 8 years. It is great for weekends away, say within a 2 hour drive, and we always take our clubs - my wife also plays. We had many holidays in it when the children were young - it makes holidays more affordable and you can go away more times per year. Most caravans have central heating as standard, electric showers, flushing loos, good fridges(for the beer!) and decent cookers. Beds are usually very comfortable. Go for it and enjoy!

 

[ColchesterFC]

Why buy one when there are hundreds of decent sites with static ones already in situ. Seems unnecessary faff and cost when you can still enjoy a caravan holiday without the hassle. Tell her to log on here and we'll put her straight

WARNING SEXIST POST ALERT!!!!!!!!!!

If only it was as easy to change a woman's mind as to furnish her with sensible facts and logic. I could tell her that caravans cause polar bears to die and show her the proof and it wouldn't matter because she wants one.

To give one example Homer. The site we're looking at going to is around 300 quid for a week in August in a touring caravan or tent. To stay in one of the static caravans for the same time is over 700 quid. Doesn't take too long for the 400 quids to add up to the cost of buying a caravan.