Transition from caravan to motorhome

It is much easier towing a car than a caravan CY and you always have the option of taking it with you or leaving it. My next two trips out in the UK will be without it, one of three nights and the other of 5. I don't need it at either ot the destinations. I have never taken a car across the Channel but have occasionally hired one when over there.

peedee

We changed last July after losing our two wonderful yorkies. What made us changed, we invested in two electric bikes now the dogs were no longer with us we tried at first to use the van but found it a pain trying to transport the bikes, we also now play at least two golf course when we are away. After 3 months of last year only getting out twice we started to think about changing to a MH. We did the usual thing of checking our local dealerships and decided on the layout that suited us, we purchased a 2015 Autotrail Tribute 625 high level. Since we have owned the MH we have been out ten times more than in the van, we find doing the short breaks less stressful. We can take the bikes on the back and carry two push trolleys and two lightweight golf bags. Admittedly we try and look for sites that are close to a village or town or within riding distance plus a bus route, its surprising how many their are. Up to now after six months of Motorhoming we are finding it far better than having the caravan, it's far less stressful for me, don't get me wrong we had a great time caravaning but now in the twilight of our years its quite delightful to wake up have a look on the web what's available an shoot off for a few days. One thing l wont do is pull a car at the back seems to me it defeats the object, mays as well tow a van

Heethers

We switched from caravan to a MH last March, after several years of reasearching / planning the change. A model of the MH we wanted became available much sooner than we expected and we had already planned last May / June around having a caravan. I suppose we could have changed things, but there was a wedding to work round and folk we had planned to meet, so we decided to leave it as it was and also take (not towing) a car. In total we only used 5 sites in 6 weeks. It certainly wasn't how we had envisaged using the MH and although we enjoyed our time away, it certainly wasn't something we wanted to repeat.

In contrast we took it to France in September / October and stopped on 18 sites (a mixture of Aires and proper sites) in 6 weeks. Replenishing food and often calling in places on moving day. We really enjoyed using it in this manner and for us it set a pattern of how we want to continue. 

No good Aire network here of course but we joined the C&CC  to increase the number of sites we have access to, plus most commercials will let you book as long as you stop 3 days. This has allowed for the selection of sites close to places we want to visit, or where there is reasonable public transport. This May / June 6 week tour of Scotland utilises 16 sites. It is certainly a pattern we see continuing. Which reminds me, I still have two I have to book, they wouldn't take them last year.

the change to a MH os sometimes a tricky one for those who used to caravan, probably having plenty of space and access to a car...

but caravanning can become 'difficult' for some and a self contqined unit might appeal.

getting the size right is key as a single vehicle has to carry all the people and their kit yet provide the same sleeping capacity as the caravan.

..and then there is 'getting about'....which can be tackled in several ways...

small MH/PVC which can be taken out just like a car, but getting used to a different level of space might be an issue.

larger MHs that tow cars are popular but some dont see this as being different to a car/caravan...

choosing sites close to towns or with access to good public transport will help but a key advantage of a MH over a caravan is its self contained nature and its ability to pull in where you want...

not so easy in the uk with its friendly parking rules, but supermarket cqr parks will generally allow you to visit a town 'en route' to the next stop.

also, depending on age/fitness, electric bikes are a great way of poppin into town or heading out into the country for the day.

combining town sites and country CLs could give you a varying tour, helping you get the most out of your new MH.

ps, i dont know if you ever venture abroad, but france (and many other countries) are so much more MH friendly than the UK and the lure of cheaper living, less crowded roads and better weather will convince you that you've done the right thing.

good luck.

We have as we got older reverted from having motor caravans (two over an11year period)both panel van and coachbuilt but have found the much more (in this country) convenience of not having to "think" if we can go,to not so convenient stopping places, as we now have an almost go anywhere at the drop of a hat support vehicle alongside,friends of ours who at the moment( but waivering) have a motor caravan will always mention if they need to bring their car when we are away together

yes thats true up to a point, but once youve 'explored' the area in your 'support vehicle' and its time to move on the the next area, you get to the 'packing up the caravan and car' (taking down awnings etc) which is usually one of the main reasons folk move to a MH.

if this was a regular thing (like Alan's unwavering 5 day stops) i can see how this might be a pain.

for 'destination stops' of several weeks, having a car is, for some, a distinct advantage, but if touring at a fairly brisk pace (say, 2/3-5 days) all that setting up and taking down time eats into those few days....

obviously its hourses for courses, but we 'put up with' any perceived hardships of using a MH for the summer in the UK as its vastly outweighed by the ease of touring/parking we get for our two long continental breaks each year. 

What I certainly don't miss since getting a MH, is the lack of faff. Power, movering it out of its space at storage, as there wasn't room to tow. Hitching up in the rain. Finding places to stop on route when services are busy. Setting up at the other end, again possibly in the rain. Moving stuff that was too heavy to carry into the van from the car.

In contrast when we went to Abbey Wood before Christmas. Drove to storage, moved a few bags across from car to van, including food. Moved van and put car in its place. Pleasant drive to London the more so because I can legally do 70 and don't have to play with the HGV's.

At Abbey Wood checked in. While I filled with water OH wandered off with our MH using this pitch sign and choose a pitch. Drove onto pitch, no levelling necessary, seats swivelled, kettle on and time for lunch. Oh I did plug in while she was preparing it. Although could have left it all on gas until after.

At the end of our 3 nights, drove to MH waste grid and dumped. Didn't even need to get out of the vehicle. Although I did to chat with a couple of chaps in the storage area alongside. And I thought our pound fees where high.

Size of the motorhome matters. It sets the parameters for what you can and cannot do but it does not stop you enjoying motorhomes. You just have to adjust. 6.5m is my maximum length because nothing bigger will fit on our drive. Our caravans had to go in storage.

You must have had reasons for changing to a motorhome although it's not unusual to have second thoughts. Think about why you bought a motorhome and what sort of motorhoming did you want?

We swapped from caravanning to motorhome because the dog died and our two children were heartbroken. We bought the motorhome to take the boys on Continental holidays for the next 10 years, something a motorhome did well..

I search the CMC sites with a filter for public transport nearby. Then use Google maps or similar to check how easy it will be to visit places we want. Smart phones are particularly useful for this when on site. Sometimes I look up the public transport from the place I'm visiting and then look up sites on the radiating bus/railway routes.

If there is no suitable public transport, we use the van and go where it can go. If we cannot access the place we want to go, we go somewhere else.

I plan a route for up to three weeks with overnight to three night stops unless there is something specific in the area which requires a longer stay. In the longer stays, we will frequently use the van for days out.

BritStops is popular with motorhomers looking for overnight stay touring.

We’re not all year campers but do use our van during the winter month for days out. Not only does this keep the oily bits moving but enables us to go places and stop for cliff top picnics, for example, which is something we would never have done with a caravan.

if this was a regular thing (like Alan's unwavering 5 day stops) i can see how this might be a pain.

I do occasionally have 6 nights if meeting up with friends  and a 15 nighter in December. 

As we don't use an awning it takes no more than 20 mins (much less if its raining ) to dump waste, put aquaroll and wastemaster into caravan, fit mirrors, coil cable,  hitch up and go. Probably 20 mins on arrival depending on water pressure to fill aquaroll. We usually arrive on site 5 or 10 mins past 12. By the time we have booked in, found a pitch, set up, got water put out the things stored and sat down with tables and chairs out, a brew and a freshly made sandwich. It is usually between 12.40 and 12.45'

(Takes nearly as long to pack stuff away before travelling, wipe down hob and kitchen tops, tables etc, give the loo basin a clean as the outside work does. The only thing from the caravan that travels in the car is a few 2 pint milk bottles and a bottle of scotch. If we want to get off quicker we split the chores.)