Good luck if yours is like mine you better be well prepared
Think we gonna need a bigger boat
- Thread starter Macp
- Start date
I like those little funky caravans and its a good idea, but we would have to store it somewhere.Is thisnot a decent option? Or would it be a PITA for you to store?
I detect the whiff of artistic license here. A couple of hours in the atlantic in winter without the right kit would kill most people or, at least, render them unconscious with death following shortly afterwards. Even the people that seem to enjoy an unprotected dip in winter generally only make it a relatiely short for that very reason.
Try Tarifa with a wetsuit?!
As an ex seafarer I’ve done a few sea survival courses over the years.
I've been tent camping for well over half a century and my wife and I have been doing it as a couple for about 40 years which probably helped keep things organised when we got the van but, even so, we seem to haul an enormous amount of gear about with us whether it's a trip of just a few days or 5-6 weeks. I've posted on here before that our solution was to buy a Decathlon pop up tent and all the gear goes into it as soon as we arrive at a site leaving the van 'living space' free to live in (it's mostly organised in 'Really Useful' boxes). Also, after the initial burst of enthusiasm when we first got it, we agreed that all this full drive away awning business simply wasn't worth the aggro and it's not been used since - we content ourselves with a Debus Sun Canopy of Kiravans Railsail as the mood take us - if rain's expected or it's a bit windy for cooking or, indeed, we need a bit of extra shade or privacy, I deploy some side walls.
The bottom line is that you've got to think about it and be disciplined with how you organise yourselves.
The bottom line is that you've got to think about it and be disciplined with how you organise yourselves.
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Ha ha I can empathise with all your comments. Our ARB awning overall is not too bad, but does still require two consenting adults
But yes better organisation of bits & bobs would make life far better.
I've got a Kombi. I don't want anything other than a Kombi. It is essentially a big estate car that I can go to the tip in and buy fully built furniture that would have been flat packed if it wasn't second hand.
I've looked at the Ovano units and don't want to cart around a semi-permanent 200 ish kgs. I like the Van-King stuff, but can't justify the cost for the use I would get out of it.
I have a flat-packed bed and a tailgate air-beam awning, which inflates in 5 minutes and all the stuff packed into the plastic boxes lives in the awning, leaving the van space free to sleep in and the awning to sit around if the weather decides it doesn't want to cooperate.
I've looked at the Ovano units and don't want to cart around a semi-permanent 200 ish kgs. I like the Van-King stuff, but can't justify the cost for the use I would get out of it.
I have a flat-packed bed and a tailgate air-beam awning, which inflates in 5 minutes and all the stuff packed into the plastic boxes lives in the awning, leaving the van space free to sleep in and the awning to sit around if the weather decides it doesn't want to cooperate.
Thanks you gave me a cracking thought.
Im always seeing them as well as the big MAN's and the Mercs.
Interesting thread!
We've had our van just over 2 years now and never regretted or doubted the decision once. It's our only vehicle, so used for supermarket runs and local trips etc., as well as going away. Longest time spent away so far has been around 2 weeks, plenty of 3 or 4 nighters. Only ever stay on sites with EHU and shower facilities. We also love just popping out for the day to the beach or wherever, sitting in the van reading or whatever, having a brew etc. We love the compactness and simplicity.
Complete novices when we got the van, and initially wondered how we'd cope with space, but quickly found that everything has its place and there's a place for everything! This was our first packing to go away:
Everything went in surprisingly easily, but since then I've either got more efficient at packing, or we've ditched some of the stuff we didn't need. (Most likely the former, as we never really had anything unnecessary on board), and I am always amazed at how quick and easy it is to load up and go. We do use either the drive-away Vango or Debus sunshade, and now the new Debus Duo air awning as an option. Yes, the first time putting up the Vango was "challenging", but now it's pretty straightforward (the Debus Duo is an absolute doddle and takes seconds) and gives us ample extra space. I am sometimes amazed at the amount of "stuff" some campers seem to drag along - I really don't get the whole flags and fairy lights thing, for a start!
Admittedly we do sometimes look at high tops or Ducatto based vans and wonder. We originally thought we would get a motorhome, then considered a micro caravan. We're always interested in other set-ups on campsites, even roof tents with awning type extensions etc. but it's clear to us that there is no perfect set-up, and every option comes with compromises; everyone will have different priorities and preferences.
For us, luckily, the van is the best option.
We've had our van just over 2 years now and never regretted or doubted the decision once. It's our only vehicle, so used for supermarket runs and local trips etc., as well as going away. Longest time spent away so far has been around 2 weeks, plenty of 3 or 4 nighters. Only ever stay on sites with EHU and shower facilities. We also love just popping out for the day to the beach or wherever, sitting in the van reading or whatever, having a brew etc. We love the compactness and simplicity.
Complete novices when we got the van, and initially wondered how we'd cope with space, but quickly found that everything has its place and there's a place for everything! This was our first packing to go away:
Everything went in surprisingly easily, but since then I've either got more efficient at packing, or we've ditched some of the stuff we didn't need. (Most likely the former, as we never really had anything unnecessary on board), and I am always amazed at how quick and easy it is to load up and go. We do use either the drive-away Vango or Debus sunshade, and now the new Debus Duo air awning as an option. Yes, the first time putting up the Vango was "challenging", but now it's pretty straightforward (the Debus Duo is an absolute doddle and takes seconds) and gives us ample extra space. I am sometimes amazed at the amount of "stuff" some campers seem to drag along - I really don't get the whole flags and fairy lights thing, for a start!
Admittedly we do sometimes look at high tops or Ducatto based vans and wonder. We originally thought we would get a motorhome, then considered a micro caravan. We're always interested in other set-ups on campsites, even roof tents with awning type extensions etc. but it's clear to us that there is no perfect set-up, and every option comes with compromises; everyone will have different priorities and preferences.
For us, luckily, the van is the best option.
Haha thought it was just us we have a pile like that too. But I agree the van seems to swallow it all easy enough. Im feeling a lot happier and got some good future plans. Thanks to you all.Interesting thread!
We've had our van just over 2 years now and never regretted or doubted the decision once. It's our only vehicle, so used for supermarket runs and local trips etc., as well as going away. Longest time spent away so far has been around 2 weeks, plenty of 3 or 4 nighters. Only ever stay on sites with EHU and shower facilities. We also love just popping out for the day to the beach or wherever, sitting in the van reading or whatever, having a brew etc. We love the compactness and simplicity.
Complete novices when we got the van, and initially wondered how we'd cope with space, but quickly found that everything has its place and there's a place for everything! This was our first packing to go away:
View attachment 330427
Everything went in surprisingly easily, but since then I've either got more efficient at packing, or we've ditched some of the stuff we didn't need. (Most likely the former, as we never really had anything unnecessary on board), and I am always amazed at how quick and easy it is to load up and go. We do use either the drive-away Vango or Debus sunshade, and now the new Debus Duo air awning as an option. Yes, the first time putting up the Vango was "challenging", but now it's pretty straightforward (the Debus Duo is an absolute doddle and takes seconds) and gives us ample extra space. I am sometimes amazed at the amount of "stuff" some campers seem to drag along - I really don't get the whole flags and fairy lights thing, for a start!
Admittedly we do sometimes look at high tops or Ducatto based vans and wonder. We originally thought we would get a motorhome, then considered a micro caravan. We're always interested in other set-ups on campsites, even roof tents with awning type extensions etc. but it's clear to us that there is no perfect set-up, and every option comes with compromises; everyone will have different priorities and preferences.
For us, luckily, the van is the best option.
Oh if anybody interested in an Ovano system in first class condition let me know. Or go take a look in for sale.
