Caravan or camping trailer?

[FrenchieBoy]

OK Guys I am looking for people's thoughts or advice based on personal experiences?
The wife and I have spent some time talking about how we don't seem to get out and about together much to spend quality time together and we haven't had any sort of a holiday since I can't remember when but the cost of Hotel stays nowadays are pretty extortionate for pensioners - Going down to Bristol for a few days last year for my Brother's funeral don't really count as a holiday!
We have decided that the most sensible way to go about things and give us a bit more freedom would be to but either a small (2 Berth) caravan or a Trailer Tent as there is only the two of us (plus our dog) - We thought about a "Camper Van" but ruled that out because of the running costs (Insurance and Fuel etc) as well as the practicalities of having to use it for general running about and shopping.
Do any of you guys use either a Caravan or a Camping Trailer for short breaks and how do you weigh up the advantages or disadvantages of either please.
As my car (A Vauxhall Corsa) has just passed it's MOT again it would be no problem selling it and buying something slightly larger to use as a towing vehicle. (I have plenty of towing experience with caravans)
I am not in a rush to buy but I believe (Rightly or wrongly) that this time of the year is the better time of the year to buy either a per-owned Caravan or Camping Trailer as the holiday season is just about over so they are dropping down in price but I don't want to dive straight in without knowing all of the pros and cons so your thoughts and advice from those with experience would be very much appreciated!
T.I.A.

 

[slider]

We have a caravan and love it - been away over 60 nights this year (im retired). we are 2 plus dog and I would recommend looking for a light 4 berth to give you a bit more space and the ability to leave a bed made up - we originally had a smaller caravan and it was a pain converting the seating area into a bed every night and not that comfortable using the lounge seats as single beds.

Caravan market has been pretty flat for the last year or so (the burst following the post covid boom) and from no until New Year is definitely the best time to buy. Lots of choice out there but be careful of damp issues - some brands are worst than other and I would always recommend getting an independent inspection & damp check.

 

[NoIDeer]

Get a caravan, single axle and as big as you are comfortable with. There is a trend towards small well specced jobs that look great and are easy to tow but they are still small boxes like those campervans.
Like @slider we spend over 100 days a year away, the caravan makes in affordable.
One week costs the equivalent of one night in a nice hotel and I can guarantee good food too.

Currently nearly 4 weeks into our yearly world tour of Scotland, must have taken a wrong turn I can see Llanddwyn Bay out of the window.

Ooh, don't touch a trailer tent, horrible things.

 

[VSS]

Currently nearly 4 weeks into our yearly world tour of Scotland, must have taken a wrong turn I can see Llanddwyn Bay out of the window.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

I bought a new small Adria caravan in Munich with Swedish spec = with radiators c/h etc then used it for 3 months working in Finland and six months in the bois De bologne camp site & walking over to the Arc de Triumph area for food every evening. It was a good time

 

[Woodmister]

we just sold our big twin axle caravan & bought a campervan.
we have 2 kids and 2 dogs and we do just fine,
fully off grid so can explore anywhere, even made cheese toasties for the kids at the beach, they love it.
i thought we would miss the "space" of a caravan but its actually no problem at all.

 

[Buchan]

Van. Loved camping, but the van is all the nice bits without packing up wet canvas

 

[Pedro]

Trailer tents seem to me to be the worst of all worlds. You’ve still got to tow and when you get there, you’ve still got to set the thing up rain or shine. A caravan can be good. If you don’t intend spending a lot of your time in it, a small one can be good, but the size would be down to personal preference.

If you get a new car, do get one that is more than capable of towing what you get. Chugging slowly up hills with frustrated motorists lining up behind you is no fun.

 

[VSS]

Whatever you get, learn to tow it properly. And reverse.
Get some lessons, if neccessary.

 

[Overlay]

Having just sold our caravan due to moving, it’s left a bit of a hole from getting away for a few days , BUT just the two of us and 2 wee dogs, now looking to get a VW type of day van that we could use as overnight if needs book in a hotel every now and then, then there is the big decision DIY or buy one ready made hell of a lot of cost difference, our neighbour has done a lovely job converting his VW ex works van, it all comes down to money to how much you will honestly use it, we are now going to be looking for ready made one, the kids can use it as well for the cost off an insurance top up
It’s justifying the initial layout
Good luck mate

 

[tozzybum]

Started with a trailer tent used most weekends for years ,now on 3rd caravan.
I'd say from personal experience go straight to caravan.
Winter coming always bargains to be had but try and get 1 with a motor mover ,far easier for old bones to use.
17ft has plenty of room and with an fold away awning it's an extra big " living room. "
If you go private a lot of them will have all the extras included.
Ours is a 19ft 4 berth with fixed bed more than enough for two lumps and a rabid chihuahua
Make sure you can store it safely, ours at an alarmed monitored site with cctv and very vigilant owners.
Wheel lock ,hitch lock and alarmed atb Iain

 

[Dickie]

Having just sold our caravan due to moving, it’s left a bit of a hole from getting away for a few days , BUT just the two of us and 2 wee dogs, now looking to get a VW type of day van that we could use as overnight if needs book in a hotel every now and then, then there is the big decision DIY or buy one ready made hell of a lot of cost difference, our neighbour has done a lovely job converting his VW ex works van, it all comes down to money to how much you will honestly use it, we are now going to be looking for ready made one, the kids can use it as well for the cost off an insurance top up
It’s justifying the initial layout
Good luck mate

Look at others out there VW have the special VW tax price wise. We looked a while back and the prices were still silly from Covid and finding one fitted out how we liked was a nightmare lots of crap Covid quick buck jobs. We were advised not to even bother looking at 5 speed ones.
Frenchie if you're not going to do lots of time away for the odd break especially if you can do mid week look at Air b&b, we have had several breaks quite cheaply but very comfortably especially if you're planning on getting out and about then it's only somewhere to sleep.

 

[starr shot]

In thing at the moment seems to be roof tents

 

[VSS]

In thing at the moment seems to be roof tents

We love ours!
One of the most fun and most useful bits of kit I've ever bought.

 

[wilbert]

Had a trailer tent a few years ago, took less than 10 mins to set up, had 2 double beds and a small kitchen and if you wanted you could add an the awning and 2 extra "tents" under the raised beds to give more accommodation / living space, it was great to tow and takes up about half the space of a caravan when not in use. I've now got a roof tent on the back of the pick up which is great when I go stalking or go away with the Mrs for 2 or 3 days.

 

[shakey jake]

the idea of crapping in a cupboard, puts me right off
book a hotel.

 

[FrenchieBoy]

In thing at the moment seems to be roof tents

I understand what you are saying and to a degree I would agree. However with old age comes "mobility problems" which can make getting up ladders etc a bit of a problem for the both of us!

 

[John Gryphon]

Ooh, don't touch a trailer tent, horrible things.

Not horrible when you are in Victoria's high country hunting deer,thus I do disagree. For all of their foibles they are most welcome when set up. Not really for overnighters but for more than a few days they come in handy,my own has independent airbag suspension as is a true off road trailer,not perfect but definitely not " horrible",rain doesn't bother and i sleep stretched out like a horse having a pi$$ in a big bed.

In thing at the moment seems to be roof tents

Wouldnt have one unless I was camping up north in crocodile country....even a mild sunny day they are an oven.

the idea of crapping in a cupboard, puts me right off
book a hotel.

We have the latest in post hole shovels....enjoy the sounds of nature and the views whilst dropping an `enery and always have rifle at hand.

 

[NoIDeer]

In thing at the moment seems to be roof tents

Couple of nights of 50 - 60 mph winds in a campsite on Barra soon put those back in their boxes. Poor bloke we were watching ended up in his car with his dog.

They're in the same camp as camper vans and motor homes, living the life of a snail. Fetching the milk, tea, beer etc. or going shooting is an ordeal. Not for me.

 

[John Gryphon]

The blokes camped under the tarp (mine 6mx6m) the girls from Sydney slept in the tent lol. A good tarp in the bush is a ripping way of doing it.