Any Tips for setting Caravan up for wild camping

LostBear

Guest
Hi
Am in process of buying a Transit mk7 and a 6m Hobby caravan, since the banks screwed us and ******? well this Island get mighty small. and my beat chance of finding the sun for more than a day is van a caravan, any body with knowledge and what to expect on specs for batteries etc would be hugely appreciated, I reckon to 250amph batterries should be ok to run small tv sat system, hifi, laptop coolbox, led lights, etc, want be huge demand as I fly solo on trips i will be living in it for 4-8 weeks at a time

Thanx in advance for any tips
 
A caravan will not be much use for wild camping in Europe try a small camper van
 
We have seen people in caravans on Aires and wc ;) you just need thick skin :)
 
why make your life harder with a caravan ,they're a right pain,designed for sites. a white van and trailer is the traveller transport of choice, cops all over europe will be knocking on your door. better off with a big van
 
the requirement to park in an aire is to be able to move from driving to sleeping without exiting the veh a fifth wheeler in biarritz aire was moved on because of this mind you he was being a bit of an a*se
 
Aires are for MOTORHOMES, not for caravans, quite apart from anything else, a caravan using one would use two spaces, minimum.

Also, in this neck of the woods, you'd be automatically assumed to be a Pikie, one of many to follow, no doubt!! Hard hat on:mad2:

If you really MUST follow this route then the only night stop possibility is a camp site, and, be aware, most of those do not allow white vans towing caravans.(Especially Hobby ones!)

In reality your plan is poor, get a motorhome, BTW WTF has ****** to do with it???!!!!

Good Luck:banana:
 
Last edited:
In the UK,yes maybe here and there but the options are very limited. France - never saw one caravan in an aire. It narks me anyway if I see a caravan pitch up. Saw one in Chester a few months ago. Water containers outside etc, I was half expecting to set up the full awning. Ok it is a free country but this is not playing the game as before we know it many good POIs will just go if caravans start turning up. Hard enough for MHs to convince authorities that we are good, but caravans is a different ball game. Therefore I am sorry but I have to disagree with your ethics on using a caravan.
 
I have to confess I'm a tad puzzled about folks attitudes to the question ....

It's not something I would do personally BUT boiled down I'm not sure a caravan parked somewhere is much more 'offensive' to folks that frankly probably don't want ANYTHING parked in some places than a motorhome/campervan .

When I was up in the Elan Valley earlier in the year (tucked away in a very quiet corner of things by all accounts) I got out of the van to take in the view with the first coffee of the morning and was slightly surprised to catch sight of a tent pitched in the car park well below us ...
AND briefly caught myself thinking "blimey that's a tad cheeky"

BUT then quickly changed my view as I thought about it,

A. they had landed much later than we did
B. they left earlier than we did (leaving no mess as did we ...in fact we left with a small carrier back of wind blown detritus as is our way)
C. they are ACTUALLY closer to the whole original ethos of "wild camping" (certainly as originally intended by the good folks North of the border anyway ...as AFAIK that legislation was never aimed at campervans/motorhomes, more so to encourage folks out into the far distant hills to get some exercise etc)

As I say, I personally wouldn't pitch a caravan in some of the spots I am hypocritically happy to park my campervan ...

BUT looking at the way 'some' folks are happy to pitch their campervans/motorhomes I'm not too sure it looks any worse to folks outside OUR hobby .
 
To requote a member above:-..............its wrong, don't do it!
 
Last edited:
Tough choice but it can be done

Firstly I agree with most of the other comments; and would advise against it in preference of choosing a motorhome. Even just the van on its own with essentials in would be a better option.
If you really need all the extra space then wild caravaning can be done but it becomes a much more difficult task.
I used to have a caravan before I got the motorhome and I never once went on a site but it was UK only.
Keep all the expensive stuff in the prime mover then park the caravan up when you get the chance. Put a tow-ball (chopped away from the bracket) in the hitch and use a hitch lock. Don't get an expensive caravan as I doubt there is any insurance that would cover it uncoupled away from a site or home address.
The only time anybody tried to steal mine was on the road to Stranraer but I was in it at the time so they quickly shut the horse box when I made an appearance. I used to leave mine in a myriad of places during the day but generally would overnight in lay-bys like truckers do.
Sort the water system out so it operates with the tanks inside.
I've seen caravans on Aires in France multiple times but only out of season so there was plenty of space.
If budget is your restriction don't let negative comments put you off; do it any which way you can.
Good luck.
 
You may have to start speaking with a southern irish brog,top of the marnin tilye,i would not do it but to each there own,good luck.
 
Thanks Private.........

Private said:
Firstly I agree with most of the other comments; and would advise against it in preference of choosing a motorhome. Even just the van on its own with essentials in would be a better option.
If you really need all the extra space then wild caravaning can be done but it becomes a much more difficult task.
I used to have a caravan before I got the motorhome and I never once went on a site but it was UK only.
Keep all the expensive stuff in the prime mover then park the caravan up when you get the chance. Put a tow-ball (chopped away from the bracket) in the hitch and use a hitch lock. Don't get an expensive caravan as I doubt there is any insurance that would cover it uncoupled away from a site or home address.
The only time anybody tried to steal mine was on the road to Stranraer but I was in it at the time so they quickly shut the horse box when I made an appearance. I used to leave mine in a myriad of places during the day but generally would overnight in lay-bys like truckers do.
Sort the water system out so it operates with the tanks inside.
I've seen caravans on Aires in France multiple times but only out of season so there was plenty of space.
If budget is your restriction don't let negative comments put you off; do it any which way you can.
Good luck.
Click to expand...

.............for such a great post. The OP was seeking help and advice from what he perceived as a knowledgeable source -WC.
Your post is helpful, contains good practical advice as you see it and is supportive to the OP.
Your post shows how it should be done - no scathing or ridiculing comments, just a response focused on the OP's needs.
This forum needs more of the same.

Colin 😊😊😊
 
If your serious not just winding us up why do you need so much space you'd be better off without the caravan because with it you'll not be welcome most places.
 
Aye, have just read my way through the thread wondering what OP response would be...think he's been frittened off !! If finance is the issue he'd be better converting the van as suggested....or just be a normal tugger with a car....still limits his WC though.....Maja
 
***** said:
has anybody noticed, the Opening Poster has only done two posts, the first was similar to the opening post on this thread and received no replies.
Then opening poster started this thread and has NOT to date responded:idea-007:!
Click to expand...

Not as observant as you but I was thinking that it was a bit of an inflammatory question???

Richard
 
Rip the inside out of the curryvan to convert your transit and job done. That's if you are genuine and not posting to provoke a reaction?
 
My attitude to tent camping on or near an aire or wildcamping site?
Come in overnight, pitch up, clear up, clear off....
No problem. Good on em!
They don't take up two parking spaces or cause any offence to the neighbours.
If the whole thread is a wind-up.....
Nice one..well done !

Nigel Brown has time on his hands at the moment.
 
Pauljenny said:
My attitude to tent camping on or near an aire or wildcamping site?
Come in overnight, pitch up, clear up, clear off....
No problem. Good on em!
They don't take up two parking spaces or cause any offence to the neighbours.
If the whole thread is a wind-up.....
Nice one..well done !

Nigel Brown has time on his hands at the moment.
Click to expand...

Sorry to be pedantic, but Mr Brown's hands are a little smaller at present! That doesn't make him any less dangerous however.................:scared::scared::scared:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Back
Top