Motorhome or Caravan - which would be easier to find sites with 4 dogs on board?

rosetube

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Hello everyone,

I have wanted to go motorhoming and or caravaning for years and am chomping at the bit now to travel aroung Europe for a few months - maybe doing some woofing on the way. I have only just realised that dogs are a problem in sites and I have 4. Is this a Big problem? :rolleyes2: I'm really hoping that this isn't my bubble burst.

I know very little about all this. Do you have to camp on sites? If in a motor home can you pull into a layby/ lorry stop over or other place? Any advice would be very well received.

Thank you very much.
 
Most people who 'travel' in Europe go by motorhome, it's easier to find places to stay off-site, and, for most people, there is more choice as to where you can go. If you prefer to stay on-site, then a caravan can give you more comfort and a more stable base from which to explore areas.
As usual, it's a compromise, we chose motorhome, and for us, it works well. Dogs are no more of a problem abroad than here, you just have to decide which way you prefer, take resonable precautions, be prepared for some mishaps, but most of all, enjoy the experience. Don't spend too much time planning the perfect trip, it doesn't exist........look forward to unplanned diversions and experiences......GO FOR IT and have fun.
 
Thanks very much Windyjools!:D

Looks like I need to cough up some cash for a motor home so!... my Seat Toledo will only tolerate a light 2 berth anyway. I'll be in Munich in 2 weeks so I might have a peak at some of the motor homes there although I suspect they will be out of my class. Am going mental to hit the road so I think I just need to dive in....


Any other advice much appreciated - particularly regarding the 4 hounds...
 
hi i hardly ever use sites here or abroad . usually have a dog with me . she as been travelling since 99 before the passport scheme came out . get a motor home or better still a mini artic . or a fifth wheel camper . choice is yours .but dont miss out . lots of fun out there .
 
Thanks VWalan:D,
Will be travelling on my own apart from the dogs so I appreciate the support .
I just checked out the artic and 5 wheel campers - second hand looks less scareyprice wise than I thought and great idea VWalan.;) May still be financially out of my league but will look closely at that.
 
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Mini Artic ;)
 

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bet they only sold little pies or mini things to eat.
not yorkie bars . (not for girls)
 
VWalan.... wow that's amazing!
Thanks a million for your help!...... The dream continues.....:angel:

Are the 5th wheels easy enough to drive? and are they heavy i.e. hard on diesal?
 
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Unfortunately, I am impartial on this point. Straight answer: Motorhome, no contest.☺☺☺
 
far easier than a normal caravan . mine does about 16-18 to the gallon . but does run a 3.9 motor . my vw lt50 did about 20 to thr gallon on a 2,4 6 cylinder engine . manouverabilty is really good .thats why we have artic trucks .
that one would i think be slow (the ldv)but then so was my vw . but it went all over europe and maroc several times . i still have it as a spare tug. after all you arent in a rush.
can always change it later. but at 35,000miles should be okay for a few more.
mind the iveco daily would drive ok i should think .
i like the idea of the ldv double cab gives room for the dogs . or even a emergency bed for you . i use mine here as a occasional sleeper cab.
 
Motorhome. Definitely.

I wuz gonna go the artic route messen, having been a lorry driver for 30 odd* years, but I was offered a Hymer at such a good price that I decided to go 'rigid'. Haven't looked back since.

*very odd, most of it!

Tone
 
all i can say is have had mine 12 yrs now . best move i ever did . have had alsorts of campers over the years . but totally happy with mine . mind do keep getting an itch to push a fuso 4x4 canter under the trailer. think i could break it though. it already goes into the sahara and up the atlas mountains . i dare say if a hymer fits so will mine . its only 3mtr high .
 
Dogs are Dogs, whether in a Motorhome or Caravan, Motorhomes are easier to find wild camping places in and easier for travelling in, depending on how much extra baggage you intend to use, I.E.awnings, flags etc, do you have storage for a 5th Wheeler , I notice you are becoming interested in them, be aware that they are, { can be }very long and require manoeuvring space, easy enough to drive with practice, be aware that Campsites usually charge per tail for dogs too, so that can get expensive .5 th Wheelers are good value for money usually as it is a Niche market and as they are not so sought after as your average Motorhome due to size and storage problems you will get more for your money, Alan is the man for these things as he has had them many years and will be able to answer your queries best.:cool1:
 
hi .mine is 20ft long altogether 10mtr in fact my mazda bongo pulling a 10ft caravan is only 9inches shorter all told .
i can get mine by my house at home . so no probs there. every one as ideas of what they want . i carry m,bikes in the back usually .only small dax .monkey bikes . i wild camp almost all the time . can say there is no need to have a car on aframe or trailer . many do that makes for areal long combination . mine can be turned round on a normal 2 lane road . mind it will scrub the trailer tyres but makes it very manouverable. also on ferries its cheaper on length as cars /caravans are normally allowed 11mtr in the cheap bracket ,mine fits that .
but you make a choice . i say there are bargains out there . spend less and you have less to lose. some new m,homes are losing as much as 8 grand a year in the first 5 yrs . rv,s even more .
can admit there are a few places down here in cornwall i couldnt get to .but neither would most m,homes , a vw t2 or a mazda bongo .toyota hiace .certainly have an edge on small lanes . cant have it all ways . they cant carry so much of the cheaper items that you can buy in different countries etc .
have fun buy wisely but have an adventure .
 
Remember that a caravan that is unhitched from a car and on the highway is technically illegal. I know you see it all the time in England but some of the police on the mainland are not so tolerant! Also, if you want to use aires then they are for motorhomes only (and I have seen the police turn caravans off). Other than that, have a good trip.
 
never had a problem on aires .and a parked trailer in a safe /sensible place is also not a problem . trucks drop their trailers very often . having said that .i dont actually drop mine very often when away . shop in supermarkets etc just find big carparks far easier than trying to park a 40ft trailer when on continental driving .
12 years ago when i first converted mine it was a bit rare to see a 5er but they are becoming a bit more popular now. think its best not to go too big though .
 
Hi and welcome to the site :welcome:
We prefer a Motorhome, they give more freedom, we move on everyday so a caravan is not for us.
We have one dog and don't have a problem with him in the van.
It might be a good idea to go to your local dealer to have a look at the various layouts and vans out there as there are many variations.
Goodluck
Lotty
 
Hi. I agree with Lotty. We had a caravan for years, but since getting the motorhome we have never looked back. So much more freedom, not having to stay on sites. Also we take our dog with us, and has never been a problem. Good luck.

Angela.
 
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