I have recently purchased my first caravan (early 80's, cheap, but well kept) in an attempt to replicate the happy holiday memories from my youth, and hopefully pass them on to my 2 year old little girl. I'm trying to get my head around the technical bits, but it's a lot more detailed than I imagined, and I want to do things properly. But whilst that is a challenge, what really intimidates me is the prospect of snobbery from long standing caravaners, with caravans in a different league than mine (as pictured each month in PC). Am I wrong to feel nervous?
Am I just being paranoid?
- Thread starter Rod_5082702
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Yes, I think you are being paranoid.
Until recently we used our '83 Ace, bought new, without encountering any snobbery. When we changed to a brand new, mid-market van we didn't notice any change of attitude. I'm sure there are exceptions but very few.
We all started at the beginning. Most of us remember our early, inexperienced, trips and are quite happy to help newcomers if you ask, or even interfere if you look in desperate trouble!
Until recently we used our '83 Ace, bought new, without encountering any snobbery. When we changed to a brand new, mid-market van we didn't notice any change of attitude. I'm sure there are exceptions but very few.
We all started at the beginning. Most of us remember our early, inexperienced, trips and are quite happy to help newcomers if you ask, or even interfere if you look in desperate trouble!
Hi Rod
I have an older caravan. Actually, I do think there is a little bit of snobbery in caravanning. We pitched next to a family in August and I kept saying good morning etc but got no response so gave up in the end, don't know if it was my van or tv ariel or may be they didn't like the look of me! but in the end I thought sod 'em.
But hey - don't ever let anyone make you feel intimidated, not only in caravanning but in life in general.
Personally, I don't think it should matter if you have an older van or a state of the art fabulous megga expensive van. What counts is having a good time and enjoying yourself. If people don't like an older van pitching up along side, well, in my opinion, that's their problem, not ours.
Enjoy.
Lisa.
I have an older caravan. Actually, I do think there is a little bit of snobbery in caravanning. We pitched next to a family in August and I kept saying good morning etc but got no response so gave up in the end, don't know if it was my van or tv ariel or may be they didn't like the look of me! but in the end I thought sod 'em.
But hey - don't ever let anyone make you feel intimidated, not only in caravanning but in life in general.
Personally, I don't think it should matter if you have an older van or a state of the art fabulous megga expensive van. What counts is having a good time and enjoying yourself. If people don't like an older van pitching up along side, well, in my opinion, that's their problem, not ours.
Enjoy.
Lisa.
Hi Rod
I think caravanning for small kids is absolutely fantastic,mine LOVE it, its such an adventure,Park next to me any time with your little girl and they can all play together and we'll have some bevvys and then who cares what the hell your in life is too short,anyone who doesnt like it can s*d off !! x
I think caravanning for small kids is absolutely fantastic,mine LOVE it, its such an adventure,Park next to me any time with your little girl and they can all play together and we'll have some bevvys and then who cares what the hell your in life is too short,anyone who doesnt like it can s*d off !! x
Rod, most of us started with the cheap and cheerful, some like to keep it that way. No matter what van you have, if I get an invite to have a look round I take it, they all interest me. There is no such thing as the perfect van, what you loose in one respect you gain in another. You do get the odd snob, but you get them where ever you go and what ever you do. So don't feel nervous, if you have any techy questions this is the place to get your answers. We have all been in your position before, so welcome to our world, pull up a keyboard and come on in.
Rod I think by now you will have got the drift most of us are in caravanning to enjoy ourselves Lisa ,Tina ,Lol etc say it all .Have a great time ,enjoy yourself and next summer is going to be Sunshine from april to october Coljac
Yaaayyy !Rod I think by now you will have got the drift most of us are in caravanning to enjoy ourselves Lisa ,Tina ,Lol etc say it all .Have a great time ,enjoy yourself and next summer is going to be Sunshine from april to october Coljac
Sunshine in April!!!!,thats gonna melt ya easter egg.Rod I think by now you will have got the drift most of us are in caravanning to enjoy ourselves Lisa ,Tina ,Lol etc say it all .Have a great time ,enjoy yourself and next summer is going to be Sunshine from april to october Coljac
Even better, now to find something to dip in it ! (;Rod I think by now you will have got the drift most of us are in caravanning to enjoy ourselves Lisa ,Tina ,Lol etc say it all .Have a great time ,enjoy yourself and next summer is going to be Sunshine from april to october Coljac
LOL,.....no not you Lol ,sorryRod I think by now you will have got the drift most of us are in caravanning to enjoy ourselves Lisa ,Tina ,Lol etc say it all .Have a great time ,enjoy yourself and next summer is going to be Sunshine from april to october Coljac
Hi Rod, we started with a trailer tent, then bought a clapped out Sprite and now have a Bailey bordeaux. You find that all people are different, irrelevant of what 'van they own or which car they drive (don't listen to people who go on about new car/new van/'orrible kids syndrome). We chat to anyone, it makes no difference if they're black, white, pink, yellow, rich, poor, fat, thin, tenters, caravanners. We all have that one thing in common.....we're all campers. During Whitsun week, the family on the next pitch had a wreck of a caravan and looked as if they shopped at C&A, but were the nicest family anyone could wish to meet. I helped him put up his awning and lent him my tools and time to put his front window back in when it fell out (I told you it was a wreck!!). We had a beer & a laugh, that's why we go away. It's true you get the miserable ones, but I'm certain it's more shyness than rudeness. Anyway, goodluck in your new van and hope you have many happy trips away in it.
Hi Rod - congratulations for endeavouring to let your little girl experience the times you enjoyed when you were young. it would do well if a lot more people endevoured to do just that.
Like in general life you will meet every type of person at sites and if you experience a snob attitude from some one the answer is to ignore them. I say good morning or hello every time I meet people, and I usually get a reply but if silence is experienced after a couple of tries then I get on with my life. Enjoy and keep your chin up.
Like in general life you will meet every type of person at sites and if you experience a snob attitude from some one the answer is to ignore them. I say good morning or hello every time I meet people, and I usually get a reply but if silence is experienced after a couple of tries then I get on with my life. Enjoy and keep your chin up.
Rod your caravan doesnt matter to most people, its your attitude to others that is more important. If you have the right attitude to others they will show it to you. Theres nothing to be ashamed of in having an older van, most start of like that to see if we enjoy this kind of life. When I first pitched up Rod I too was like you, my main priority was to get the heating working because it was so cold. The following morning when getting water I was talking to an elderly gent and explained it was my first time out and I was now going to attept to get the water running. He ended up showing me how to do everything. It does seem technical at first Rod but it soon falls into place and you get into a routine. Do the same as we did, type out a TO DO LIST for setting up and packing up then get it laminated. You will almost sense unfriendly people but Im not to sure if thats snobbery. In all walks of life there are unfriendly, anti-social people Rod and caravanning is no different. If your not sure of anything just ask Rod and in 99.99% of the time someone will help. After about 3 times out you will wonder what you worried about. Enjoy it Rod and I hope you have many happy days away with your family.
Hi Rod
We are luck enough to own a 2004 (bought almost new)van for our first caravan, but in no way does that make me feel a snob or the fact that I should not socialise on site with others who have olde set ups. Nearly every time we have been away this year we have had people with older caravans, VW campers etc and each time we have ended up speaking to them. In every case where there have been children our own children have ended up making friends. Just this weekend gone we met someone with a much older set up and car all round to ours, the kids made friends and swopped email addresses so I really think you have nothing to worry about and just ignore those few individuals on site who cannot be bothered to have the decency to reply to your kind 'good morning' jestures, they are probably not the type of people you woulod want to mix with anyway (".)
We are luck enough to own a 2004 (bought almost new)van for our first caravan, but in no way does that make me feel a snob or the fact that I should not socialise on site with others who have olde set ups. Nearly every time we have been away this year we have had people with older caravans, VW campers etc and each time we have ended up speaking to them. In every case where there have been children our own children have ended up making friends. Just this weekend gone we met someone with a much older set up and car all round to ours, the kids made friends and swopped email addresses so I really think you have nothing to worry about and just ignore those few individuals on site who cannot be bothered to have the decency to reply to your kind 'good morning' jestures, they are probably not the type of people you woulod want to mix with anyway (".)
Think I'm having one of "those" Nights!Rod I think by now you will have got the drift most of us are in caravanning to enjoy ourselves Lisa ,Tina ,Lol etc say it all .Have a great time ,enjoy yourself and next summer is going to be Sunshine from april to october Coljac
Rod I`ve only been caravaning since 1999, forget what you sleep in, I`ve always found that a cheery goodmorning, or how are you ,gets everyone smiling,(well there`s always one that will ignore you)It`s your attitude to others that matter, and lets face it if no one bought 2nd hand vans what would dealers do with trade ins, keep smiling mate see you on a site somewhere. good luck TONY A>
Well Rod, let's face it!!! Your van is probably much better made than the modern ones of the present day. I remember our first van was coach built and 10+ years old when we bought it. We loved it, even though when we arrived on site we found that the small fridge had 'walked' from the rear kitchen area to the front of the van. It was lovely and cosy and much loved.
We were sited next to an elderly couple in a Royale on a site this year. What a lovely caravan it was and obviously well looked after and cherished,AND the couple were lovely too.
Go for it - ignore those who wish to be left alone - and enjoy your holidays with your little girl. Don't feel inferior, remember your van is your pride and joy whatever age it is!!!
Good luck.
Ann
We were sited next to an elderly couple in a Royale on a site this year. What a lovely caravan it was and obviously well looked after and cherished,AND the couple were lovely too.
Go for it - ignore those who wish to be left alone - and enjoy your holidays with your little girl. Don't feel inferior, remember your van is your pride and joy whatever age it is!!!
Good luck.
Ann
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