hi new member

[happyvanman]

Hi my name is shane and have been caravanning for a relatively short time of 4yrs. had three caravans in that time due to natural progression and currently have a pegasus 546 and tow with a kia sedona. have a wife an three young children and like to get away whenever possible i see it as cheap therapy for the whole family...lol

 

[mealsonwheels]

Hi Happyvanman & family and welcome to the forum.
Yes, having a touring caravan or motorhome is a wonderful way of life and we agree that it is very good therapy for unwinding from the stresses of life. Especially sitting outside on warm evenings on a CL and watching the sunset!
Children can learn so much more about the countryside around them when you're away caravanning - butterflies, birds, wild flowers on a countryside walk or visiting an RSPB reserve, the fun of rock pooling and crabbing, castles to visit, trips on steam trains and new friends to make, it can even be a good introduction to map reading, with an OS map spread out planning where to go the next day. Some children have never heard an Owl hooting - something they're sure to hear when away in the caravan and chances are, they'll be caravanners too one day, as many of us who caravanned as children, are now.

 

[happyvanman]

thank you for replying.That is a fantastic suggestion with the mapreading.Yes we enjoy the caravan holidays although we normally just go for weekends we still consider this the best hobby we have ever taken up and fellow caravanners are like i remember most folk used to be,helpful and polite. we intend our kids to grow up respecting the countryside and also knowing where the food comes from and normally frequent the cl sites around the country as these offer real value for money and get us closer to what we are aiming for as most are on farms as you will know, and so long as there is fresh water an a mains hook up etc we are happy bunnies without all the trimmings associated with most commercial sites

 

[Robtel]

Hi Shane, (loved the film! suppose that's giving my age away) welcome to the forum.

 

[happyvanman]

Thank you Rob-T

 

[Beachball]

Hi shane welcome to the practical caravan forum any questions a great bunch on here you will get a answer it seems Bailey caravans are popular on here you got one and i have one .

 

[happyvanman]

thank you beachball, has anyone ever used an aeroplus wind deflector... i own one which i used for my previous motor(citroen synergie) which was 90bhp and struggled on hills and in any kind of wind/behind hgv's as well. would give them a big thumbs up for anyone with a underpowered car or just wanting to return slightly better mpg as i found mine did all the above and helped keep my temperature guage at a reasonable level as car wasnt working as hard to pull the caravan. will be modifying the brackets so it fits the kia i own now to see if it returns better fuel figures too!

 

[NigelDonnelly]

Welcome to the forum. Great to see you on here!

 

[Mel]

Hi Shane. We used to tow with a Kia sedona. Marvellous beast. Not quite so great parking when solo though. Do they still have the foot operated hand brake? OH said it was fine. I hated it. Great for loads of kids and their friends. Most of ours have grown up and left home now so it is just us two and our teenage foster son; so we have "down sized" the tow car to a Sante Fe.

. Welcome to the forum.
mel

 

[happyvanman]

thank you nigel and mel... i must admit the sedona handles like a square wheel but tow's like a train mine is a 2005 model and has a manual handbrake but i find it a good tow all the same..there are other cars out there but you cut your cloth accordingly....lmao

 

[Parksy]

Hi Shane, welcome to the Practical Caravan forum.
I'd agree that caravanning is a gret way to spend quality time with your kids in the great outdoors, have you ever considered weekend rallies?
Many C&CC district association rallies visit places where caravans wouldn't normally have access to, and there's usually a wide range of activities for children who meet other kids to make friends with.

 

[happyvanman]

hi Parksy,thank you for the welcome. we havent even thought about rallies yet as we normally holiday with family but sounds like something we might consider trying at some point.

 

[MJ02]

Hi Shane, welcome to the forums.

 

[happyvanman]

Thank you MJ02

 

[MrBell]

welcome to the forum. I havent been caravanning for ver long but have done a fair few miles. Me and my fiance have a little two birth bailey and did weekends for a couple of times but found its better to go for a week as you get to know your area better.
If you have any questions there will be a person on here who will be able to help you.
If you want to know about a site stick a thread on as someone may have been to it and tell you what it like.
Enjoy your camping!!

 

[Martin24]

If you're thinking about map reading then have a look into geocaching as well, lots of free fun wherever you're staying. Our three love it, as do we. Have even turned the car and van into a travel bug! Not that we've been spotted yet!!

 

[happyvanman]

lol will consider trying this the next time we go away... might even hide some goodies as a reward at the end....