Single Lady, Starting to Tour at 60! - advice please!!

[TheTravelMan]

Hi,

I am posting this on behalf of a friend and looking for any general advice and comments you may be able to provide so that i can pass on....

Lady in her early 60's, currently has a Static Caravan of which during the summer months loves and spends alot of time in.

However her current static is getting old and the site its on may ask her to remove it within the next couple of years. With this in mind she has been looking into upgrading her static to gain more mod cons, central heating and double glazing to name but a few. However she is looking at around £20,000 minimum to find to upgrade, this with increased ground rent at around £ 4,500 per year is making the whole concept rather expensive.

She has asked for advice as to whether, at her age in her early 60's and having walking difficulties, would it be worth considering changing from a static to a tourer, mainly for the simple fact of affordability?

She currently owns a 2.0ltr Diesel Citroen Picasso which is fitted with a tow bar.

She mainly caravans alone but on occasions a friend or family member does go along with her.

If she did go touring I would think she would look for something quite lightweight but big enough to provide room to take a friend with her on occasions.

She would still want some sort of home comforts and central heating, aswell as probably a motor mover.

She may even decide to buy brand new ... considering she may be able to afford around £10,000 more comfortably for a new tourer.. thinking here maybe a Bailey Ranger or Sprite, other suggestions appreciated!!!

What are your general views and comments... is this a good idea or not?

what else could you recommend.... we also though of a motorhome but they are expensive to start with.

Look Forward to your comments.

Many Thanks.

Andrew.

 

[Mike_5041144]

Hi Andrew

My concern with a caravan is coupling/uncoupling to her Picasso. Yes a motor mover will bring the car/van together etc. but some strength is required to hitch up. After hitching the Alko lever needs to be levered down and they are quite stiff [for anti-snaking].

If she is happy to consider towing then a modest motor home should hold no fears for her and to me makes far more sense. Used Motor homes should be available within her budget with all the comforts of a caravan.

A Motor home would me my advice as I think her walking difficulties would make her much more independent than trying to cope with a caravan.

Mike

 

[john_374342067]

Hi

I would have to agree with Mike on this one the only way to go would b a motor home, plus they have the optional xtra of that leanto awning thingy (tecnical hehehehe)where as the hassle trying to set up an awning for her would b altogether to much

Hope i helped a littlw

John P

 

[Tram]

There are two problems with motorhomes;

one is that it is a comparatively big and greedy vehicle to use for normal at-home running around and parking.

And two, When you are set up on site you are stuck there unless you break camp because, obviously, you have no other transport.

Those points aside, we would change to one.

All the best to your friend, i do hope she resolves her dilemma.

 

[LadyMo]

With your friend's difficulties walking........how would she cope having to fill Aquaroll and emptying toilet cassette?

Not all sites have super pitches.

Maureen

 

[rob_jax]

So whatever she does is going to cost her a fairly substantial cash payment.

Motorhomes have the obvious advantage of not needing to couple up, but for someone with walking difficluties - a caravan gives you the freedom of the car. But neither is probably totally ideal.

So, on a totally different approach - for the

 

[LMH]

Hi

Just to put my spin on this. I do the towing, however, husband does the hitching up. On our first caravan I really struggled to release the handbreak (didn't have a gas strut).

Also, will your friend be able to change a tyre if necessary? Will she be able to jack the caravan/car up if needed?

Will she be able to carry and install a full gas bottle?

Has she towed before? If not, maybe she should try one of the courses first to see how she feels.

Lisa

 

[TheTravelMan]

Thanks everyone for your comments - i will pass them on.

I'm sure this decision will not be made in a flash but time and serious consideration is needed - Looking from all angles and all pro's and cons!

Cheers!

 

[Chaps]

We recently got our first caravan and love the life but it is quite hard work setting up etc. but we're sure it'll get easier as we become more practised. Rob's parents have a motorhome and that does seem a bit more straightforward but we like the freedom of having the car. Towing is not as bad as we thought it was going to be and your friend would probably have a smaller van than ours so she'd probably find it even easier. No disrespect but being a woman she probably drives at a more sedate pace normally anyway so towing doesn't seem to slow one down so much (that's what Claire finds anyway!) Claire can manage to hitch up without much problem (the poster above is right about needing quite a lot of strength to engage the stabiliser though) but she's a bit younger than your friend.

Hope she is able to make the right decision as there's so much pleasure to be had from exploring our wonderful countryside.

Claire & Rob

 

[UKHunk]

Well while i agree a moterhome,there are pitfalls,but why not think of the FREEDOM lightweight caravan,its no wider than your car and only about 9 foot in length,The only problem being is if you are over 6 foot yourself,Good luck and at 60 i still caravan on my own and i enjoy it,

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

When at Loch Lomond a lady arrived towing an Eriba and she was in her 80s. She did everything herself although I'm not saying everyone can, it depends on their disability. Got to admire her though :O)

 

[Gwilym_374347294]

As a disabled caravaner, who has changed from a campervan.

I am suprised by the input on this Q, Yes your friend may have some dificalties, but these can be sorted out .

Far to often do abile persons think that we less able can not do things they can.

But every problem has a salution, all your friend needs is a bit of advice from persons who overcome the probs.

I know of disabled persons on this forum and on other forums who have disabilities that they have to use a wheelchair but still tow caravans and pich them .

Freedom caravans can be purchased for under

 

[EmmanuelMuldoon]

As she does'nt have to make an immediate decision, and already has a tow bar, I suggest she hires a Van and takes it to a local (to the hire source) site for a few days as a "trial". Some Van hire Companies will even deliver to a site for you if she did'nt fancy towing initially?

 

[Gwilym_374347294]

As she does'nt have to make an immediate decision, and already has a tow bar, I suggest she hires a Van and takes it to a local (to the hire source) site for a few days as a "trial". Some Van hire Companies will even deliver to a site for you if she did'nt fancy towing initially?

Good idea, and also there are sites were she can store and use the caravan without towing it.