[Closed] What's wrong with tents?

Sleeping bag? He has a sleeping bag?

He were lucky....

Only gravel to eat as well

And working 29 hours a day.

when I say tent - I mean paper bag but I call it a tent

Paper bag? Luxury!

I had an old crisp packet to sleep in and had to check in the corners if I wanted to eat.

🙂

I don't really like hotels or B&Bs for holidays.

We were on Harris last week and stayed a couple of nights at a campsite (Horgabost for those familiar) in our van (DIY job based on a Ducato - not as achingly hip as a T4/5 but actually has enough space inside to live well and carry all the toys, which kind of seems the point). We had a bit of weather - hiking tents survived as did some mega teepee with an infinite number of guy ropes. But the traditional millets/argos family tents got flattened. 4 of them in a skip the next morning. This is not a good thing in the Outer Hebrides - no shops to speak of to replace them and at this time of year every B&B is full and every ferry off back to the mainland prebooked up. A party of 10 made up of two families with 4 kids under 5 were struggling for a plan B. Other campers rallied around and dug out spare tents to help out but it was not fun for them. Campsite supervisor said the same thing happened the week before and a mini version happened the next day too (mini only because all the easy meat had been nuked on our first night there).

I kicked my van tyres - seemed ok, so popped the kettle on, put the jacket spuds in the oven and went back to reading my book whilst waiting for the weather to pick up.

Haven't read all the comments, and I have to go to bed soon...

I've had a van of some sort for about 19 years now. A Type 2, 2 x T4s and now a T5, it's relatively simple but is comfy and has everything we need. For us a van is much better than a tent, we spend a fair bit of time away in it and a mixture of campsites and discreet spots. The convenience of jumping in it and heading off with minimal fuss and then being "pitched" within 30 seconds of arriving can't be beaten by a tent. Off the top of my head this year we've had 20 nights in it so far and another 13 nights in France at the end of the month, last year we used it even more.

Yes you can get more off the beaten track with a tent, but there's compromises with most things in life.

I do notice on the T5 forums that there are a lot people that seem to buy them just to look at, with comments like "no, of course I don't cook in my van. It would make it smell." Which I find odd, and have awnings the size of a garage. But each to their own 🙂

With the number of people travelling from the bed-bug infested places in the world hotels and B&Bs are less and less attractive. We're back from a walk across Portugal and Spain and had rucksacs infested with univited passengers by the second week. Get home, leave bags at end of garden, strip naked before entering the house, shower and head for the local deep freeze seller (we got dressed first). Everything then has to be frozen for three and a half days (freezer at -29°C). It matters not if you stay in a cheap B&B or 5* hotel there's the same risk it's been infested. The bites take a few days to come up and initially you think they're mozzy bites so we no doubt contaminated a few other places before realising and staying exclusively in the tent rather than further contaminate.

Edit: it's also quite possible that we contaminated the baggage of other passengers in the two busses we took home. Anyhow something to think about when you travel. In future we'll be throwing everything in the freezer for a few days after each trip away.

I have a theory that will probably get totally shot down but I reckon camper vans are the new mid-life crisis vehicles.

Tell that to my dad, who inflicted a Fiat Amigo camper on us for nearly a decade growing up. Yes I did sleep under it with my brother, as a five don't actually fit in a Fiat 126 based camper and matching awning.... We were skint, and it was cheap and daily school bus for 6 kids...!

And it made you what you are, Matt. Sounds ace!

Yeah, but if ever I change brakes on a car, I feel sleepy...

A campervan would be great for comfort and ease with advancing years and family disabilities, but I'd never stop solo-camping/cycle-touring as long as I'm able, as for me there's nothing better. For longer holidays/city-breaks/out of season etc (when a tent woould be the worst option) I enjoy self-catering over B n B or (shudder) hotels. As for family camping we recently began using an old trailer-tent, which is a strange hybrid caravan-tent beast. Sturdy, easy to tow, bit of a pain to put up on my own but once it's up (replete with the huge awning) it's like a small house made from canvas, with beds up off the ground. This last feature makes all of the difference IMO. It stinks of invisible mildew though. Hoping to sort it out when the sun next shines, would be a shame to ditch it. Until, that is, we win the lottery and I get that fully-electric 4x4 mini-RV designed and built 😎

*Edit - really don't get the the VW 'thing', with all the brand-loyalty, hubcap hubris, posing and chequerered-flag plimsolls etc? But each to their own, we're all chimps doing our crazy things.

There's is a lot of truth in this thread TBF.
I'm rapidly approaching 40 & going through a divorce. I needed a new vehicle and the midlife crisis handbook suggested it should be either a van or a sports car. I chose a van. I'm doing a DIY conversion and the van wasn't that expensive (not being a T5). For a while at least it'll be my only vehicle so the extra running costs over a car aren't really an issue. It's definitely a lifestyle/aspirational thing though - I'm thinking of mine like:
1 - a big car with advantage of being able to sit in the back, make a brew and bacon sandwich whenever/wherever I want
2 - A small tent that doesn't need pitching, is better insulated, a more comfortable bed and has a proper fridge and cooking facilities

Only time will tell whether 1&2 justify the financial outlay. But life is short and sometimes you just need to do it.

Nevermind tents or living the dublife a caravan is where is is at.

I’m doing a DIY conversion and the van wasn’t that expensive (not being a T5). For a while at least it’ll be my only vehicle so the extra running costs over a car aren’t really an issue.

A word of warning - the number of insurance companies that will insure a self built camper is relatively small. Of that group the number that will then permit its use as a commuter vehicle is smaller again. We use The Insurance Factory (previously known as insurance choice) as a broker. Not a problem for us as I live at work but I did have to 'prove' how I got to work if it was not in my only vehicle.

Nevermind tents or living the dublife a caravan is where is is at.

I know you are not alone on this forum in thinking that.....

How can I put this without sounding a snob - don't think I can...... We finished our two week Hebridean and Highland trip last week at a really big campsite, somewhere we would never normally go. Basically a holiday park (Sands campsite, near Gairloch) but really good for what it is. Rammed this time of year. Because it is set in the dunes and the ground is rolling' there are some sections that are open to campervans and tents and caravans are excluded. In turn there are some areas exclusively used by caravans though campervans could use them if they wanted. The social divide was stark. The most feral kids leaked out of the caravans, the fattest adults slobbed next to their white boxes in the caravan sections, The shoutyest conversations came from the caravans, the general abandonment of goods and chattels where they fell was around the caravans. They collectively gave the impression of wannabe gypos. The whole thing gave me extra resolve that I'll never become a caravaner.

Mind you I wouldn't want to join the big (by that I mean big enough for a double axle) motorhome crowd either - too many self orientated cocks in that group. Block the view for everyone else, block access to paths, run a generator all evening in a place where it's not allowed so they can run their big tvs.

don’t think I can……

You were right.

You couldn't.

Oh I love camping. We do comfy camping.

A tent you can stand up in. A memory foam mattress topper. Couple of extra large picnic blankets underneath to help prevent damp. Couple of duvets temperature depending and pillows.

We don’t take much else, two light and cheap but perfectly serviceable chairs. Small folding table, coffee table style. Single ring has burner. Water container. Bikes.

Still takes ages to pack the car, we don’t take too long to set up but it’s a right pain the the dark or bad weather. Striking camp is ****ing miserable in the rain, i hate having to try and dry a big wet muddy tent.

Love being outdoors all weekend though. It feels so good.

For single night trips which we take the pop up 3 man and wouldn’t take chairs or stove etc.

The memory foam mattress we use is a king size. I’ve yet to see a decent small and lightweight camper or caravan with a king size bed (the length is key for tall Mr Kitty)

It’s not always v cheap staying on campsites though - we are paying £34 a night for a non-electric woodland pitch in a few weeks!!!

A campervan would be great for comfort and ease with advancing years and family disabilities, but I’d never stop solo-camping/cycle-touring as long as I’m able, as for me there’s nothing better.

They shouldn't really be exclusive though should they? "Sorry kids, no family holiday for you this year, daddy's going bikepacking!"

The whole thing gave me extra resolve that I’ll never become a caravaner.

Not sure if trolling or.. but this reflects your choice of site more than anything else. Where I stay, on a small field in the countryside usually, everyone's pretty middle class. You'd love it.

Also, it may come as a surprise to you, but your choice of vehicle doesn't then dictate the sort of person you become.

Love being outdoors all weekend though. It feels so good.

Of course, even if you have a caravan or camper van to sleep in, you don't actually have to sit in it all day.

Nothing. Tents are great. So is my van. Depends where you’re staying and what you’re doing.

One thing I really don't get is the small campers - vee dub or similar - I hired one a couple of times - so tiny that you cannot cook properly in it and no loo for that nighttime pee and you have make the bed up every night and no room for your bikes.

I'm going from caravan to campervan. Step down in comfort/space, but I find towing a PITA and I want to do more remote places as well as spontaneous shorter single overnighters. Caravanning is not conducive to doing this. (Hopefully an add will be appearing in the classifieds soon 🤭😉)

A word of warning – the number of insurance companies that will insure a self built camper is relatively small. Of that group the number that will then permit its use as a commuter vehicle is smaller again. We use The Insurance Factory (previously known as insurance choice) as a broker. Not a problem for us as I live at work but I did have to ‘prove’ how I got to work if it was not in my only vehicle.

Thanks, that's worth knowing. My van is currently insured for commuting, but I live <5 miles away and haven't driven to work in 12 years (99% cycle, 1% bus), so it won't be a big issue if commuting is specifically excluded from the policy (though I'd rather have it, just in case)

A-Plan were more than happy to insure my T5 for both use as a camper and for business/commercial use.

*Edit – really don’t get the the VW ‘thing’,

I used to enjoy the air-cooled VW thing, it's a great scene that I used to be really in to, which is why I originally stuck with VWs. The current T5 VW thing I can't get in to, some of the stuff I see on the forums is cringe worthy. My next van won't be a VW this time.

A-Plan were more than happy to insure my T5 for both use as a camper and for business/commercial use.

Have you reclassified it as a campervan or is it just a commercial vans with some fittings inside/ stealth camper?

I don't know about vw camper vans being the new mid life crisis but they are definitely the sheeps vehicle of choice.

There seems to be a big percentage of them that are owned by the type of person that always has to have the latest iphone, wears superdry clothes, has a hipster beard, started drinking gin since it turned trendy instead of something only your nan would drink, etc etc

And then theres the obligatory stick man family sticker and T5 number plate!

Have you reclassified it as a campervan or is it just a commercial vans with some fittings inside/ stealth camper?

Ours is classified as a camper and includes commuting with Brentacre.

In fact I've never had an issue getting insured for commuting, a van was my only vehicle for about 7 years at one point.

@MarkBrewer we make sure we distance ourselves from that lot by not cleaning it and not repairing the rust & dented door. Oh, and by actually camping in it 🙂

Still takes ages to pack the car, we don’t take too long to set up but it’s a right pain the the dark or bad weather. Striking camp is **** miserable in the rain, i hate having to try and dry a big wet muddy tent.

Family tents are good for families!
We have one and have just come back from a week away in Cornwall, that's four of us and three dogs. I also have a van and having the same amount of breathing bodies inside is not pleasant.
I think everyone has a preference and that's fine, but to say "shit" family tents smacks of snobbery, as a kid my family always camped in a great big orange canvas tent and these were the best holidays I ever had, we had NO money and a mini van with the windows cut out.
I also have my bivvy bag, and trust me on this one, you look very odd on a campsite.
I love minimal camping on my bike, its not fair to expect the same of my family. I think it is very sad when people try camping for the first time and the weather is rubbish and they never do it again and end up putting it all on the bay.
I am 54 and I am happy to sleep on the ground but everyone is different. I do believe that good gear makes it better, and yes GO outdoors sells some very cheap stuff and I would say we have all made that mistake, buy cheap, buy twice.
I have never had an issue with the weather, if it rains and I don't fancy it, I make a brew and read a book, wait for the weather to change or accept it and just ride through it.

Sounds like you DO need a caravan or b&b tbh

No, I don't actually.

I can love camping without loving packing the car or having to deal with a wet tent if it rains!

Trying to replicate hotel/b&b style luxury on a campsite is just bloody stupid,

But why would you go away on holiday and be uncomfortable? A comfortable sleeping situation is a key requirement of a successful holiday. And TBF I'm more likely to get hat with my camping nest bed set up than I am in a B&B.

Caravan would be more hassle - going and fetching it, need a new car that can tow, lower speeds, etc etc etc + expense

Camper would in theory be awesome but I wouldn't use it anywhere near enough to justify the £

One thing I really don’t get is the small campers – vee dub or similar – I hired one a couple of times – so tiny that you cannot cook properly in it and no loo for that nighttime pee and you have make the bed up every night and no room for your bikes.

It depends if it's also your everyday transport. Motorhomes, with loos, permanent bedrooms and bike storage aren't something you want for going shopping etc, the parking alone is a nightmare, plus fuel costs/planet raping. Then you need somewhere to park a big van near your house.

And we don't all have week bladders.

And we don’t all have week bladders.

I think about 16 hours is the longest I've managed.

A whole week is very impressive.

😂 @Perchy
I'm with Kittyr on the tent front. Nowt wrong with massive family tents, especially if you have a family. If I hadn't gone down the campervan conversion route that's exactly what I'd be getting.

Caravanning/Campervanning/camping are all a compromise in some way. None is better than the other, it's just down to personal preference, costs and other practicalities (storage etc.). It's just ace been out in the countryside and away from it all 👍

t depends if it’s also your everyday transport. Motorhomes, with loos, permanent bedrooms and bike storage aren’t something you want for going shopping etc, the parking alone is a nightmare, plus fuel costs/planet raping. Then you need somewhere to park a big van near your house.

And we don’t all have week bladders.

I get not wanting a bus bus of a motorhome. I borrowed my parent's Hymer style (a niesmann bischoff) a couple of times when they had it and it was long enough and wide enough to take 4 parking spaces in a supermarket. Great to live in and not bad to drive about the Highlands but too much forward thinking required for me.

In true traditional recommend what you have got - I'd propose this sort of size works best:-

That's just an image from google - ours is a DIY equivalent.

The space advantage is significant over a T4/5 - we have a permanent transverse bed with the toy cupboard/boot beneath. It's easy living and no more expensive on ferries etc as it sneaks under 6m. With a solar panel on the roof, 200 amp hours of battery and 150L of water we can be static and self sufficient for a good few days without top ups or emptying. Does 34 mpg with a 3L 160 bhp engine to get up the lumpy stuff. If you are into buying not making they are also often cheaper (new and used) than their T4/5 brethren. I can't believe the price of some of these T5s. They are not as 'cool' though are they which is maybe a drawback for some but for me they are the sweet spot.

Kids having their own tent is fine but they want to be around you and play is a shared space. Nothing wrong with that!

Some campsites also charge for additional pup tents. My 18 yr old drove down and joined us for a few days and just crashed out on the floor of the big tent with his dog.

mrsm* bought a second hand tent a while ago. Seemingly quite nice. It's enormous, spacious, separate sleeping compartments, a central bit for eating, an awning. It takes ages to put up. I can't stand it.

* the joint account

We've done two near identical holidays in NZ, pre-kids. First time around, hired a camper. Moderately comfy just about for two, handy to park up for lunch then trundle off again. Never really used any "wild" sites perhaps because we couldn't be bothered with it by the time we'd driven miles to get somewhere. I can see the weekend surf warrior / MTB / etc thing working in a van. Won't do a whole holiday in one again though.

Next time - had a car. Used B&Bs. Miles better. Less clutter, travelled light, ate better, cost less.

Also done folding caravan in the past. Very low storage footprint. Comfort level of a basic normal van. Fair contender for a few nights away and way less spendy than a motorhome or normal van. Pitching / striking in rain not a massive deal. Have considered getting one many times as they fit two kids plus two adults far better than a van.

YMMV.

I do think the whole VW T5 / California thing is a lifestyle choice and “lifestyle bus” certainly hits the nail on the head.

Expensive Rab Arc’teryx down jacket? Check. Traildog spaniel? Nope Meticulously clean Santa Cruz Nomad or Heckler dripping with Kashima Badly cleaned gravel bike strapped to the back? Check.

A good option is probably a small backpacking style 4 man tent like we have, then a big Coleman shelter with zip-in sides if required. We have tarps and poles for outdoor seating when we travel light, but they aren't great in wind because they don't shelter you and they flap about.

Not sure I'd want to sleep in my tent outside work this evening so I'm in my van for the night.

I have a 2 man, a 3 man and a 5 man family tent plus a T5 van and a Coleman event shelter. All come in useful depending on the situation.