Tent, tent trailer, camper trailer, caravan, campervan, slide-on or motorhome? Or, to tow or not to tow? These are questions often asked by those who looking for ways to get more enjoyment out of their leisure time.
Like any decision that we make, there are benefits and drawbacks what ever we decide. Some people who have tried various approaches can provide useful insights. However often people’s opinions are based on hearsay or other’s biased ideas. For this reason it is wise to do a little homework yourself.
Before deciding if, for example, a caravan or a campervan is the best choice, you have to be clear about what your family’s needs are. In other words, where do you intend to go, how often will it be used, how many people does it have to accommodate, will you be spending most of your time on the move or devoting it to staying in one place.
There may be little point in towing a caravan about if it has to provide accommodation for only one person. On the other hand, a family with three or four children will find it difficult to all sleep and eat in a campervan. If you only have a small car or intend to go bush a tent may well be most suitable. A large motorhome could be used but for a family the cost may well be prohibitive.
Before making any decision, write down your requirements. You will be surprised differently ideas look on paper then when they are only in the mind’s eye. Next make a list of the various units that appeal to you, for example, caravan, campervan, camper trailer, tent, etc. If you are unsure what each of these has to offer go and check them out. Finally work out which option receives the most ticks.
Each family’s checklist will be different because of varying needs. The following items can be used as thought starters. You should be able to add several others. Can it be used for holidays, spare room or daily transport; needs to accommodate ‘x’ persons; fit within a budget of $.....; suitable for weekend trips as well as long holidays; suitable for long periods in one location; ideal for continuous travel; can be taken almost anywhere; etc., etc.
Economy
Whether you decide to tow or opt for a self contained motorhome, you’ll be buying more fuel than just driving the family sedan by itself. Some of this cost is offset by the fact that you are not paying for hotel rooms or park cabins. But the less you spend on fuel, the more there is left for holiday activities.
If a trailer is no higher and wider than the tow car, there will only be a small increase in fuel consumption as there is little extra wind resistance. The additional weight will cause more fuel to be burnt in hilly country. When it come to trailers that are higher than the tow car, the frontal shape is more important than the actual size. And a pop-top is not necessarily more fuel efficient than a full height van with a front bedroom that allows a sloping roof at the front.
More fuel can be saved by driving a little slower and adopting some fuel-saving driving techniques. Changing down a gear early when climbing a hill or maintaining a steady cruising speed can help a lot.
Stability
Caravans are sometimes unfairly criticised for their perceived tendency to become unstable. And if not set up correctly they can. But drivers of motorhome and campervans have been known to raise a bit of sweat when being overtaken by large transports or encountering strong gusty sidewinds.
As long as a car and caravan combination is compatible, the van is loaded correctly and the proper towing equipment is fitted, there are unlikely to be a towing concerns. Of course, a bit of experience also goes a long way. Novices should try and limit the loaded weight of the van to the empty or kerb weight of the tow car.
Convenience
A RV like a campervan or motorhome that is fully self-contained has many benefits. Having a large unit with a walk-through facility from the cabin means that you don’t have to step outside for a cuppa or for that matter retire for the night. The downside is that each time you want to use the vehicle for transport to the shop or for sight-seeing, everything has to be packed away.
With a car and caravan the transport and accommodation can be split. Once you have made camp the tow car is free for what ever you want to do. It does take a little longer to hitch up the van to the car before you can move off to the next campsite. But then some motorhome owners tow a trailer with alternative transport behind their motorhome.
Options
Tents, tent trailers or camper trailers often are favourites of those who like to go to places which are not readily accessible to larger trailers like caravans. Small trailers, besides being able to be towed economically, can be easily stored. A negative aspect of canvas structures is wet weather. Particular during the night before leaving the camp site.
Another option is a car-topper. This generally consists of a module that attaches to the roof and can be all canvas or have a solid lift-up roof. While you will be sleeping off the ground, you need to be fit enough to climb a ladder.
Slide-on campers can appeal to owners of utilities or small tray-top trucks. Once a campsite has been reached the camper is easily removed from the back of the vehicle. This means that separate transportation is still available while the accommodation module stays put.
Campervans and motorhomes are best suited to holidays involving a great deal of travel. Caravans on the other hand are more adaptable when staying for longer periods in one location. Although a low profile pop-top can be easier to tow, well designed caravans can be equally fuel efficient.
There are also fifth-wheelers that need a utility or tray top vehicle as its companion. Advantages cited include better on-road stability and easier to manoeuvre. For a fifth-wheeler to tow in a stable manner, the connecting point (turntable or large towball) needs to be in front of the rear axle. This can preclude some dual-cab utes.
Many large fifth-wheeler are very luxurious and can be quire heavy. Generally they are easy to connect and disconnect so that, unlike a motorhome, you can separate the accommodation from the transport.
Pop-Top Caravans
Pop-tops are a definite advantage where storage is a problem. As the actual height of different pop-tops varies greatly, it is a good idea to take a tape measure on a shopping trip if the van has to fit under a very low carport or garage door. Don’t forget to make allowances for sloping driveways as this could mean that a unit somewhat lower than the door opening is needed.
While a pop-top may be lower than a conventional van, it’s not lighter. Considering the overall loaded weight, however, this is of little consequence. While a lower profile can improve fuel consumption, driving techniques usually have a greater bearing on the amount of fuel used than the height of the van.
Conventional or Hardtop Caravans
Experienced caravanners, unless they have storage restrictions, often prefer a hardtop caravan. Some of the advantages can be: more overhead storage space, better noise and temperature insulation and more head room over the seats or lounge. It is also easier to install a shower module in a conventional van.
People who prefer to stay in places away from caravan parks, sometimes choose a van with a shower and toilet. This is not considered necessary when most of the time is spent in caravan parks where first class amenities are provided. But unless you are a very frugal water user, a couple of tank fulls of water does not provide for too many showers when there is no other supply to top up the tank.
Off-Road Units
The term ‘off-road’ is widely used on RVs designed to be taken off the bitumen. But it can mean different things to different people. Before investigating these further it is worth looking at the real world situation. Many 4WD enthusiasts will decide to not tow anything, preferring to keep their food, clothing and camping gear in or on top of their vehicle so as to not restrict access when venturing off the beaten track.
If towing a trailer is preferred but you still want to go to as many places as possible choose a trailer that is no wider, higher or longer than the tow vehicle. Also make sure that the wheel track is the same. This general means that the car and trailer will go most places that the car can travel by itself. Ignoring soft sand and steep hills.
Beyond this it becomes a compromise. Although some ‘off-road’ vans may be happy travelling along rough unsealed roads, their physical size will limit the places where the rig is able to go.
Summary
First time caravanners can have a bit of a tough time working out what their needs are. Best advice probably comes from those who have been there and done that. Just because someone recommends and sells a particular product, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they have used it extensively and are able to offer first-hand knowledge.
When starting out, it can be helpful to walk around a caravan park and observe what others are using. You can even knock on someone’s door and ask a few questions. Ultimately it comes down to establishing the needs and see what meets these best. The bottom line is that irrespective of how much time you spend finding the right unit, it will finish up being a compromise. While we might like all the comforts of home, the reality is that they won’t all fit. |
