Essentials for life on the road in the U.K……

Caravan / Campervan or Motorhome?

Decide what is going to suit you and your forthcoming lifestyle the best:

Caravan:

For

  • Warm, comfortable and spacious
  • Plenty of storage space
  • You only have to stow everything away when you move sites
  • You have the freedom to use the car to get you anywhere
  • You can pop to the shops
  • Washroom

Against

  • Towing!
  • Longer set up and pack up time
  • Frequent water top up and waste disposal

Campervan (VW Transporter or Caddy):

For

  • Ease of driving
  • You take you home out with you for the day

Against

  • You have to pack up every time you go out
  • Lack of storage
  • Compromise on comfort
  • Space
  • No washroom

Motorhome:

For

  • Plenty of storage
  • Comfortable and spacious
  • Water and waste storage
  • No towing
  • Washroom

Against

  • Pack up every time you go out
  • Pack up to get and empty water
  • Won’t fit into normal parking spaces
  • Limited access on country lanes
  • Lack of visibility on passenger side if you are a lone traveller
  • I found the perceived size of the van more daunting to drive

Added to the mix – larger Campervan (though still sub 6m) – Ford Transit:

For

  • Ease of driving
  • Most places / roads accessible – if Amazon can get there so can you!
  • Comfortable and spacious for 1 and small dog
  • Plenty of storage again for 1 and small dog
  • Suited to off-grid adventures

Against

  • Some car parks have height barriers or too small

Subscriptions

Essential

  • Motorhome and Caravan Club and or
  • Camping and Caravan Club
  • Ordnance Survey (£19.99 pa)
  • Vehicle Insurance
  • Caravan insurance (if applicable)
  • Breakdown assistance

Really Useful

  • National Trust Membership

Useful Apps

  • VPN
  • Ordnance Survey as above
  • WordPress for blogging
  • Facebook for keeping in touch with friends
  • Instagram for posting photographic ‘moments’
  • You Tube – will let you know
  • Park4night

Additional Useful Equipment

  • Chocs for levelling
  • Camping stove (back up or cooking smelly stuff)
  • Wifi
  • Flash drive to store photos
  • Tracker / immobiliser / alarm
  • Steering wheel lock as visual deterrent
  • Powerbank for additional supply when off-grid