Motorhome v caravan?

The clearing up before heading off for the day issue has been mentioned but that largely depends how you live in the MH. If you're the type of person who scatters belongings all over the place and leaves a bowl of washing up in the sink it might be time consuming. For us it generally means disconnecting the EHU, putting away the kettle and cups and, if we're returning, putting out the pitch marker board. 

We have a caravan and don’t scatter our belongings everywhere either. But if we had a motorhome before we could depart in it bearing in mind all the restrictions previously mentioned and as others have said we would have to disconnect the EHU and then put a marker on our pitch and internally put the kettle away, put the toaster away, disconnect the satellite cable from the Freesat box disconnect the TV from the satellite box and place the TV and Freesat box somewhere safe we usually have a couple of litre bottles of supermarket water to place somewhere safe often we have a bowl of fruit so that needs sorting items on the shelf such as a small radio, a torch, pamphlets maybe some other items that I have forgotten about. Washing up liquid that normally parks itself by the sink, hand wash in the bathroom by the sink. I’m sure if I think hard enough I could probably think of some more items that would need dealing with every time I wanted to go out in a motorhome whereas I can leave everything alone lock stock and barrel in my caravan and just get into my car and I’m off and away. So for me it is nowhere as simple as made out to be and as said before it is each to their own.

My goodness, you do have a lot of loose stuff in your van, KJ! We find it easier and tidier to simply pop things back in their rightful place after using them. Obviously we live differently in our units in the same way we view the pros and cons of cvans/MHs differently. For us secondary transport has not proved necessary so is not an issue at all. 

I'm glad we agree on one thing, though - that as long as we're all happy with our choices nothing else matters. As has been said many a time, there are no rights and wrongs and it's purely personal choice. Those of us who have done both can appreciate how our needs change over time which is one reason I find I'm able to accept other people's choices as being right for them.

We have a caravan and don’t scatter our belongings everywhere either. But if we had a motorhome before we could depart in it bearing in mind all the restrictions previously mentioned and as others have said we would have to disconnect the EHU and then put a marker on our pitch and internally put the kettle away, put the toaster away, disconnect the satellite cable from the Freesat box disconnect the TV from the satellite box and place the TV and Freesat box somewhere safe we usually have a couple of litre bottles of supermarket water to place somewhere safe often we have a bowl of fruit so that needs sorting items on the shelf such as a small radio, a torch, pamphlets maybe some other items that I have forgotten about. Washing up liquid that normally parks itself by the sink, hand wash in the bathroom by the sink. I’m sure if I think hard enough I could probably think of some more items that would need dealing with every time I wanted to go out in a motorhome whereas I can leave everything alone lock stock and barrel in my caravan and just get into my car and I’m off and away. So for me it is nowhere as simple as made out to be and as said before it is each to their own.

Sure you have to disconnect the EHU, that is if you have any in the first place and put a marker out and perhaps put the kettle and furit bowl away but forget the rest if you have yourself organised properly. TV is on a bracket with intregral sat and freeview receiver and DVD player utilising sat dome or omni terrestial aerial fixed on the roof. No need to stow any of the above or a TV connection. No toaster,  don't need it with a gas grill. Washing up liquids etc stored in handy accessible pouches, simply use and replace so they are not a problem either, neither are pamphlets or magazine because they are kept in retaining net pouches, again easilly accessible when required.

So for me to move off, it is perhaps disconnect EHU, put sign up, stow kettle and fruit, ensure cupboards are locked, switch water pump off, stow the steps, start the ignition, stow the hydraulic leveling and off we go. Perhaps 5 mins of effort.

peedee

What  ??  5  mins  of  effort  EVERY  time  ???

What  ??  5  mins  of  effort  EVERY  time  ???

Not if I have the awning out.

peedee

Darn it, I forgot to mention locking the fridge door. That's another 2 seconds

A big thank you to all who have taken the time to reply to my post. I think the general consensus is that the cost is about the same. This being the case I will draw up a list of pros and cons for both caravan and motor home to see whitch comes out tops. If I may trouble you all once more what in your view do you think should top the lists of pros and cons for a couple in their late 50s with no kids in tow? I am leaning towards a motorhme the wife a caravan.

Listen to your wife, they are usually right. When you have a motorhome it is more restrictive than a car when it comes to parking i.e. multi story car parks, car parks with height barriers, narrower than usual roads, designated bays such as in supermarket car parks etc etc. having to disconnect EHU and clear the decks every time you move off, depending on the size of motorhome and how much sight seeing and distance covered every day fuel costs motorhome verses car. Each to their own, like politics all parties have some good points together with not so good points it's what suits you. Would it be possible to hire both and then see what you fancy? it could be a very costly purchase either way if you make the wrong choice.   

I've never had any issues with parking our m/h whether in tourist spots or supermarkets. As for narrow roads we are currently on the Ardnamurchan peninsula which included a 60 mile round trip to the lighthouse on single track roads with no problems. To the contrary we found a stunning location to wild camp with views over Mull on the way back and decided to stay the night. Wouldn't fancy that in a car with the caravan miles away.......

As for putting stuff away all we ever need to put away is the kettle and we are on the move.....

Not for everyone but suits our needs.

As  befits  my  reputation  as  a  "Right  B*******  Comedian"  I  have  to  suggest  a  Nice  Well  equipped  comfy  Motorhome  towing  a  sweet  little  Eriba  or  some  such  Caravan  for  'er  indoors.

At  this  point  I'll  get  me  coat  and  go  hunting  for  gold  nuggets  in  my  window  boxes  !!

MH restrictive? Not ours, five and a half metres, we have been up the Long Mynd, down the steep narrow roads on NY moors and will hit Dartmoor later this year! Easy to park in towns and cities as well. Ok, you can't use multi storeys and need to watch out for barriers, but we haven't had a problem at all, and have even parked up using on street parking bays. 

We have pack up down to three minutes now, four if awning is rolled out! 

Thank you for all your advice. The Mrs wanted a caravan for the size and I wanted a Motorhome for the convenience, the compromise? An autotrail chieftain! Well to late now deposit paid.

Glad you have found something that suits you both! Have an enjoyable time, and good for coming back and letting others know what your decision has been!