So, we are actually looking at a second-hand caravan tomorrow night. It has proved quite a challenge taking the Beanwood pack away on holiday, and have found finding suitable places to stay a bit hit and miss. So, the Beanwood Pack are going caravanning next year! Are we mad? Probably! We have already found some nice, quiet sites to stay. But before all that, we do need to find the right caravan. So this is the first one we are looking at is a 2010, Bailey Olympus 624. A big 4 berth caravan with a fixed bed for the hoomans, whilst the dogs have the front end...or maybe the other way round. This model is suitable for serious winter use apparently... So I was wondering, does anyone else take their dog's caravanning? Any pitfalls to consider?
We used to when we were a lot younger ourselves ! Its brilliant fun , we always had a huge awning which was great as a drying off area ( or washing off if mud was involved ) . Its a relatively easy and inexpensive way of seeing many areas of the UK, but having your own comforts around you , I think its a grand idea for you and the pack x
Thank you @kateincornwall, yes that is something we need to consider, a good quality awning as an emergency airlock!
You know you're going to end up on those bench sofa bits in the front while the dogs are on the bed, right? I can't imagine driving anything bigger than my Tardis, so all I can say is "hats off" to you if you're willing to drag this thing behind you. Otherwise, sounds like a great idea with the pups. Where I live in Spain, there are always a dozen or so of these things parked near the beach in the winter (usually from Germany) and always the requisite dog(s) who look quite happy with their posh rolling dog crate!
We used to have one when I was younger with my family. Our dog LOVED it. I don't remember him being any bother at all. We used to say "frankie, are we going to the van" and he'd get so so excited. My dad got rid of it after frankie passed away. He couldn't face going anymore without his best mate
I love having our camper van. An awning is a must - we have found it so useful in all weathers. Are the seats material or leather? On wet days our seats can become very wet and muddy (they wipe off as leather). I find we are outside a lot as no space to play inside. I love going off in the camper in all weathers - it's great to just get away without having to book hotels etc
Seats are fabric, I expect we will refurbing some of the interior to take into account our ehem...lifestyle! Looking into awnings though, there are some pretty serious ones out there!
This is fantastic Kate. Some of my best childhood memories are of our family holidays in caravans I have for a few years been TRYING to talk David round to getting either a camper van or a caravan so that we can take Hattie & Charlie and explore the beautiful country we live in. I will add you to my list of "Kate's getting a caravan and she's got 3 dogs" x
Sounds like fun! We used to have a narrow boat and took Boogie dog and our cat and two toddlers with us every weekend and holiday. Plenty of towels needed but great fun
This sounds like great fun! I'd love to do this, I know my dog would think it was the greatest thing ever. Too bad neither OH or I like driving large things let alone towing one so I don't think it'll ever happen
Now this I want to hear more about! You took a cat on holiday?? I’ve always thought cats will run home given half a chance. Please tell more!
She stayed out all night, wherever we were - a new mooring every night. She slept all day on one of the beds, garnering much pointing and commenting from passers by, especially busy places like Stratford locks! She was always sitting on the hatch in the morning waiting to come back in, sometimes with a ‘present’ for us. We lost her once. She wasn’t there in the morning and we had to go home - work the next day. We put notes in every nearby farmhouse and - lo and behold - two weeks later we had a phone call ‘we think we’ve got your cat’. Yep, it was Smudge. Lots of presents for that kind couple
@Boogie what a stunning story! To travel by boat with your cat. But those two weeks must’ve been sickening - and what a relief when she was found!!!
