Caravans
In addition to car and van camping, you might also want to consider buying a caravan. You won't have to sell your car to buy a van or a camper. A small caravan won't set you back hugely. You can get a small caravan for about $1000. It may not look pretty, and may have roadworthy issues, but such caravans can be brought. Realistically though a reasonable caravan that is road worthy and reasonably clean will set you back $4000 minimum. For that price you can get a van which will be easier to do urban stealth camping in. A caravan can be a reasonable compromise though. If you live in a semi rural area, a caravan can be parked on quiet back roads without too many issues. You can also camp out in national parks for small fees, but stays are limited..
Then it is important to choose a caravan that sits the towing capacity of the car. A little 4 cylinder car may be able to tow a large caravan on the flat, but come the first big hill that little car will slow down, then the caravan will start pulling it all backwards down the hill until you hit something. Yes you can get power assisted brakes, but they work on the principle of forward pressure on the tow bar, as you slide backwards down the hill there will be no forward pressure on the tow bar, so no brakes on the caravan.
Advantages:
- If you have a car, and don't want to risk swapping to a campervan, this could be a good option.
- Has many of the advantages of a campervan.
- Has built in amenities.
- Can live a pretty comfortable life in one.
- Can be parked and locked up while you go to work.
- Allows you to use your car for other things while parked.
- Allows you to retain your good camping site instead of loosing it when you drive off.
Disadvantages:
- Towing can be difficult.
- Parking can be difficult.
- Will stand out a fair bit. Less so by sea side and tourist towns.
- Will affect your fuel consumption.
- Can not get a big campervan for a big car, need to choose appropriately for the car's towing weight.
- Is susceptible to theft / being towed away.
Conclusion:
A caravan has many of the bonuses of a campervan or motor home. They do tend to stick out though. For some reason people seem to be a little more miffed with some one camping in their street, because it can be a bit more obvious that you are in there. The campervan windows let out light, and it moves and creaks a lot when you move around inside. They really can have a huge affect on your fuel consumption as well.
