Tips and Tricks : Going from Caravan Camping to Tent Camping

For some people it might feel like taking a step back, whilst for others it's taking a step forward. It might feel daunting thinking about reducing your space, and having to re-think your entire holiday strategy to get the same comfortable feeling.

Scroll below for a table showing the pros and cons of each.

What do I need to bring/consider when tent camping?

The first and most crucial thing to consider is hygiene, the vast majority of caravans come with a toilet and shower, alongside a kitchen unit with a sink.

Cooking and Kitchen

If you are to change over to tent camping it would be a very important step to consider a kitchen unit that has a collapsible sink if you are wanting to do your own cooking, another alternative would be compostable or disposable plates and cutlery.

Shower and Toilet Use

For alternatives to showers and toilets one thing to look at is booking campsites with these included on the grounds, if this isn't possible then getting a side pod that can house a portable shower and toilet or a utility tent with separate sections and a good head height is the next best thing!

You can couple this with a large family tent that gives ample space for changing areas with our inner bedrooms or sleeper side pods for extra room.

Keeping Warm Whilst Tent Camping

The third thing to consider would be temperature! It's very easy to pop the heating on when in a caravan and be sure that the walls will keep good insulation and be reliable, with a tent however you'll need to explore options in order to have the same comfort.

Portable Heaters

These come in electric, gas and now stove varieties. Which one you choose would heavily depend on your budget, preferred fuel type, space and type of pitch

Sleeping Bags and Mattresses

There are different types of sleeping bags, some can come as 4 season products, whilst others are just fair weather and summer sleeping bags. The breathability of these are important to consider when choosing the time of year you'd be interested to camp in. If camping in Autumn or Spring we'd definitely recommend investing in a 4 season sleeping bag, with the UK weather being unpredictable there are spring days where daytime temperatures can reach up to 16ºC, and the night drops to -1ºC. If you're planning to only camp in the summer months, a light, fair season sleeping bag with better breathability is definitely the way to go, you could get away with using a thicker blanket to allow better ventilation.

If you're new to tent camping or are coming back after a few years with a caravan, we'd recommend a budget of anywhere between £60 - £100 for a mid-range sleeping bag before committing to a brand or style that is more expensive. Even then a mid-range sleeping bag can last you for years without issues.

When it comes to mattresses or camping beds it very much depends on your preference, a camping mattress can be inflatable with a lot of lift from the ground or very compact and close to the ground. If you have a bad back it would be most recommended to get a SIM (Self inflated mattress) ontop of a raised surface, whether this be a camping bed or another larger inflatable mattress underneath for good support. If you want to have a more traditional tent camping experience then a folding mattress could be your best friend to keep you elevated from the floor, and whilst our tents do have quilted flooring (which can make using only a sleeping bag comfortable) we think it is always better to have something between yourself and the tent floor.

Tent Materials : Polyester Vs Aqua Cotton

The last thing to consider when making the switch is the material your tent is made of. Polyester is now the standard for larger tunnel or family inflatable tents, but aqua cotton (or canvas) is still incredibly popular amongst campers who want a more traditional feel. Polyester has a higher hydrostatic head and is lighter, whilst aqua cotton (or canvas) has a better breathability, whilst still being waterproof, but is heavier and bulkier to transport.

Pros and Cons of Caravan Camping VS Tent Camping

Caravan

Tent

Pros

Cons

Pros

Cons

✅ Don't need to bring furniture with you

✅ Quick setup

✅ Plugged in running water (Shower, sink, toilet)

✅ Easier heating inside

✅ More weatherproof

✅ Easier to keep bugs out

❌ High Storage costs

❌ Needs a car that can tow it with plug-ins and electricals

❌ Large and bulky

❌ Requires levelling

❌ Less spontaneity due to draining required

❌ Higher pitch prices and initial purchase prices

✅ Smaller packing sizes (Requires smaller car)

✅ Better sense of outdoors

✅ Can change furniture arrangements everytime to suit needs

✅ Cheaper pitches and cheaper initial prices

✅ No storage costs

✅ Can expand space for more people as required

❌ Pitch and equipment setup time is longer

❌ More susceptible to elements (rain, wind, etc)

❌ No in-built hygiene facilities and cooking space

❌ Insects can get in more easily

❌ Less privacy

❌ More difficult to keep consistent temperature

Please note these are comparing tents and caravans of similar sizes, so it may not apply to every model of either product on the market. Poled and inflatable tents will also vary.

What are some things to consider when tent camping?

It's always good to consider whether you want to have inflatable tents or poled tents. The ease of pitching these vary and all depend on experience, whether you have an electric pump or a manual one, as well as the use of pegs and equipment you've brought with you.