>> This is interesting Zero - genuinely would appreciate hearing the thought process around this. I
>> know for you its probably not a financial decision taken to save money but intrigued
>> to know the thought process?
Thought processes? There has been many, lets look at the "need" first.
I do dog shows, they are mostly in public parks, football grounds, rugby clubs, cricket grounds, and country show grounds. Some of them are one day, some of them are two day, the odd one or two three day. They are all over the country, and they nearly all offer camping on the ground and loos, often only portaloos tho. There may be a club house, there may be a bar, or often only just a burger van.
I currently try and attend those within a two hour drive (anything more and the dog is too frazzed to compete), and generally I'll only compete one day a weekend, two days on the trot is unfair on the hound.. Now I have qualified to higher classes, a show will take all day, arriving at 08:30 and leaving at 16:30. In between is a lot of hanging about, and you need a base to chill and shelter.
This has been provided to date in the form of an event shelter type arrangement (currently a Khyam screendome) pitched on the back of the Kubelwagen (G31 to you - oh BTW I bought it with factory fit electric tow bar))
This year its changing. I am qualified as a judge, but I still want to work the dog, rules say I cant work a dog and judge on the same day. So I'll work one day of a weekend, and judge the other.
This makes longer journeys with overnight stays feasible, so for example this year I am off to Norwich on the Friday, work the dog Saturday, Judge Sunday, travel home (3 hours) Sunday night.
Overnights is a nearby Travellodge.
BIG PROBLEM, What do I do with the dog while I am judging all day. Car too hot, cant be near the working rings, Solution by others? Caravan or Motorhome with a temp garden round it (in the form of plastic mesh fencing or windbreak) (the pro handleers have 40 foot campers with purpose built airconned kennels incorporated)
So Motorhome or Caravan it is. It needs to be based at home, a storage site kills its practicality, I have 6.5 metres in length to stick it on.
Motorhomes are too restricted once you are away in it, and generally too big for my 6.5 metres.
So caravan it is, only need two berth as its for a three day stay with dog and me.
OOpps Mrs Z (who has caravaning friends) is now excited about the prospect, so It will get w/e use for us and dog, and now it needs a loo to please her.
Sooo caravan research has limited it to a few types, and currently the Swift Basecamp ticks every box, Trouble its expensive, and being new few second hand examples. The Freedom Jet stream is another, but I think its tow hitch may be too low for my fixed height swan neck towbar.
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