Touring caravan. Anyone tried it?

[Surelynot]

Toying with the idea of caravaning around Thailand. Don't like to stay too long in any one place. Anyone with any experience? Doable? Pleasurable? Or a non-starter? Cheers

[gk10002000]

saw some posts a while back about people with RVs in Thailand.  Didn't seem to be that many road stop sites like the USA has KOA campgrounds, pull in and plug in for power or to empty your septic, etc.  Do some searching on RV

[Captain Monday]

RV Touring was banned a few years ago with the China caravans and convoys. Camping only officially allowed at National Parks. 10x Foreigner price. Should be no problem if you can find friends to allow you to park on private land informally, but keep on the down low. There are TM30 issues.

[phetphet]

I would imagine the heat and humidity might make it uncomfortable for sleeping.

[steven100]

7 minutes ago, phetphet said:

I would imagine the heat and humidity might make it uncomfortable for sleeping.

That's why they installed what they call air-conditioners in caravans. They blow out cool air as needed.

[Bruce Aussie Chiang Mai]

⁶You serious. Go to USA if you want to RV. Be plenty available  at discount rates after CV-19. Small funigation fee. 

Thailand not caravan or RV friendly. 

Most places look same. Where you going get water and dump waste. 

 After all #hit over go USA  and enjoy. That coming from an Aussie, buy 1 year national parks pass.

 They make lots 'markups but best National parks worldwide. 

 

 

 

[timendres]

23 minutes ago, Bruce Aussie Chiang Mai said:

⁶You serious. Go to USA if you want to RV. Be plenty available  at discount rates after CV-19. Small funigation fee. 

Thailand not caravan or RV friendly. 

Most places look same. Where you going get water and dump waste. 

 After all #hit over go USA  and enjoy. That coming from an Aussie, buy 1 year national parks pass.

 They make lots 'markups but best National parks worldwide. 

In the US, RV-ing is a religion. And there is endless variety. A good choice. Assuming you have the option.

[Surelynot]

Thanks for all the replies......going off the idea rapidly.

[DoctorG]

On 4/12/2020 at 12:34 PM, Surelynot said:

Thanks for all the replies......going off the idea rapidly.

Don't blame you. Pondered the idea myself a few years ago. Did not take me long to realize it was impractical. 

[JRG23]

Are you serious mate. We're in the midst of a pandemic, with lockdowns across this country, and you're talking about caravaning? LOL!

[cornishcarlos]

4 minutes ago, JRG23 said:

Are you serious mate. We're in the midst of a pandemic, with lockdowns across this country, and you're talking about caravaning? LOL!

 

Are we just supposed to talk about the pandemic ??

[Peterw42]

On 4/11/2020 at 8:32 PM, steven100 said:

That's why they installed what they call air-conditioners in caravans. They blow out cool air as needed.

Where are you getting the power to run the air-conn ? As others have said, there are no facilities, there are camp grounds but not powered sites, clean bathrooms, amenities.

[tonray]

9 minutes ago, cornishcarlos said:

 

Are we just supposed to talk about the pandemic ??

Well Football has been cancelled....what else is there ?

[Salerno]

18 minutes ago, DoctorG said:

Don't blame you. Pondered the idea myself a few years ago. Did not take me long to realize it was impractical. 

Add another to that list here, good idea at the time but ...

[Peterw42]

On 4/12/2020 at 9:34 AM, Surelynot said:

Thanks for all the replies......going off the idea rapidly.

You can answer the question just by looking for other caravans, there are none. I cant recall ever seeing a single caravan in all my travels around Thailand.

[Old Croc]

If you want to tour around Thailand seeing all the place has to offer, wait until the pandemic is over and then do it the way everyone does.

Use a vehicle to move from one cheap hotel to another. Rates are probably less than a caravan park site in America or Australia.

(Particularly if you factor in the purchase or hire cost of a room on wheels and the extra fuel required to tow it)

 

 

Edited April 14, 2020 by Old Croc

[Greg O]

It's actually getting more and more popular here. The extended sprinter and Airstreams are self contained luxurious but very expensive. I've had great success touring all over this country using Visa and that magical conveyance..Cash ! No need reservations just go do it..Caravan camping is a great way to go if you use it regularly. Insurance is expensive but the best alternative is CCC, CREDIT CARD CAMPING .

[PETERTHEEATER]

27 minutes ago, tonray said:

Well Football has been cancelled....what else is there ?

Er, rugby?

[KC 71]

25 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

You can answer the question just by looking for other caravans, there are none. I cant recall ever seeing a single caravan in all my travels around Thailand.

There are a few camper vans around 

[Don Mega]

44 minutes ago, JRG23 said:

Are you serious mate. We're in the midst of a pandemic, with lockdowns across this country, and you're talking about caravaning? LOL!

No harm in planning.

[cornishcarlos]

3 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

Er, rugby?

 

Cancelled

[Don Mega]

30 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

You can answer the question just by looking for other caravans, there are none. I cant recall ever seeing a single caravan in all my travels around Thailand.

They exist, just last week I saw 4 brand new caravans coming from the Laem Chabang sea port on the back of tilt trays.

[Peterw42]

3 minutes ago, Don Mega said:

They exist, just last week I saw 4 brand new caravans coming from the Laem Chabang sea port on the back of tilt trays.

They are more than likely going to end up as mobile ATMs or blood collection, mobile immigration office etc.

 

[pineapple01]

Nast things towed mainly by a Gypsy going too fast, or the majority who just annoy working road users going too slow. Dutch are menace, im one, clogging the roads going to Med Campsites. How many have just joined TV like me because of the Chinease Flues i wonder.?.

 

 

 

 

 

[Don Mega]

5 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

They are more than likely going to end up as mobile ATMs or blood collection, mobile immigration office etc.

 

You just refuse to believe there are caravans in Thailand don't you, maybe you should book yourself a night at a caravan hotel !!

 

https://www.agoda.com/khaokheow-caravan/hotel/chonburi-th.html?cid=1844104

 

 

[steven100]

1 hour ago, Peterw42 said:

Where are you getting the power to run the air-conn ? As others have said, there are no facilities, there are camp grounds but not powered sites, clean bathrooms, amenities.

Caravan aircons can run off solar. Inverter+solar panels+batteries

 AllSpark 2000w inverter will run any caravan air conditioner on the market as long as your batteries can power it and solar can keep up.

[steven100]

1 hour ago, Peterw42 said:

You can answer the question just by looking for other caravans, there are none. I cant recall ever seeing a single caravan in all my travels around Thailand.

your partly right, very few caravans in Thailand. I've seen a couple of caravans, a campervan, a 5th wheeler in 20+ years of traveling around Thailand. So while there is a handful, they just never took off as hotel rooms are a pittance compared to rates in Australia or US. Why would anyone bother towing a van around, if something break and you need a part urgently you will have buckleys chance, there are no parks,  no showers, no wash facilities, no electric plug in parks, no toilet waste dumps ... 

It would just be a nightmare imo.

[seancbk]

2 hours ago, Peterw42 said:

You can answer the question just by looking for other caravans, there are none. I cant recall ever seeing a single caravan in all my travels around Thailand.

 

I've seen RVs and caravans at Bangkok motor shows.   I've also seen lots of caravans parked up in fields a few times when driving around the country.  
Must admit the ones I saw parked look like they were just being stored rather than used.

 

 

[Fruit Trader]

Probably ok if you have a well equipped vehicle, regular caravans would be hot box torture.

Photo taken from the site of a RV stop in Nongprue M1 Chonburi. I pass this place often and it always looks busy. I guess there are other stops similar around Thailand.

 

[johng]

4 minutes ago, Fruit Trader said:

Photo taken from the site of a RV stop in Nongprue M1 Chonburi

Don't you need some special licence and documents to drive a truck like that around Thailand ? it certainly doesn't have Thai number plates.