Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Simplify Your Short Breaks: Why I Swapped My Caravan for a Tent
Have caravanning and short breaks become too expensive, complicated and time-consuming? In this video, I explore a much simpler alternative: comfortable tent camping.
After selling my caravan, I found myself missing the freedom of getting away for a night or two — but not the cost, preparation and sheer amount of faff involved. With caravan ownership becoming increasingly expensive, and even simple beach cabin stays costing hundreds of pounds for just a couple of nights, I decided to get back to basics.
I bought a Vango Tay 400 four-berth tent for just £89, and discovered that camping doesn't necessarily mean sacrificing comfort.
In this video, I take you camping in Kent with my two dogs Dougal and Ted, and show you how I’ve created a simple, comfortable camping setup that can be packed into the car in less than half an hour.
I also take a detailed look at some Vango camping equipment that was kindly sent to me after Vango saw my previous camping vlog, including the Vango Shangri-La Lux 12 Grande mattress, Stellar Grande sleeping bag and Deep Sleep Thermo pillow.
Find out more about these products from your local Vango Retailer, or at Vango's website:
vango.co.uk/shangri-la-lux-12-grande
vango.co.uk/stellar-grande
vango.co.uk/deep-sleep-thermo-pillow
The Shangri-La Lux mattress in particular has completely changed my view of tent camping. With its integrated rechargeable pump, generous size and excellent support, it genuinely feels much closer to a hotel bed than the camping mattresses I’ve used in the past.
One of the biggest surprises for me is just how quickly I can go from arriving on a pitch to having the kettle on. What used to take at least 30 minutes with the caravan can take roughly half that with the tent.
There's no reversing a caravan onto the pitch, levelling it, unhitching, putting down the legs, attaching locks, filling the water system, connecting the electric and unpacking half the car.
Instead, I can put up the tent in around 10 minutes, sort out the bed, get the cooker ready — and I'm done.
For me, that's the real appeal: maximum comfort with minimum fuss.
Of course, camping isn't perfect. The weather matters, there's no built-in heating, accessibility can be an issue, and plenty of people will quite reasonably prefer a hotel, holiday cottage or luxury caravan.
But if you're looking for cheap weekend breaks, affordable short breaks in the UK, simple camping trips or a way to enjoy the outdoors without the expense of caravan ownership, perhaps getting back to basics is worth considering.
I'm sure there'll be another caravan in my future.
But for now, this simple setup gives me the freedom to get away, enjoy nature, take the dogs, and decompress — without spending a fortune or spending hours preparing for a one-night trip.
Thank you to Vango for upgrading our sleeping experience. Check out their website at vango.co.uk
If you've enjoyed the video, please like, subscribe and leave a comment. I'd love to know whether you'd choose a tent, caravan, motorhome, roof tent or hotel for a short break.
#CampingUK #TentCamping #CaravanLife #VangoCamping #UKCamping #AffordableCamping #ShortBreaks #CampingWithDogs #CampingGear #KentCamping
Simplify Your Short Breaks: Why I Swapped My Caravan for a Tent
Have caravanning and short breaks become too expensive, complicated and time-consuming? In this video, I explore a much simpler alternative: comfortable tent camping.
After selling my caravan, I found myself missing the freedom of getting away for a night or two — but not the cost, preparation and sheer amount of faff involved. With caravan ownership becoming increasingly expensive, and even simple beach cabin stays costing hundreds of pounds for just a couple of nights, I decided to get back to basics.
I bought a Vango Tay 400 four-berth tent for just £89, and discovered that camping doesn't necessarily mean sacrificing comfort.
In this video, I take you camping in Kent with my two dogs Dougal and Ted, and show you how I’ve created a simple, comfortable camping setup that can be packed into the car in less than half an hour.
I also take a detailed look at some Vango camping equipment that was kindly sent to me after Vango saw my previous camping vlog, including the Vango Shangri-La Lux 12 Grande mattress, Stellar Grande sleeping bag and Deep Sleep Thermo pillow.
Find out more about these products from your local Vango Retailer, or at Vango's website:
vango.co.uk/shangri-la-lux-12-grande
vango.co.uk/stellar-grande
vango.co.uk/deep-sleep-thermo-pillow
The Shangri-La Lux mattress in particular has completely changed my view of tent camping. With its integrated rechargeable pump, generous size and excellent support, it genuinely feels much closer to a hotel bed than the camping mattresses I’ve used in the past.
One of the biggest surprises for me is just how quickly I can go from arriving on a pitch to having the kettle on. What used to take at least 30 minutes with the caravan can take roughly half that with the tent.
There's no reversing a caravan onto the pitch, levelling it, unhitching, putting down the legs, attaching locks, filling the water system, connecting the electric and unpacking half the car.
Instead, I can put up the tent in around 10 minutes, sort out the bed, get the cooker ready — and I'm done.
For me, that's the real appeal: maximum comfort with minimum fuss.
Of course, camping isn't perfect. The weather matters, there's no built-in heating, accessibility can be an issue, and plenty of people will quite reasonably prefer a hotel, holiday cottage or luxury caravan.
But if you're looking for cheap weekend breaks, affordable short breaks in the UK, simple camping trips or a way to enjoy the outdoors without the expense of caravan ownership, perhaps getting back to basics is worth considering.
I'm sure there'll be another caravan in my future.
But for now, this simple setup gives me the freedom to get away, enjoy nature, take the dogs, and decompress — without spending a fortune or spending hours preparing for a one-night trip.
Thank you to Vango for upgrading our sleeping experience. Check out their website at vango.co.uk
If you've enjoyed the video, please like, subscribe and leave a comment. I'd love to know whether you'd choose a tent, caravan, motorhome, roof tent or hotel for a short break.
#CampingUK #TentCamping #CaravanLife #VangoCamping #UKCamping #AffordableCamping #ShortBreaks #CampingWithDogs #CampingGear #KentCamping
