Compare Go-Pods to motorhomes, camper vans, tents and full size caravans.
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What advantages do Go-Pods offer over other options?
• Motorhomes - lovely but expensive! Costing around six or eight times more, even their first year's devaluation will exceed the price of a brand new Pod! And apart from the limitations of having to drive around in a lorry-size vehicle, they can be prohibitive once you're there too, as you'll be less inclined to want to break up camp to head out for a drive. Which is why many motorhome owners have to tow a small car behind - adding a further vehicle to the running costs. Go-Pods allow you the freedom to use your normal vehicle for excursions and for grabbing supplies. More than half of our customers are down-sizing from motorhomes in favour of the convenience of a Go-Pod.
• Camper Vans - very cool looking and some are even iconic. But these too suffer from many of the motorhome's limitations. They are pricey and of course you don't have a run-around vehicle at your disposal when on site. What's more, unless they become your everyday vehicle, (which isn't always very practical), then they bring the inevitable burden of extra vehicle running costs. Go-Pods however can usually be used with your existing vehicle & when they're not in use, they're not costing you anything. And a Go-Pod will not devalue like a camper, making very good economic sense. Campervan beds are not always as comfortable as hoped and with the bed made up, many models leave no room for standing, dressing, using the loo etc. Go-Pods offer a wonderful bed and a convenient standing area even with the bed made up.
• Teardrop caravans - cute & easy to tow and store of course but the true teardrop was designed for warmer climates and has an external kitchen area that's not so good for this country. Being a bed on wheels, unless you add an awning, there's no indoor seating area so if it's bad weather, you're sent to bed early!
• Caravans - roomy compared to a micro tourer but this feature can become offset by the drawbacks of owning a larger caravan. Storage, (the cost & convenience of it), is probably the first thing to consider as not everyone is lucky enough to have storage at home. If you don't have to pay storage fees you might likely store your caravan in the front garden which although convenient, isn't great for your security - as everyone knows when you are away from home. Go-Pods being small are far more inconspicuous, especially when stored under the custom made winter cover. Many people even store them in their garages and have them their, ready to go. And unlike a bigger caravan, you'll find there's less planning with a Go-Pod trip. They really are so easy to hitch, tow and set up that even an overnight getaway is a completely viable, welcome escape. And en-route, being stuck in an awkward situation with a Go-Pod is very unlikely. Even in a tight spot, you can just unhitch, spin it around, hitch back up and you're on your way again. Many consider Go-Pods to be more fun than conventional caravans, as although they still have all the comforts of full size caravans, their compact nature and quirkiness will really do make you smile. Go-Pods hold their value better than regular caravans and can be purchased new at a fraction of the cost.
• Trailer Tents - roomy and easier to store than a caravan but also with some inherent drawbacks. Setting up can take some time, (even longer in windy weather), especially compared to a Go-Pod. In it's simplest form, the Go-Pod only requires you to wind down two legs and start relaxing. Other trailer tent fun-busters include needing to ensure your tent is dry before packing away and if it rains on the day you're going home, this will mean opening it out to dry when you get home. With Go-Pods you just lower the clever pop-top and go! Of course tents are too cold for most people to use in the winter but Go-Pods are fully insulated with thermal retentive styrofoam within the walls, allowing all weather use of your micro tourer, so the fun continues all year.
• Tents - cheap to purchase for summer use and good value for sure but not the most comfortable at times, with airbeds that tend to deflate in the night! Plus when it rains, a tent is a pretty miserable place to be. Go-Pods allow you to sit inside a cosy environment, on your memory foam furnishings when the weather takes a turn. Just put your feet up, make a nice hot drink and watch your favourite film on the flatscreen TV/DVD. No need to worry about packing away in the wet or having to go home early just in case of rain either, as in your Go-Pod you can happily weather the storms!
• Hotels - Not as cheap as they were and of course, you never quite know what you're going to get. And the nightly room rate isn't the only thing you'll save in your Go-Pod as you also have the option of taking your own food, further saving on those holiday expenses. Hotel costs are 'lost money' and so it makes good sense to spend your money on something that has a lasting, intrinsic value instead. You have you're own personal space in a Go-Pod & private bedding. And by leaving your 'Pod packed on stand by, it becomes like a suitcase that's ready to pick up and go, increasing your spontaneity for getting away.
• Summary - The Go-Pod no doubt ticks a lot of the boxes and offers many advantages over the alternatives listed above. It's excellent build quality, durability, styling & superb value, has made it the leading model in it's class. Even if you don't like towing, this ultra light trailer at 545Kg will not phase you in the slightest. It has its own braking system that improves control, is very aerodynamic & tows like a dream. Of course to retain true micro tourer dimensions and benefits, a separate bathroom area is sacrificed but then most campsites have great facilities and many of those with on-board facilities actually prefer the shower block over the risk of damp, using their water supply up and having to empty the grey water after. So if anything is to be compromised, the bathroom area is a very good trade off. The seamless, one piece monocoque design eliminates the water ingress problems from seams that plague other camping options, making the Go-Pod very durable. Considering the price and storng re-sale values, the Go-Pod represents one of the least expensive options and a great value option.
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