I chose a Bailey Discovery D4-2 in preference, mainly because the seats are - for me - more comfortable. Also it cost about £3k less new and has a stabiliser built into the tow hitch. Other than that my experiences mirror yours - thank you for making me feel normal! I'm 77 and am learning to love pastures new.
Just collected our new Basecamp2 - your comments are very re-assuring as this is our first time caravanning having sold our VW California after 4 years, looking forward to getting out in the new year - hoping it will live up to expectations, we made the change for reasons like the shower/ Oven/proper fridge and most of all having the car with us, looking forward to more of your videos👍. Thanks Vince
The comfort level of the Base Camp far exceeds to the California however the compromise is that the Base Camp isn’t as easy to manage and also you can’t wild camp in it. It’s always a compromise. That said I can confidently say you will love your Base Camp.
Thanks nick for your insight and comments. Im looking for a basecamp for next year, weve had caravans in the past when our daughters were small, really enjoyed those holidays. Im retired now and gonna take it up again. So looking for a 2 berth. Really like the look of the basecamp. Ill not be shocked by the work as ive done it before. Really enjoying your videos nick, great stuff. Thankyou.
I have had a few caravans over the years and done all the towing etc. Bought a VW campervan but that has it's down sides no washroom etc. So I am drawn to the base camp, no fuss, great spec, warm and easy to tow. It is the perfect choice for us who don't want the expense of a motor home or large caravan. Really good honest video thanks, 👍
+1 .. Fly, Camp & Caravan .... You and your Frau are the bomb... Great DIY video post for potential Base Camp / caravan owners ... Cheers, Vail, Colorado Subscribed..
Caravanning means being organized and having a hitching/ unhitching checklist, but after the initial cost outlay plus all the essential equipment bought not many look back. Plus the most important thing, if you suddenly feel the need to jump in the car during the day and pop out somewhere then you can without the hoohaa of a camper van or motorhome without concerns over narrow country lanes, carpark height barriers/ spaces being big enough etc etc. Motorhomes and campers have their place but for us you can't beat the versatility and living space of a caravan.
we have got the initial set up down to around an hour(our awning is a lightweight 3/4 length poled model and takes another hour and a bit to put up and for me to obsess about how it looks lol!) Numerous times we haved arrived on site and its raining and windy so all we do is pitch up, get the gas and leccy on for a cup of tea and bite to eat.
love this video , so true what you say , im really confident now , we got ours pre owned in august 2021 and the only month we haven't had it out was december , got back today from norfolk and I agree i would most definitely buy again , couldnt get on with the vango awning though , sold that and upgraded to a used KAMPA AIR PRO with annex (both used ) :)
Great to hear😊. There are nearly 30 videos on my channel relating to the Basecamp. If you go into playlists on my channel I have them all saved there in one place.
As most have already said, great information again. You’re vids are certainly pre arming us. Looking for a Basecamp in the coming year (early retirement) Swift Iona is another possibility. Thanks
We bought our 2021 model new last October and I endorse all you've said. We take pedal cycles and I also enjoy building and flying RC model aeroplanes. We had an old (20+ years) LWB Transit-based campervan, in which we've travelled widely in the UK and the near continent. We were able to carry our single bikes on a rear rack and our tandem inside. The problem was when I wanted to take model aircraft. It was OK in transit but there was nowhere to put them on site other than taking a tent. With a small caravan, we'll have the car (Vauxhall Astra estate) for extra gubbins and I'll be able to drive off-site with my planes. We've only been away once so far. That was to a nearby site about 30 miles away as a test run. The first thing we found - Swift don't supply a sink plug! We hadn't noticed until the first morning. Fortunately we weren't far from Don Amott's caravans so were able to buy one (about £2! - can't believe Swift didn't include one.) You're right about accessories over and above what we needed in the campervan. The main problem we had was the hitchlock didn't work because the supplied dummy ball-joint was too small to allow the hitch lever to close. With a new, larger plastic ball it now works but I had to grind a bit of the casing away to get it to lock. We're both in our 80s so we only have a few years left to enjoy our cycling and walking (and on a much reduced scale than formerly). The BC2 suits us perfectly and we hope for many trips once the weather improves. In the meantime, we spent New Year's Eve in the van jsy to check the comfort of the bunks as single beds :) Anyway, the small TV in the van is the only one we have (we've never had one in the house in over 50 years) so it was a novelty to watch it live.
Thanks for the video, very interesting, I can see the appeal. Horses for courses though, as 'older' caravanners, we prefer a little more comfort and room so we have a 7.9m twin axle with a separate bathroom and fixed bed. If we were 30 years younger I'd certainly consider a Basecamp. I would mention though that the 'pain barrier' you talk about is nothing to do with your caravan being a Basecamp, it is the same for any caravan. After the first few times you get into the swing of it all, if we don't need to do any side to side leveling we are set up in about 15 mins. Thanks again.
Thank you for your comment and you make a really good point around the pain been for all caravans. I failed to mention in the video. The reason it is relevant for the Basecamp is because this caravan over indexes with newcomers. Thanks again for taking the time to write, such an insightful comment.
The cabin's name is BaseCamp2, perhaps the manufacturer meant it was intended to provide only the basic comfort features, that is for a starting level...
I have a Swift Challenger 580 and eventually want to move down to a Basecamp. Even though I have a lot more room and a island bed. Just so much easier to tow and with a smaller vehicle. I have been towing caravans since 2005.
It’s our first caravan so can’t compare it. We love it for its funcky looks, comfortable practical space and it’s very functional. Also, it fits on my drive and it’s easy to tow. Perfect for us newbies.
We bought a basecamp 2 this year very similar reasons to yourselves, I wouldn't buy a 2022 model as it doesn't come with the command center , I might be wrong but that would mean the loss of the tracker and for what the rrp is its not worth the money. Keep up the bs2 videos there superb.
The 2022 model is a downgrade from the 2021 model in my view. Taking out swift Command and hiking up the price. Also, Swift have reintroduced plywood as the top layer of the floor which is strange move.
we love our 2017 basecamp, would I buy another? yes but i personally do not want all the gizmos, apps, and gimmicks which ,like fancy cars, are prone to go wrong. our bc is simple to set up, uncomplicated and offers everything we need. price is crazy but there are plenty of nearly new 2nd hand ones out there.
Have had our Basecamp camp for 4 years I can tell you the. Worst thing about it is the command centre , it’s just to much tech you can do without , the Bluetooth doesn’t work properly , using your phone is only any good if you had a good signal than it’s a pain to use , and what they don’t tell you is you have to pay a yearly subscription after 3 years and not to mention a yearly subscription you have to pay for the tracker if you want to use that . But please don’t don’t let that put you off we love ours,but we think it would be better with out the command centre.
@@FlyCampCaravanNorthWales have heard about swift reintroducing the plywood layer was there was a problem with the floor bubbling in the none wood version , but that could be just teething problems .
I used to be a caravaner but ended up being a motor home owner much better. Now have a 37 foot American motor home with everything on board including sat tv and sat phone,can now go out into the wilderness for 2 weeks and need nothing, empty the waste tank when we get home. Full automatic transmission.
Fingers crossed you find one you like. Have you discovered the Official Swift Basecamp Owners Group on Facebook? There are several owners on there towing with an EV should you have any questions.
Good video and review. Someone I know has just bought a new one and is having problems with the floor lifting have you heard of any similar problems. Cheers.
Yes I have heard of that issue. The vinyl bubbling. It’s a known but rare issue. Swift changed the floor in the 2022 models from a GRP top layer back to plywood. I thought this was a very strange move.
Sounds like you are having fun, but your "woes" seem to be universal to being a new caravan owner rather than specific to the Swift Base Camp 2. Looks like the awning is essential. We have just done our second motorhome holiday and have experienced the same load/setup/unload fatigue (and a wrecked 4.5m Omnistor).
Yes they are definitely universal but my channel is about the Basecamp and also this caravan is in the main purchased by newbies like we where. Fortunately we are well past the pain barrier now and are really enjoying it. Hope you get your MH sorted out do you can get back to your adventures.
Hi, loving your films as I'm considering a Base Camp 6 for exploring from. I make radio and podcasts and I'm hoping it will double as a good travelling studio. You talk about all-weather... and that intrigues me as I believe the 6 (maybe the 2 as well) has underfloor heating. How toasty can you keep it in the winter and for a newbie, how many sites are still available in the winter?
The vast majority of the camp sites in the UK are open all year round. The Base Camp is very toasty in winter. The whale heating system is very effective and the construction of modern caravans means they are extremely well insulated. We have used our base camp right through the winter and been very cosy in it. There is very active Base Camp owners group on Facebook. Come and speak to likeminded owners and see what they they say:- facebook.com/groups/swiftbasecampowners/?ref=share&fs=e&s=cl
@@FlyCampCaravanNorthWales thanks so much for your prompt answer... that's good news about the winter... and on your advice I have joined the group! Or at least I've applied... waiting to be accepted! ;-)
Great video and very similar to our experience as newbie caravanners. Its probably getting towards £3k worth of extras now after the purchase price. When you add up awnings (everyone ends up buying more than one), motor mover & all the stuff to go in it (amazing how it adds up). Buying second hand is probably a good move in the current market but make sure it has a full service history that has been done at the correct times or any remaining warranty will be invalidated. Did you have any trouble with your floor bubbling in warmer weather like a lot of people in the group did? I wondered if the change to an all grp floor was the cause of this, especially as I believe they have gone back to ply in the floor.
Hi Colin. We have had no issues with the floor bubbling. I have been pondering why Swift would revert back to plywood and maybe that’s it. However I can’t seem to join the dots to the floor. It must have been a fault with the vinyl itself?
@@FlyCampCaravanNorthWales not sure but an adhesive problem of some sort seemed the most likely cause. Swift do seem to change things without thinking the consequences through fully.
Hello, excellent video, I'm looking for a similar caravan, I have a standard question. Do they have heating? You can put air conditioning and heating on it or this model doesn't allow it. I'm looking for it to bring it to Spain and summer here is complicated!
Hi Juan. Yes the Basecamp’s have heating and hot water as standard. Air conditioning is not standard but can be installed on some caravans but I would get that checked out with a dealer to be sure.
I chose a Bailey Discovery D4-2 in preference, mainly because the seats are - for me - more comfortable. Also it cost about £3k less new and has a stabiliser built into the tow hitch. Other than that my experiences mirror yours - thank you for making me feel normal! I'm 77 and am learning to love pastures new.
Thank you for your nice comment. Happy caravanning😊
Just collected our new Basecamp2 - your comments are very re-assuring as this is our first time caravanning having sold our VW California after 4 years, looking forward to getting out in the new year - hoping it will live up to expectations, we made the change for reasons like the shower/ Oven/proper fridge and most of all having the car with us, looking forward to more of your videos👍. Thanks Vince
The comfort level of the Base Camp far exceeds to the California however the compromise is that the Base Camp isn’t as easy to manage and also you can’t wild camp in it. It’s always a compromise. That said I can confidently say you will love your Base Camp.
Thanks nick for your insight and comments. Im looking for a basecamp for next year, weve had caravans in the past when our daughters were small, really enjoyed those holidays. Im retired now and gonna take it up again. So looking for a 2 berth. Really like the look of the basecamp. Ill not be shocked by the work as ive done it before. Really enjoying your videos nick, great stuff. Thankyou.
Thanks Ian😊
I have had a few caravans over the years and done all the towing etc. Bought a VW campervan but that has it's down sides no washroom etc. So I am drawn to the base camp, no fuss, great spec, warm and easy to tow.
It is the perfect choice for us who don't want the expense of a motor home or large caravan.
Really good honest video thanks, 👍
@@patm8369 we are three years into owning our Basecamp now. We are still really enjoying it and it meets our need perfectly.
+1 .. Fly, Camp & Caravan .... You and your Frau are the bomb... Great DIY video post for potential Base Camp / caravan owners ... Cheers, Vail, Colorado
Subscribed..
Caravanning means being organized and having a hitching/ unhitching checklist, but after the initial cost outlay plus all the essential equipment bought not many look back. Plus the most important thing, if you suddenly feel the need to jump in the car during the day and pop out somewhere then you can without the hoohaa of a camper van or motorhome without concerns over narrow country lanes, carpark height barriers/ spaces being big enough etc etc. Motorhomes and campers have their place but for us you can't beat the versatility and living space of a caravan.
Have to agree with all of that. We find the caravan is more work to set up but the flexibility of the car is very much worth it.
we have got the initial set up down to around an hour(our awning is a lightweight 3/4 length poled model and takes another hour and a bit to put up and for me to obsess about how it looks lol!) Numerous times we haved arrived on site and its raining and windy so all we do is pitch up, get the gas and leccy on for a cup of tea and bite to eat.
What an amazing vlogger you are, how on earth have you less than 2000 viewers!!!!
That’s very kind of you to say😊.
love this video , so true what you say , im really confident now , we got ours pre owned in august 2021 and the only month we haven't had it out was december , got back today from norfolk and I agree i would most definitely buy again , couldnt get on with the vango awning though , sold that and upgraded to a used KAMPA AIR PRO with annex (both used ) :)
Thank you so much for this video. It is wonderful. And very informative. Looking forward to seeing new adventures. Cheers!
Thanks! At last I have a honest review rather than the normal sales pitch. I’m off to buy one!
Have fun! Endless adventures ahead.
Super useful video! We’re about to buy a Basecamp 2 and this is reassuring and gives some great tips and info, thanks so much 👍🏻
Great to hear😊. There are nearly 30 videos on my channel relating to the Basecamp. If you go into playlists on my channel I have them all saved there in one place.
@@FlyCampCaravanNorthWales fantastic, will do.
As most have already said, great information again. You’re vids are certainly pre arming us. Looking for a Basecamp in the coming year (early retirement) Swift Iona is another possibility. Thanks
Thanks for that🙂. Hope you get the van you want.
Just watched a video on the Iona. Looks a really nice van.
ua-cam.com/video/oSStPzvT6iI/v-deo.html
We bought our 2021 model new last October and I endorse all you've said. We take pedal cycles and I also enjoy building and flying RC model aeroplanes. We had an old (20+ years) LWB Transit-based campervan, in which we've travelled widely in the UK and the near continent. We were able to carry our single bikes on a rear rack and our tandem inside. The problem was when I wanted to take model aircraft. It was OK in transit but there was nowhere to put them on site other than taking a tent. With a small caravan, we'll have the car (Vauxhall Astra estate) for extra gubbins and I'll be able to drive off-site with my planes.
We've only been away once so far. That was to a nearby site about 30 miles away as a test run. The first thing we found - Swift don't supply a sink plug! We hadn't noticed until the first morning. Fortunately we weren't far from Don Amott's caravans so were able to buy one (about £2! - can't believe Swift didn't include one.) You're right about accessories over and above what we needed in the campervan. The main problem we had was the hitchlock didn't work because the supplied dummy ball-joint was too small to allow the hitch lever to close. With a new, larger plastic ball it now works but I had to grind a bit of the casing away to get it to lock.
We're both in our 80s so we only have a few years left to enjoy our cycling and walking (and on a much reduced scale than formerly). The BC2 suits us perfectly and we hope for many trips once the weather improves. In the meantime, we spent New Year's Eve in the van jsy to check the comfort of the bunks as single beds :) Anyway, the small TV in the van is the only one we have (we've never had one in the house in over 50 years) so it was a novelty to watch it live.
Thanks for such an informative summary of your adventures. Hope I’m still camping in my 80’s. Enjoy.
Thanks for the video, very interesting, I can see the appeal. Horses for courses though, as 'older' caravanners, we prefer a little more comfort and room so we have a 7.9m twin axle with a separate bathroom and fixed bed. If we were 30 years younger I'd certainly consider a Basecamp.
I would mention though that the 'pain barrier' you talk about is nothing to do with your caravan being a Basecamp, it is the same for any caravan. After the first few times you get into the swing of it all, if we don't need to do any side to side leveling we are set up in about 15 mins.
Thanks again.
Thank you for your comment and you make a really good point around the pain been for all caravans. I failed to mention in the video. The reason it is relevant for the Basecamp is because this caravan over indexes with newcomers. Thanks again for taking the time to write, such an insightful comment.
Great insight, all your videos are so handy 👍
We have pondered the Basecamp. They are pretty funky
I bought a camper van (mk6) 3 years ago for £2800. It worth £5000 now due to the escapism era promoted by covid. The same with motor homes.
The cabin's name is BaseCamp2, perhaps the manufacturer meant it was intended to provide only the basic comfort features, that is for a starting level...
That’s is absolutely correct. It’s a ‘camper’ rather than a luxury caravan.
I have a Swift Challenger 580 and eventually want to move down to a Basecamp. Even though I have a lot more room and a island bed. Just so much easier to tow and with a smaller vehicle. I have been towing caravans since 2005.
It’s our first caravan so can’t compare it. We love it for its funcky looks, comfortable practical space and it’s very functional. Also, it fits on my drive and it’s easy to tow. Perfect for us newbies.
Depends on Price.???.
We bought a basecamp 2 this year very similar reasons to yourselves, I wouldn't buy a 2022 model as it doesn't come with the command center , I might be wrong but that would mean the loss of the tracker and for what the rrp is its not worth the money.
Keep up the bs2 videos there superb.
The 2022 model is a downgrade from the 2021 model in my view. Taking out swift Command and hiking up the price. Also, Swift have reintroduced plywood as the top layer of the floor which is strange move.
we love our 2017 basecamp, would I buy another? yes but i personally do not want all the gizmos, apps, and gimmicks which ,like fancy cars, are prone to go wrong. our bc is simple to set up, uncomplicated and offers everything we need. price is crazy but there are plenty of nearly new 2nd hand ones out there.
@@nickabbott5676 well said…. Can’t argue with that.
Have had our Basecamp camp for 4 years I can tell you the. Worst thing about it is the command centre , it’s just to much tech you can do without , the Bluetooth doesn’t work properly , using your phone is only any good if you had a good signal than it’s a pain to use , and what they don’t tell you is you have to pay a yearly subscription after 3 years and not to mention a yearly subscription you have to pay for the tracker if you want to use that . But please don’t don’t let that put you off we love ours,but we think it would be better with out the command centre.
@@FlyCampCaravanNorthWales have heard about swift reintroducing the plywood layer was there was a problem with the floor bubbling in the none wood version , but that could be just teething problems .
Great video thanks
I used to be a caravaner but ended up being a motor home owner much better. Now have a 37 foot American motor home with everything on board including sat tv and sat phone,can now go out into the wilderness for 2 weeks and need nothing, empty the waste tank when we get home. Full automatic transmission.
That sounds absolutely amazing. Way out of my pay grade!
Cannot get to remote places and camp .
Great video thanks, we just went to look at one. We would be towing with an EV.
Fingers crossed you find one you like. Have you discovered the Official Swift Basecamp Owners Group on Facebook? There are several owners on there towing with an EV should you have any questions.
Thanks will do!
Many thanks ! 😊
Well done Good presentation!
Good video and review. Someone I know has just bought a new one and is having problems with the floor lifting have you heard of any similar problems. Cheers.
Yes I have heard of that issue. The vinyl bubbling. It’s a known but rare issue. Swift changed the floor in the 2022 models from a GRP top layer back to plywood. I thought this was a very strange move.
Sounds like you are having fun, but your "woes" seem to be universal to being a new caravan owner rather than specific to the Swift Base Camp 2. Looks like the awning is essential. We have just done our second motorhome holiday and have experienced the same load/setup/unload fatigue (and a wrecked 4.5m Omnistor).
Yes they are definitely universal but my channel is about the Basecamp and also this caravan is in the main purchased by newbies like we where. Fortunately we are well past the pain barrier now and are really enjoying it. Hope you get your MH sorted out do you can get back to your adventures.
Thanks for posting the video, can I ask where you got the wedge shaped zipper storage bag you use for your dogs sleeping bag?
They are from Bags of Creations. Find them on Facebook. They make bespoke items for the Basecamp caravans .
Hi, loving your films as I'm considering a Base Camp 6 for exploring from. I make radio and podcasts and I'm hoping it will double as a good travelling studio. You talk about all-weather... and that intrigues me as I believe the 6 (maybe the 2 as well) has underfloor heating. How toasty can you keep it in the winter and for a newbie, how many sites are still available in the winter?
The vast majority of the camp sites in the UK are open all year round. The Base Camp is very toasty in winter. The whale heating system is very effective and the construction of modern caravans means they are extremely well insulated. We have used our base camp right through the winter and been very cosy in it. There is very active Base Camp owners group on Facebook. Come and speak to likeminded owners and see what they they say:-
facebook.com/groups/swiftbasecampowners/?ref=share&fs=e&s=cl
@@FlyCampCaravanNorthWales thanks so much for your prompt answer... that's good news about the winter... and on your advice I have joined the group! Or at least I've applied... waiting to be accepted! ;-)
No worries😎.
Great video and very similar to our experience as newbie caravanners. Its probably getting towards £3k worth of extras now after the purchase price. When you add up awnings (everyone ends up buying more than one), motor mover & all the stuff to go in it (amazing how it adds up). Buying second hand is probably a good move in the current market but make sure it has a full service history that has been done at the correct times or any remaining warranty will be invalidated. Did you have any trouble with your floor bubbling in warmer weather like a lot of people in the group did? I wondered if the change to an all grp floor was the cause of this, especially as I believe they have gone back to ply in the floor.
Hi Colin. We have had no issues with the floor bubbling. I have been pondering why Swift would revert back to plywood and maybe that’s it. However I can’t seem to join the dots to the floor. It must have been a fault with the vinyl itself?
@@FlyCampCaravanNorthWales not sure but an adhesive problem of some sort seemed the most likely cause. Swift do seem to change things without thinking the consequences through fully.
Hello, excellent video, I'm looking for a similar caravan, I have a standard question. Do they have heating? You can put air conditioning and heating on it or this model doesn't allow it. I'm looking for it to bring it to Spain and summer here is complicated!
Hi Juan. Yes the Basecamp’s have heating and hot water as standard. Air conditioning is not standard but can be installed on some caravans but I would get that checked out with a dealer to be sure.
Nice practical, simple van, but £23,000 + geez......!
Nice vid, just wondering what the door opening width is?
It’s a notch under 26” wide.
4 weeks is a long time, what was the problem with your towcar?
A van skidded off the road on a blind corner and hit me head on.
@@FlyCampCaravanNorthWales glad you got it sorted
Hi may I know any website to rent a Basecamp in Norway or Germany.
Hi Andrew. I don’t think they can be rented. I was looking to rent before buying to try one out but couldn’t find one.
@@FlyCampCaravanNorthWales thank you so much,I still search ,March going to Lofoten. RV to big I am worries.
€24500 now !!!
🫣
The used market is the way to go. Save thousands.
Insanely expensive for a tiny 2 berth caravan. For that kind of money I’d rather have a motorhome. Stupidly pricey.
Fair dos. Depends where you see the value. A caravan and certainly a Basecamp won’t be for everyone.