Petrieboy - nice, but I'm after something with a bit more room...
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Tell me about campervans
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Posted 1 year ago #
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myheadsashed - Member
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Iveco-Daily-van-race-home-motorhome-camper-conversion-/250650738657?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes&hash=item3a5bf2bfe1#ht_1845wt_1139Anyone know stumpjumper?
That's one of the coolest vans I have ever seen. Well worth a visit for anyone interested in that topic. The "over the kitchen" entry into the bed cubby is a bit unorthodox but I think it actually would work well. I can't insert or save any of those pictures though - anyone got any clues?Posted 1 year ago # -
Dogslow, you paid exactly the same for your van as I did for mine
Got mine a year ago but its a year older. Yours is one of the first campers I've seen with the bonded windows, looks neat When I say truck like handling, I'm comparing it to my works dual wheel Ford Transit Luton. You can drive that like a car, it gives plenty of feedback and has supple suspension so you can just fling it into that mini-roundabout and you'll exit with a grin. The Iveco is stiff and to be frank a bit of a handful on the rough and twisty stuff, its not a complaint, just a contrast. It wouldn't be a sensible choice against a VW or Vivaro type van, but if you want something big then the LWB like Dogslows is pretty much top of the pack, with the Sprinter/LT35 XLWB and Transit Jumbo close behind.
Mine will do 29mpg at 65-70mph, push up to 80-85mph (nearly flat out) it drops to 25mpg, but 90% of the time it struggles to get 20mpg as I use it to tow a 2.8t horsebox twice a week.
We find it better than a tent, as long as you keep things relatively organised, you can be ready to roll in a couple of minutes. There will always be something you've forgotten to put away, but you only realise when it hits the floor and by then its fine to leave it there
The best bit is when you've been on holiday a week and have a 9hr trip home, you can get up at 6am, fold the bed away, roll off the chocks and be on your way home 10 minutes later a brekkie at the first services, whereas in the tent you've got a couple of hours of taking down the tent and packing the car and probably won't be leaving til 10am, plus the same when you get home!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Sportline still has the 130 or 174 engine, it's just done up nicely - nice alloys, nice added bits. While yours is well done, this looks better as a base van to me:
You need gas for a camper fridge - no questions.
Sorry but some of your facts are inaccurate. Sportlines only have a 174 engine. and I'll say again all a sportline is, is a standard van when it comes into VW they then send it out to a bodyshop to have the bumpers, alloys etc added. If you bought a standard van and then the bits it would cost you several grand less than buying one ready "done". It's for loaded electricians to pose around on site rather than anything else although seems to be adopted by, ahem, surfers also.
Mine is a 130 on an '08 plate with 17k on clock, what you see above cost less than £20k inc. full camper conversion and Reimo roof. a Sportline is £27k as a base van. mine has a full electric compressor fridge and lasts for approx 3 days before needing more juice in the batteries, gas fridges need unsightly vents adding to side so there's advantages and disadvantages with both systems.
Posted 1 year ago # -
get a sprinter !! who are you going to trust when it comes to mechanical prowess? surfers or motorsport guys? mine is amazing and im off to spend 3 weeks in glastonbury in it today WHOOP WHOOP.
i vowed never to use a nylon-nightmare again.
self conversion is the key - even if you get a specialist company to do it for you it still works out cheaper my mate paid 8k for a panel van, spent another 6k having it fitted out by aztec and sold it on for 16 after using it for a year.Posted 1 year ago # -
im off to spend 3 weeks in glastonbury
free weeks? lucky you!Posted 1 year ago # -
Forge - you definitely have a good un!
Blazin - I'd get a used Sportline (would have to be 174 even if not a Sportline) and get it converted. I know it's only visual tarting up but it's done so well. Seen decent ones for just shy of £18k. Spend £6k getting it done up and you have a flipping nice van.
I think (may be wrong) that "proper" fridges do last well on 12v only but the cooler on the Cali doesn't.
Anyway no immediate plans to get one - I think we might take the plunge when we get older though.
For now a good tent, use of a lovely seaside private field/campsite (belonging to relatives) in Rock and a little 4x4 and our BMW stealth bomber estate car do the job well - we tend to rent holiday houses if we do need somewhere to stay. Pricey but much less than a decent camper!
Posted 1 year ago # -
we find we dont need a flash van or even a big engine.
ours is a 2000 vintage T4 does 80 top whack and itsnt that bad on fuel (much cheaper to run than an old t25 and a 1.2l ford fiesta). its got a few dinks but living in a busy part of town gets you those and we are not precious enough to worry about them.
converted ourselves but with a reimo seat/bed conversion (for proper safe seat belts) and windows. i need to re-do the cupboards because they are a bit crappy (i did em in a rush while preparing to get married and sit my professional engineering review in the same week)
its bloody excellent. we honeymooned in scotland in it, have toured france and use it for camping weekends and hols. stay in it at weddings etc.
personally i couldnt live without a vw van of some type. i love vans me. i did have an estate once between vans but its really not the same.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Surprised no-one has mentioned the Mazda Bongo.
We've had ours 8 months now and had it converted professionally (fridge, rock and roll bed, cooker sink etc.) but used it in its unconverted format beforehand. V6 petrol, does about 24mpg, cruises easily at 70-80 mph and drives just like a (big) car. Great, practical vehicles and quite a bit cheaper than the VW range. Forum and more info here
Posted 1 year ago # -
Most campers are stupidly overpriced. I'd opt for a tent, but have the smallest vehicle you can get your head down in, if you find yourself stuck somewhere without a pitch.
Don't buy an old VW camper! They are ridiculously overpriced rust buckets than have had the sxxt knocked out of them. Beware of traders selling these, they are unscrupulous.
Perhaps buy a small second hand panel van and convert it yourself.
Alternatively, use tents and Accor Hotels - way cheaper!
Posted 1 year ago # -
+1 for Bongos and Bongo Fury
Good compromise if you want to use them every day as a car, albeit a bit heavy on fuel. Can't really get a bike inside overnight though, unless you sleep upstairs. Smaller than comparable VWs, but a heap more for your money.
Posted 1 year ago # -
+1 for Bongos and Bongo Fury
Good compromise if you want to use them every day as a car, albeit a bit heavy on fuel. Can't really get a bike inside overnight though, unless you sleep upstairs. Smaller than comparable VWs, but a heap more for your money.
Posted 1 year ago # -
another happy bongo owner here, i'v had a 2wd 2.5tdi auto with a hightop and been to france/holland/germany all over the uk and just been to livigno italy with 5 peaple ski kit and luggage no problems at all, had it nearly 4yrs now and not had any problems, runs a dream and cruises at 70-80 no problem, and suprisingly well equipped with ew, cl, dual zone aircon, fitted blinds on windows, electric elevating roof ect, use it as my everyday transport as its no wider or longer than a mondeo so easy to park, can be a bit juicy if you cane them but they pick their feet up pretty well for a vantype thing, good ones seem to start at 4-5k upwards 7-8k will get a fully fitted minter
Posted 1 year ago # -
Bongo here as well, got the hi-top, no conversion. We've done a month away- two young kids up top, wife and I downstairs, kit gets thrown into a small driveaway awning at night. Bit tight, but doable. Like Khani says, good equipment level and very reliable if you look after the couple of known risk areas. Aircon is a real bonus - couldn't find many vans at a reasonable price with it - if you're going to be in hot climates. We ended up selling our other car because the Bongo was so practical as a day to day driver, apart from that it's a bit thirsty, and won't fit onto many multi storey carparks.
It's great as a biking van- bike fits in the back wheels on, along with the kit- only needs the back row of seats folded up, so good security, and I sleep up top.Posted 1 year ago # -
Do it, you won't look back. Would never be without ours
Yes, VWs are expensive, but hold their value incredibly well. We bought our T4 Westy for £11.5K two years ago and I could sell it for the same tomorrow (not that I'm going to mind).
Yes, you could buy or DIY a a builders van conversion, but it won't be so well kitted out and you may have problems with insurance.
It makes a HUGE difference what time in the year you buy... you will pay top dollar now, but wait until the Autumn and you will get a much better deal.
If you're not looking to hold onto the van long term, and can't be fussed with the hassle of selling when you get back, you could also consider buying from somewhere with a guaranteed buyback scheme - lots of dealers do it. Cheaper than hiring long term and a good escape route if you find you don't get on with it, but personally I would just buy something decent and have faith you'll be able to sell it on next season.
Posted 1 year ago # -
@dave_aber: Nice conversion. Do you know who did it?
thanks
Posted 1 year ago # -
Bongo here too, We have a Wellhouse conversion.. very nice.. we love ours, Watching prices of these some go for 6-7k for couple year old ( from import + conversion date so 10 yrs usuall) with 60-70k on the clock.
To be honest though for MTBing, I'd prefer a longer wheelbase converted Van that you can also keep the bikes in aswell as sleep in.
Posted 1 year ago # -
dave_aber - that looks like a Celtic Motorhome job. Same as ours. Top bloke.
Posted 1 year ago # -
anyone know the towing capacity of a bongo? considering a camper thing but would have to be able to tow a horsebox with 2 small horses (icelandic)
Posted 1 year ago #
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