[Closed] Camper van living - tip & tricks?

A squeedgy/super absorbent thingy for wiping down the condensation from the windows in the morning.

Have it packed with [i]everything[/i] you need, restock before you get back home etc. i.e. no packing needed from the house, other than clothes. That way you're less likely to ever forget anything and it makes actually getting away more pleasurable/easy.

Always have a spare bottle of wine hidden away, so that when you arrive at that perfect spot at 11pm in the middle of nowhere, you don't have a "doh!" moment when you realise you forgot to pick up something to drink 🙂

Carry some planks to put under the wheels to level the camper on slopes.

T5 camper tip Become a midget ?

Invest in a roll out awning and sides.

T5 is more of a bed on wheels than a camper.

Unless it looks like pictonroads beast or has a pop top like stoners 🙂

Folding water bucket/wash bowl
large paintbrush to use as dust brush
secret wine store
lifeventure travel sink plug
Pack of kitchen/nappy wipes
string and safety pin washing line
Travel towels (lifeventure/knock offs)
Small handle tie bin liners
Bog roll
shit shovel for wild turding
more wine

We live in our T4 van for about a month of the year (2 adults, 2 small monsters). Travel light, read books, relax. Drink wine. Love it.

We can be comfortable just in the van, but for imsplicity we also now use a quechua base pop up tent when at a site. We have a simple awning (single fly sheet) for shade/rain protection if we need it. Big awning tents take up a lot of space and arent very flexibile.

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LH5.GOOGLEUSERCONTENT.COM "https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uHhp9CRqrD8/UBLhXZVxrFI/AAAAAAAAC68/bZ8ws8ksLwA/s400/IMAG0136.jpg[/img]"

External screens, no condensation. One of the best things we did.

And yes, keep everything in van. We end up going to the van when run out of stuff in the house.

Corkscrew/bottle opener. I have hundreds of the damn things around because I keep forgetting to take one with me and having t buy one when I remember. I bought one in Rome. And in Croatia. And in Berlin. And Munich.

Now I make sure one is in my hold baggage before I finish packing.

External Screens
Duvalay
Keep it stocked and ready to. Just add food and clothes.

Off to Wales in mine in 6 hours can't wait!

I made our own thermal screens for the rear (the front ones are proper manufactured ones) using doubled-up sheets of foil bubble insulation and some suckers from eBay.

There's always emergency ration packs in our van cupboard (soups, pasta, coffee and biscuits). ANd usually a bottle of wine stashed somewhere too 😉

BTW quechua also do a very handy fold out table with two seats. And little folding tripod stools are handy too. Pack away to nothing, behind the driver's seat.

dustpan and brush.
torch.

i also really rate the seat covers from action van, not only really well made but the backs have pockets that are so handy,

ACTIONVAN.BIZ "http://www.actionvan.biz/av-seat-covers"

Seat Covers - ActionVan

Empty bottle to have a 'camping wee' in, depending on where you're parked.

^ for reasons I can't explain, and much to my companion's dismay, I filled a 5 litre bottle in February 🙂

unpack your bags and put all the stuff in cupboards.
avoid 'camping gadgets' they are mostly shite.
Plastic trug for washing up/bathing children/wet clothes.
set of solar fairy lights.
comfy chairs and a special camping jumper for the evenings
Podcasts and audiobooks

they're my top tips, everything else, wing it.

Depends if you've got one (or more) of these:

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If you haven't then, blimey, 2 sets of pants, bottle of wine/cider/beer and a credit card, off you go!

Two sets of pants?!

This isn't world tour advice!

Have it ready to go at the drop of a hat and get out into the WILD!

Wild camp somewhere ace and bag a great ride before everyone else gets up.

And my favourite thing is a frying pan with a lid to stop the bacon and sausage fat soitting everywhere!

Great advice, thanks! Wine store will be first 😀

Like those seat storage units PICTONROAD!

T5 is roomy, took a while but found a LWB with pop-top that does not feel cramped.

I have major camper envy. This is the year I plot and buy one (after renting one to get Dr North used to the idea that there's more to life than the Hilton!) ready for even more adventures next year.

Pop round to your non-camper owning mates house in the van on some flimsy pretext like borrowing some lights or something, let his kids play in the van for half an hour and then drive off to the sound of said children saying "Daddy, why can't we have a van like that....?"

You know who you are up there ^^^^^ 👿

Instant coous-cous and tinned curry for a very quick meal.
Keep tea-bags and longlife mile in the van, always.
Folding shovel for freedom poos.
Keep the water containers topped up.

Crate/storage boxes for different stuff - So that you can just pick up, pack and go without having to write lists, collect things from various places, forget stuff etc.

eg:

Cooking: booze, stove, fuel, salt, pepper, herbs, plates, pasta, couple of tins, openers, plates cutlery, lighter, lights,

Entertainment: booze, travel squabble, cards, bluetooth speakers, crochet project, marquetry etc.

Essentials: booze, suncream, 1st aid kit, wet wipes etc, etc.

pictonroad Where did you get your seat storage thingies from. Ive been looking for some and i cant find any good ones.

Or anyone else who knows of some for a T5

My van gets used for work during the week so we have assorted boxes ready to go in the garage. My Jetboil & a brew kit live permanently in the van, along with a couple of sleeping bags so am always able to kip & brew up. We have a 1 night 'go box' with the basics in it so we can just chuck it in and go, or a bigger selection of stuff for longer trips.

Pop round to your non-camper owning mates house in the van on some flimsy pretext like borrowing some lights or something, let his kids play in the van for half an hour and then drive off to the sound of said children saying "Daddy, why can't we have a van like that....?"

You know who you are up there ^^^^^

I must pop around again soon, Wont be this weekend I'm away in my van 😛

legspin - andyfla of this parish is just as bad now....

pictonroad Where did you get your seat storage thingies from. Ive been looking for some and i cant find any good ones.

Or anyone else who knows of some for a T5

Like those seat storage units PICTONROAD!

Those particular ones are made by Brandrup and were slightly harder to get my hands on than Lucy Williams when I was 15.

Brandrup make some new ones for T5's but they are SPENDY. I've not used any of the cheaper ones that are anything other than tosh though and they do hold their value Islabike style.

Those Actionvan seat covers linked to in the thread earlier look really good though. But...

Just be aware, when you're parked up the seats will more than likely be swivelled. I use them for straps and nappies and stuff we need during the day.

Actually, the boy has one to himself, I checked the other day, it has a model Renault 5, a plastic pig and a dessicated crab in it. Essential stuff for a 2.5yr old.

I have major camper envy. This is the year I plot and buy one (after renting one to get Dr North used to the idea that there's more to life than the Hilton!) ready for even more adventures next year

Pop round to your non-camper owning mates house in the van on some flimsy pretext like borrowing some lights or something, let his kids play in the van for half an hour and then drive off to the sound of said children saying "Daddy, why can't we have a van like that....?"

Nah, they're rubbish really, you end up in some really grotty places.

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Break[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/21556621@N06/ ]pictonroad[/url], on Flickr

picton - that van is amazing!!!!

What's the model so that I can google and dream of buying one?

pictonroad's van is fab
😀

You can get a new one for [url=

£64k[/url]
😯

being a VW, best add a few more quid to your budget if you want air in the tyres etc...

Spare plastic jerrycans of water?

Good pump for tyres, it helps on some sites to let your tyres down to get a bit more traction off site.
Jump leads for when youve had the lights on too much whilst wild camping.
Get your van serviced by someone who knows them inside out. A big service before the holiday season gets them ready to go.
Baby wipes
Trowel
by a cheap money box with a lock and screw it down under the rock and roll bed to store stuff (although MV Engineering do an underseat one or is it Campervanculture?)
If your going to France get one of those dibbers that you put in the windscreen so you can fly through all the tolls
Plastic boxes with snap lids that fit UNDER your van, so when you get to site you can store stuff outside of the van
Get your fridge and heater serviced before you go away, ready for the season
Wine
Corkscrew
lighter
Torch
Wine
board game compendium (magnetic)
Wine
Paracetomol

Im selling my VW T3 Westfalia hightop 🙁 so if anybods are interested PM me

Have we mentioned wine?

99 VW California Westfalia Exclusive 2.5TDI

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California Westfalia Exclusive[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/21556621@N06/ ]pictonroad[/url], on Flickr

Loads of pics here:

[url] https://www.flickr.com/photos/21556621@N06/sets/72157631866004056/ [/url]

I've bored everyone on here by now I'm sure... 😆

Really think hard if you can lose your car. I swapped my car for a camper last year and could not get on driving it day to day and eventually bought a car again. If I could afford it I would have both but sadly cannot.

Great stuff, next question - who do you use for insurance, my current company does not cover campers??

Send me a wee email with the details ranger 🙂

uphilla

I'm using caravanguard 0800 1488 418, one thing I note is that it includes recovery. (*based on recommendation from dealer, internet checks and fact that they managed the phone ok.... it's the first time I've insured a motorhome so no idea what claims etc like)

@rangerbill info on your van also please. Email in profile. Thanks!

I'll go halves with you OMITN...vanshare 🙂

Glynwoods for insurance, they won't mess you about.

I thought about renting mine out, then I had the engine played with...

uphilla - I've used Lifesure Group for 7+ years. The only insurance company Ive used where the renewal premium goes down each year! Currently paying £200 on 2003 VW T4 camper,

They do Euro breakdown cover for about £65 too.

Used Glynwoods for past 10 years, they are very knowledgeable about camper vans, esp VWs.

As has been said - keep the van stocked with everything but fresh food and clothes, remember that most places have food shops so you may not have to lug everything from home.

I do a quick inventory every so often just to check the essentials - if you have onboard gas, make sure it's topped up.

If it doesn't have hook-up get it fitted, on a 2 week trip it can be nice to have 240v once in a while.

Don't forget that you can load on the outside (spotted a T3 yesterday carrying a spare rear door on the bike rack!) but you can put a cheap plastic tool chest on for additional space.

And another vote for taking them round to friends houses to get their kids addicted - an hour playing in the pop top usually works!

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This is us arriving in Anglesey a couple of years ago. We can pack me, Mrs Cat and 2 teenage boys plus all our various toys into/onto our T3.

@Pictonroad - that is just the best van I have seen in ages, is it a Syncro too?

Sold my van last spring, miss it loads. For insurance I used C&CC Clubcare via RAC, was cheap enough for a G reg Transit to not bother shopping around, plus C&CC membership was useful once or twice.

I used to use RH insurance (Me and Mrs fully comp with European cover 120 squid) but have gone with Adrian Flux as we need business use for t'wife. Have read lots of good things about Glynwood....but forgot to ring them 🙁

Will send emails soon to those who requested

Thanks for all the info, very helpful. Ended up with Swintons, £186 for year, 2 drivers, 90 days Europe cover.
First (Non-cycling) trip this weekend and understand why people love their vans! Already starting to get it in 'ready to go' state.

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Just bought a T5 and off for my first trip away, so I shall follow some tips.

Pop round to your non-camper owning mates house in the van on some flimsy pretext like borrowing some lights or something, let his kids play in the van for half an hour and then drive off to the sound of said children saying "Daddy, why can't we have a van like that....?"

Just back from a 400 mile weekend tour in our T25 from home in Dunoon to Glenlivet and Laggan. Home is where you park it, often a trail centre car park 🙂

Sandy cooks a few chillis and similar during the week then freezes them. Chuck em in the fridge as you leave and by day 2 or 3 they've just defrosted enough to heat up on the hob. Bring some nice fresh bread and there's a great dinner with minimal faffing.
Google earth is very useful for finding wild camping spots before you leave home.
A full petrol/diesel can under the seat is very useful when you get carried away finding 'remote places' and then discover the nearest petrol station is just beyond the range of the fuel left in the tank.

Rob

All been done already, but definitely concur with these:

Thermal screens (keep sun out and warmth in at night, not to mention privacy).

Levelling blocks.

A 'lecce hook-up is a definite benefit.

An awning on a smaller van (we have a Bongo).

We stored all our kit in plastic boxes - easier to move about and can live under the van is necessary.

Hard brush - dustpan optional.

Wet wipes.

Washing line.

LEDs with magnetic backs are useful too:

Wine / beer. 🙂

To mirror a previous post - grotty places. 🙂

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by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/77122468@N00/ ]NeilCain[/url], on Flickr

The wife and I lived in this for 6 months whilst travelling around Europe.
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It hasn't been getting used as much as I would like due to having 2x small children but we are coming out of the other side of that now and I can see a lot of adventures on the horizon.

DO NOT by a fancy drive away awning, i have one and it's mediocre at best. If you are all sleeping in the van you don't need one. If you need extra room I would second the pop up tent idea.

Rather than a wine stash I suggest a Single Malt stash. More space efficient.

For the little ones

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For the big ones

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surstr%C3%B6mming

BillOddie - is that photo taken here?

GOOGLE.CO.UK "https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Naravni+rezervat+Mala+Pišnica,+Sleme+nad+Tamarjem+in+Slemenova+špica/"

Before you continue to Google Maps

@46.411352,13.748016,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m5!1e2!3m3!1s57572477!2e1!3e10!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xeb226da7e5ec58c2

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mountain Bongo[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/77122468@N00/ ]NeilCain[/url], on Flickr

Well spotted Mr Cain!

Vrnic Pass in Slovenia if I recall correctly.

Sounds familiar. With a Russian T34 outside the bunker museum at the top?

One hell of a wiggly road going down the other side...

Just going back to the insurance bit. I've just bought a van after being inspired by all these threads on here. Just spent the morning sorting out insurance. Most companies don't seem to like modified vans, part campers, etc and charge a lot as they think you're a trader, ie van for private use doesn't add up. Brentacre Insurance are very understanding, allow unlimited mods that don't affect power and considerably cheaper than anyone else. Perfect for us as we're really just trying it out, seeing how much we might use it and not sure if we want to go down the full camper conversion route just yet.

paul4stones - Member

Ha Ha, give me a chance! Picking it up tomorrow but I've got my broken wrist in a cast until next week so can't drive it or start working on it until after that. Apparently it was owned by a mountainbiker before so maybe someone on here? Renault trafic, lwb, windows and seats in the back already. For the moment it'll have boat and bikes and a tent in the back but if we get on, who knows 😉 I can see the slope and it looks slippery.

Renault trafic, lwb, windows and seats in the back already.

You're already halfway there... 😉

Ok, looking like something straight out of Autotrader here is . . . [url=

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It has potential. Cheap and cheerful. If anyone from Caffe Tirreno recognises it and has horror stories about its past I don't want to know 🙂

This site is your friend...

Also a lot of T4 stuff (that can also be applied to other vehicles) here

http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/

Try Adrian flux for self built insurance or a firm in essex i ended up with after a few yrs, can't remember now, will dig out the paperwork.

Just about to prep our van for a weekend in the Brecon Beacons with the boys. Must make sure wine cellar is stocked... It's going to be lovely weather with some grand walking and some fun in the woods. I love my van 🙂

My girlfriend and i lived in a iveco 49:10 for a year wandering around europe and found the most useful thing was the free camping areas.
Check out 'all the aires' for france, there are similar ones for the german (& rest of europe) stellplatze by bord atlas.

These range from a parking space in a petrol station to large open free campsites with great facilities.

I hate this thread (and all other campervan related threads)!

They all make the Want-monster scream inside my head and I then spend time I don't have searching used van websites. 😀