We've got a few events coming up this Summer. The OH wants a camper van, I'm totally against it, firstly as we can't really afford it, and secondly it'll be sat on the driveway for 50 weeks of the year.
My usual solution has been to book a hotel whenever we want a night out, but it's not looking good for the nights we want this year, as everywhere we want is full, so we'll have to camp, which is fine, unless it's raining.
My thoughts have now turned to getting an awning type extension for my work van, and using the van to sleep in, with the added dryness of the awning for a bit more room. Something like the one linked below is what I was thinking of - for around the price of two nights in a hotel in Ft. Bill in June.
Anybody tried similar, and how did it work out?
I didn't want a full camper so have a people carrier van (Vivaro Life Elite). We have a Van Gear bed system in the boot under the parcel shelf. We also have a big tent and a cheap Decathlon Arpenaz Base Awning (free standing) so we have extra space if just sleeping in the van.
Also doubles up as a bike carrier. Currently away in the van staying in hotels and a static van, and I've had two bikes hidden in the boot out of sights. Also very handy being able to shove all the camping gear in without blocking windows.
Last year we did 2 weeks in it doing van sleeping, hotels and tent camping. All the chairs came out for this trip. We left the bed up as we then had tonnes of space under fot tent, paddle board, porta potti, other camping stuff with nothing on show other than the bed. Left in a public car park for two days when in Cardiff.
We have the cheaper £120 free standing awning - similar to what you linked. I use screw in tent pegs and it stands up to the infamous 'Shell Island' winds.
Like this 
Why not just hire a campervan/motorhome for the period you need it?
good example here on FB marketplace
I’ve got a camper but if you don’t want one, just get a decent tent that has a standing height living area, then rain isn’t really a problem.
If you have a van plus awning, there isn’t much difference to a tent except the rain will probably be more noisy than the gentle patter on a tent, and you’ll still have a wet tent to dry out when you get home.
Sleeping in a tent or campervan, great.
Sleeping in a car or unconverted van, rubbish, I’d always choose a tent over the above, unless it was storm force winds and the tent wasn’t up to it!
Our daughter has the air version from Decathlon. She has used it all over the UK and Europe with a mattress and the bikes in the van. Works well.
Thanks all, I reckon we'll get one. As for renting a campervan - cost and convenience. There are a few rental places near us (Scottish border), but, It's only the odd weekend away, a decent hotel is the same price as renting a campervan, and then trying to get one for a short period in peak times likely be difficult, just like trying to book a weekend near to the Nevis Range in May is proving hard. It's £40 a night for a van pitch at Nevis Range, so hopefully we'll go for that.
For comfort, and insulated bed, get decent self inflating air beds especially if the better half is coming (we have Thermarest Mondokings - spendy at £200 each and definately for car camping as they are quite large rolled up compared to backpacking ones or cheap airbeds).
Definatelty a stand up tent or awning. Huge difference in comfort. We use the tent for longer stays as it's alot bigger to carry and takes ages to dry being polycotton. The awning I can hang over the bannister, washing line or draped over the bikes and dehumidifier in the garage.
We have a couple of friends that use ex work vans. They just have camping gear boxed up and use a futon to sleep on. Another friend has a partially converted caddy, just has a fold out bit of wood to sleep on. These vans aren't insulated so they just wrap up. We camp from early April onwards and it can be cold at night but sleeping bag and a duvet work fine.
I'd use what you have (plus awning for sitting) especially if its not too often. Just make sure your work van has clear space to get a bed down. Another plus point, you can use the awning for a porta potty. Wouldn't be without one as it saves a trudge over fields in the night in the dark, MrsF missed a hole last year (she had a torch but the sea mist rolled in) and broke a bone in her foot. Cut the trip short.
Get on FB Marketplace for a used one. We bought our Vango Kela air awning for about £250 (literally looked like it'd never been used). Used it for about 5 or 6 years and then sold it for £250.
Thanks all, I reckon we'll get one. As for renting a campervan - cost and convenience. There are a few rental places near us (Scottish border), but, It's only the odd weekend away, a decent hotel is the same price as renting a campervan, and then trying to get one for a short period in peak times likely be difficult, just like trying to book a weekend near to the Nevis Range in May is proving hard. It's £40 a night for a van pitch at Nevis Range, so hopefully we'll go for that.
Cost and convenience? In which case, do not buy one! Cost is craaaazy. Convenience is great the day you need it, but you have to service it, MOT it, insure it, clean it, buy stuff for it....
(Best thing we ever did BTW)
I've got the Decathlon air version the same as Traceys Daughter and it works fine but is not sealed if people want to sleep in it, we have a clip in bedroom that my daughter uses sometimes so it keeps bugs out.... I'm going to repace it with one of these this summer though.
That has a tunnel between the van and sealed room section.
Then we have a bed that folds out over the folded down rear seats.
My brother in Law uses his work van and builds a bed using bits of scaffold poles and planks then puts an actual matress on it. Its great!
I don't know if this is a real thing, but an old biking buddy of mine met up with me and a few others at a popular campsite down in the Lakes. She was in a windowless works van and the campsite we're pretty adamant that she wasn't getting in for 'safety' reasons. I can't remember the exact details but the problem was definitely something to do with a lack of side / rear door windows.
Mind you, it could be that she just didn't want to hang out with us.
Campsites don’t normally like vans or campers without windows. They are worried about travellers, and tradies looking for cheap digs whilst working away unfortunately. Obv most are fine but then you’ll get some that want to drink their earnings every night in a noisy group.