MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
OK, me and the missus are seriously thinking about getting a van/camper in the spring to use as something to throw the bikes/surf boards/child in/on and disappear at a moments notice on a Friday night for a weekend away. Budget will be tight'ish, about £3k probably so we're looking at VW T4s/T25s, Bongos, Vitos etc.
Its going to be parked on the road so I'm not wanting something I'm going to be too precious about so was thinking van (Vito/T4/Vivaro etc) with a rock and roll bed, carpet and insulation and then an awning to cook in etc.
Alternatively, something like a proper camper, T25 probably. But I'd be worried about seeing something like that rust into the road...
Any suggestions / good websites to get inspiration?
Dave
With a budget of £3k I seriously doubt you'll be thinking T4/T25, they are fetching silly money now, anything for sale for £3k will be a complete nail/knackered.
Not even sure it'll run to a bongo tbh, you might get an old Vito/Vivaro but I wouldn't want a Vito at that age as they rust like old boats.
How much work are you prepared to do yourself, Ie. would you consider a van then doing a bit of a conversion on it or are you looking to buy ready to go??
Be happy to do all the work myself. Been looking at a few T4s and theres some semi decent ones for well under £3k. Mates just sold his really good one for under that so theres a few about.
been van hunting myself for a while now. VW's fetch silly money as mentioned, vitos rot like champs as mentioned.
seriously consider the newest transit you can get as they are a joy to drive (for a van, and especially compared to older more agricultural transits) but my current pick of the bunch is a vauxhall vivaro. go to a dealer and drive as many different vans as you can as there's some that are pigs such as ivecos, LDV's.
ready made campers sell for a huge margin over an empty box van so think about what facilities you need and decide if you could install them yourself.
My mate bought an early T4 this year. A bit rusty and I'm a little suspicious of its under 100.000 miles but he's made it into a sleeper and been all over the place without a problem.
He paid about a grand.
I bought my 03 T4 2yrs ago for £3800. Ex plumbers van, a little tatty but it was resprayed in silver when new so that helps.
We have added a double rear seat and belt, approx £200.
Audi wheels, powdercoated £210
Side bars, powdercoated £190
Split charge system, approx £150
Lowered £170
Windows £300
Tint £70
Just need to finish insulating this winter and build some kind of removable sleeping platform...
Another vote to forget VW on a £3k budget, as above, I would go for a Vivaro/Trafic or Transit. I have an Iveco Daily and whole-heartedly agree that it is a pig, especially on poorly surfaced or twisty roads. But it is cheap, tough, and above all else, has a class leading towing limit.