If the plans do come off, and I decide to head off around Europe for a bit, what should I be looking for in a camper?
Looking for experiences really from folks who have 'em, or have had 'em.
And yes, I will search the web for Campertrackworld, but I thought I'd start with you lot first
about to tuck into sushi. Will post a long reply later
We've just bought our 2nd, having had out first one for 6 years. The key we found was to work out what layout suits you best. With 2-kids we wanted a van with fixed bunk beds and that worked out great in practice. With just the one coming with us now (the older one is 18 and no longer interested in holidaying with us!) we've switched to one with two big doubles and a large garage (big enough for a motorbike).
The other main change is that we've got air-con fitted having struggled in the heat when we took the previous one to Italy.
Buy one of these and spend the £35k+ change on a longer trip?
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I'm with Matt on this one. They cost a lot to run and a lot to buy - even driving a small car around France gets pricey quickly, I'd hate to think what it costs in a big camper at 25-30mpg.
Well, I'd be looking at £15k, not £35k (a nice VW conversion or similar), but yeah, I get your point. I'd want to be able to do some sneaky car-park sleeping at times though I'd imagine, tricky with a tent.
I bought a 06 T5 panel van and had it converted by a company in Devon.It's got a pop up roof, a proper triple crash tested bed/rear seat and a kitchen pod with a cooker and fridge. It's small enough to use like a car but 4 of us can sleep comfortably - not much change from £20k for the van and the conversion though
I haven't owned one but have hired a variety of different ones - for a couple of weeks every few years that works out a lot cheaper.
You have to decide what comnprimises you will accept - the bigger the van the more comfy to live in but the worse to drive. Do you want an onboard toilet? Full cooker or just a little one? Big fridge or one that will only take a couple of beers?
For me for more than a night or two I want a big van - full size bed that you don't have to fold away to drive it, on board kahzi, several days worth of water in tanks and a waste tank - that sort of think. A small one you might as well have a car and a tent.
edit - and for driving in 'Europe then one witht he steering wheel on the right side is very useful
I still lust after one as well. Insurance put me off this year, maybe once I've got a little more time on the road. Little bongo with a basic conversion would do me as a bike/motorbike van and basic treehouse-on-wheels I reckon. You don't need to be minted to get into this game it seems, but a bit of no claims does seem to help.
The price of scabby old campers though, feh... Beige talbots with mystery mould, VWs made entirely out of badly welded repair panels...
How long you intending going for? I hired one a couple of years ago - got a brand new super deluxe one and while expensive it was not ridiculous. &800 a week IIRC. For a &70 000 brand new van
TJ - couple of months, if not more.
I've just bought our second, and love it.
Much depends on how many it's for and your budget. Vans better than coach-built motorhomes for sneaky sleeping in laybys, etc. DOn't forget the folding shovel, either.
Tell us more about what you want it for....
Get a left hand drive one other wise the toll roads will be a complete bugger.
It'd be for me and maybe one other (if I can find someone to come with me...). The plan (such that it is) is to see Europe, so mainly campsite camping but there's bound to be some carpark/service station/layby sneaky sleeps needed. I want to take a bike.
Not too fussed about on board shower/bog. I would like aircon I think.
I'm starting to think about a small Caddy/Connect type van with a v.basic camper conversion (like, a bed) and a decent sized tent for campsite use.
Hmmm...
I'm in the process of a DIY (plus the help of some friends) conversion on an 04 plate MWB LT35. It's awesome. If you have the time and enthusiasm to convert it yourself you will save a lot of money over buying something already camperised. I spent ~ £4k on the van and have another 2k or so in it to insulate, line, carpet, beds, eberspacher heater, swivel seats, water tank, sink/stove, skylight, 12V power system etc. It's been fun but a fair bit of work. Fantastic to have something precisely how you want it though.
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Still needs a bit of work to fully finish it, but it's getting there....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/singularcycles/sets/72157623076795169/
If you want VW, on htat budget, I'd get a either a spot on T25 (the 80's one) or buy a T4/T5 and fit it out yourself. If you fancy T25 check out club 80-90 (not a biddyfiddling website I promise) . Brickwerks/Brick yard also offer good info for other VW van stuff. Much as I love my camper, if i did it again I'd get a transit or similar, you pay a premium for that VW badge!
However, if its a one off trip and your life style doesn't suit a camper van as a hobby (beleive me it is one) perhpas buya nice one and sell it on, or if its more about the trip than the vehicle how about an estate car? You can still sleep in the back, get a camping cooker/ grill (all thats in my camper van, only mine has cupboards and stuff) get a mini fridge if required (though TBH they eat batteries and just go to a bar for cold beer!) carry a big bottle of water for cooking/cleaning etc and bobs your uncle. why pay extra ferry/fuel/tax/insurance on a van if its just you for one trip?
If however you fancy the van lifestyle, its great fun and I can recommend it, buy one that is as near to perfect as you can find (interior inclded) as costs add up very very fast!
15k will find you a nice T4 conversion with maybe 50k on the clock (we paid 17k for ours).
Consumption for ours with the 88bhp 2.5tdi is upto 39mpg.
If I had 2 or 3 weeks before I went, Id consider doing my own conversion based around some eBay units, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SELF-CONTAINED-KITCHEN-UNIT-DAY-VANS-HORSE-BOXES-/290437901701?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item439f72ad85 which would save a lot of money, and if it was just me, I wouldnt need to worry too much about everything being "just so".
Things to definitely sort out:
Tinting any rear windows - important for security and v v good for privacy during the day. Keeps the van a bit cooler in the continental summer too. Add to that some Silver Thermal Screens http://www.swcampers.co.uk/index.php/fully-converted-campervans/popular-additions/vw-window-silver-screens-thermal-blinds - they are a must have on cold nights if your conversion has single glazing (they also work for privacy when you have the internal lighting on). They make a huge difference. Off the shelf ones can be a bit pricey (about £25 a window). I have three (front), but for the rear 4 windows I made my own using some silver backed insulation cell sheets and some sucker cups from eBay, cost about £6 each.
A water tank with pump, a basin, and a hob are all you need to live.
Showers at campsites or local swimming baths.
A fridge is a possibility but they eat electricity so can only be relied upon if you are doing many miles with a split-charge relay system or are going to be on campsites with hookups. Gas fridges are easier to power but cost a bomb and you have to cut holes in your wagon.
Split charge relays and leisure battery kits can cost a bit ( http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/INTELLIGENT-Voltage-Sensing-Split-Charge-Relay-Kit-4-5m-/280508232436?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Terminals_Cabling_ET&hash=item414f97f2f4 and http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LUCAS-ULTRA-DEEP-CYCLE-105AH-SEALED-LEISURE-BATTERY-/260507703088?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item3ca7781730 )(say £150ish for 100Ah) and they are useful for powering stuff without risking your starter battery. then add a 400w inverter for the computer etc http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/400W-12V-Inverter-Mains-Socket-Camping-Boats-NEW-/390060296498?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_AudioElectronicsVideo_Video_TelevisionSetTopBoxes&hash=item5ad167c932 But if you want to add hookup charging that'll cost a bit more for the charger and breaker. Forget solar as you'll need quite a big unit to charge even a modest 100Ah battery and that will take a few days of good sunlight too! 🙂 http://www.lake-renewable-energy.com/inc/sdetail/6178
You can run a simple solar charging lighting kit though http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LED-Solar-Window-Light-campervans-boats-camping-/320547245660?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Garden_Lighting&hash=item4aa21ace5c without the need for any big battery systems.
For privacy or simply to avoid the rain when wild camping you may want to look at something like this http://4kits.co.uk/ploo-portable-toilet-p-80.html for curling one out in the comfort of your own van 😉
Go for it IHN. You wont regret it. Ive been lucky enough to go exploring both with Mrs S and later with Stoner Jr. Now there's Stoner Jr MkII on the way, it's getting tougher to plan for four for a few months at a time but Im working on it!
Bon Voyage, Rodney!
Unless you are a VW fan, I would avoid them purely on cost. One advantage is you could buy a builders van, tidy it up and buy the camper conversion pretty much off the shelf as they are so popular.
Like Sam I've self built my own...paid £4.5k for the van and so far have spent the same on the conversion. Could be cheaper but for the long term it made sense to pay a little extra and get double glazed windows, top notch insulation, fixed gas tank and proper cooker with oven etc etc. Only thing left is a little tidying, sorting out the bike garage and putting in the bog/shower. (I wouldn't recommend an Iveco unless you want to tow heavy trailers, the Daily is pretty much the only van that will pull ours legally so we make do with the truck like ride and handling 🙂 ) Afraid I am a bit short on recent photos, but there are plenty of older ones if you click on the pics.
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I wouldn't recommend trying to convert anything smaller than a Fiat Scudo or its identical brothers, but if you want to keep your bike inside you really need to move up to a MWB van. In mine I've partitioned across the van 1 metre from the rear doors. There is a wall dividing this space, 1/3rd is space for two bikes stood upright on rear wheel with front wheels removed, the other 2/3rds is space for the bog and shower. If you want to sleep sideways consider either an LDV Convoy (cheap option) or Fiat Ducato and its twins. The older ones are are approx 6' wide, the new shape Ducatos are something like 6'3" wide. My Daily is 6' wide if you build the bed further back, but I put mine across from the sliding door so only get 5'10", making it a perfect fit lengthways for myself 🙂
Would like another now, but the size of van we'd need to sleep 5 isn't the size of van I'd like to drive round the twisty roads of the places I'd like to take it. We started off with an old shape VW LT high top, which was very shabby home conversion but was great as the width of the van allowed a big double bed sideways across the back with lots of storage under. Rust and the novelty of rehanging the sliding side door for the nth time finally finished it off and we then went for a beige Talbot Autosleeper. Say what you like about the beige, but Autosleeper know what they are doing. Everything was well thought out and worked great. We had great fun in both vans for maybe a decade of going away at least every other weekend as well as some annual holidays. Very handy to have the van permanently ready to roll and just need to hop on with clothes and fresh food and drive. Neither of our vans would really cut it as an everyday car, but we didn't need them to. I'm tempted by some of the Mazda Bongos I've seen on here, for us to use together with a couple of tents for a sort of hybrid camping, or just as is for a biking weekend on my tod. If you're planning a single trip, I'd be looking at buying then reselling. The price of VWs is just silly.
OOh sounds fun. - Can I come ?
Where in Europe, could influence what you want. Up north in winter you'll need a good heater, plenty of insulation and 4x4. In the mountains, make sure you get something with a meaty engine. 1 of the lads we kayaked with had a merc and he found that underpowered when fully laden on some of the hills in the Alps. Something else to bear in mind is not looking too flash and a target for theft.
Sleeping in cars and vans not set up for it is a bit grim - you get condensation on a van's roof. Even sleeping for a couple of hours in an estate car, you find that the whole car and everything in it feels pretty damp. Ventilation and insulation is needed to make it bearable - maybe a basic ply line with insulation and some vents (police dog van type or camper type?) would be up to it.
I heard a theory that depreciation on camper vans is so low it's less than inflation. So you can get a top whack one with a 25 year loan, and you'll be able to sell it for at least what you bought it for, thereby paying off the loan.
Supposedly. It would explain why the dealers are always full of eye-wateringly expensive vans that apparently sell.
Sam - how about a build thread on here, I'm sure plenty stw'rs would be interested in more detail on that - budget solutions are always best!!
For OP, I spent a year in a $1,000 van touring australia. It was a lwb Mazda window van (similar to a modern Toyota hiace favoured by shopkeepers and florests). Fitted out with a full size futon fixed to batons along the sides allowing loads of space underneath for bags and boxes for camping which left about 4ft of space between the back of the front seats and the end of the bed. Never had proper fitted kitchen but normal camping stuff that could be used inside if raining but as oven as not cooked outside. Had a massive water barrel thing with a wee tap (circumnavigated Australia so took water pretty seriously)
stuff I would want if I was doing it again:-
swivel captains chairs - never had them in my van, would have made much better use of the space tho
longest van you can get - length is king, anything else is luxury
decent stereo - again I didn't have one, but vans are pretty noisey so decent sound are a must
fridge - only needs to keep your dairy and a couple of beers cold but a proper powered fridge would be great in Europe
power sockets to keep computer, phone etc charged
properlly thought out lighting to add comfort
roof vent so you don't have to keep windows open
and make sure your converstion is as stealth as possible - no alloy wheels or campervan graphics. If it looks like a builders van then you can sleep anywhere even large citys
I don't see the need for:
built in wardrobes - unless hanging your suit on a hanger is a traveling priority! Just pack bags and boxes sensibly and have them accessable.
Plumbed in sink - seriously, why??
Defenately do it - no need to spend megabucks, cheapper the better as you'll spend. Shi7load on fuel anyway!
the missus and I spent 4.5 months last year touring Europe in a VW Westfalia T25 , in that time we got as far as Turkey and covered around 20K Km's. Our van is LHD which made life a lot easier travelling around the continent and, TBH has not been too much of a pain in the UK.
Agree with most of the points that Stonor made above, we certainly found the onboard loo to be great, as it opened up the aires/stellplatz in France, Germany, Italy which meant we could stay for free instead of shelling out for a expensive campsite every night.
we had our bikes on a rack on the back, under a cover and made sure that they were securely locked to the van at all times. At no time in Europe did I worry that 3K's worth of bikes were going to go walkabout, the only attempt at stealing the bikes was back in England.
If you are going outside of the main summer season then check out the ACSI book as this lists campsites that offer a cheap(ish) rate (usually 11/13/15 Euro per night inc electricity). The book paid for itself after the first week or so.
Did it a couple of years ago for 6 months in my t25,had it converted to run on gas before we went,best £400 i ever spent,did 8k miles and it cost us about 5k for the whole trip,thats for the two of us and our black lab,have a look here.... http://www.travelpod.com/members/signsoflife
Rob
On board loo
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I can wait for the services for #2
On board loo
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I can wait for the services for #2
Once it's all done I will put up a full conversion post - consider this a sneak preview 😉
Plumbed in sink - seriously, why??
I was previously of the same opinion, but it really makes it so much easier doing dishes and just keeping the cooking area inside clean. However I didn't have it in my previous Transit conversion and coped ok. But if I was taking off for 12 months a sink and running water is a really nice thing to have.
I've been looking at campers for 12 months or so, but cant justify the price/ age/mileage.
so instead of buying something with corrosion , knackered mechanicals decided to go for a cheap caravan.
Tow it, set it up ,ride, stay overnight, ride tow home. oh and if you need something inbetween you dont have to take your " accomodation" with you!!
Got mine late last year (T5 ex-builders van conversion) and wish I'd bought one sooner, it's great just popping away for the weekend, tend to head to "offical" sites with facilities as to get everything in the van we thought necessary a shower and toilet wasn't going to fit.
The design of the van is excellent and meets our needs thus far and is a bespoke design around what I wanted to acheive, it's pretty heavy on diesel it's probably doing about 27mpg on a mix of motorway and A roads with a few overtaking bursts.
We have also used it more than we imagined before getting it but it's so flexible, from trips away to getting a new cooker the camper is ready and waiting to go, no regrets here.
Bought a VW T4 for 5 grand and converted it myself. Basically a very comfy double bed in the back with lots of storage. I use it as my car and everyday runabout. Been away virtually every weekend in the past year in the van. I was heading to Europe in it but have now bought round the world plane tickets instead.
I cook outside if nice and just inside if not. The Mrs has bought a she wee and you just get used very quickly to roughing it a bit. To be crude you can always crap in a bucket to avoid campsites and go to a swimmimg pool to get a shower. Have used a solar shower though which are good in summer.
Next step when I get back is swivel seats in front and a solar panel on the roof.
i'm about to put a peugeot partner, professional conversion by east neuk up for sale for 7.5k. If anyones interested drop me a mail and i'll give you more details.
[url= http://dogslow.smugmug.com/Cars/new-van/12250149_YyQVk#901977846_ArmMZ ]
this is our campervan to be an Iveco daily lwb high roof full service history one previous owner called Pat who had a black and white cat full Iveco service history I have the print out 75000 miles.Being an ex working vehicle narrow roads must get there yesterday squeezing in to little places it has a few scratchesbut it is amazing what G3 can get out.Your asking asking how much £4700.When you consider how much the toys that we cycle around on cost thats a good deal.
There is a company in Bradford called Cordoba Leisure they will convert fully to your spec for around £5000 that is a fully loaded campervan with secure cycle tools occomodation for Nissan Micra money.
Some other poster quoted truck like Handling suspension yes this will not have the ride of a Porsche or a Renault Clio the suspension is built to handle weight I find it really good it goes stops corners very well when driven like a van which is what it is.These engines are good for over 250000 miles without breaking into a sweat.25 mpg would be about right.If that is a problem dont by one I would like to fly first class to the usa but I always go in the crates.
Anyway for about ten grand you can have a very comfy home from home (same money as a Renault Clio)
that will transport you your dog your bike your tools and not forgetting the good lady oh that includes roof mounted air con.As you can see by the piccie we just had windows fitted and are progressing with our self build check out sbmcc website they have how to pictures which help.
Iveco yes Mercedes to expensive Ford Transit naaaaa
im not against them but i think it would be a pain in the arse having to pack everything away if you want to drive out to somewhere but are planning on returning to the same campsite. or do you get used to this? this is why i think a touring caravan or a tent would be the way forward.
Having messed about with various camper vans, we decided a panel van and an awning if the way forward. All too often campervans come with posh bits, like carpet and curtains and fluffy seats and are not overly practical for muddy cyclists and their dogs.
Took a Hi-Ace conversion around NZ for a bit. For two adults it was more than enough for the kind of campsite/occasional park-up the OP speaks of. Small enough to drive/park like a large car and space inside for a fold away double, sink, cooker and fridge. It was kinda like camping inside a metal box, rather than the full-on "home-on-wheels" you'd get with a bigger/better spec van with loo/shower etc. As others have said - decide on what compromises you can live with and what you can't live without and go from there.
alex how did ya post the picture
Find an image on the internet, right click, copy image location, then in the 'post' form click the IMG button and paste the copied link. voila!
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thanx, Iveco vans are big n strong
Cordoba leisure will fit what you want ,I will post more of ours as the conversion begins.You could raise the fixed bed at the rear and put all your bikes and tools in a garage under the bed
Do think long and hard about it.
We've been close to getting a California (VW T5 camper) a couple of times but just stuck to a decent tent and/or nice houses/hotels to stay in.
Even cheap campers do cost serious money to buy and maintain so unless you really do need one (often easy to justify it to yourself), I'd be cautious.
We have borrowed my folks camper a few times and know loads with one - mostly VWs. They are all heavy on fuel, a pain in town, handle much worse than a car and are slow.
It's often better to have a good tent and leave your car free for nipping to shops or whatever.
If you plan to tour say Europe, they can be great but if it's just staying at campsites then think twice. Bear in mind that "free camping" is often much harder in the UK than you think.
Don't want to pi55 on your chips but it's an expensive thing to have and I know a lot of people who have just flogged their van on and gone for a tent after not using it enough.
sam - you're living the dream. i envy you.
dogslow - is that your own van? very nice size.
if I had a van I'd want the perforated vinyl wrap over all the rear windows so that from a few metres away it would just look like a normal builders' van - easier for low profile camping...
I may get flamed for this, but I would like to point out that caravans are VASTLY cheaper for a good standard than camper vans are.
Cheers all, all good stuff, keep it coming.
Plans are now firming up around a small van with a v.basic bed and bike storage conversion, plus take a decent tent.
Konabunny yep thats our van,
Molgrips no flame from me each to there own.I just didnt want a caravan.We used a tent for decades and at 54 years of age we wanted a bit of comfort .We like northwest Scotland where it seems to rain alot sick of the tent
we can carry everything we want including bikes if we wish
I'm going for a caravan for simplicity. It can stay packed up with all the stuff, and I can just hitch and go. Bikes can go in it, and I can shower, and sleep well...
Fed up with pitching and packing tents away, and cooking on the floor.
Must disagree surfmat my VW Transporter has cost me £35 in maintenance in the past year, oil and filter change. Happily do 90 on the motorway which is fast enough for me, handles fine in town, the only hassle is parking but you soon get used to it. I've only got a basic conversion but fully lined and insulated for a couple of hundred quid. Never go back to a car again, and for what its worth the Post Office came up with the best insurance for me. Did consider buying a small van, glad I didn't.
molgrips - Member
I may get flamed for this, but I would like to point out that caravans are VASTLY cheaper for a good standard than camper vans are.
+1, so long as the OP has a car up to the task of towing.
Also needs to have "E" part of licence to tow. If test passed after 1997 (I think) then extra towing test may need to be taken - piece of piss, nothing to it.
Motorhomes, once you've got to where you want to be, if you want to go anywhere that isn't walking/biking distance, you've got to pack up to go anywhere. Bigger motorhomes can also need the "D" part of your licence.
Marin - my sister and bro in law have similar - Transporter (130) half converted (side windows, proper bed/seats, cooker, etc) into a camper - so I know what they are like. Great some of the time, heavy on fuel, quick for vans but nowhere near any half decent car, lack safety features, etc. Yes they are handy but you need to think about it carefully.
I must admit I have also been tempted to convert a van - still way way way the hell cheaper than buying a motorhome. However, it's another vehicle that needs taxing, insuring and servicing...
And the California is so clinical, it's like the inside of a hospital kitchen (and the fridge needs hook up - no gas - doh!)
For the ultimate VW camper, get a T5 Sportline 174PS and get it converted "properly" by someone that does campers with real people in mind - ones that need to be able to camp off a campsite with hook up.
IHN - Pop over and see us on the stand at Mayhem if you wanna look round a van that cost £15k..... Its got everything.
If not just message me up and pop over in the evening - i'm guessing your still in Glos.
Great all of the time for me, I ride to work mostly and go away 3 weekends out of 4 which I could not afford to do if I had to pay to stay somewhere.
If you're going to Europe buy one, or go away a lot in the UK get one. If you only go for days out then probably not worth it.Done lots and lots of car camping and lots of road trips in lots of countries wish I'd had a van for all of them now. If you decide its not for you flog it as they don't seem to loose much value its not a big problem.
The fridge in the Cali doesn't need hook up, its 12v and runs off the leisure battery.
I would never buy a sportline, they're just a bog standard van with a big engine and all the bits bolted on afterwards for a massive price premium. better to buy a well specced std van and sportline it up yourself, et voila......
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surf-mat - that's what we did pretty much though not a sportline, can also fit two bikes with seat full back with both wheels off, very flexible space wise.
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Made some changes to the rear section with more fitting mats to protect the floor a bit.
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Way back when I was into surfing I owned a VW caravanette with awning (makes a massive diff, honestly)... THE BEST TIME OF MY SINGLE LIFE 🙂 Drove it to South of France...all over UK, the comfort aspect comp-with tenting outweighs the expence imo...I've camped in the alpes for 3 weeks (climbing)and tbh by week 2 we're all too ****ed/v-tired to perform at our best/max.
...if I were doing it 2nd time round, I'd go for a new(or as updated as you can afford)Vito, most of my outdoor instructor friends have them: cheap parts, good on fuel (Turbo d) and quite rapid.
Bottom line, if your intending to spend long periods 'out there'...go for a camper...what more can I say.
Can't believe nobody has mentioned roof tents yet.
Small van + roof tent would be another option
Can't believe nobody has mentioned roof tents yet.
Small van + roof tent would be another option
Good call love tubs, camping and climbing in the Alps convinced me to get the van I was knackerd after 2 weeks. Now I'm a happy climber in my comfy bed.
Officially yes. In practise it drains the battery in a few hours.The fridge in the Cali doesn't need hook up, its 12v and runs off the leisure battery.
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:
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You need gas for a camper fridge - no questions.
Forge - that's nicely done. Who converted it? Looks like a quality job. Apart from the glass - seems to make everything go a bit pixelly...;-)
Converted by Jerba in North Berwick, but yes pixelly windows 😀 there only like that on the web fine when I am in the van 😉
I'd have liked the Sportline but was $ so mine was a standard builders van with the 174 lump, lucked out though as it had a/c, captains chairs, leccy windows and tailgate so was a good base.
My fridge will run around 3 days off the leisure battery.
Forge - the dealer (and forums) said the Cali fridge (which is listed as just a "cooler") eats the battery life. I know "proper" fridges last must longer but also have gas in most cases.
Sounds like a decent job - might look up Jerba if we ever do take the plunge!
My bro in laws is about halfway there - same spec as yours (exact same spec apart from 130 not 174) but still got some way to go until it's fully done. Still looks pretty decent apart from a few slightly naff chrome bits.
We're thinking about a camper, probably the VW type, how do folks find cooking in them? Does it stink the van out? Are they relatively straightforward for driving away from an awning? Do you use them for every day use as well as trips away?
Surf-Mat just saw that on the VW site it cools food and drink, the fridge in our van even has a little freezer in it. I had a good look at a Calif when I was down at the dealer a few weeks ago, and it is clinical as you say, there was someone with one at the campsite over the weekend, the electric pop top took about three times longer to put up than my mechanical one 😀
Yes Jerba did a great job and the after sales support has been excellent not that I've need much more queries than anything.
forge - what is the rear seat in yours? can it slide up and down the van?
We have a 1991 T4 Westfalia left hand drive. We bought it after failing to go tent camping for most of the summer a couple of years ago because of the rain. Wet weather is much less hassle in a van - you just know you're going to be able to stay dry. We tend to use hookup but the leisure batteries can cope fine with running the fridge all the time for a couple of days, and the Eberspacher heater at night if it's cold. It has a decent fresh water tank with capacity for all cooking and cleaning for a weekend. It's just so handy to be self-contained with fridge, cooker, sink and space for all our stuff, and with small kids it is so much easier when arriving at a campsite just to pop the roof up than having to pitch a tent.
We just spent a week in it in the Netherlands over half term and it was just great. There's probably not much in it when comparing the costs of maintenance and depreciation with what one could spend on hotels, but it's not all about the money!
We use ours for everyday use as well. The left hand drive can be a bit of a pain if you're on your own in car parks but other than that it's fine. And cooking in there is no trouble - you need to leave a window open to let the steam out, but I don't recall there being a problem with smells.
I quite like the fact that ours is an old one as it means I don't worry about it getting bashed and dinged by the kids when we're camping. The only thing I would change if I could would be to get one with air-con; it's not really a problem in this country but I think it might get quite uncomfortable in southern Europe in the summer.
petrieboy, yes it slides up and down the van and seats three with proper seat belts with the benefit of being fully crash tested. It's a Reimo 333.
Oh and it's a bed
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Anyone know stumpjumper?
That Iveco on e-bay looks brilliant especially for the money. id have swivel seats up front that rotate to face a single row of rear seats which would leave even more space behind. pods above the "bike garage" for the kids to get down for an early night while mum and dad stay up front. perfect. <goes off to daydream about big van conversions>
could i get a bike rack for the back of this?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AMERICAN-MOTORHOME-FLEETWOOD-DISCOVERY-RV-DIESEL-PUSHER-/170496003940?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes&hash=item27b25a8f64
Petrieboy - nice, but I'm after something with a bit more room...
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?
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!
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.
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.
im off to spend 3 weeks in glastonbury
free weeks? lucky you!
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!
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.
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. [url=www.bongofury.co.uk]Forum and more info here[/url]
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!