6 Month European Tour in a Campervan.

[durbster]

Cotty said:

But that limits you to tourist spots. Some of the pics on the blogs on this thread seem to be take at more off the beaten track locations that may not have any facilities.

At least having it gives you the option.

Oh I dunno, Outback drop toilets are an adventure all on their own - check for deadly snakes, check for poisonous spiders and - most importantly - never, ever look in the hole...

I worked for a campervan company in Australia for a while and having seen all their vans I personally preferred the smaller Hiace style ones over the more luxurious motorhome styles, but that's the thing about camping - you have to choose where you will compromise:

• A car with a tent gives you maximum flexibility but very little comfort.
• The small campers have small space and convenience but are easy to use and can park anywhere
• The LWB Transit ones have a shower and toilet but you can't always get where you want to be
• The big six-eight berths are like an apartment inside but are slower and even harder to park, and iirc not all campsites will take them.
• A caravan is a pain to lug around but gives you a lovely space

[MYOB]

RizzoTheRat said:

Cracking book but alas I'm not that adventurous and haven't made it out of Europe yet, plus the Mrs might have something to say about the African prostitutes

Doesn't really matter where you do it - prostitutes are everywhere...

[RizzoTheRat]

durbster said:

• A car with a tent gives you maximum flexibility but very little comfort.
• The small campers have small space and convenience but are easy to use and can park anywhere
• The LWB Transit ones have a shower and toilet but you can't always get where you want to be
• The big six-eight berths are like an apartment inside but are slower and even harder to park, and iirc not all campsites will take them.
• A caravan is a pain to lug around but gives you a lovely space and you can drop it off

[Cotty]

Don't get me wrong I have been to many places where facilities were pretty rough and unsanitary . Slept in not more than a mud hut etc but for an extended trip I would like a bit of convenience and comfort.

I have camped many times and the thing that annoyed me is having to get up out of bed, get dressed and trudge to the toilet block for a pee at night in the pouring rain. Last year at Silverstone I think the portable toilets were leaking into the 3" mud surrounding them so not a good situation. Last year one of the guys took a load of white containers with wide screw tops, you can imagine what they wee used for

durbster said:

* The small campers have small space and convenience but are easy to use and can park anywhere

• The LWB Transit ones have a shower and toilet but you can't always get where you want to be

Campers they are making these days can contain a toilet and shower on a standard wheelbase, so easy to get around and park in a standard parking bay. Look at the Autocruise Rhythm Compact. Ok this is pricy but you get the idea.
http://www.swiftgroup.co.uk/motorhomes/autocruise/...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mniIUuUtv1w&lis...

[tjdixon911]

RizzoTheRat said:

What's the longest you've spent away in it before? that's a pretty small space to live in for 2 months.

The longest we have stayed in it is a week - and appreciate that it is a small space for the period we plan on, we've discussed alternative vehicles, but neither of us want a "motorhome" and the only alternative I'd have is a T4/T5 and apart from a little bit of space, comfort and speed (maybe reliability) we wouldn't gain a great deal from it plus SWMBO doesn't like them!

RizzoTheRat said:

Also presumably a bit small to be carrying push bikes or a moped so you're limited to using the van itself for every single journey you make.

We do plan to take bikes - we have a 2 bike carrier on the rear, hopefully they can be well secured to the van / rack to avoid theft.

[tjdixon911]

MYOB said:

Sounds good, my only tip is don't drive past things that you think may be worthwhile exploring. Get on your feet and go exploring - don't get bogged down by time and enjoy the journey.

Thanks - good tip

[nagsheadwarrior]

I sell modern motorhomes so i am a bit biased.
However,i think id do it in the vw,6000 miles isnt that much,i did 4000 round europe in my 84 capri last year with no trouble.
If it does go wrong theyre pretty simple to fix too.
If you dont mind roughing it a bit use the vw,modern campers are great and would make that trip easy but doing it in the vw is an event and an achievement.
If you do go modern feel free to drop me a p.m for some pointers.

[chilistrucker]

MYOB said:

Jeeze people - a lot of people here are not exactly adventurous! It is likely the OP will pitch at campsites where there are toilets and showers provided. On the road, there will be plenty of opportunities to stop and go to toilet! Life is an adventure and it will be character building. In years to come, he will have great memories of this adventure and will have stories to share with the grandchildren! At no point will he likely have any regrets about not travelling with a toilet or shower!

The last time I travelled, we had a toilet/shower but we did not use it once! Much easier to use the facilities elsewhere.

As for not taking bikes or mopeds, there are public transports or walking as options.

Live a little...

Agree with this
I'm on the roads alot with work, in a lorry, being away anywhere up to 6 months sometimes and never struggle with toilets, showers etc, and thats not just mainland Europe, further afield in places like Romania, Bulgaria etc you'll always find something. Most motorway services and truckstops will have what you need, and if not, wet wipes are your friend
Looking forward to seeing the route.
Roads are getting better out here all the time, we just drove up from Istanbul to Prague via Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary and on the whole it was pretty good, bit crappy in odd places, but no dramas.

[LongBaz383BHP]

I am also considering this probably starting March/April next year. Been to look at some camper vans this weekend, 2 berth - fixed bed - shower room - all the mod cons. Usual Peugeot, Fiat and Transit based with 10 to 16k on the clock.

Would be gone for a year touring wherever the journey takes us, but staying to main land europe. As far south as possible for the winter months.

My questions are what about insurance for the van whilst abroad for that length of time, health insurance and breakdown cover.

These are my first set of questions, I'm sure there will be many more.

Thanks
Barrie

[mikal83]

We are going to do the same...Leaving Blighty in April...ish then down France and then spend 2 months slowly going around Spain n Portugal, b4 southern France in July and italy Aug, up to Croatia then due nth to berlin and back by........oh, October.
But after 3 months travelling around SE OZ in a campervan last winter....were getting a caravan!

[nagsheadwarrior]

Thanks
Barrie
[/quote]

Go with a specialist insurer and theyll build a policy with the breakdown and long euro cover,safeguard n caravangard are both great.
Buy well in advance to get a few shakedown trips in first,there are akways teething problems.
If you must buy down south (everythings cheaper oop north!) my old Boss runs Three Counties Motorhomes in Poole they're excellent.

[LongBaz383BHP]

Hi Jody
Thanks for the info, don't need to buy darn sarf will buy where the best deal is;)