Type 2 or modern camper?

[sjg]

You don't have to spend £40k on a brand new official VW camper. There are plenty of converters who will take a boggo T5 and put whatever you like in, according to your budget and requirements. There are plenty who will sell you whatever bits you need to DIY too - you could have a very nice camper for half that.

I have a few friends who do MTBing, kayaking and the like who have more basic van conversions and that sort of thing appeals more to be honest - use as a day van for chucking things in, but having somewhere to get changed and have a cup of tea after. The traditional rock&roll seat / sink / table arrangement doesn't work so well for that. Have some kind of fold-away bed arrangement for overnight stays.

This is probably the closest I'd want to a "proper" camper: http://www.amdro.co.uk/angel.php

[HeatonNorris]

Garlick said:

Captain Muppet said:

So in terms of cost per night how does running a camper van compare to, say, a nice B&B?

I'd much rather wake in a nice camper, cook some bacon, stroll in the country and enjoy the feeling that you are out there over waking up in a B&B. Really I would.

Horses for courses I guess.

On the other hand, a B&B is likely to have a proper khazi and shower, rather than a public bog and sink.

[Vladimir]

a11y_m said:

Modern for me every single time:
- speed/economy/comfort for driving
- totally destroys the older ones for actual camper usability
- LWB option adds even more interior space
- yet to be defeated by any narrow road that bigger campers couldn't access!
- safety: having seen the results of a crashed T2, I'd have a T5 every time
- still "cool" IMO

I like the appearance of old ones but that's the only aspect I like. Head > heart for me...

And I agree with comment above about the "new" old ones just not looking right, and they're damn expensive at the same time. I don't mind admitting our T5 conversion cost ~£25k all-in (£8k van, £17k conversion plus modifications...).

Who did yours? Looks tidy!

Loads of options for vans - semi converted, older vans, new, etc.

Got our 61 plate California 4Motion a couple of months ago - best purchase ever! It makes a very very handy family car with added benefits. Everything is very well made and thought out - love it! Most options ticked so the price was a little silly but they hardly depreciate, cost little to tax and insure and servicing costs are pretty low.

[corozin]

If you want the best of both worlds, then buy one.
New Danbury T2 Camper

Or if you're on a budget buy a tent

More than a couple of T1/T2 owners I've met have a T5 for when the *really* go camping, as opposed to shows.

[cptsideways]

deltashad said:

Garlick said:

One of these. Very cool

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIG9P0lB1iA&fea...

Wow, very cool!

That is simply brilliant

ETA: £55k they are having a laugh

Edited by cptsideways on Wednesday 4th April 19:18

[Vladimir]

cptsideways said:

That is simply brilliant

ETA: £55k they are having a laugh

Edited by cptsideways on Wednesday 4th April 19:18

Trouble is, they base it on a Transporter so it's a bit low rent and it's also very heavy. Good idea, just needs a bit of work. Also limits seating when not extended.

[HeatonNorris]

I saw a 10-ish year old T2 recently - it was rotting quicker than a W210 E-Class...

[Watchman]

cptsideways said:

deltashad said:

Garlick said:

One of these. Very cool

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIG9P0lB1iA&fea...

Wow, very cool!

That is simply brilliant

ETA: £55k they are having a laugh

Edited by cptsideways on Wednesday 4th April 19:18

I think it's really clever but a friend of mine bought a Fourwinds 35ft motorhome with slide out side pod, 10 months old for £50K. That's got some proper space inside.

[Garlick]

HeatonNorris said:

Garlick said:

Captain Muppet said:

So in terms of cost per night how does running a camper van compare to, say, a nice B&B?

I'd much rather wake in a nice camper, cook some bacon, stroll in the country and enjoy the feeling that you are out there over waking up in a B&B. Really I would.

Horses for courses I guess.

On the other hand, a B&B is likely to have a proper khazi and shower, rather than a public bog and sink.

Quite an outdated view, but if that's your thing that's cool.

I'm happy on the field

[VidalBaboon]

Garlick said:

HeatonNorris said:

Garlick said:

Captain Muppet said:

So in terms of cost per night how does running a camper van compare to, say, a nice B&B?

I'd much rather wake in a nice camper, cook some bacon, stroll in the country and enjoy the feeling that you are out there over waking up in a B&B. Really I would.

Horses for courses I guess.

On the other hand, a B&B is likely to have a proper khazi and shower, rather than a public bog and sink.

Quite an outdated view, but if that's your thing that's cool.

I'm happy on the field

Are you talking about going to the toilet, or where to park your van?

[Mave]

We've got a '78 T2, my wife uses it as her everyday car. Its as much about the journey as the arrival - if you slow down, tuck in with the HGVs, sing along with the kids, enjoy the views, its brilliant. If you fret about not meeting a deadline its rubbish (that's what my car is for!). Cost us £6K a few years ago, probably still worth £6K. Its OKish for camping, but I prefer doing it properly with a tent. What it's great for is picnics and days out. Go to the beach for the day, you've got somewhere to change and make a brew. Go walking in the hills, socialise after over a quick brew in the van. Its also pretty good in the snow

[Codswallop]

Garlick said:

One of these. Very cool

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIG9P0lB1iA&fea...

I hate PistonHeads.

First came my (costly) love of cars, which PH has cemented further.

Then, I stumbled into the PH watch forum, and have since spent thousands of pounds on Switzerland's finest.

After watches, I fell into Biker Banter and now need to do my direct access licence and get a Street Triple.

Sigh. And now, camper vans too. I need that van damnit!

Best not look in the boats and planes forum

[Ozzie Osmond]

white_goodman said:

We hired a fully restored 1978 bay window....

Same crash protection as an empty pizza box.

[Vladimir]

Watchman said:

I think it's really clever but a friend of mine bought a Fourwinds 35ft motorhome with slide out side pod, 10 months old for £50K. That's got some proper space inside.

And outside too when trying to drive it along Cornish lanes! Honestly I see far too many big motorhomes stuck on narrow lanes. They are VERY hard work on anything smaller than major A roads.

[LeoZwalf]

Garlick, did you HAVE to post that DoubleBack video?! That thing is awesome.

[deltashad]

Some of these vans are wonderful but houses in streets have ceiling prices. I just had a look at the prices of the vans VW supply converted. We're talking 1M money for a van with a kettle, bed and a westfalia type roof. OK i'm taking the ps a little here but I am shocked. I could have 2 mint evo2's for that money, one to use when the other breaks down.

[VidalBaboon]

Vladimir said:

Watchman said:

I think it's really clever but a friend of mine bought a Fourwinds 35ft motorhome with slide out side pod, 10 months old for £50K. That's got some proper space inside.

And outside too when trying to drive it along Cornish lanes! Honestly I see far too many big motorhomes stuck on narrow lanes. They are VERY hard work on anything smaller than major A roads.

I've lived here for 31 years and never once seen a camper stuck in the lanes. My Wife, yes, but that's only because she hasn't figure out how to reverse in a straight line yet.

If you are using the vehicle as you are, as a day van then they make sense, but not £50k+ sense IMHO. I expected to see a price of around £30-35k tops, an extra £15k is pure comedy. I honestly don't get it.

For that money, you're into something much more comfortable and can go further without the need to rely on campsite amenities. And most importantly have more room for continental beer runs

[v8will]

doogz said:

Meh, we used to take our 7.5T everywhere, never once got stuck. If you have eyes and you're not a muppet, it's not hard.

Indeed, a 7.5T conversion, aside from a little extra width, is no more difficult to drive than say a large Transit van. No doubt the comfort would be tenfold due to the extra space. A bit juicy on fuel for touring though and the inevitable limitations for parking up in certain areas.

We had a '74 Bay years ago with an elevating roof. My dad did use it daily but it was very slow and thirsty. Moreso when actually using it for holidays, fully loaded and towing our Shetland boat. I do remember that it did drop a valve at one point but my father and uncle were able to drop the engine out in no time.

Fun times and happy memories, for nostalgia reasons I'd love one now. An original updated maybe. As much as the extra reliability and newness of the Danbury vehicles appeals I think not having the flat 4 rattling away at the back and the sliding door being on the wrong side due to the left hooker conversion just spoils it a little.

Modern day van that can be used as a daily and a bloody good tent is were it's at for my current train of thought. I think as a base vehicle a T5 van is still hard to look by.

[Vladimir]

VidalBaboon said:

I've lived here for 31 years and never once seen a camper stuck in the lanes. My Wife, yes, but that's only because she hasn't figure out how to reverse in a straight line yet.

If you are using the vehicle as you are, as a day van then they make sense, but not £50k+ sense IMHO. I expected to see a price of around £30-35k tops, an extra £15k is pure comedy. I honestly don't get it.

For that money, you're into something much more comfortable and can go further without the need to rely on campsite amenities. And most importantly have more room for continental beer runs

Where is "here?" Because in Cornwall I see regular issues with them.
I don't "get" spending over £30k on a car with a Corolla engine that's made of plastic (111R) or a wooden thing put together by the RNIB (Morgan) or other things but we do "get" the camper thing. Lifetime running costs will be low thanks to glacial depreciation, it shouldn't break down and running costs (apart from thirst) will be low. I suspect by the time we sell ours (over £50 list) it will have lost way less than some luxobarge, an M3, etc. You only have to look at 5 year old 50k mile Californias to see that buying one for under £30k is near impossible. So if you can "set aside" the money, it's a decent way to have some fun with the family. We've only had ours three months yet the grin factor has been enormous!

As for comfortable - it's one of the most comfortable vehicles we've owned. All the modern gimmicks, nice driving position. 350 mile back from Preston was a breeze and it's got enough (just) power to make MWay driving easy. It's very comfortable indeed. The BMW is still the mile muncher but the Cali is great for Continental trips.

[jbi]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1B7EDDz-8s

incredibly unsafe in an accident, but there is "something" about them.

If I did ever get one it would need a motor and brake upgrade