Advice needed, day van type camper

[eggchaser1987]

First time venturing into Tents, caravans and motorhomes and this is my question:

At the moment I have a Tiger kit car and a company car. The kit over the past six months or so has had very little use, I know fare weather driver but it really isnt nice not having any doors and pouring down rain .

Anyway I was thinking of grtting rid and getting something like a converted t4, vauxhall vivaro type day van with a hob and sink to put the bikes/surf board in and go away for the day or weekend. What are the things to look out for when viewing them and any particular questions that should be asked? Think I will be looking at 2003-2005 vivaros and slightly older t4s.

Thanks

[mike9009]

Hi

I probably wont be much help, but I had a similar problems a couple of years back. My Eunos had only been driven 150 miles between MOTs - so not getting much use.

I was unsure about buying a camper (at the time we had one child). So I didn't want something too expensive or that I couldn't sell on too easily, if we did not use it much. We have ended up with a T25 (1981, 2.0 litre air cooled) - which gets used loads to ferry bikes around, the odd camping trip and loads of day trips.

It is not the fastest or most economical beast but I love driving it. It is such a different experience compared o anything else.

I know you are looking for something a bit newer - but 2002- 2003 vehicles might just be on the cusp of some big bills and still cost a fair amount.

Mike

[zoom star]

The VWT4 will have a ''scene'' tax to pay..i.e it will cost you more usually,than other similar vans of its type.
You will however find it holds it's value more, due also to the ''scene tax'' you originally paid.
There is a huge market for T4 /T5S and your wallet will always be empty, as there is always something else you will need to do it. as in doing it up.
I have a T5 and I am constantly eyeing up the t4/5 mags dedicated to them,deciding whats going on my home from home next.

[Truckosaurus]

The other advantage of the VW "Scene" is that you can still get parts cheaply and easily whereas other vans have all been scrapped so sometimes even routine spares are difficult to track down.

[eggchaser1987]

Thanks both. Mike, I do like the t25, had a couple of beetles so used to the air cooled noises . They could be a possibility for some reason I didnt really think of them! May have to have a proper look at them as you say, majority of problems would of been sorted . I did wonder if they had started to go up in value yet though, noticed that with the bay window ones had.

Zoom, that was going through my mind nissan/vaxhall etc being a bit cheaper, sure what ever one I choose though it will aways be new bits here and there

[NuisanceFactor]

Bongo?

[Upatdawn]

name that camper......

[eggchaser1987]

I hadn't considered a Bongo, assumed for some reason they are a bit smaller than the t4/vivaro type vans. Don't know upatdawn, loveothe 70s style covers though

[Chicken Chaser]

Are you interested in converting it yourself? You can save a fortune on doing it yourself, or sourcing people to do it for you. If you buy something already converted, then you will pay a premium. The benefit of doing it yourself is that you get it done how you want it, to your spec.

I looked at so many vans converted and semi converted before I decided to do it myself buying a base vehicle and deciding what I wanted out of a van. I didnt think i'd have the cash to buy a T5 but fortunately, something came in on budget, and I just had to fund the build as I went. I'm almost done now, and ready for a full season of camping ahead. I cant wait.

[eggchaser1987]

I did have the thaught about doing it myself but to be honest not sure I would have the skill or know how. I am ok with basic shelves and flat pack stuff but not complete convertion. Just assumed it would be more expensive to get it built but may look into it.

Thanks for the idea.

[Chicken Chaser]

eggchaser1987 said:

I did have the thaught about doing it myself but to be honest not sure I would have the skill or know how. I am ok with basic shelves and flat pack stuff but not complete convertion. Just assumed it would be more expensive to get it built but may look into it.

Thanks for the idea.

I had no idea prior to starting, but spent literally hours and hours looking at the internet, and learning how to do stuff. You can buy full electric kits with step by step guides (even numbered so things just connect together) providing its a fairly straightforward system, and you can buy modular flat pack style kits from eBay for furniture. If you wanted to carpet out the van, there is an excellent place which does stretch carpet which can be put around any curve with patience (and little skill).

The hardest thing I've found with converting is finding recommended individuals to do stuff which I can't. The only things i've not done myself is the window tinting and making the cushion covers for the upholstery.

Saying that, if you've got the money to spend, then get an expert in!

[eggchaser1987]

Thanks for that chicken chaser. Definitely something to look into then. Hopefully then once the house has sold things will start to happen and something will come up.

Thanks agakn for alk the advice and help