Some early research - VW California
Discussion
Thanks for your thoughts, guys.
Some interesting things to consider, there. Certainly, the difference in space would be the greatest difference but actually in some bizarre way I think I'd enjoy that. One of the frustrating things about the motorhome is that we just seem to pack it to the rafters with "stuff", which (in my mind at least) defeats the object of camping.
There, I've said it again - it's actually camping that I enjoy the most. For some reason, motorhoming is not having the same allure and not hitting the spot as much as I'd thought it would in the limited times we've been out in the van.
But all that aside, we're not able to use the van anywhere like as much as I'd hoped - mixture of MiL being very ill and me working abroad too much and the situation is only going to get worse - so the Superbrig's days with us are numbered.
I'm not going to be jumping headfirst into a Cali either - I see the benefits of one vehicle, reduction in costs, a kind of "do-anything" and "go-anywhere" vs a big coachbuilt but also see the downsides about space too. It's food for thought and something we'll consider in due course but for now I'll just stay as I am.
Anyway - anyone interested in a well-sorted Superbrig in superb condition, let me know. I'll be popping her on Pistonheads soon if I don't attract any interest on eBay.
Some interesting things to consider, there. Certainly, the difference in space would be the greatest difference but actually in some bizarre way I think I'd enjoy that. One of the frustrating things about the motorhome is that we just seem to pack it to the rafters with "stuff", which (in my mind at least) defeats the object of camping.
There, I've said it again - it's actually camping that I enjoy the most. For some reason, motorhoming is not having the same allure and not hitting the spot as much as I'd thought it would in the limited times we've been out in the van.
But all that aside, we're not able to use the van anywhere like as much as I'd hoped - mixture of MiL being very ill and me working abroad too much and the situation is only going to get worse - so the Superbrig's days with us are numbered.
I'm not going to be jumping headfirst into a Cali either - I see the benefits of one vehicle, reduction in costs, a kind of "do-anything" and "go-anywhere" vs a big coachbuilt but also see the downsides about space too. It's food for thought and something we'll consider in due course but for now I'll just stay as I am.
Anyway - anyone interested in a well-sorted Superbrig in superb condition, let me know. I'll be popping her on Pistonheads soon if I don't attract any interest on eBay.
Honestly dude, sell the Camper and buy a nice sized caravan for peanuts.
We bought ours at 5.5 years old, one owner, full service history (still under warranty for water ingress), brand new awning, aqua rolls, waste tanks, etc. etc. for £7000.
It's a bit of a beast - twin axle, 6 berth. Stand alone shower, fixed bunks etc. It's great for the kids.
I really can't see it losing much money over the next 3 or 4 years, either.
You already have the car for it
We bought ours at 5.5 years old, one owner, full service history (still under warranty for water ingress), brand new awning, aqua rolls, waste tanks, etc. etc. for £7000.
It's a bit of a beast - twin axle, 6 berth. Stand alone shower, fixed bunks etc. It's great for the kids.
I really can't see it losing much money over the next 3 or 4 years, either.
You already have the car for it
I changed my X5 40d for a California 180 6 speed, I use it for the odd weekend away with the GF, but mainly for Karting, and I love it. Hand down the best vehicle ive ever had, had it remapped to around 200bhp, its plenty fast enough, i use it day to day and its just great, i love it!
edit: dont get a caravan
edit: dont get a caravan
I totally understand Rosscow, but as much as I try and get my head around caravans, they're just not for me. That said, I will take the missus and daughter for a pour over a few over the next few weeks to see if we're missing something, but it's the towing aspect I can't get over and all the faffing with Aquarolls and Wastemasters etc.
It also doesn't solve the additional work in looking after two vehicles - the cleaning, keeping it dry, maintained etc. Don't want to be popping down to the storage yard frequently to check on it.
Re: California - good to hear from an X5 owner who hasn't regretted it. If I went for it then it would be the 180bhp DSG. The other downside at the moment is the wife won't drive the motorhome, so it's all down to me - figure we'd get more enjoyment if we could both drive it. We'll see.
Not especially ruling anything out at the moment - will look at caravans but not really me and won't have the time to be faffing around. Cali looks like a good option since it'll be used every day as a vehicle and camper second so no worry about it being left idle. BUT, not going to jump into anything. I still love my X5 - that's part of the problem. It makes long journeys so pleasant that I don't want to do them in anything else, which is the only reason I would possibly consider a caravan.
It also doesn't solve the additional work in looking after two vehicles - the cleaning, keeping it dry, maintained etc. Don't want to be popping down to the storage yard frequently to check on it.
Re: California - good to hear from an X5 owner who hasn't regretted it. If I went for it then it would be the 180bhp DSG. The other downside at the moment is the wife won't drive the motorhome, so it's all down to me - figure we'd get more enjoyment if we could both drive it. We'll see.
Not especially ruling anything out at the moment - will look at caravans but not really me and won't have the time to be faffing around. Cali looks like a good option since it'll be used every day as a vehicle and camper second so no worry about it being left idle. BUT, not going to jump into anything. I still love my X5 - that's part of the problem. It makes long journeys so pleasant that I don't want to do them in anything else, which is the only reason I would possibly consider a caravan.
Just to answer the baby problem, I have a side bed conversion with a kitchen unit on the side door side. I have a sma unit behind the drive which gives a little more storage and space to house the cooler.
The little one presently sleeps in her travel cot on the dropped front double with blackout curtains around her. Means we can put her to sleep at her bedtime and still use the living space at our leisure.
I've thought much about a caravan too, but the same thoughts don't rest with me either. Towing, prepping camp and storing it. At the moment I can drive down any road confident that I don't have to worry about what's on the back
The little one presently sleeps in her travel cot on the dropped front double with blackout curtains around her. Means we can put her to sleep at her bedtime and still use the living space at our leisure.
I've thought much about a caravan too, but the same thoughts don't rest with me either. Towing, prepping camp and storing it. At the moment I can drive down any road confident that I don't have to worry about what's on the back
I'm hearing you, as well you know I'm in a similar predicament
Reading through your posts I'm thinking a trailer tent will give you the best of both worlds and allow you to keep the x5, which I'm more than sure you'll dearly miss
They can get quite expensive and can be specced quite lavish with sufficient space for all your needs!
Reading through your posts I'm thinking a trailer tent will give you the best of both worlds and allow you to keep the x5, which I'm more than sure you'll dearly miss
They can get quite expensive and can be specced quite lavish with sufficient space for all your needs!
I had VW campers for about 20 years- the whole range. was into the VW scene, but I can't be bothered with it now and I'd rather chew my arm off than have anything aircooled and vintage again !
my last was a T4 caravelle which I had converted to a camper. they are an amazing, do it all purposeful vehicle.
as previously said you can go anywhere in them, good on motorway- perhaps because you can see over the other cars.
rather than a VW new conversion, I'd look at existing other manufacturer conversions, or even think about buying a T5 caravelle and converting it to what you want.
they hold their values very well. do it right, you'll buy, convert, use and sell for a profit.
I've had a break from campers for about 4 years, due to having a family- now they're a bit older, I'm going to go this route again
one silly thing, you might find factory vw conversions have no gas grill. due to the TUV regs ??? for me I don't know how you manage in a morning, camping with no toast !
my last was a T4 caravelle which I had converted to a camper. they are an amazing, do it all purposeful vehicle.
as previously said you can go anywhere in them, good on motorway- perhaps because you can see over the other cars.
rather than a VW new conversion, I'd look at existing other manufacturer conversions, or even think about buying a T5 caravelle and converting it to what you want.
they hold their values very well. do it right, you'll buy, convert, use and sell for a profit.
I've had a break from campers for about 4 years, due to having a family- now they're a bit older, I'm going to go this route again
one silly thing, you might find factory vw conversions have no gas grill. due to the TUV regs ??? for me I don't know how you manage in a morning, camping with no toast !
I have the caravelle set up. I need 7/8 seats for the kids I look after but I head out in it for weekends away with my wee one. Cali's are a fair amount of cash, your could get a decent caravelle or kombi and kit it out yourself as a cheaper alternative.
Regards sleeping in van, in the caravelle the rear folds down into a bed you can also pick one of these up for the front and child can sleep here rather than in the top roof of a pop top.
Regards sleeping in van, in the caravelle the rear folds down into a bed you can also pick one of these up for the front and child can sleep here rather than in the top roof of a pop top.
Personally, I'd be looking for low miles LWB panel van then get it converted to exactly what you want for a fraction of the cost. Don't know if you've got kids, but the main drawback for me with the cali is the sliding door bring on the wrong side for the little ones getting in and out.
Campervan's can be found in all shapes and sizes from the small chinese based ones up to the massive long wheelbase Ducato's.
I see you are mainly focussed on the VW and that is fine, many go for the Jap based vans like me and Transits etc, but whatever you chose, you will find it will fit in easy with your lifestyle.
I'm a cyclist and I either take the Mrs or a Bike buddy out at weekends etc. , we have a place to stay and a service vehicle too. With the raising roof, the upstairs can be used for a bed or storage.
We also find that we keep basics inside like Pot noodle (yuk but fill the gap when hungry) Tea,coffee,sugar etc. so you can slip off at short notice. I have a 100w Solar panel and the compressor fridge runs full time these days.
We also have a caravan for long stays of a week or more or winter caravanning, we tow this with the campervan too.....this gives us best of both worlds and we have the campervan for the days out too
Whatever you choose to do..... enjoy it
I see you are mainly focussed on the VW and that is fine, many go for the Jap based vans like me and Transits etc, but whatever you chose, you will find it will fit in easy with your lifestyle.
I'm a cyclist and I either take the Mrs or a Bike buddy out at weekends etc. , we have a place to stay and a service vehicle too. With the raising roof, the upstairs can be used for a bed or storage.
We also find that we keep basics inside like Pot noodle (yuk but fill the gap when hungry) Tea,coffee,sugar etc. so you can slip off at short notice. I have a 100w Solar panel and the compressor fridge runs full time these days.
We also have a caravan for long stays of a week or more or winter caravanning, we tow this with the campervan too.....this gives us best of both worlds and we have the campervan for the days out too
Whatever you choose to do..... enjoy it
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