What touring van/truck with 4WD and can sleep in ?
Discussion
Keep thinking about a vehicle for extended touring.
Wouldn't want a full on expedition ex-Camel Land Rover bla bla bla - too expensive and purpose built for off-roading.
Would want something that is fairly civilised on the road for longer mileage trips, preferably 4wd to get out of any bother if I go off road to camp for the night. Could sleep in the back and take some camping gear and some spares.
I know most people are going to say VW or Land Rover but I think the older VW vans are very expensive, bloody noisey and won't be comfortable on long drives - plus I don't like them, the air cooled ones would drive me mad being so bloody slow - imagine driving up some mountain passes ?
Land Rovers - again can be very expensive and when asked most people will say 'they're the best cos they can get fixed everywhere by anybody'. They don't say that they are very reliable just that they can get fixed - in fact when doing some research they don't seem to be that reliable but can be fixed by most amateur mechanics. I believe they are not that comfortable on the road or long journeys and very noisey ?
Any real life experiences of these most welcome - I currently have none.
I keep thinking about something like a Mitsubishi Delica despite its silly name.
Example only -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-Mitsubishi-Delica-S...
It appears to have the under pinnings of the Shogun - 2.8/3ltr turbo diesel, 4wd, reliable and robust. Probably comfortable on a long run and the grunt to pull you up alpine passes. Throw away some rear seats and theres space in the back for a bed and some storage. Seem to have loads of extras too on some of them inculding some nice glass panoramic roofs so you could count the stars at night.
It appears now that where as once the Land Rover was king in all sorts of places its now been taken over by the Japanese stuff - Mitsubishis/Nissans, etc. So they can still be fixed in all sorts of places.
For some reason these keep catching my eye too - Chevrolet Astrovans
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chevrolet-Astrovan-Dayva...
Seem to be well regarded by some as good touring vans, quite economical being a big V6 engine, good space, lots of extras, and some with 4wd. I know they are not going to be great off roaders by any stretch of the imagination but maybe a good everyday van to live with ? Just worries me about spares and getting repaired when the time comes ?
So anybody with any experience of touring vans/trucks/camping all round vehicles ? Wouldn't want to spend more than 5-6K on one and doesn't have to be a dedicated off road or camping style vehicle - more a touring vehicle which I could use to sleep in and camp with if needed and 4wd so I could drive to those rocky river beds or down gravel tracks to get away from the roads.
Wouldn't want a full on expedition ex-Camel Land Rover bla bla bla - too expensive and purpose built for off-roading.
Would want something that is fairly civilised on the road for longer mileage trips, preferably 4wd to get out of any bother if I go off road to camp for the night. Could sleep in the back and take some camping gear and some spares.
I know most people are going to say VW or Land Rover but I think the older VW vans are very expensive, bloody noisey and won't be comfortable on long drives - plus I don't like them, the air cooled ones would drive me mad being so bloody slow - imagine driving up some mountain passes ?
Land Rovers - again can be very expensive and when asked most people will say 'they're the best cos they can get fixed everywhere by anybody'. They don't say that they are very reliable just that they can get fixed - in fact when doing some research they don't seem to be that reliable but can be fixed by most amateur mechanics. I believe they are not that comfortable on the road or long journeys and very noisey ?
Any real life experiences of these most welcome - I currently have none.
I keep thinking about something like a Mitsubishi Delica despite its silly name.
Example only -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-Mitsubishi-Delica-S...
It appears to have the under pinnings of the Shogun - 2.8/3ltr turbo diesel, 4wd, reliable and robust. Probably comfortable on a long run and the grunt to pull you up alpine passes. Throw away some rear seats and theres space in the back for a bed and some storage. Seem to have loads of extras too on some of them inculding some nice glass panoramic roofs so you could count the stars at night.
It appears now that where as once the Land Rover was king in all sorts of places its now been taken over by the Japanese stuff - Mitsubishis/Nissans, etc. So they can still be fixed in all sorts of places.
For some reason these keep catching my eye too - Chevrolet Astrovans
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chevrolet-Astrovan-Dayva...
Seem to be well regarded by some as good touring vans, quite economical being a big V6 engine, good space, lots of extras, and some with 4wd. I know they are not going to be great off roaders by any stretch of the imagination but maybe a good everyday van to live with ? Just worries me about spares and getting repaired when the time comes ?
So anybody with any experience of touring vans/trucks/camping all round vehicles ? Wouldn't want to spend more than 5-6K on one and doesn't have to be a dedicated off road or camping style vehicle - more a touring vehicle which I could use to sleep in and camp with if needed and 4wd so I could drive to those rocky river beds or down gravel tracks to get away from the roads.
My first thought was Mitsubishi Delica but see you've already thought of it.
As they're all imports make sure they've been undersealed if you do get one.
I think they'd make a great AT camper.
Edited to add. My dad has 3 and theye been pretty reliable, chains can stretch on the mechanical fuel pump and expansion bottles can split but as you say they're Shogun based so parts are relatively easy to come by.
Fuel economy is not great though, think 30 mpg at best.
As they're all imports make sure they've been undersealed if you do get one.
I think they'd make a great AT camper.
Edited to add. My dad has 3 and theye been pretty reliable, chains can stretch on the mechanical fuel pump and expansion bottles can split but as you say they're Shogun based so parts are relatively easy to come by.
Fuel economy is not great though, think 30 mpg at best.
Edited by ChocolateFrog on Sunday 19th February 10:37
The Deli is pretty good. The one in your link is the SWB version, they also made a LWB one if you need more room. There's a "crystalite" roof version which gives a bit more headroom as well as windows in the roof.
Generally reliable, a couple of common issues though, the expansion tank as mentioned above and fuel seals.
I'd recommend getting one with decent AT tyres on if you're planning to use it offroad, I use BFG ATs on mine.
Generally reliable, a couple of common issues though, the expansion tank as mentioned above and fuel seals.
I'd recommend getting one with decent AT tyres on if you're planning to use it offroad, I use BFG ATs on mine.
Antony Moxey said:
Don't Mazda Bongos come in 4WD versions?
They do, but I believe autobox (no manual available) and transfer box issues are more common than you'd like and rather expensive for an old bus. A friend of mine experinced some wallet lightening effetcs in the Pyrenees with his.Very left field choice but as your asking for suggestions
What about a 4x4 pick up L200/HiLux etc ... This could be your daily driver easily
and a demountable camper unit
eg:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/demountable-camper-North...
What about a 4x4 pick up L200/HiLux etc ... This could be your daily driver easily
and a demountable camper unit
eg:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/demountable-camper-North...
Slightly over budget
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-B2500-4X4-TURBO-DI...
A bit different.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-B120-4x4-camper-...
Get bidding!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-HIACE-CAMPERVAN-2...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-bongo-4wd-2-5-dies...
I have no input on any of these, was just curious what was out there.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-B2500-4X4-TURBO-DI...
A bit different.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-B120-4x4-camper-...
Get bidding!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-HIACE-CAMPERVAN-2...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-bongo-4wd-2-5-dies...
I have no input on any of these, was just curious what was out there.
Yes thanks !! They've all turned up in my searches apart from that Bongo.
I'm going from one extreme to the other in my mind. From going from 'F*ck it, lets just buy a fast sporty estate car and rough it a bit camping' to ' maybe the expensive VW vans are actually worth it'.
Think I might just end up with something that leaps out at me all of a sudden !!
I'm going from one extreme to the other in my mind. From going from 'F*ck it, lets just buy a fast sporty estate car and rough it a bit camping' to ' maybe the expensive VW vans are actually worth it'.
Think I might just end up with something that leaps out at me all of a sudden !!
subaru legacy twin turbo, more power than an impreza 240bhp, I'm 6'4 and a fat bugger and can get nice and comfy in the back, just fold down rear seats and there is space for 2 people to doss on a double airbed. Strut tops make a handy place to put your phone/specs etc. Put curtains on with velcro or as I do use a blindfold when sleeping.
I'm in Australia currently, and there are SO many traveller vans out here, it's nuts. Pretty much everyone has a Hiace. I think they're nasty so I bought a VW T4. (probably not the most sensible decision, but there you go. I'd still love a syncro (that's the 4x4 model))
There are a fair few Delicas rolling around here, and quite a few pickups with a camper box on the back like that mazda, seems a good option. Another that people like to do is convert the old land cruiser troop carriers into a camper - they look cool. Plenty of people here with big old 4x4s with roof tents also - by all accounts they're pretty quick/easy to erect.
As someone else said though, my choice would be a 4x4 sprinter if I could find one. None of the others are particularly stealthy. I don't like a camper to look like a camper if it's not going to stay in caravan parks.
There are a fair few Delicas rolling around here, and quite a few pickups with a camper box on the back like that mazda, seems a good option. Another that people like to do is convert the old land cruiser troop carriers into a camper - they look cool. Plenty of people here with big old 4x4s with roof tents also - by all accounts they're pretty quick/easy to erect.
As someone else said though, my choice would be a 4x4 sprinter if I could find one. None of the others are particularly stealthy. I don't like a camper to look like a camper if it's not going to stay in caravan parks.
mrtwisty said:
Antony Moxey said:
Don't Mazda Bongos come in 4WD versions?
They do, but I believe autobox (no manual available) and transfer box issues are more common than you'd like and rather expensive for an old bus. A friend of mine experinced some wallet lightening effetcs in the Pyrenees with his.The sumps quite low so not best suited for off reading though.
Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff