Questions for camper owners
Discussion
I'm considering buying a T4. Something with an eye to a side conversion, possibly LWB.
The van will be used on trips up to about a week but I also have designs on doing some kind of European/Alps trip with it next year so I need it to be reliable. It'll be my daily runner.
There's obviously loads of vans about with conversions, as well as loads of vans ready to convert.
For those who have had small campers, what would you say would be the most important thing to have in your camper (other than a bed for obvious reasons!) and what is the thing you find the most annoying/least useful?
I'm on a fairly tight budget so its juggling finding a van with good history and sound engine against keeping funds for the build. Alternatively, buy the thing ready to go.
Do you reckon you would get better value for money buying something pretty much ready to go or to buy from scratch and build yourself?
I'm at the early stages of design ideas so have a basic idea of what I will need to build, but i'm sure I'm forgetting certain things along the way.
The van will be used on trips up to about a week but I also have designs on doing some kind of European/Alps trip with it next year so I need it to be reliable. It'll be my daily runner.
There's obviously loads of vans about with conversions, as well as loads of vans ready to convert.
For those who have had small campers, what would you say would be the most important thing to have in your camper (other than a bed for obvious reasons!) and what is the thing you find the most annoying/least useful?
I'm on a fairly tight budget so its juggling finding a van with good history and sound engine against keeping funds for the build. Alternatively, buy the thing ready to go.
Do you reckon you would get better value for money buying something pretty much ready to go or to buy from scratch and build yourself?
I'm at the early stages of design ideas so have a basic idea of what I will need to build, but i'm sure I'm forgetting certain things along the way.
Thanks for the advice. I'm considering a pop up, purely for headroom and also for storage whilst using the van if needed. We haven't got kids yet but they are in mind. The wife thinks it would be a better idea to get a caravan for that, and the extra space it brings. We have camped for the last 8 or 9 years but I'm getting sick of being stuck under canvas in the pissing rain!
rsv696 said:
Just part-exed my T5 camper with elevating roof for a Peugeot Boxer with rigid high top. High tops are essential for camping IMO - tons more space, warmer, drier etc. Effect on fuel consumption is barely noticeable. I've got a Smart Car I use for work / pottering around & only use the camper once a week on average.
Essential for me is a large comfy bed, electric hookup, 12 volt sockets, proper fridge, leisure battery, bike rack & space heater
Swivel seats, Fiamma tables & built-in loos are desirable but not essential
Non-essentials are grill, onboard water tank, onboard waste tank, water heater
T4's are generally more reliable than T5's, but there aren't many decent ones left. Avoid the 2.5's if you want reliability. VW's are generally £5k more than equivalent vans because of the "scene tax", but aren't really better quality vehicles.
HTH
Ps Get a LWB if you can - more space & still easy enough to park
Thanks RSV. I've been looking at 1.9TDs, slow and steady winning the race. The amount that have serious miles on them though worries me slightly as I dont want to be constantly paying out just to run it. Maybe they are a labour of love?!Essential for me is a large comfy bed, electric hookup, 12 volt sockets, proper fridge, leisure battery, bike rack & space heater
Swivel seats, Fiamma tables & built-in loos are desirable but not essential
Non-essentials are grill, onboard water tank, onboard waste tank, water heater
T4's are generally more reliable than T5's, but there aren't many decent ones left. Avoid the 2.5's if you want reliability. VW's are generally £5k more than equivalent vans because of the "scene tax", but aren't really better quality vehicles.
HTH
Ps Get a LWB if you can - more space & still easy enough to park
Edited by rsv696 on Sunday 7th October 20:30
LWB is on the list, just need to look at whether buying a van is better value than something which has already had windows and roof done.
I did 2 weeks in a fairly luxurious Sprinter camper in NZ a couple of years back and drive a VW Crafter daily so its no problem in getting a bigger van, but the bigger I get, the more expensive it is to run and harder it is to park in small towns.
I'm not sure if the T4 is big enough, but then i've only looked at Transits which dont appear any wider or longer (LWB compared). Buying the base vehicle seems to be the biggest stumbling block! I just cant make my mind up whether to buy a bare van, or something already converted.
I'm not sure if the T4 is big enough, but then i've only looked at Transits which dont appear any wider or longer (LWB compared). Buying the base vehicle seems to be the biggest stumbling block! I just cant make my mind up whether to buy a bare van, or something already converted.
Still browsing T4s, still considering this years options.
Trying to juggle a potential house move with a vehicle purchase, I've got a feeling the house might win. It is however, not totally out of the question.
For owners who have had them, how does the 1.9TD cruise at speed? Can it do 75-80mph comfortably on a run?
I would love to be able to get one this year, but if not, I'm looking at 2 options (depending on whether we sell our house or not). A week along the coast of West Scotland (done it a couple of times in tents), or flying to Marseille and hiring one for a trip around the Alps.
Other than that, scrap both ideas, take the tent and keep saving for the van for next year!
Trying to juggle a potential house move with a vehicle purchase, I've got a feeling the house might win. It is however, not totally out of the question.
For owners who have had them, how does the 1.9TD cruise at speed? Can it do 75-80mph comfortably on a run?
I would love to be able to get one this year, but if not, I'm looking at 2 options (depending on whether we sell our house or not). A week along the coast of West Scotland (done it a couple of times in tents), or flying to Marseille and hiring one for a trip around the Alps.
Other than that, scrap both ideas, take the tent and keep saving for the van for next year!
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