Small 4 berth day van/camper
Discussion
We are considering a 4 berth small camper for weekend trips, airshows, school away sports fixtures etc. Looking at the prices of the new VW Californias I'm not sure I could justify that spend, but the second hand market seems a bit murky when it comes to what is a 'real' camper and what is an aftermarket conversion. I am also seeing a lot of imported Elgrands and Alphards - were these factory campers or are they aftermarket conversions too? I like the Bongos too, but the styling is a bit dated and I'm not sure the missus will go for it.
Are there any benefits to a factory camper over a conversion? Any others to look out for that I may have missed?
Are there any benefits to a factory camper over a conversion? Any others to look out for that I may have missed?
Chicken Chaser said:
I bought my T5 3 summers ago and converted it myself, building the furniture out of furniture plywood. Its 3 berth for 2 adults and a child. We have probably used it for 13 weeks of camping so far in total, and I use it as my daily driver.
We have a small pop up awning which attaches to the side when camping and it is invaluable for storing stuff when set up. I thought long and hard on a canopy but needed somewhere to keep chairs and table for outside, BBQ, car seat for the little one, portable loo (for overnight emergencies), rucksacks and pushchair.
The little one sleeps in a hammock across the front doors and has a small pop up bed with built in fly mesh on top.
We sleep in the double bed in the back. We have spent a maximum 2 weeks in the van at any one time and this year we are really stretching its capabilities with 3 weeks in France. It'll either be a great holiday or I'll be booking hotels after week 1.
In all honesty, theyre great for day trips, the overnighters and weekends away but they're expensive and they're cramped. When the weather is good they're excellent as you're outside and only using the van for kit and sleeping in but when it's typical camping weather in the UK, you're stuck in a rather small space (or in the pub or just braving the weather).
The way that our van is configured is much different to the rock and roll layout. Ours has a side sofa/pull out bed with kitchen beside the side door. We have running cold water, 240v and 12v electric, compressor fridge and 2 canister stoves for cooking. It means we can take the cooking outside to stop the van stinking of bacon etc. We are lucky in that I have maximised storage with large areas under the bed, space under the kitchen and behind the front seats as well as a roof storage area. I wouldn't get the same amount in a typical rock and roll setup without piling it up on the back seat or in front of the rear seats.
Toilet is one of those bucket type toilets for emergency number 1s during the night. Keep it outside away from living space. A wash can be had if you boil water, wash cold but limited to 10 litres in our van. We have electric heating but diesel heaters van be installed for versatile heating arrangements.
Its comfortable but only suitable for 3 passengers. It has no pop roof. Upsides are that it maintains its heat and is insulated against the cold at night but downside is lack of headroom.
If another child comes along then it's either a strip out and reconfigure or sell and look at alternatives.
In all honesty would I spend the money on a California? No way. They've worked out a few ways to increase space with pockets in the doors for outside chairs etc but they're still too small and have too many compromises for 4 people. Im considering a caravan but not too keen on towing it.
Pros
Fits in parking spaces
Can be used daily
Mobile for nomadic trips where moving often
Easy camp setup (unless you have an awning then you're effectively erecting a tent!)
Can camp wild
Base for days out and picnics
Great for solo or couples.
Cons
Cramped
Expensive
Setup and dismantling base every time you want to drive off camp for days out
Lack of wash/toilet facilities.
Not ideal for family comfort camping!
If you converted it yourself - what does the V5 say? Is it a camper or a van? How does this work for other non-factory campers?We have a small pop up awning which attaches to the side when camping and it is invaluable for storing stuff when set up. I thought long and hard on a canopy but needed somewhere to keep chairs and table for outside, BBQ, car seat for the little one, portable loo (for overnight emergencies), rucksacks and pushchair.
The little one sleeps in a hammock across the front doors and has a small pop up bed with built in fly mesh on top.
We sleep in the double bed in the back. We have spent a maximum 2 weeks in the van at any one time and this year we are really stretching its capabilities with 3 weeks in France. It'll either be a great holiday or I'll be booking hotels after week 1.
In all honesty, theyre great for day trips, the overnighters and weekends away but they're expensive and they're cramped. When the weather is good they're excellent as you're outside and only using the van for kit and sleeping in but when it's typical camping weather in the UK, you're stuck in a rather small space (or in the pub or just braving the weather).
The way that our van is configured is much different to the rock and roll layout. Ours has a side sofa/pull out bed with kitchen beside the side door. We have running cold water, 240v and 12v electric, compressor fridge and 2 canister stoves for cooking. It means we can take the cooking outside to stop the van stinking of bacon etc. We are lucky in that I have maximised storage with large areas under the bed, space under the kitchen and behind the front seats as well as a roof storage area. I wouldn't get the same amount in a typical rock and roll setup without piling it up on the back seat or in front of the rear seats.
Toilet is one of those bucket type toilets for emergency number 1s during the night. Keep it outside away from living space. A wash can be had if you boil water, wash cold but limited to 10 litres in our van. We have electric heating but diesel heaters van be installed for versatile heating arrangements.
Its comfortable but only suitable for 3 passengers. It has no pop roof. Upsides are that it maintains its heat and is insulated against the cold at night but downside is lack of headroom.
If another child comes along then it's either a strip out and reconfigure or sell and look at alternatives.
In all honesty would I spend the money on a California? No way. They've worked out a few ways to increase space with pockets in the doors for outside chairs etc but they're still too small and have too many compromises for 4 people. Im considering a caravan but not too keen on towing it.
Pros
Fits in parking spaces
Can be used daily
Mobile for nomadic trips where moving often
Easy camp setup (unless you have an awning then you're effectively erecting a tent!)
Can camp wild
Base for days out and picnics
Great for solo or couples.
Cons
Cramped
Expensive
Setup and dismantling base every time you want to drive off camp for days out
Lack of wash/toilet facilities.
Not ideal for family comfort camping!
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