Dipping my toe in to Campervan life with a Westfalia Nugget
Discussion
surveyor said:
TheJimi said:
What's the residuals like with caravans?
Even disregarding the covid-effect, camper van residuals are very strong indeed.
Pretty good generally Even disregarding the covid-effect, camper van residuals are very strong indeed.
Instinctively, if I had to choose, I'd put £25k into a Westfalia camper rather than a caravan, from a residuals perspective (and a use perspective too)
I don't think the OP is as mental as you think he is.
Its all down to usage and what works for you
1-2 days away for a long weekend - Camper (what storage space?)
a week or more away but moving or need more space than a T4 type camper - larger camper/small motorhome (some storage space, room to cook/shower)
2 weeks away staying put in a single location - caravan (loads of space)
full on touring, moving regularly for weeks - Motorhome and ebikes/ small car behind it (caravan size space)
If you need the space for storage you move on to more expensive things.
A caravan is great if you want to visit one site, setup and use it as a base but if you're going to be moving every day to a new place motorhomes/campers are easier to deal with.
anyway this isn't the place for a caravan vs camper/motorhome debate!
1-2 days away for a long weekend - Camper (what storage space?)
a week or more away but moving or need more space than a T4 type camper - larger camper/small motorhome (some storage space, room to cook/shower)
2 weeks away staying put in a single location - caravan (loads of space)
full on touring, moving regularly for weeks - Motorhome and ebikes/ small car behind it (caravan size space)
If you need the space for storage you move on to more expensive things.
A caravan is great if you want to visit one site, setup and use it as a base but if you're going to be moving every day to a new place motorhomes/campers are easier to deal with.
anyway this isn't the place for a caravan vs camper/motorhome debate!
Its pretty cheap looking,
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08K4DT5TW/ but it works well enough so far.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08K4DT5TW/ but it works well enough so far.
Another here dipping my toe. I just purchased a Swift Escape 624 and am (I’m)patiently awaiting it to be serviced for collection.
I have been looking a converting from single to double DIN to give me space for a unit that does Apple CarPlay for navigation. I’m the search I have found some that fit in single DIN slots but have a screen that sticks out to give full size without the need to modify the dash.
I have been looking a converting from single to double DIN to give me space for a unit that does Apple CarPlay for navigation. I’m the search I have found some that fit in single DIN slots but have a screen that sticks out to give full size without the need to modify the dash.
Family holiday in Greece 5K?
Santorini by any chance?
Some friends drove and sailed here from the UK in a VW Camper, they're by no means young yet had a great time
Santorini by any chance?
LincolnLovin said:
Rhodes I think.
Seemed like a small fortune for a holiday in Greece, then I started adding things up for a family, money soon goesSome friends drove and sailed here from the UK in a VW Camper, they're by no means young yet had a great time
Starfighter said:
Another here dipping my toe. I just purchased a Swift Escape 624 and am (I’m)patiently awaiting it to be serviced for collection.
I have been looking a converting from single to double DIN to give me space for a unit that does Apple CarPlay for navigation. I’m the search I have found some that fit in single DIN slots but have a screen that sticks out to give full size without the need to modify the dash.
Enjoy. I had one of these on hire during the first lockdown as hotels were closed, but I was allowed to be away form home due to my job function. Saw some unusual stopovers, and rattled away across the UK. From speaking to owners lots of tea towels is the best way to silence crockery...I have been looking a converting from single to double DIN to give me space for a unit that does Apple CarPlay for navigation. I’m the search I have found some that fit in single DIN slots but have a screen that sticks out to give full size without the need to modify the dash.
Starfighter said:
Going by that registration I assume you did not use the kitchen.
If only. Most of the places were relatively remote, and certainly not places that I was familiar with. All of the chains were shut at that time and the motorway services had one food outlet open, if you were lucky. It was a case of stocking up when passing a supermarket, even bloody queuing on a couple of times.
I realised I recorded some footage for this thread and never uploaded it, here is the van 3 hours into my ownership:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4b7a0pKWYY...
I’ll be doing a bunch of 2022 season preparation over the next month, as we have 3 trips booked including a month in the summer in Europe (assuming the Russia situation has calmed down by then).
Last year we had three trips, it really is a great campervan, we visited the caravan and camper show last week and there isn’t really much that seemed a massive upgrade. I suspect when the kids are older we’ll switch to a 6m Westfalia Columbus, but that is a long time away for now.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4b7a0pKWYY...
I’ll be doing a bunch of 2022 season preparation over the next month, as we have 3 trips booked including a month in the summer in Europe (assuming the Russia situation has calmed down by then).
Last year we had three trips, it really is a great campervan, we visited the caravan and camper show last week and there isn’t really much that seemed a massive upgrade. I suspect when the kids are older we’ll switch to a 6m Westfalia Columbus, but that is a long time away for now.
I've not updated this for a while but progress is continuing with getting the van ready for the 2022 camping season.
I've purchased 6 person folding table, 6 person collapsible day room, whilst a drive away awning (DAA) would be nice, I can't assume that I will have a second pair of hands to help assemble the thing. As we are going to be doing a multiple sites & countries in August, speed of assembly/tear down + lightness is key.
I fitted a new table latch so it is securely locks itself away, £15 well spent and only a 2 minute job, leaving plenty of time to take care of some surface rust that was starting to show in a couple of spots, sadly the Ford silver paint I got from halfords wasnt an exact match but it will do for now.
I also got deadbolts fitted to the car - five in total (two in the tailgate, one on the sliding door and both sides of the cab), the standard ford locks aren't up to much and the ford key is easy to copy. It makes each door feel really secure and will provide some much needed deterrent (I already have a steering lock and clamp).
Two new additions remain to be sourced - a wind out awning and an aftermarket cruise control setup, research indicates that the AP900 with stalk control CM30/35 should be an almost OEM experience. I have a lot of driving to do in the van this year and so having CC would be a real benefit.
I've purchased 6 person folding table, 6 person collapsible day room, whilst a drive away awning (DAA) would be nice, I can't assume that I will have a second pair of hands to help assemble the thing. As we are going to be doing a multiple sites & countries in August, speed of assembly/tear down + lightness is key.
I fitted a new table latch so it is securely locks itself away, £15 well spent and only a 2 minute job, leaving plenty of time to take care of some surface rust that was starting to show in a couple of spots, sadly the Ford silver paint I got from halfords wasnt an exact match but it will do for now.
I also got deadbolts fitted to the car - five in total (two in the tailgate, one on the sliding door and both sides of the cab), the standard ford locks aren't up to much and the ford key is easy to copy. It makes each door feel really secure and will provide some much needed deterrent (I already have a steering lock and clamp).
Two new additions remain to be sourced - a wind out awning and an aftermarket cruise control setup, research indicates that the AP900 with stalk control CM30/35 should be an almost OEM experience. I have a lot of driving to do in the van this year and so having CC would be a real benefit.
I've managed to locate a fitter for the cruise control in Telford, gives me a great excuse to travel up the night before and do a solo camp at a nearby camping & caravan club site.
The next decision is do I want to have a solar panel installed at the same time, its reasonably priced but it may be something for the next van.
The next decision is do I want to have a solar panel installed at the same time, its reasonably priced but it may be something for the next van.
Cruise control is a game changer for the van, really extended how we'll keep it as the quality of life whilst driving has been massively improved.
I'm getting a small patch of rust near the steering column repaired this week that was identified during the chassis service last week. As it requires dropping the subframe and gearbox I am also replacing the clutch & flywheel at the same time.
Once thats done, we're off camping again this weekend (already did 3 nights away last week!).
Remaining items to tick off:
Replace spare tyre (current one is 20 years old)
Figure out some rear storage option to go on the bike rack
Fit a wind out awning
I'm getting a small patch of rust near the steering column repaired this week that was identified during the chassis service last week. As it requires dropping the subframe and gearbox I am also replacing the clutch & flywheel at the same time.
Once thats done, we're off camping again this weekend (already did 3 nights away last week!).
Remaining items to tick off:
Replace spare tyre (current one is 20 years old)
Figure out some rear storage option to go on the bike rack
Fit a wind out awning
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