VW type campers
Discussion
Hi folks,
Just mulling the idea of getting a small camper van for driving around Europe in, at maybe 7-10 days at a time.
A camper van appeals because of size and ease of driving, we may stay at hotels during the drives or go into towns.
There are just 2 of us so I think a decent spec Campervan should do us.
Do any of you have any thoughts or experiences using one of this type of vehicle ?
Thanks
Barrie
Just mulling the idea of getting a small camper van for driving around Europe in, at maybe 7-10 days at a time.
A camper van appeals because of size and ease of driving, we may stay at hotels during the drives or go into towns.
There are just 2 of us so I think a decent spec Campervan should do us.
Do any of you have any thoughts or experiences using one of this type of vehicle ?
Thanks
Barrie
My inlaws have a VW California Beach and we (me, wife and 21 month son) are free to use it whenever we want. We are based in southwest Germany which is ideal for tours of Europe. In recent years we have done Norway, France, Italy and lots of Germany. In two weeks we fly to Helsinki to take over the VW from our inlaws when they finish their holiday and spend two and a half weeks exploring Finland.
Easy to drive, the wheels are pretty much the four corners of the vehicle and the controls feel just like a Golf or similar. Two people can travel and sleep in a VW camper with ease, in fact I suspect you could go smaller without any issue. Smaller options include the VW caddy that has a tent attachment or the Nissan NV200(?). The only big decision is whether you want a fitted kitchen. The one we use doesn’t, so you get a bigger sleeping area. What it does have is a really nice aftermarket storage unit in the boot that stores a gas cooker, a fridge, pans and general storage. Apparently my father in law has bought the side panels for the canopy so that it has a large living room tent on the side, not used it yet though.
Easy to drive, the wheels are pretty much the four corners of the vehicle and the controls feel just like a Golf or similar. Two people can travel and sleep in a VW camper with ease, in fact I suspect you could go smaller without any issue. Smaller options include the VW caddy that has a tent attachment or the Nissan NV200(?). The only big decision is whether you want a fitted kitchen. The one we use doesn’t, so you get a bigger sleeping area. What it does have is a really nice aftermarket storage unit in the boot that stores a gas cooker, a fridge, pans and general storage. Apparently my father in law has bought the side panels for the canopy so that it has a large living room tent on the side, not used it yet though.
I have a VW van that I had converted by SLIDEPODS Devon a full width double bed and the sink & two burner gas cooker is in a unit fixed in the van that slides out the rear when you use it.
Before this we had Range Rovers, but wouldn’t go back to those again as this gives us everything that we need an everyday vehicle and also a camper.
Before this we had Range Rovers, but wouldn’t go back to those again as this gives us everything that we need an everyday vehicle and also a camper.
California Ocean. They are not perfect but are the best overall package IMHO. It’s been done to death on all the forums, there are a few decent conversions but they are the same money, if not more expensive. With the Cali, it’s one throat to choke if there are issues and hold their money like nothing else. Dead easy to sell on as well, conversions can be very tricky to shift. It’s horses for courses and personal choice. Best thing to do is go and look at a few and if serious, hire a couple to help make your decision.
RizzoTheRat said:
How practical are these kinds of campers for a couple of people for a fortnight or so? I'm tempted by something like a Bongo for the AWD which could be useful on wet grassy campsites. Tend to camp a fair bit but never stayed in camper.
Have no experience of the Bongo but looks big enough. If you’re used to camping I think you’ll have no issues with this size camper for two weeks. A pop up roof makes a big difference, whether is for extra sleeping/storage space at night or just so you can stand up inside. Two of us and toddler have no issues in a VW California for two weeks.Do some of them have sleeping space in the popup roof then? I don't even know what the internal layouts are like so would want to look at plenty before buying anything.
I can happily fit everything I need for a fortnights camping on the back of my motorbike, but somehow if I go camping with the wife for a weekend I have to fold the seats down in my Octavia to fit everything in (That's a little unfair as she is capable of packing for a hiking weekend but tends to pack to fill the available space)
I can happily fit everything I need for a fortnights camping on the back of my motorbike, but somehow if I go camping with the wife for a weekend I have to fold the seats down in my Octavia to fit everything in (That's a little unfair as she is capable of packing for a hiking weekend but tends to pack to fill the available space)
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Monday 6th August 09:53
RizzoTheRat said:
Do some of them have sleeping space in the popup roof then? I don't even know what the internal layouts are like so would want to look at plenty before buying anything.
I can happily fit everything I need for a fortnights camping on the back of my motorbike, but somehow if I go camping with the wife for a weekend I have to fold the seats down in my Octavia to fit everything in
Not sure if all of them have sleeping space there, you’d need to check before buying, but the VWs definitely do. The roof tends to be a bit cooler as you’re effectively sleeping in something a kin to a tent, albeit with a solid roof.I can happily fit everything I need for a fortnights camping on the back of my motorbike, but somehow if I go camping with the wife for a weekend I have to fold the seats down in my Octavia to fit everything in
Zoon said:
The only thing I know is that you'll pay scene tax and they are like dog poo, one on every corner.
But there must be something good about them as people keep buying them.
We have just got back from a 14 day jaunt down to St Jean de Monts in France in our T25.But there must be something good about them as people keep buying them.
Our T25 cost £4000 six years ago and probably worth £6000 now.
We only saw one other T25 during our whole trip and to be fair only a handful of T4s and T5s.
Picture of our little beast in St Jean de Monts this week.
The MB Viano drives better, the V6 diesel is a nice, refined powerplant (for ist class) and the Facelift model has a much more comfortable suspension then the VW. It is also cheaper then the ridiculously expensive VW. It is 199 cm tall so it will do any Underground parking.
There is a Viano "FUN" Version, which is basically a 7 passenger Version with a pop-up Roof and rear bench that transforms into a bed.
It does not have an integrated kitchen, but we have a brilliant portable kitchen from the US (GrubHub) that
We have been touring around Europe with one of These for the past 3 years with 2 small kids. Works fine in the summer, for colder weather we want something bigger now.
They are extremly versatile vehicles, like a swiss army knife.
There is a Viano "FUN" Version, which is basically a 7 passenger Version with a pop-up Roof and rear bench that transforms into a bed.
It does not have an integrated kitchen, but we have a brilliant portable kitchen from the US (GrubHub) that
We have been touring around Europe with one of These for the past 3 years with 2 small kids. Works fine in the summer, for colder weather we want something bigger now.
They are extremly versatile vehicles, like a swiss army knife.
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