"Stealth campervans" whats the apeal?
Discussion
Originally it was people couldn't afford rent or deposits for houses etc but now it seems to have become a fad IMO. Yes I get people like to be free, people can work where ever now and don't have to go to a set place but every man and his dog seems to be doing it and my god I've seen some shonky stuff being built.
geeks said:
I keep seeing this alot and people vehemently denouncing the DVLA for their recent changes to the system and how they want a stealth camper etc. I really don't understand why they want this, I cannot see any benefits (or any draw backs I must confess)
Higher speed limits, lower tolls & ferry charges, permission to park at certain sites, cheaper insurance, ability to enter some zones in London etc - all could be benefits of a Motor Caravan against a van (or van with side windows, or van with a mattress thrown in the back etc).SS2. said:
geeks said:
I keep seeing this alot and people vehemently denouncing the DVLA for their recent changes to the system and how they want a stealth camper etc. I really don't understand why they want this, I cannot see any benefits (or any draw backs I must confess)
Higher speed limits, lower tolls & ferry charges, permission to park at certain sites, cheaper insurance, ability to enter some zones in London etc - all could be benefits of a Motor Caravan against a van (or van with side windows, or van with a mattress thrown in the back etc).The point of a stealth camper is to be able to part anywhere overnight. a white transit van doesn't look out of place anywhere, this makes holiday easier and cheaper in some instances, it can also make it safer from 'interference' especially carrying expensive equipment like computers, bikes and skiing equipment.
The thing I don't understand is the issue, the rules with van to camper conversion are currently all internal fixtures?
The thing I don't understand is the issue, the rules with van to camper conversion are currently all internal fixtures?
Foliage said:
The point of a stealth camper is to be able to part anywhere overnight. a white transit van doesn't look out of place anywhere, this makes holiday easier and cheaper in some instances, it can also make it safer from 'interference' especially carrying expensive equipment like computers, bikes and skiing equipment.
The thing I don't understand is the issue, the rules with van to camper conversion are currently all internal fixtures?
See what you are saying but by doing that you are excluding yourself from using camping sites (almost all the ones I have been to or looked at will refuse "stealth campers") and given the theft rates from vans seems very high I am not sure a van is any less likely to be interfered with than a camper.. it all just seems really odd.The thing I don't understand is the issue, the rules with van to camper conversion are currently all internal fixtures?
As for the requirements from the DVLA, there are now external requirements, thats why the stealth lot are so angry!
The overt "leisure vehicle" stuff, be it coachbuilt or van-based, with their chunky plastic windows, doors and cutouts all over the place for toilets and hookups, hi-tops, stripes and curve stickers, has more than a whiff of OAP about it.
I can see why lots of people just want a smart looking van that they can drive about everyday, park in normal spaces, use as a base on days out, do some camping in, chuck bikes or surfboards in, and not look like Derek and Maureen on their way to a nice Caravan Club site in Eastbourne.
I can see why lots of people just want a smart looking van that they can drive about everyday, park in normal spaces, use as a base on days out, do some camping in, chuck bikes or surfboards in, and not look like Derek and Maureen on their way to a nice Caravan Club site in Eastbourne.
I've got a 'stealth' camper, but not because I'm trying to avoid anything, I just think campers look a little too semi-retired.
I've got a slide-out kitchen pod, pop-top, full size bed in the back, swivel seats, Webasto heater.
It's great for my daily commute, but fantastic as a weekend toy for camping, carrying bikes, tip runs etc.
Sadly as it's a T32 I'm speed limited by 10mph on A roads, that would be my only reason to want to get it reclassified as a camper, although not so easy these days obviously.
I've got a slide-out kitchen pod, pop-top, full size bed in the back, swivel seats, Webasto heater.
It's great for my daily commute, but fantastic as a weekend toy for camping, carrying bikes, tip runs etc.
Sadly as it's a T32 I'm speed limited by 10mph on A roads, that would be my only reason to want to get it reclassified as a camper, although not so easy these days obviously.
sjg said:
The overt "leisure vehicle" stuff, be it coachbuilt or van-based, with their chunky plastic windows, doors and cutouts all over the place for toilets and hookups, hi-tops, stripes and curve stickers, has more than a whiff of OAP about it.
I can see why lots of people just want a smart looking van that they can drive about everyday, park in normal spaces, use as a base on days out, do some camping in, chuck bikes or surfboards in, and not look like Derek and Maureen on their way to a nice Caravan Club site in Eastbourne.
Beat me to it I can see why lots of people just want a smart looking van that they can drive about everyday, park in normal spaces, use as a base on days out, do some camping in, chuck bikes or surfboards in, and not look like Derek and Maureen on their way to a nice Caravan Club site in Eastbourne.
Just to add, DVLA haven't changed the camper van requirements, they are just enforcing them more stringently now.
The DVLA really care about two things:
- does it look like a campervan when it's being driven? i.e. would a random person on the street think "campervan" when describing it?
- does it actually have an internal fitout like a campervan, not just someone trying to dodge the speed limits, emissions zones, etc?
If it means more common sense around insuring and using vans for non-work purposes I don't see a problem with it. A couple of people I know who've done DIY conversions though got insurance on the basis of it being a "conversion in progress" ultimately with the DVLA change of classification in a certain amount of time - they wouldn't have bothered otherwise.
- does it look like a campervan when it's being driven? i.e. would a random person on the street think "campervan" when describing it?
- does it actually have an internal fitout like a campervan, not just someone trying to dodge the speed limits, emissions zones, etc?
If it means more common sense around insuring and using vans for non-work purposes I don't see a problem with it. A couple of people I know who've done DIY conversions though got insurance on the basis of it being a "conversion in progress" ultimately with the DVLA change of classification in a certain amount of time - they wouldn't have bothered otherwise.
troika said:
Just to throw a spanner in the works, the DVLA now classify a new VW California as ‘MPV’. If you asked any man in the street what is was, they’d say campervan. I understand the same applies to the Merc Marco Polo.
DVLA in their infinite wisdom are classing one model of T6.1 California as an MPV and another model of T6.1 as a Motorcaravan, the only difference between the two is the spec.DVLA are clamping down on converters who turn panel vans into campers, but are catching even factory built models in the same net.
Coin Slot. said:
troika said:
Just to throw a spanner in the works, the DVLA now classify a new VW California as ‘MPV’. If you asked any man in the street what is was, they’d say campervan. I understand the same applies to the Merc Marco Polo.
DVLA in their infinite wisdom are classing one model of T6.1 California as an MPV and another model of T6.1 as a Motorcaravan, the only difference between the two is the spec.DVLA are clamping down on converters who turn panel vans into campers, but are catching even factory built models in the same net.
geeks said:
See what you are saying but by doing that you are excluding yourself from using camping sites (almost all the ones I have been to or looked at will refuse "stealth campers")
People who go the stealth route would see that as a benefit, not a drawback.If I ever did this I'd go max stealth.
technodup said:
geeks said:
See what you are saying but by doing that you are excluding yourself from using camping sites (almost all the ones I have been to or looked at will refuse "stealth campers")
People who go the stealth route would see that as a benefit, not a drawback.If I ever did this I'd go max stealth.
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