"Stealth campervans" whats the apeal?

[geeks]

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)

Anyone care to enlighten me?

[Mike335i]

I had no idea so googled. It seems that the issue is about what the vehicle can and can't be register as which affects the cost of insurance etc. No idea if it really matters that much though

[shovelheadrob]

Stealth camping often means "wildcamping" in a car park/industrial estate/other urban location. If people don't recognise it as a motorhome, they don't get upset that someone isn't using a campsite.

[Kev_Mk3]

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.

[SS2.]

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).

[geeks]

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).

Think you have missunderstood me, I want to know why people want a stealth camper over a non stealth camper. I have a camper, I did the conversion and had it reclassified as such but it baffles me what the whole stealth camper thing is about and why people are so angry the DVLA have stopped the practice (and I can see why from their PoV)

[Foliage]

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?

[geeks]

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.

As for the requirements from the DVLA, there are now external requirements, thats why the stealth lot are so angry!

[sjg]

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.

[anonymous-user]

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.

[anonymous-user]

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

Just to add, DVLA haven't changed the camper van requirements, they are just enforcing them more stringently now.

[sjg]

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.

[troika]

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.

[anonymous-user]

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.

[troika]

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.

My T6 Ocean (2019) is MPV. There are 2019 T6 Beaches (no habitation equipment) classified as Motor Caravans. It’s a mess! Fortunately it doesn’t actually make any practical difference (all over £40K anyway). As you say, it’s the converters getting clobbered turning a 20K van into a 50K camper. I think it’s fair enough, the end product is 50K and should be taxed accordingly.

[technodup]

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.

[shovelheadrob]

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.

I had a discussion with a C&MH club warden last year about such vehicles & he stated that the club policy is that they must allow them to stay overnight (assuming that there are pitches available) but any longer is at their discretion. He also said that in recent years, much of their business is from workers away from home that just want somewhere to stay at a reasonable cost, they also are less demanding than the holiday trade & make fewer complaints about anything. There were several "stealth" type vans on site at the time, a few older caravan & motorhome owners give them dirty looks but they also look at my rig with scorn (36ft 5th wheel with 3 slide outs), I don't see what the problem is, whatever suits your requirements is best.

[SamR380]

Coin Slot. said:

DVLA are clamping down on converters who turn panel vans into campers

I don't understand, what is the problem with doing this?

[troika]

SamR380 said:

Coin Slot. said:

DVLA are clamping down on converters who turn panel vans into campers

I don't understand, what is the problem with doing this?

A 20K van which has 20K spent on it to make it a camper pays a lot less VED than a 40K camper.

[anonymous-user]

troika said:

A 20K van which has 20K spent on it to make it a camper pays a lot less VED than a 40K camper.

you can modify a van after purchase. You don't need to register a camper conversation, so not sure what the DVSA are clamping down on?