Considering a campervan
Discussion
Considering a campervan. - Trying to get my head around the various options available and rapidly getting bogged down .
It would be used for days away and maybe one or two overnight stays, probably no more.
It would be me at a motorsport event or wife, son two dogs and me (get the pecking order) for an overnight stay.
It would replace a Volvo 940 Estate which is our do everything vehicle (holidays/shops/tip/builders merchant etc). So would also be an every day vehicle. (We have a couple of less sensible cars too).
I've read a few threads on this forum such as
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
and Leighs brilliant build thread from some time ago.
There's so many options and ideas I really don't know which route to take.
I'm initially suggesting a budget of around £6k but guessing I'm going to end up spending more. If more, the vehicle really needs to be used regularly.
Do I buy a van and convert or buy ready built? I'm ok with fitting kitchens etc at home.
There seems to be a lot of converted and part converted vans available but most have galactic mileages.
T5 the obvious choice, most options and possibly the best looking?? Like the look of a Vito but heard mixed reviews. Went looking at Transits a few years ago for use as a removal/house renovation van and was surprised how rotten they were after just a few years so abandoned that idea.
I reckon that with the whole family we will need a pop top (advice elsewhere is don't buy a high top)?
Kitchen across the back would seem best option for inside space but means "cooking" (kettle and washing up more likely after fish and chips) would be outside (in the rain!).
Assuming a T5 (or Vito) what sort of things do I look for in the way of the vehicles themselves, any particular engines to avoid. Would prefer something with enough poke to get it up a hill and tow a light trailer/Caterham.
And what is essential if the van is already fitted out. (I've seen photos of some pretty crap installations.) It needs to be comfortable.
At this sort of budget am I pissing against the wind?
I'm west coast Scotland so somewhat distant from most stuff for sale.
Thanks for any useful tips or advice.
It would be used for days away and maybe one or two overnight stays, probably no more.
It would be me at a motorsport event or wife, son two dogs and me (get the pecking order) for an overnight stay.
It would replace a Volvo 940 Estate which is our do everything vehicle (holidays/shops/tip/builders merchant etc). So would also be an every day vehicle. (We have a couple of less sensible cars too).
I've read a few threads on this forum such as
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
and Leighs brilliant build thread from some time ago.
There's so many options and ideas I really don't know which route to take.
I'm initially suggesting a budget of around £6k but guessing I'm going to end up spending more. If more, the vehicle really needs to be used regularly.
Do I buy a van and convert or buy ready built? I'm ok with fitting kitchens etc at home.
There seems to be a lot of converted and part converted vans available but most have galactic mileages.
T5 the obvious choice, most options and possibly the best looking?? Like the look of a Vito but heard mixed reviews. Went looking at Transits a few years ago for use as a removal/house renovation van and was surprised how rotten they were after just a few years so abandoned that idea.
I reckon that with the whole family we will need a pop top (advice elsewhere is don't buy a high top)?
Kitchen across the back would seem best option for inside space but means "cooking" (kettle and washing up more likely after fish and chips) would be outside (in the rain!).
Assuming a T5 (or Vito) what sort of things do I look for in the way of the vehicles themselves, any particular engines to avoid. Would prefer something with enough poke to get it up a hill and tow a light trailer/Caterham.
And what is essential if the van is already fitted out. (I've seen photos of some pretty crap installations.) It needs to be comfortable.
At this sort of budget am I pissing against the wind?
I'm west coast Scotland so somewhat distant from most stuff for sale.
Thanks for any useful tips or advice.
Hi,
How old are your kids? I would suggest fitting you all in a pop top van would be a little too cozy.
We bought a VW T25 about 8 years ago. We decided upon a VW because we were unsure how much we would use it and whether it would work for us. Essentially we wanted something relatively easy to sell on. We have never been part of the 'scene'.
Ours is a high top, and with two kids this really helps. On French camping trips we can carry loads. We take a tent with us for additional sleeping space.
On days out, it is nice just being able to stand up in the back and make a cuppa. Doesn't matter if it is raining or shining.
We use it surprisingly frequently for various day trips but also about three weeks and three weekends camping per year. The kids (now seven and ten years old) love it.
Just our experiences. I like that ours is a bit of an air cooled classic now - just feels more of an event. I completely understand wanting something more modern though.
Mike
How old are your kids? I would suggest fitting you all in a pop top van would be a little too cozy.
We bought a VW T25 about 8 years ago. We decided upon a VW because we were unsure how much we would use it and whether it would work for us. Essentially we wanted something relatively easy to sell on. We have never been part of the 'scene'.
Ours is a high top, and with two kids this really helps. On French camping trips we can carry loads. We take a tent with us for additional sleeping space.
On days out, it is nice just being able to stand up in the back and make a cuppa. Doesn't matter if it is raining or shining.
We use it surprisingly frequently for various day trips but also about three weeks and three weekends camping per year. The kids (now seven and ten years old) love it.
Just our experiences. I like that ours is a bit of an air cooled classic now - just feels more of an event. I completely understand wanting something more modern though.
Mike
I've been there before. Assessing your campervan needs is a tough call, trying to balance the outlay, the size, whether it's the main vehicle or a second vehicle. There's no easy answer, and at your budget you may need to make some compromises. It doesn't seem an unrealistic budget at first but a sound base vehicle for conversion will eat up most of that, pro-converted vans are pricey, and home-converted are often shonky affairs.
I find VW vans overpriced, Merc Vito's have a poor reputation for rust (according to the internet), Transits can be a bit rough as you've found. Renault Trafic's seem pretty solid and are under-the-camper-radar.
Personally I converted a 2000 Citroen Relay LWB hi-roof and a 2012 Renault Master LWB hi-roof as those fitted my needs, and I found them good solid vehicles. Admittedly they're larger and not our main car. Find a sound base van for these and you may avoid some of the scene tax.
£6000 might find you an early '90s Talbot based camper or somebody else's project that you can improve upon with your handyman skills.
Demountable unit, or a tear-drop camper towed behind the Volvo any good for your needs?
Good hunting!
I find VW vans overpriced, Merc Vito's have a poor reputation for rust (according to the internet), Transits can be a bit rough as you've found. Renault Trafic's seem pretty solid and are under-the-camper-radar.
Personally I converted a 2000 Citroen Relay LWB hi-roof and a 2012 Renault Master LWB hi-roof as those fitted my needs, and I found them good solid vehicles. Admittedly they're larger and not our main car. Find a sound base van for these and you may avoid some of the scene tax.
£6000 might find you an early '90s Talbot based camper or somebody else's project that you can improve upon with your handyman skills.
Demountable unit, or a tear-drop camper towed behind the Volvo any good for your needs?
Good hunting!
Thanks for all of your thoughts, to answer a few questions, There's three of us, me, wife and one son, with (at the moment) two dogs. Son is a tall 14 year old.
Towing is out as i might be towing a race car on a trailer.
Sounds like it's a case of up the budget, select something other than a T5, do the fit out myself or just be patient until the right vehicle turns up.
There's plenty of motorhomes and campervans through our area but most are on holiday here. Don't see many actually for sale. Will do regular checks on all the usual web sites.
Towing is out as i might be towing a race car on a trailer.
Sounds like it's a case of up the budget, select something other than a T5, do the fit out myself or just be patient until the right vehicle turns up.
There's plenty of motorhomes and campervans through our area but most are on holiday here. Don't see many actually for sale. Will do regular checks on all the usual web sites.
Skyedriver said:
and Leighs brilliant build thread from some time ago.
Just spotted this thread. Just for reference, I think that the total spend on mine including the van (£7200) was around £15000 by the time it was all done, and that's with no pop top. Mine is long wheel base, and while for just me and the wife there is plenty of room, with your son and dogs along too, I would say you either need a high top/pop top or an awning, otherwise it would be pretty snug!
LeighW said:
Skyedriver said:
and Leighs brilliant build thread from some time ago.
Just spotted this thread. Just for reference, I think that the total spend on mine including the van (£7200) was around £15000 by the time it was all done, and that's with no pop top. Mine is long wheel base, and while for just me and the wife there is plenty of room, with your son and dogs along too, I would say you either need a high top/pop top or an awning, otherwise it would be pretty snug!
Like the idea of a pop top so I can stand upright. An awning would be OK too I guess but can't see the lad sleeping in that so would be the dogs.
For the poster above the "race car" would be my Caterham or a similar lightweight car.
Brads67 said:
6k might get you a mid 90's caper or motorhome but it won't get you much that you can use every day.
I did the jap import Hiace thing which was brilliant, but in no way an runabout motor.
Decent camper van, 15k or if a VW the double that for the surf dude factor.
VW are crap btw.
Why do you say VW are crap?I did the jap import Hiace thing which was brilliant, but in no way an runabout motor.
Decent camper van, 15k or if a VW the double that for the surf dude factor.
VW are crap btw.
I imagine they are THE most popular choice for campers.
I could understand overpriced, perhaps......but why crap?
It's the surf dude factor. They are dismal inside as a van, and seriously overpriced as a camper.
Older ones literally split at the seems at the mere mention of moisture.
I'm in the market for a motorhome just now and saw a beautiful Pilote A class motorhome, full leather, garage, massive fixed bed, electric drop down bed, shower room, bathroom, nice kitchen etc etc . £70k
Parked next to it, VW T6 panel van with a hardtop and a little galley unit next to the rock and roll bed, couple of electric sockets, £70k
Go figure.
Older ones literally split at the seems at the mere mention of moisture.
I'm in the market for a motorhome just now and saw a beautiful Pilote A class motorhome, full leather, garage, massive fixed bed, electric drop down bed, shower room, bathroom, nice kitchen etc etc . £70k
Parked next to it, VW T6 panel van with a hardtop and a little galley unit next to the rock and roll bed, couple of electric sockets, £70k
Go figure.
Brads67 said:
It's the surf dude factor. They are dismal inside as a van, and seriously overpriced as a camper.
Older ones literally split at the seems at the mere mention of moisture.
I'm in the market for a motorhome just now and saw a beautiful Pilote A class motorhome, full leather, garage, massive fixed bed, electric drop down bed, shower room, bathroom, nice kitchen etc etc . £70k
Parked next to it, VW T6 panel van with a hardtop and a little galley unit next to the rock and roll bed, couple of electric sockets, £70k
Go figure.
Well, you're comparing apples and oranges there: VERY different target markets, I would suggest! Older ones literally split at the seems at the mere mention of moisture.
I'm in the market for a motorhome just now and saw a beautiful Pilote A class motorhome, full leather, garage, massive fixed bed, electric drop down bed, shower room, bathroom, nice kitchen etc etc . £70k
Parked next to it, VW T6 panel van with a hardtop and a little galley unit next to the rock and roll bed, couple of electric sockets, £70k
Go figure.
Looks to me like a Pilote A class starts at 6m long.....the VW-sized ones end at 5.3m!
Not that I own either - part of the problem for me is that I have a desire for a smaller van that can get down tiny winding roads I would take a car down.....whilst also realising the larger ones are far more practical.
Doesn't particularly make one 'crap' though
Got a German buddy who swears by his VW-based Wingamm MicroS - aside from being almost 3m high, it is a thing of beauty!
Oh, & 'only' £62k - bargain!
troika said:
mikeiow said:
Why do you say VW are crap?
I imagine they are THE most popular choice for campers.
I could understand overpriced, perhaps......but why crap?
Expensive, yes. Crap, no. Lowest total cost of ownership, yes. I imagine they are THE most popular choice for campers.
I could understand overpriced, perhaps......but why crap?
k all else.surveyor said:
troika said:
mikeiow said:
Why do you say VW are crap?
I imagine they are THE most popular choice for campers.
I could understand overpriced, perhaps......but why crap?
Expensive, yes. Crap, no. Lowest total cost of ownership, yes. I imagine they are THE most popular choice for campers.
I could understand overpriced, perhaps......but why crap?
Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff