RE: UK firm launches rugged Delica D:5 Terrain camper

[Toltec]

st4 said:

So buy an estate car with a back rack...you'll get a much nicer/newer one for the same outlay.

I've got one and while it's long enough to sleep in if the weather is crap you cannot cook and get changed/dry in it very easily. I was thinking of a swb van which are only the same length as my car anyway. It would need to be something I could use as an everyday vehicle if needed to get the value out of it, I agree the financials are difficult to stack up.

Edited by Toltec on Saturday 2nd February 19:43

[st4]

Toltec said:

I've got one and while it's long enough to sleep in if the weather is crap you cannot cook and get changed/dry in it very easily. I was thinking of a swb van which are only the same length as my car anyway. It would need to be something I could use as an everyday vehicle if needed to get the value out of it, I agree the financials are difficult to stack up.

Edited by Toltec on Saturday 2nd February 19:43

Changing in the car is easy - I do this ok and in the warmer weather just outside when no-one is looking - cooking less so but I tend to take precooked/packaged food with me and eat it. I don't like tea/coffee so making a "brew" - man I hate that word - isn't an issue as I would never want one anyway. I find (I am not a big person) sleeping on the front seat fine.

My main beef with vans - and I am a car person - is just how much these cost for what is an elderly vehicle with very humdrum mechanicals and refinement. They are dreadful for road trips due to the noise. A normal car delivers the act of transport much better and are ok to sleep in. Lots like them, and good on them, but I really detest the things. I'd sooner get a caravan and detach it from my car than buy one of these campervan things. They very expensive and IMHO sh**

[bobtail4x4]

Glasgowrob said:

I actually get the love of it, but I'd rather have a nice car and caravan combo

something like this








roomier faster cheaper and at least its got a shower which I really couldn't live without,

although I certainly get the idea of a well specced day van for days out with the family etc.

we did vans for years, you cant get to the places the same as a camper

[andy_s]

Got one last year as me & my wife do a lot of running, very thirsty but proper 4x4 H & L, lifted suspension & kitted out with sink and cooker & most importantly...beer fridge.

[Toltec]

st4 said:

Changing in the car is easy - I do this ok and in the warmer weather just outside when no-one is looking - cooking less so but I tend to take precooked/packaged food with me and eat it. I don't like tea/coffee so making a "brew" - man I hate that word - isn't an issue as I would never want one anyway. I find (I am not a big person) sleeping on the front seat fine.

My main beef with vans - and I am a car person - is just how much these cost for what is an elderly vehicle with very humdrum mechanicals and refinement. They are dreadful for road trips due to the noise. A normal car delivers the act of transport much better and are ok to sleep in. Lots like them, and good on them, but I really detest the things. I'd sooner get a caravan and detach it from my car than buy one of these campervan things. They very expensive and IMHO sh**

If I was to convert a van it wouldn't be something a decade old, modern vans can be pretty comfortable and quite car like to drive. Some have a 0-60 noticeably under 10 seconds too. Biggest downside for me is that they are pretty much all diesel.

I've slept in a car seat occasionally, but it's always been a last ditch option and I cannot see my wife putting up with it.

[troika]

st4 said:

Changing in the car is easy - I do this ok and in the warmer weather just outside when no-one is looking - cooking less so but I tend to take precooked/packaged food with me and eat it. I don't like tea/coffee so making a "brew" - man I hate that word - isn't an issue as I would never want one anyway. I find (I am not a big person) sleeping on the front seat fine.

My main beef with vans - and I am a car person - is just how much these cost for what is an elderly vehicle with very humdrum mechanicals and refinement. They are dreadful for road trips due to the noise. A normal car delivers the act of transport much better and are ok to sleep in. Lots like them, and good on them, but I really detest the things. I'd sooner get a caravan and detach it from my car than buy one of these campervan things. They very expensive and IMHO sh**

Well, my California glides me down to the south of France, or anywhere else for that matter, in complete comfort and refinement at whatever speed I choose. Of course, it’s not cheap, but it depreciates less than an Aygo, so has a ridiculously low total cost of ownership. Thankfully, we live in a free world and you can choose to sleep in an estate car or whatever else you decide. I’ve got 2 other cars as well, but I’d hate to sleep in either of them.

[SimonTheSailor]

andy_s said:

Got one last year as me & my wife do a lot of running, very thirsty but proper 4x4 H & L, lifted suspension & kitted out with sink and cooker & most importantly...beer fridge.

What mpg do you typically get out of it ?

[andy_s]

SimonTheSailor said:

What mpg do you typically get out of it ?

Probably about low twenties, it's an old school engine with a 4 speed (+OD) box - the 'rack probably doesn't help. Not too much of an issue as it's only used a few times a month and we're pretty rural anyway.

[Mave]

st4 said:

So buy an estate car with a back rack...you'll get a much nicer/newer one for the same outlay.

We've got a camper and an estate car. After a day of activities with the kids I know which one I'd rather change / eat / socialise in; and it isn't the car.

[Brads67]

I love the way that company offer cheap conversions from just over 3 grand, but only convert vehicles they sell, so your 3 grand is really 20 or 30 grand.

[Some Guy]

I keep thinking an XC70 with a roof tent might be a good compromise.

Pretty fast on the roads and reasonable on the gravelly stuff if fitted with decent tyres. Plenty of room in the back for stove, food, chairs etc.

Edited by Some Guy on Tuesday 9th July 19:38

[bloomen]

Some Guy said:

I keep thinking an XC70 with a roof tent might be a good compromise.

Why not put a truly massive tent in the, um, boot?

[Some Guy]

If you are at a different site each night, having to set up/pull down a big tent is a pain.
Athough I agree, it would be preferable if you were at the same spot for several days.

[Teddy Lop]

Some Guy said:

If you are at a different site each night, having to set up/pull down a big tent is a pain.
Athough I agree, it would be preferable if you were at the same spot for several days.

suprised no ones seen a market for a trailer tent style easy unfolding tent that fits on a pickup bed, that'd give you a largish space with low effort or moving (towing) hassle.

[bloomen]

Some Guy said:

If you are at a different site each night, having to set up/pull down a big tent is a pain.
Athough I agree, it would be preferable if you were at the same spot for several days.

I'd still sacrifice ten minutes at the start and end of every day for 2-4x the space but I'm a right fussy git when it comes to sleeping spaces so this type of thing would never work for me.

I'm truly envious of those who can sleep on a log. I need mood lighting, scatter cushions, water features and at least three feet of mattress to sink into.

[Poppiecock]

Teddy Lop said:

suprised no ones seen a market for a trailer tent style easy unfolding tent that fits on a pickup bed, that'd give you a largish space with low effort or moving (towing) hassle.

Our colonial colleagues have already thought of that!

https://www.utetents.com.au/products/utetent-the-o...

[Poppiecock]

Glasgowrob said:

I actually get the love of it, but I'd rather have a nice car and caravan combo

something like this






roomier faster cheaper and at least its got a shower which I really couldn't live without,

although I certainly get the idea of a well specced day van for days out with the family etc.

Do you like dags and tarmac?