Something cheap but classy to camp in
Discussion
So having looked at the usual VW Transporters and come away thinking, yep love it but surely I can have similar experiences spending considerably less. Given that im slowing down at work and dont want to have to finance anything. Im thinking of doing it a lot more economically. Budget for the vehicle is about 10k and it will be carrying two peeps and two small dogs. Planning to use it for lots of small days out. But the odd longer trip too. Im also thinking of the base vehicle having some luxury. Rather than a panel van, for example a Merc Viano. Or maybe a luxury minivan imported from Japan, Or a VW Caddy. I should mention a tailgate is a must rather than barn doors for carrying bikes on a cycle rack. And lastly do I really need a pop up top.
Thanks in advance folks.
Thanks in advance folks.
Edited by macp on Sunday 13th July 14:21
i am running an unconverted Alphard as a daily driver and highly recommend them. I test drove an Elgrand & Alphard back-to-back and much preferred the Alphard. Reliability has been faultless for a 21year old car. As always, with these things, buying from a reputable dealer is a must and there are a few conversion companies around the country.
This link was to a similar post last year, where I went through what it was like running a JDM car particularly around parts, insurance, etc:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Any questions on this, please fire away and I'll help if I can.
This link was to a similar post last year, where I went through what it was like running a JDM car particularly around parts, insurance, etc:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Any questions on this, please fire away and I'll help if I can.
The Japanese MPVs are great value, not great on mpg but you can buy an awful lot of fuel compared to the cost of the alternatives, especially if you need ULEZ compliance.
I've got a Honda Stepwgn, can recline all the back seats flat and either use some cushions to fill the dips or I just chuck an airbed over the top. Came with curtains for all the rear windows and I added a cab curtain to shut off the front. The rest of the time it can carry up to 6 adults comfortably, or have a massive space for bikes or other stuff, you get four electric windows that open, proper AC for everyone and no stretch grey carpet in sight. You won't be cooking in it but I probably wouldn't want to in a Transporter-type van anyway - cook under the tailgate if it's raining.
10 series Alphard is probably king of this sort of thing, although as long as you don't get the business-class style fixed seats then a lot of them do seating along these lines:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9PLozANtpQ
I've got a Honda Stepwgn, can recline all the back seats flat and either use some cushions to fill the dips or I just chuck an airbed over the top. Came with curtains for all the rear windows and I added a cab curtain to shut off the front. The rest of the time it can carry up to 6 adults comfortably, or have a massive space for bikes or other stuff, you get four electric windows that open, proper AC for everyone and no stretch grey carpet in sight. You won't be cooking in it but I probably wouldn't want to in a Transporter-type van anyway - cook under the tailgate if it's raining.
10 series Alphard is probably king of this sort of thing, although as long as you don't get the business-class style fixed seats then a lot of them do seating along these lines:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9PLozANtpQ
I've just bought a '17 plate VW Caravelle as a stop-gap after my 19 plate 4motion Caravelle was written off. I ended up going back to EuroBrand in Hertford and buying one of his ex-Saga Holiday Caravelles.
He has about 30 in stock, and I ended up picking a 17 plate Caravelle with a manual, full 7-seat leather interior, CarPlay, reverese cam, radar cruise, 3 zone climate control with the interior being practically unmarked and a few age-related bits on the body, all for the princely sum of £15k - he does have cheaper options available.
The slight downside is that mine has a cool 259k miles on the clock, although it has a full detailed service history of every piece of work ever done, from bulbs to cambelts, it also comes with a 2-year engine and gearbox warranty, and unless you were looking at the mileometer, you would never know it had been to the moon.
I'm still arguing with the insurance company on the valuation of my write-off and couldn't afford to replace my 4motion until the insurance was sorted, but as I needed a van in a bit of a hurry for a bunch of pre-planned trips so figured I'd get one of these as a stop-gap. However, after covering a little over 3k miles in the last two weeks, I've decided not to bother buying another when the insurance is settled, I'll stick with my old biddy bus and try and get it to 500k!
Layout wise, we removed the 2 captains chairs from the middle row and added a SteeFree shelf. It all folds down nicely to make a good-sized double bed, with a ton of space underneath for all of our gubbins. By day we have a spacious 5 seater with sleep mode activated in around 1 minute
He has about 30 in stock, and I ended up picking a 17 plate Caravelle with a manual, full 7-seat leather interior, CarPlay, reverese cam, radar cruise, 3 zone climate control with the interior being practically unmarked and a few age-related bits on the body, all for the princely sum of £15k - he does have cheaper options available.
The slight downside is that mine has a cool 259k miles on the clock, although it has a full detailed service history of every piece of work ever done, from bulbs to cambelts, it also comes with a 2-year engine and gearbox warranty, and unless you were looking at the mileometer, you would never know it had been to the moon.
I'm still arguing with the insurance company on the valuation of my write-off and couldn't afford to replace my 4motion until the insurance was sorted, but as I needed a van in a bit of a hurry for a bunch of pre-planned trips so figured I'd get one of these as a stop-gap. However, after covering a little over 3k miles in the last two weeks, I've decided not to bother buying another when the insurance is settled, I'll stick with my old biddy bus and try and get it to 500k!
Layout wise, we removed the 2 captains chairs from the middle row and added a SteeFree shelf. It all folds down nicely to make a good-sized double bed, with a ton of space underneath for all of our gubbins. By day we have a spacious 5 seater with sleep mode activated in around 1 minute
djsmith74 said:
i am running an unconverted Alphard as a daily driver and highly recommend them. I test drove an Elgrand & Alphard back-to-back and much preferred the Alphard. Reliability has been faultless for a 21year old car. As always, with these things, buying from a reputable dealer is a must and there are a few conversion companies around the country.
This link was to a similar post last year, where I went through what it was like running a JDM car particularly around parts, insurance, etc:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Any questions on this, please fire away and I'll help if I can.
Thanks yes would be very interested as to why you went for the Alphard. This link was to a similar post last year, where I went through what it was like running a JDM car particularly around parts, insurance, etc:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Any questions on this, please fire away and I'll help if I can.
Update: just spent quite a lot of time researching Elgrand and it seems they suffer with a number of big issues which dont appear to affect the Alphard.
Edited by macp on Monday 14th July 21:42
sjg said:
The Japanese MPVs are great value, not great on mpg but you can buy an awful lot of fuel compared to the cost of the alternatives, especially if you need ULEZ compliance.
I've got a Honda Stepwgn, can recline all the back seats flat and either use some cushions to fill the dips or I just chuck an airbed over the top. Came with curtains for all the rear windows and I added a cab curtain to shut off the front. The rest of the time it can carry up to 6 adults comfortably, or have a massive space for bikes or other stuff, you get four electric windows that open, proper AC for everyone and no stretch grey carpet in sight. You won't be cooking in it but I probably wouldn't want to in a Transporter-type van anyway - cook under the tailgate if it's raining.
10 series Alphard is probably king of this sort of thing, although as long as you don't get the business-class style fixed seats then a lot of them do seating along these lines:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9PLozANtpQ
Thanks just been looking at the Honda Stepwagon and the Toyota Voxy. Im just under 6 foot and swmbo is about 5' 8". Could we install a bed and sleep in either of these ?I've got a Honda Stepwgn, can recline all the back seats flat and either use some cushions to fill the dips or I just chuck an airbed over the top. Came with curtains for all the rear windows and I added a cab curtain to shut off the front. The rest of the time it can carry up to 6 adults comfortably, or have a massive space for bikes or other stuff, you get four electric windows that open, proper AC for everyone and no stretch grey carpet in sight. You won't be cooking in it but I probably wouldn't want to in a Transporter-type van anyway - cook under the tailgate if it's raining.
10 series Alphard is probably king of this sort of thing, although as long as you don't get the business-class style fixed seats then a lot of them do seating along these lines:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9PLozANtpQ
vaguelyfamiliar said:
I've just bought a '17 plate VW Caravelle as a stop-gap after my 19 plate 4motion Caravelle was written off. I ended up going back to EuroBrand in Hertford and buying one of his ex-Saga Holiday Caravelles.
He has about 30 in stock, and I ended up picking a 17 plate Caravelle with a manual, full 7-seat leather interior, CarPlay, reverese cam, radar cruise, 3 zone climate control with the interior being practically unmarked and a few age-related bits on the body, all for the princely sum of £15k - he does have cheaper options available.
The slight downside is that mine has a cool 259k miles on the clock, although it has a full detailed service history of every piece of work ever done, from bulbs to cambelts, it also comes with a 2-year engine and gearbox warranty, and unless you were looking at the mileometer, you would never know it had been to the moon.
I'm still arguing with the insurance company on the valuation of my write-off and couldn't afford to replace my 4motion until the insurance was sorted, but as I needed a van in a bit of a hurry for a bunch of pre-planned trips so figured I'd get one of these as a stop-gap. However, after covering a little over 3k miles in the last two weeks, I've decided not to bother buying another when the insurance is settled, I'll stick with my old biddy bus and try and get it to 500k!
Layout wise, we removed the 2 captains chairs from the middle row and added a SteeFree shelf. It all folds down nicely to make a good-sized double bed, with a ton of space underneath for all of our gubbins. By day we have a spacious 5 seater with sleep mode activated in around 1 minute
Interesting post thanks for that. The cheapest Transporter that I could find (£9995) that would suit a conversion had 234k and quite a lot older the JDM vans I have been looking at. But I just cant bring myself to do that. He has about 30 in stock, and I ended up picking a 17 plate Caravelle with a manual, full 7-seat leather interior, CarPlay, reverese cam, radar cruise, 3 zone climate control with the interior being practically unmarked and a few age-related bits on the body, all for the princely sum of £15k - he does have cheaper options available.
The slight downside is that mine has a cool 259k miles on the clock, although it has a full detailed service history of every piece of work ever done, from bulbs to cambelts, it also comes with a 2-year engine and gearbox warranty, and unless you were looking at the mileometer, you would never know it had been to the moon.
I'm still arguing with the insurance company on the valuation of my write-off and couldn't afford to replace my 4motion until the insurance was sorted, but as I needed a van in a bit of a hurry for a bunch of pre-planned trips so figured I'd get one of these as a stop-gap. However, after covering a little over 3k miles in the last two weeks, I've decided not to bother buying another when the insurance is settled, I'll stick with my old biddy bus and try and get it to 500k!
Layout wise, we removed the 2 captains chairs from the middle row and added a SteeFree shelf. It all folds down nicely to make a good-sized double bed, with a ton of space underneath for all of our gubbins. By day we have a spacious 5 seater with sleep mode activated in around 1 minute
osterbo said:
How about a tent box? Then you have a lot more options for the vehicle.
I was heading down a similar thought process but with a folding camper/trailer tent.Set the van up as a nice day van with appropriate facilities. Don't need to compromise the interior to squeeze everything in.
Then have a nice raised off the floor sleeping space with a living area towed at the rear. Could fit a rack on the trailer to mount the bikes on.
Added benefit of being able to set up camp and still use the van without disrupting everything.
vladcjelli said:
osterbo said:
How about a tent box? Then you have a lot more options for the vehicle.
I was heading down a similar thought process but with a folding camper/trailer tent.Set the van up as a nice day van with appropriate facilities. Don't need to compromise the interior to squeeze everything in.
Then have a nice raised off the floor sleeping space with a living area towed at the rear. Could fit a rack on the trailer to mount the bikes on.
Added benefit of being able to set up camp and still use the van without disrupting everything.
Mark Turmell said:
Transit Custom, they drive nicely, parts are cheap and plentiful.
Just check the wet belt has been changed.
Don t go near a Transporter for that kind of budget, it ll be a Barry d up shed. (And I do like a Transporter)
Anything Transporter that we like was about 30 to 50k. I just cant do that. And frankly I dont want to.Just check the wet belt has been changed.
Don t go near a Transporter for that kind of budget, it ll be a Barry d up shed. (And I do like a Transporter)
Transit like the Viano is a thought.
We looked at campers/caravan's etc having had an Overland prepped Defender 110 previously and wanting a bit more comfort for our travels. I wanted a camper van but anything £10k gets you nothing, even around the £20k you are buying issues. I didn't want the hassles of towing a big full size caravan.
So we bought a T@B320 caravan. Lightweight so can be towed by many vehicles (I'm a bit over specced with our towcar!). Really well built (German) - better than Hymer/Eriba, our MK2 is over the OP's budget but the MK1's are similar spec/layout but cheaper.
There are two of us (I'm 6'5") and a large dog - it's a good comprise between living/kitchen space Vs towability and works well even with the 'hatches bolted down' for a day or so in inclement weather.
So we bought a T@B320 caravan. Lightweight so can be towed by many vehicles (I'm a bit over specced with our towcar!). Really well built (German) - better than Hymer/Eriba, our MK2 is over the OP's budget but the MK1's are similar spec/layout but cheaper.
There are two of us (I'm 6'5") and a large dog - it's a good comprise between living/kitchen space Vs towability and works well even with the 'hatches bolted down' for a day or so in inclement weather.
Edited by RustyNissanPrairie on Monday 14th July 20:20
Mark Turmell said:
Transit Custom, they drive nicely, parts are cheap and plentiful.
Just check the wet belt has been changed.
Don t go near a Transporter for that kind of budget, it ll be a Barry d up shed. (And I do like a Transporter)
Another vote for the Transit. A neighbour bought a combi and got a camper conversion done on it for a fraction of the price of a T5/6. Only issue they had was it attracting attention from certain caravan dwelling types. Just check the wet belt has been changed.
Don t go near a Transporter for that kind of budget, it ll be a Barry d up shed. (And I do like a Transporter)
Great looking, low mileage, 1 owner Tranny - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/van-details/2025062538...
RustyNissanPrairie said:
We looked at campers/caravan's etc having had an Overland prepped Defender 110 previously and wanting a bit more comfort for our travels. I wanted a camper van but anything £10k gets you nothing, even around the £20k you are buying issues. I didn't want the hassles of towing a big full size caravan.
So we bought a T@B320 caravan. Lightweight so can be towed by many vehicles (I'm a bit over specced with our towcar!). Really well built (German) - better than Hymer/Eriba, our MK2 is over the OP's budget but the MK1's are similar spec/layout but cheaper.
There are two of us (I'm 6'5") and a large dog - it's a good comprise between living/kitchen space Vs towability and works well even with the 'hatches bolted down' for a day or so in inclement weather.
Thanks RNP I love the idea of that. This sort of thing has been discussed between us before. I may revisit it So we bought a T@B320 caravan. Lightweight so can be towed by many vehicles (I'm a bit over specced with our towcar!). Really well built (German) - better than Hymer/Eriba, our MK2 is over the OP's budget but the MK1's are similar spec/layout but cheaper.
There are two of us (I'm 6'5") and a large dog - it's a good comprise between living/kitchen space Vs towability and works well even with the 'hatches bolted down' for a day or so in inclement weather.
Edited by RustyNissanPrairie on Monday 14th July 20:20
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