Hiring a classic camper

[Onzlouk]

I am looking into hiring a classic splitscreen camper to use to travel with the wife and two kids to Europe, all the sites i find seem to have restrictions on one thing or another (ie no european use or no beds) or just dont have the splitty that im looking for, has anybody done similar or just looked into it that can point me in the right direction?

Cheers

[lost in espace]

Would you not be better buying one and selling on when you return? More outlay but probably far cheaper.

http://www.coolcampervans.com/campervan-hire-tarif...

You are looking at about £400 a week for a basic one.

[N Dentressangle]

These guys:

http://www.camper4hire.co.uk/

will hire you a splitscreen, and allow European travel for an extra £150.

Not used them personally, but they fit the bill!

eta Unromantic, I know, but I'd second Durbster's reservations. We did 2 weeks around Europe in September, but in a Mazda Bongo. I was never sorry to have a reasonably modern, powerful diesel automatic with aircon rather than an ancient VW. I'm old enough to have experienced the originals, and enjoy sitting outside the van with a glass of red more than I do poking at a knackered carb, trying to make it go, or waiting for a breakdown van. If I had kids I'd be even less inclined to have the VW.

Edited by N Dentressangle on Wednesday 5th January 18:00

[durbster]

I know somebody that had one. His most memorable moment of it was when it completely failed to get up a steep hill, and he had to roll it backwards around the queue he'd created.

Many people have the idea to travel round Australia and then regret it when they realise just how old, uncomfortable and slow they are. There's a kombi graveyard in Darwin iirc, which I assume is because after driving it there they refuse to sit in them any longer

If you're going travelling it's worth bearing in mind that you spend a hell of a lot more time inside the van than out so I'd really consider the "cool" option very carefully

[varsas]

I noticed this ad:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/campervan-hire-t2-aylesbury-...

while shopping for them on ebay. No idea if they are good or not, just thought I'd post. If you do use them let me know how you get on, I am very tempted.

[anonymous-user]

Have you ever driven one, the retro-cool thing soon wears off after about an hour.

Wandering steering, rotten brakes, wheezy gutless engines, 'hunchback' driving position with your legs as the crumple zones, useless windscreen wipers, cold, gearchanges like stirring porridge with a wooden spoon.....seriously, think about it or at least drive one first!

[rob.e]

google "vanilla splits"

[varsas]

yellowbentines said:

Have you ever driven one, the retro-cool thing soon wears off after about an hour.

Wandering steering, rotten brakes, wheezy gutless engines, 'hunchback' driving position with your legs as the crumple zones, useless windscreen wipers, cold, gearchanges like stirring porridge with a wooden spoon.....seriously, think about it or at least drive one first!

Pah. My SIII LR wouldn't see which way a camper van went in a straight line, and I really doubt the steering is anywhere near as bad. As for brakes; really worse then un-servoed drums all round on a heavy 4x4? Thought not. None of that stops my LR being awesome.

You, sir, are a wuss.



(you have a point about the crash protection though, although it's no worse then a motorbike)

Yes yes, if you want a holiday go for some modern van on wheels but if it's an adventure you're after it's a splitty or bay window VW you'll be wanting.

Edited by varsas on Thursday 6th January 08:14

[anonymous-user]

yellowbentines said:

Have you ever driven one, the retro-cool thing soon wears off after about an hour.

Wandering steering, rotten brakes, wheezy gutless engines, 'hunchback' driving position with your legs as the crumple zones, useless windscreen wipers, cold, gearchanges like stirring porridge with a wooden spoon.....seriously, think about it or at least drive one first!

This was my first thought too. I used to have one. A drive from Essex to Norfolk was bad enough. And you'll be very lucky to see 20mpg.

As much as I love classic campers, if I were to cruise round europe, I'd go for a modern diesel. Yellow's description of the brakes, engine, wipers, no heater, gearbox etc is spot on.

[anonymous-user]

varsas said:

As for brakes; really worse then un-servoed drums all round on a heavy 4x4?

Yes. I do a bit of chaffeuring for a company that has (amongst much nicer machines to drive which is why I do it) 5 splitties of varying (dis)ability. Driving normally entails 7 large weighty blokes of a wedding party on board and no fan/heating making for steamed up windows and frozen feet, difficulty getting up hills, and real trouble stopping once you're coming down the other side with drum brakes all round!

If I had a family I wouldn't subject them to that for the benefit of living a rose-tinted boyhood dream - no offence intended OP!

[paul.deitch]

Talking of Bongo campers, does anyone know if they ever did LHD versions? I'd like to do something different this summer.

[N Dentressangle]

paul.deitch said:

Talking of Bongo campers, does anyone know if they ever did LHD versions? I'd like to do something different this summer.

You can't get LHD Bongos as far as I know, more's the pity. They were Japanese home market only, and are in the UK as grey imports. From 2 weeks in France, Switzerland and Germany, we had no problem being RHD. Having a camper which was powerful and car-like enough to manage the Route Napoleon as well as going over the Grimsel and other Swiss passes was handy too. You don't need to buy a specific conversion either: the 8 seater pop top plus a camp stove is just fine!

eta Gratuitous Switzerland and Grimsel pass pics:

Edited by N Dentressangle on Thursday 6th January 18:25

[varsas]

yellowbentines said:

varsas said:

As for brakes; really worse then un-servoed drums all round on a heavy 4x4?

Yes. I do a bit of chaffeuring for a company that has (amongst much nicer machines to drive which is why I do it) 5 splitties of varying (dis)ability. Driving normally entails 7 large weighty blokes of a wedding party on board and no fan/heating making for steamed up windows and frozen feet, difficulty getting up hills, and real trouble stopping once you're coming down the other side with drum brakes all round!

If I had a family I wouldn't subject them to that for the benefit of living a rose-tinted boyhood dream - no offence intended OP!

Fair play. My comments were a bit tongue in cheek. I might make my new years resolution to actually try one...

[lescombes]

N Dentressangle said:

You can't get LHD Bongos as far as I know, more's the pity. They were Japanese home market only, and are in the UK as grey imports. From 2 weeks in France, Switzerland and Germany, we had no problem being RHD. Having a camper which was powerful and car-like enough to manage the Route Napoleon as well as going over the Grimsel and other Swiss passes was handy too. You don't need to buy a specific conversion either: the 8 seater pop top plus a camp stove is just fine!

eta Gratuitous Switzerland and Grimsel pass pics:

Edited by N Dentressangle on Thursday 6th January 18:25

LHD Bongos in Phillipines....

[The Wookie]

N Dentressangle said:

These guys:

http://www.camper4hire.co.uk/

will hire you a splitscreen, and allow European travel for an extra £150.

Not used them personally, but they fit the bill!

A work colleague rented a splitty for V-fest last year from a place that was 'near Donington'. It may or may not be that place, but his opinion of the van he was given was pretty low, i.e. shonky steering and brakes (even for a 'bus) interior was manky, basic and not very clean, and generally it was a bit of a shed. And it wasn't cheap.