Camper vans

[Mad Cyril]

Toying with the idea of buying one and doing more ad hoc short breaks when the weather is nice......

Any camper van owners out there who can offer advice........

 

[OldBlueLady]

Know a few people who have them, I'd recommend hiring one first and trying the experience. Groupon seem to do offers every now and then.

 

[Pubey]

My inlaws used to have one, a very nice VW Transporter with high roof, like this...

A few things to bear in mind.

Are you planning to use the van regularly as a way to get around (it was the 2nd car for my inlaws, so often used to go to work/etc). A van is often hard to park and they can have quite poor fuel economy. Unless you're in the front they can be uncomfortable for passengers.

If you take the campervan on holiday then it can be a lot of effort to pack up and drive somewhere - unlike a caravan or tent which you can set up and leave while you take the car out.

My inlaws sold the van and bought a caravan which they've found to be a good move. You can rent Caravans and towing isn't hard.

If you want to use nice sites, which will come with a decent shower/toilet block, then there's little point in having a toilet/shower in your campervan. If you want to be able to use more remote places or not use camping sites, then obviously a toilet is important!

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

My inlaws used to have one, a very nice VW Transporter with high roof, like this...

A few things to bear in mind.

Are you planning to use the van regularly as a way to get around (it was the 2nd car for my inlaws, so often used to go to work/etc). A van is often hard to park and they can have quite poor fuel economy. Unless you're in the front they can be uncomfortable for passengers.

If you take the campervan on holiday then it can be a lot of effort to pack up and drive somewhere - unlike a caravan or tent which you can set up and leave while you take the car out.

My inlaws sold the van and bought a caravan which they've found to be a good move. You can rent Caravans and towing isn't hard.

If you want to use nice sites, which will come with a decent shower/toilet block, then there's little point in having a toilet/shower in your campervan. If you want to be able to use more remote places or not use camping sites, then obviously a toilet is important!

Some friends of ours in Britanny have the same model.They've used it for several long distance trips (as my mate writes walking guides to the Canary Islands,Majorca,Andalusia etc).They also use it as their daily run about in rural Britanny.Nice motor.Very roomy inside.Everything packs away nicely.

 

[Mad Cyril]

I am also interested in something easily converted to a mobile command unit/urban assault vehicle as required.

With that in mind I will probably buy German.

 

[MK Shrimper]

Want to hire one to travel around the highlands & islands of Scotland but it seems prohibitavely expensive sadly.

 

[C C Csiders]

These are the best camper vans:

 

[Mad Cyril]

Want to hire one to travel around the highlands & islands of Scotland but it seems prohibitavely expensive sadly.

I looked into hiring a classic VW but for £700 a week they can FRO.

That said I wonder if it possible to subsidise ones own van by letting it out?

 

[Firestorm]

Hired one to tour round NZ a few years ago,enjoyed it and looked into getting one when we returned.

A decent sized one was expensive, but they do hold their price.
Unless you have another mode of transport you have to pack, disconnect and then drive, what is basically, a small bus wherever you want to go. We looked for one with a back door so we could carry a motorbike, there wasn't one available...
Personally I would say a caravan is probably the better option , as long as you have the towing vehicle already, otherwise you are looking at further expense.

 

[Crawliano]

Toying with the idea of buying one and doing more ad hoc short breaks when the weather is nice......

Any camper van owners out there who can offer advice........

People may think you're Jamie Oliver if you blast Toploader and cook pukka sausage baguettes from the back of it.

Avoid.

 

[dingleydangley]

I am also interested in something easily converted to a mobile command unit/urban assault vehicle as required.

With that in mind I will probably buy German.

A caravan may be a better idea, then, as you can disconnect and flank the enemy.

Seriously, though, read the advice above. They're a nightmare and I beg to differ on holding their value. Cumbersome and high-maintenance, look like a good idea but end up just sitting there most of the time. The treadmills of the camping world.

 

[Mad Cyril]

A caravan may be a better idea, then, as you can disconnect and flank the enemy.

Seriously, though, read the advice above. They're a nightmare and I beg to differ on holding their value. Cumbersome and high-maintenance, look like a good idea but end up just sitting there most of the time. The treadmills of the camping world.

I was thinking of one of the new VW ones rather than the old air cooled ones.

They really seem to hold their value.

 

[Firestorm]

Cyril , there used to be a dealer who solely did campervans next to Westcliff station.
I think he got moved on because of the incorrect planning permission. I believe he's round by the railway prittlewell these days.
Strikes me as your type of geezer

 

[Swiss Tony]

These are the best camper vans:

View attachment 3359

Won't get you far up the motorway,but you might go far in the Blue oyster.:thumbsup:

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Get one of these muthas Cyril, if you're gonna go, go large.

 

[Benfleet A1]

Completely unrelated but one of these old girls came cruising past me today on Commercial Road.



Brought back memories of the one my old man had. Better memories than Shrimpers Are Magic might have as he came out of one at high speed on Vic House Corner roundabout many years ago.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Completely unrelated but one of these old girls came cruising past me today on Commercial Road.

View attachment 3360

Brought back memories of the one my old man had. Better memories than Shrimpers Are Magic might have as he came out of one at high speed on Vic House Corner roundabout many years ago.

You don't get many Commer vans to the pound now, I remember British Telecom or whatever they were called back in the day had bright yellow Commer panel vans

 

[dingleydangley]

I was thinking of one of the new VW ones rather than the old air cooled ones.

They really seem to hold their value.

What, you mean better than a rusty converted LDV? My viewpoint may be tainted. Yes, they look really nice.

 

[Mad Cyril]

Get one of these muthas Cyril, if you're gonna go, go large.

Does it have a gun rack?

 

[A Century United]

Does it have a gun rack?

This one comes with torpedo tubes if that helps...?


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