Campervanshite (again)

[AMC Rebel]

It's so confusing - prices seem all over the shop.

 

A further complication is that some stuff over 3.5t GVW (but under 7.5t) seems good value - I can drive this stuff on my licence using grandfather rights - but this means they'll be harder to sell on right?

 

This looks like a possibility -

 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201706266796931

 

but the MOT history suggests it might be a bit crusty.

 

Any pointers from the collective?

[mercrocker]

Do you need something with that long a wheelbase?   Just thinking out loud here but it cuts down some of the usefulness if you can't get in a normal parking bay - beach car parks, town centres, etc.   Problem with a campervan as opposed to a trailer caravan is that you are basically going to be taking it everywhere you go.    

 

On the other hand you could get a bike or two in the back....

[Guest]

Make sure they've been re registered as a campervan, otherwise insurance can be dodgy and much more expensive and you'll be stuck with lower speed limits. Also campervan/motorhomes are all class 4 MOT's. Some right dodgy conversions out there, but some really well done. Take your time and find something that will suit your needs- work out what you'll be using it for first. Our wee camper suits us fine, as we wild camp. If you go to sites it wouldn't work, and some sites can be sniffy about converted vans.

[andrew e]

Worth thinking about campervan V5 registration is 70mph, van V5 registration is 60mph. A sprinter will easily sit at 70mph.

[Felly Magic]

You have to think about rear axle ratio on vans like above, it's designed to sit at 56 all day long due to weight, so 70 mph after the limiter is pulled will be noisier, plus unless you are a shorty, hinge door vans like that have limited headroom really, so you will be forever twatting your head. This gen of Sprinter also rots for shits & giggles, and 120 asthmatic donkeys is OK in a swb low roof van, but extralong wb twin wheel? That needs to be the 6 cylinder 156bhp unit as used by the emergency services, and on Mellor coachbuilt Sprinters of this gen

[Sudsprint]

...A sprinter will easily sit at 70mph.

 

 

I think you meant 95mph 

[Mally]

Problem with larger ones is storage, access to parking in towns, selling on price.

Smaller ones restricted room, but my dad used one for 10 years.

A good one is expensive, some bad ones are expensive too.

Sorry not much help, it depends how you see it, how much you want to use it, and can you park it at home.

[AMC Rebel]

Thanks all - storage isn't an issue - I have the driveway space for it, but I hadn't thought about actually going places (doh!).  I want a shower and three beds as a min - ironically I don't want or need a kitchen but I think the regs say it's not a camper without a stove and kitchen sink.

 

I am liking the looks of some converted 7.5t trucks just for space and value etc, but I hadn't thought all the practicalities through fully I guess.

 

On balance I'm going to give the one I posted a miss - I think their pricing is high for what it is.

[Mally]

That's why many have a scooter on the back or tow a car on an A frame.

A lot of it is posing value.

A truck may not be welcome on some sites dependent on it's looks.

Caravan behind a car makes sense, best of both worlds, big for living, small for shopping and trips out from the campsite

[DodgeRover]

Showmans living van hooked on the back of a TK Bedford with ensure a warm* welcome at any supermarket car parks and campgrounds you visit.

For extra balls of steel hook another normal caravan or car trailer on the back of the living van to make a proper train and cause an explosion of local underwear sales every time you pull out on a roundabout.

[Mally]

Candy floss goes at the back.

[AMC Rebel]

I just don’t want a caravan- I get it about the practicality but it’s not all about that is it?

 

This is winking at me

 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F323104848971

[andy18s]

Got that beat

Needs an alternator and a leaky fuel pipe replacing apparently

[mat_the_cat]

Caravan behind a car makes sense, best of both worlds, big for living, small for shopping and trips out from the campsite

IMO that depends entirely on how you plan to holiday. If you get to your destination, set up camp and just go out on day trips, then a caravan makes perfect sense.

If the journey *is* the holiday, and you're constantly on the move, then a van seems to fit the bill better, especially if wild camping. Plus the benefits of always having your fridge/cooker/sink/toilet with you during the day.

[AMC Rebel]

Got that beat

Needs an alternator and a leaky fuel pipe replacing apparently

 Lumme that's cheap.

[Mally]

Good points all round here, and I get you don't want a caravan. As mat says, the journey is a big part of the holiday.

 Last one I had was a CF with Auto sleeper fibreglass over cab body.

Autosleeper bit was like new. CF was rough. did 20 mpg which was all I expected.

Be careful with the larger ones the LT45 looks reasonable, but they mention low gearing and enlarged fuel tank.

Mpg may be interesting on that.

Also watch the length, you may have trouble finding a recovery service to cover it.

Would advise against buying a non runner, if its easy fix they would likely fix it.

Many have been stood unused for a while, mainly the larger ones, which in my eyes is not good.

Ideally you need a test drive, instruction on how everything works, and a long MOT.

[AMC Rebel]

Hmmmmm

 

 

 

Er - don't think I have the guts - but what a thing

 

 

[Exiled_Tat_Gatherer]

Two of those along the road from me - same owner now I think. His original is great, the other is now his for spares - he's ripped it apart inside and it's a horror story. I asked to look as I was interested in a camper too - it really put me off if I'm honest and led to me grabbing a spendacularly cheap trailer tent.

 

They are great if looked after and cosseted when necessary (and they all need it now and then) but Elm street on wheels if badly repaired or neglected.

 

Happy hunting fella.

 

A former colleague has a massive LT50(?) he lives in, it was fantastic but HUGE. He disappeared into the yonder about a year ago and went off grid, no idea how that's working out for him now....... hopefully he'll resurface at some point.

[Mally]

Hmmmmm

 

 

AS5.JPG

 

Er - don't think I have the guts - but what a thing

 

Have driven and welded a bike rack on one of these, think is was 26 feet long or something.

Cost as much as an house and looked like a palace inside.

He had it 3 months and lost thousands.

[AMC Rebel]

This is an oddity that's been relisted.  2003 chasis but the camper body looks more mid/late 80s to my (ignorant) eyes.

 

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citreon-relay-campervan-motorhome-/183102988514

[Mally]

You've got me looking now.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-T4-LWB-FACTORY-HIGH-TOP-CAMPERVAN/162918680357?hash=item25eeb5c725:g:3LsAAOSwf~JakLED

[Keymaster]

This is an oddity that's been relisted. 2003 chasis but the camper body looks more mid/late 80s to my (ignorant) eyes.

 

as8.jpg

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citreon-relay-campervan-motorhome-/183102988514

Ha! That's ace. It was probably a really good camper section on a Talbot chassis that was beyond repair, so they mated it to a modern chassis cab.

 

I'm selling mine at the mo, but not listed it on here as I didn't think anyone would hand over the money the market suggests a 28 year old camper van is worth. Unless enough of you lunatics want in on a £100-a-ticket roffle?!

[busmansholiday]

Couple of points from me who's a 91 Toyota HiAce jap imported camper and 7.5 meters and over 3.5 tonne of Fiat/Autotrail.

 

Keeping on your drive is cheap and easy. Unfortunately when you go off in it everybody who drives or walks past your house will know you are away. Hopefully you've nobody near who's a tea leaf.

 

Length, if you join something like caravan & camping club they do a thing with the RAC for recovery and they will cover up to 7.5 meters in length so a FTP isn't that much of a problem.

Ferries, if you fancy a trip abroad, charge depending on length.

 

Before you buy one, find out if you're a local dealer and go and look inside some of there sales stock. Tell them your looking to buy, basically because the layouts are all difference and what suits one may not suit you. We swapped the big van last year because the bed layout, in the back corner known as a French Bed is a great space saving idea but having to crawl over Mrs BMH in the night to go for a pee ended up pissing us both off.

[mat_the_cat]

 having to crawl over Mrs BMH in the night to go for a pee ended up pissing

 

Unfortunate line break there on my screen!

[Floatylight]

Currently away for the bank holiday in our folding camper (pic1) opposite us is this fantastic little Blingo camper (pic2) and this truly autoshite camper (pic3) Weather fantastic, drinking moderate!!

 

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

[Exiled_Tat_Gatherer]

That L300 was up on the bay a while back as spares or repairs…….. looked fantastic. I'll have to drag the trailer tent out for het season soon too……… it'll need a good airing out for sure.