Campervans question.

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Good afternoon Comrades, I hope you and yours are well.

The time has come to change my car and I'm considering a number of options.
The obvious thing to do is change for another car/SUV type thing but I've always fancied a pick up or transit type van however they've been ruled out by management.

I've never understood the notion of campervans but find myself sort of thinking about one now and have been given a relative nod of agreement to the idea but know the square root of beggar all about them.

We're both retired now and I have grand nations of days/weekends out and like the idea of a vehicle with a gas hob and a fridge, not bothered about anything more fancy than that.

I don't have a particularly big budget, maximum £35k-ish and would prefer to part exchange my car which rules out a private buy. This will also be our only vehicle other than motorcycles.

There are a few for sale locally but most have what I would consider high mileage (north of 150k).

What should I be looking for? I want as few things to go wrong as possible so the less unnecessary tech the better.

This one is the only thing with reasonable miles within my budget, is it any good and should I be concerned about the Pop Top as it strikes me as an area of potential weakness.

As usual, thanks in advance.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/motorhome-details/202603240951462

:::.Edit BHT.::: link changed as you had your home post code in your original one

 

[OnHellas]

I know that you don’t want new but as a starter point and some very useful pointers have a look at Hillside Leisure in Derby.

VW approved conversion.
Type approval.
NCC approved (National Caravan something or other)
Their vehicles are registered as a motor caravan.

Hillside Leisure - Award Winning VW Registered Campervan converters

As an award-winning Volkswagen Registered Campervan converters, we build some of the best and safest campervan conversions available. With models built on the Volkswagen Transporter T6, T6.1 and new VW transporter T7 also VW Crafter, We've got something for everybody!

www.hillsideleisure.co.uk

As I said, I know that you don’t want new. Beware the shiny two tone paint and bling wheels on higher mileage‘Fred in a shed’ disaster conversions.

Dealer wise, I know that they are a long way from you (as they are me) Highbridge Caravans are worth a look.
Their second hand preparation and warranty back up has been very good in our experience.

Highbridge Caravan Centre Ltd.

A wide selection of new & used caravans & motorhomes.

www.highbridgecaravans.co.uk

That’s my input. Both from personal experience.

 

[Oldrat]

Rule #1
Hire before you buy your first campervan.

The layouts are so different and personal to you, it’s an expensive mistake to get wrong.

Also
How do you intend using it?
Off grid?
Always on campsites (can be exxy)
Street parking?
How many berths do you need? You’ll need the same number of driving seats.
Cooking/heating LPG, diesel electric.
LPG is becoming harder to find in the UK but plenty of outlets abroad.
Diesel heaters are pretty quiet nowadays, but not silent.
Batteries and solar are a lot cheaper now than ever before.

Motorhome fun forum is a great resource.

Best of luck

Message me tour mobile no if you want a natter.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

If it were me ( and its what I did) be carful of the conversions as some are better than others and some are fucking terrible

Look carefully at what the units are made of as chip board is just chip board and will fail as such. The true California has aircraft aluminium units, well thought out storage, water tank, clever gas bottle storage etc double glazing and well insulated with a heater.

You dont get a toilet though so a porta potty is needed

Oh and rock and roll bed rather than a jigsaw of cushions and tables

Californias are obviously more expensive but like anything in this world you get what you pay for.

The one in your link has been sprayed as a T5 or T6 dont come two tone but it is an option on a California

 

[Udders]

I’ll sell you my Vivaro van conversion when it’s finished for £35k.
It’s all been done correctly and certainly nothing bodged.

Seriously though, you need to look at loads at a dealers to get some sort of idea of what layout you’d like.
There are loads of different types, sizes and weights.
I’m guessing yo don’t have an HGV license so will need to stick to 3500kgs or less.
Payloads are also very important.

 

[John Armstrong]

I'd second the hire before you buy.

Also, going to the NEC show will give you a good idea of what the professionals are doing. £13 for the ticket, includes free parking and the spring one covered 5 big halls. There'll be lots you don't want to look at and easy to get "for only another few pounds I could have ......"

I guess you're already looking at Autotrader?

 

[MikeS]

If its going to be your only vehicle I would give it miss.

 

[ymfb]

I’d avoid the NEC it’s just overload.

We had three Devon T2, VW California T5, Peugeot Boxer conversion by Autosleepers. The last was a great donor van, poorly executed.

If we buy another camper, we will get a late used panel van converted to our spec.

 

[Keith Chapman]

If its going to be your only vehicle I would give it miss.

VW T5 T6 vans are fine as daily drivers. Although I am in a 2 car family, The T5 camper gets used regularly. anything from a tip run to a supermarket shopping, and loading with DIY supplies.

I got my van from RedLine vans, https://www.redline-campers.com/

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Lots of useful information as ever, thank you all.
We barely use the car so I'm not concerned about it being my only means of 4 wheeled transport but it's already beginning to look like a the sort of minefield I suspected.
I definitely don't want prvately done conversion so I guess this narrows things down again, particularly with my relatively low budget.

 

[Wapping]

Seriously though, you need to look at loads at a dealers to get some sort of idea of what layout you’d like.
There are loads of different types, sizes and weights.

Spot on!

They are all a compromise of some sort, so look at loads.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

:::.Edit BHT.::: link changed as you had your home post code in your original one

Thanks Paul.

 

[littleade]

As others have said definitely try/hire before you buy. My parents had VW camper vans for years and the one thing that struck me with all of them is they were all just basically a van and drove like one, so if you enjoy a nice plush or sporty ride in a car then be prepared to make compromises. As well as the initial outlay running costs are also something to look at too. Buy (or not) with your head, not your heart. Good luck.

 

[glenn2926]

In my experience avoid any VW. The very worst vehicles we have ever owned. I had a Passat and my son had a T6. Both plagued by problems and very expensive to fix.
The older Ford Transit or a Ducato, Boxer, type are far superior vehicle and as a bonus usually much cheaper than the VWs. As an only four wheeled vehicle a PVC (panel van conversion) is an easier vehicle to park and use as a regular car. Most are below the 3500kg weight limit too.
As has been advised, rent a few different layouts to see what suits your needs and wants. Camper vans/ Motorhomes are a compromise so making a list of what you must have, you would like to have and aren’t really too bothered about will give you a starting point.
Where will you be using it? Abroad, U.K.? If abroad then usually more time is spent outside so perhaps a permanent bed. If in the U.K. more living space as generally the weather isn’t as conducive to outside living.
What kind of trips do you envisage? Multi week trips or sort weekend ish trips?
There’s an awful lot to think about so take your time and have fun choosing.

 

[ymfb]

I used our T5 California as my car, it was fast enough to get my first speed awareness course.

 

[Wapping]

I used our T5 California as my car, it was fast enough to get my first speed awareness course.

It’s a bitch when you get flashed for 25 in a 20

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

For clarification purposes the intention would be just for day/weekend use, nothing longer than that.

 

[Wapping]

For clarification purposes the intention would be just for day/weekend use, nothing longer than that.

Still look at lots.

 

[Flappytabs]

I know that you don’t want new but as a starter point and some very useful pointers have a look at Hillside Leisure in Derby.

VW approved conversion.
Type approval.
NCC approved (National Caravan something or other)
Their vehicles are registered as a motor caravan.

Hillside Leisure - Award Winning VW Registered Campervan converters

As an award-winning Volkswagen Registered Campervan converters, we build some of the best and safest campervan conversions available. With models built on the Volkswagen Transporter T6, T6.1 and new VW transporter T7 also VW Crafter, We've got something for everybody!

www.hillsideleisure.co.uk

Hillside usually have a yard full of (usually new) vans for you to crawl over, many different layouts and specs. Having used a borrowed T5 for a couple of seasons I very nearly bought one from Hillside but hired a motorhome for a weekend and was hooked. I have been skint ever since.

 

[bigtwin]

There’s one in your budget not been put up very long ago on these very pages:

Thread '2019 VW T6 T28 Transporter, Kombi, Day Van, call it what you will. Highline, low mileage.'
https://www.ukgser.com/community/th...it-what-you-will-highline-low-mileage.531258/