VW Campers?

[weeksy]

I find them very well thought out, very nicely done. Everything fits nicely, all in it's own nice space...

They're also convenient to drive, to park, to sit in...

Whether or not they're nicer to drive i don't really know though as i've never driven one.

For me though they're just too small for my requirements as i need an area for putting the bikes and a filthy rider.. So they're a no for me. But if it were just me for a few days away somewhere, then maybe... Although £50k buys a LOT of hotel stays compared to a £25k Transit Custom.

[Mr Moofo]

There is a badly refurbed on here up for 30K, surprisingly it hasn't sold

[weeksy]

A couple of my oldest friends, from school, have them and they go away most weekends in the summer and occasional weekend jollys in the winter where they stay on a pub car park for free and just chill, have a meal, chat shite, etc.

We like the sound of it but we don't really have the space for a great big one, we probably could but it would be awkward, whereas a VW would fit in the garage, I'd get rid of the Defender actually and stick it in it's place, it would probably get used as a runaround vehicle as well because it's so convenient.

When you say great big one, are you talking Crafter/Sprinter or actual Motorhome ? For me personally a Crafter like this (first on Ebay, not looked in detail) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/326090570956 ... R96nk5zhYw

Would make more sense to us. Without it actually taking up insane amounts of space.

[Yambo]

They're a cult vehicle aren't they. You need to have flowers in your hair and have a pet Great Dane.

There's a subtle difference between a VW, Transit, Boxer convertion and a full on motor home though isn't there.

[KungFooBob]

I wouldn't have a VW T5/6 camper.

They don't suit my needs.

I want fixed beds and a bog, they're too small for that.

I had a coachbuilt before and it was perfect for what I wanted at the time. If I was to go for another moho it would be a lwb/xlwb professional van conversation.

[Pirahna]

Hire one for a weekend to see how you get on.

[DefTrap]

We had one when they were still cheap, 90s. (A late 70s Westphalia conversion)
Great for weekends away because they're small, you can park up literally anywhere in a normal parking space and you'll be left alone. We tended to overnight often on seafronts (because it's ace hearing the sea) and pub car parks (for the facilities). I was never that struck on organised campsites.

Obviously there's nowhere to shit (but I've always hated the idea of that) and cooking and refrigeration are rudimentary, but you just make allowances. It's basically like going camping in a marginally roomier and cooler slightly knackered estate car

They are really fecking slow though, you'll have a constant queue of cross and impatient people behind you.

[Count Steer]

£50k? I always fancied one from these people:

https://www.bilbos.com/new-used-stock/? ... wE&search=[{%22group%22:%22sort%22,%22value%22:%22rec%22}]

New, £65k+

(They've been going for years and used to advertise in Private Eye when I was at school. Really well designed and built and retain value very well. V spendy compared to others options though).

[Pirahna]

Some of you might remember my Crafter, I sold it after 6 months, hated the thing. If I ever buy another camper it'll be a small one. Wifey talks about buying one occasionally but I'm happier with a tent strapped to a bicycle.

My Crafter thread:

viewtopic.php?t=3787

[weeksy]

Some of you might remember my Crafter, I sold it after 6 months, hated the thing. If I ever buy another camper it'll be a small one. Wifey talks about buying one occasionally but I'm happier with a tent strapped to a bicycle.

My Crafter thread:

viewtopic.php?t=3787

What did you hate about it ? In your review you sounded quite positive on it.

[Pirahna]

Some of you might remember my Crafter, I sold it after 6 months, hated the thing. If I ever buy another camper it'll be a small one. Wifey talks about buying one occasionally but I'm happier with a tent strapped to a bicycle.

My Crafter thread:

viewtopic.php?t=3787

What did you hate about it ? In your review you sounded quite positive on it.

Every time I parked it some tosser would be knocking on the door "you can't park that there" or "no camping here", apparently "I'm going shopping you busy body cunt" was never a good reply, take their picture and tell them I'd hunt them down if there was any damage. Using it in the UK in general was a just a ball ache. There are pretty much no facilities for vans outside of campsites, but then a T6 would be just as good. Europe is much better set up with van facilities everywhere and nobody bothers you. We were living in it and I definitely wasn't feeling any love for "van life", we had places to go and people to see but it all felt a bit random. The van was second choice for me, I was honestly going to set off around the World on a bicycle but wifey refused, I'd still be riding if I had. That's not as ridiculous as it sounds, we're both used to long cycle trips and I get much more enjoyment from tent life than I ever did in the van. We were both so miserable we bought the house in Spain and sold the van. I have no regrets, hated the van, love my life in Spain, and I will be doing some cycle camping this year.

[JamJar]

I had a converted T4 Transporter that I went all over Europe in and it was great, drives more like a car than a big van, fitted in any car park even multistory. Was very cheap in comparison to a new one but it was old so not necessarily as reliable as a new one. We rented a crafter sized one last year to tour Croatia, Slovenia and Italy and that was great too. If I was replacing my car I would get a T6 conversion but if this was an addition I would get a Crafter sized one.

[gremlin]

Simple answer:

Big campers = more room but a ballache to park, set up, drive on tight country roads, etc.

Small campers = not much room, but easier to park & drive.


My sister and her late husband were into all this malarkey, as well as caravaning. All seems like a bit of a faff. My view is a day van for easy driving and parking, then kip in it at night. Intake and evacuation of food and drink is best left to the services of others, such as cafes, pubs, etc.

[Rockburner]

Simple answer:

Big campers = more room but a ballache to park, set up, drive on tight country roads, etc.

Small campers = not much room, but easier to park & drive.


My sister and her late husband were into all this malarkey, as well as caravaning. All seems like a bit of a faff. My view is a day van for easy driving and parking, then kip in it at night. Intake and evacuation of food and drink is best left to the services of others, such as cafes, pubs, etc.

I had no real issue with my CamperVan apart from the occasional low-bridge. (It was a lwb Fiat Ducato with a high-roof extension). Little country roads just meant driving a bit slower and taking care: if Fed-Ex can get somewhere, I could.

The issue I have with the VW Combi-size campers is that you're very much tied to facilities (mind you, Potter, I'm assuming you're probably quite accustomed to digging holes and wouldn't mind that bit?). But you're also not carrying much water for drinking, so buggering off into the boonies needs a bit more thought and packing very light. I think they're expensive for what you get.

I thought I'd hate having a chemical toilet in the vehicle, but I got used to it pretty quickly and it wasn't a problem. I think in the 18 months I had the van I went to maybe 3 campsites, and then that was only because I wanted to use their facilities (eg washing machines or a proper shower).




Oh - and yes that thing would fit (just) into a regular car-parking space, it would hang over the ends a bit but width-wise it fits.

[Sunny]

Somebody at work last week recommended the Merc Marco Polo as a VW alternative (this is my next plan after the Defender ). Haven't looked into them yet, but another handy-sized option possibly?

[Cousin Jack]

Motorhomes/campers are for wannabe pikeys.
Normal folk stay in a hotel.

[weeksy]

Motorhomes/campers are for wannabe pikeys.
Normal folk stay in a hotel.

It's not always viable. We race at DH locations, if you're not there at dawn you're not getting a space... So you stay overnight. Otherwise you're spending £100 a night, x 6 per month, plus food, nah, that's not viable. A camper type thing is right at the top of my want list... but they're £50k for a decent enough one.

[Druid]

Transporter based campers provide no more functionality than a similar sized offering from Renault, Vauxhall or Mercedes but cost £20k more. They will sell for £20k more when it comes to selling them though. They drive nicely, are reasonably economical and fit in car park spaces. The Crafter does not attract the VW premium and has the advantage of far more space including room to stand up and fit a full sized double bed but it's more difficult to park and much more thirsty. They all rust, some more than others.

I don't understand the "no campsites" thing. If we park in a pub car park and eat in the pub then it's going to cost at least £50 for the two of us, a night on a campsite is usually less than £30, there will be more space around the van, and 24 hour toilets and a shower. Lots of pubs are starting to charge for parking overnight so it becomes even less attractive

[gremlin]

I sneaked a load of 'peel and stick' stickers onto my sister's caravan when her and my then B-I-L* went to bed one night. I thought the 'flames' coming from the wheels was a particularly nice touch, along with the big 'If the caravan's a-rockin', don't come knockin'!' on the back window.

*Typing this has made me realise how much I miss him. We used to have good laughs as he was daft as a brush and was so laid back. RIP Matt.

[Taipan]

I'd have loved a VW transporter type camper as it'd be a daily driver as well, but a camper without bathroom facilities is no use to me. If Mrs T needed the toilet there is no way she'd go traipsing across a dark campsite to use the facilities, which means I'd have to go with her and I'd not fancy doing that.

For me, campervans should basically be a drivable studio flat! They need to have a bed, bathroom, kitchen and lounge, albeit smaller versions. Even though I rarely use our campers kitchen and bathroom, having them there for when I have needed them has shown the versatility of a properly featured campervan. Anything less is a compromise that will get old quickly.

We were going to upgrade to a motorhome last year but talking with other motorhome owners put us off. Being that bit wider and longer really holds you back from travelling certain routes and parking etc and we've always liked the fact our one can get us pretty much anywhere we've wanted, with the odd exception.