Anyone own a Campervan?

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 5:47 am

We are looking to buy and the forums are a minefield. Where ten people say such and such a model is great, another ten appear and say how awful it is.

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 5:54 am

buttercup;1239033 wrote: We are looking to buy and the forums are a minefield. Where ten people say such and such a model is great, another ten appear and say how awful it is.

Useful ones seem to be T4s and Bongos. Old, restored VW are wonderful, but the properly restored ones are *expensive* and need Â£Â£Â£Â£ per year to keep good. Anything else is as good as the work that's been done, and the van it's based on. I have been thinking of doing something rough'n'ready with a Cabstar and a tarpaulin

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 6:11 am

How about bongos?

Bongo Fury!

Bongo Fury • View topic - Bongo Dealer in North of England or Scotland

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 7:07 am

Bongo would be a bit small for our needs, sorry should have given some idea of what we are looking for. This one is sold but ticks many of the right boxes. The sellers statement at the bottom - All vehicles over Â£4995 are supplied with 1 years MOT, 6 months AutoDealer mechanical breakdown warranty including internal equipment cover.

We are told Elddis is a good manufacturer, happy with a diesel engine but apparently peugeot chassis has problems.

Motorhome Sales | Used Elddis Autoquest 400 GT Peugeot Talbot for sale

farmer giles · Post by **farmer giles** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 7:18 am

buy a bid diesel American one

good on fuel loads of goodies

and loads of room

and plenty of yahoo and yeeehaaaah factor

:)

i love camper vans me :-6:-6

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 7:25 am

buttercup;1239065 wrote: Used Elddis Autoquest 400 GT Peugeot Talbot for sale

Eurgh, a motor-caravan, please, please keep it in Scotland. They're a menace on the roads.

farmer giles · Post by **farmer giles** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 7:28 am

Bill Sikes;1239074 wrote: Eurgh, a motor-caravan, please, please keep it in Scotland. They're a menace on the roads.

a usual bill a little ray of quicksand in a happy thread bill :rolleyes::rolleyes::yh_rotfl

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 7:44 am

farmer giles;1239076 wrote: a usual bill a little ray of quicksand in a happy thread bill : r olleyes::ro lleyes:: yh_r otfl

Those things are a PITA as they weave their unsteady and sluggish ways about the countryside, usu. driven by people who've never driven anything of comparable size, and who can't get down lanes or through any gap smaller than 3x the width of the things, and as for reversing - hah! No way. Motorways and dual carriageways only.

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 7:45 am

Bill Sikes;1239074 wrote: Eurgh, a motor-caravan, please, please keep it in Scotland. They're a menace on the roads.

Speaking as someone who tows a caravan I couldn't agree more. I am fed up being stuck behind these things usually driven by people that don't understand that a single road with passing places means you let faster vehicles past.:sneaky:That and 4x4 drivers that think you follow the white line on corners.

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 7:47 am

gmc;1239089 wrote: Speaking as someone who tows a caravan I couldn't agree more.

As a caravanner, you're more aware of the difference between yout current combined vehicle and your normal one. Motor-home people think they're in their cars, except that..... see previous post.

luciferjohn · Post by **luciferjohn** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 9:38 am

i had a 1976 chevy conversion van we had decked out, we had a bed,sink, tv,and you know everything you might nee for camping, and you could beat the daylights out of a 1070's chevy and it would keep running:D

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 10:45 am

Bill Sikes;1239090 wrote: As a caravanner, you're more aware of the difference between yout current combined vehicle and your normal one. Motor-home people think they're in their cars, except that..... see previous post.

I was in a transport cafe in balllinluig and got talking to a couple of the drivers-they had been pissing themselves laughing cos I made a pig's ear of reversing my caravan to park it-we started talking about which other road users they hated the most-not caravanners as you might think but those big motorhomes whose drivers seem oblivious to what is behind them. You're talking about guys driving down from the highlands to catch ferries and the like with cargoes worth hundreds of thousands held up by someone freaking out because of the roads or gobsmacked by the scenery and dawdling along. You don't really think of the value in goods a lorry might be carrying do you? It might be the profit from a fishing boat that's gone of it doesn't get there in time.

I fancy a bongo-It's the ultimate one one-upmanship when it comes to cars-what do you drive a bongo-and then watch while the motoring expert plucks up the courage to admit they have never heard of them. The kind of car that says you don't care if people laugh at you. Naff is the new cool.

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 10:50 am

I see your points guys but our situation (3 large dogs and possibly a fourth next year) means a campervan suits our requirements perfectly. We already have a car which my husband would like to keep and not tow a caravan with (Subaru Impreza)

luciferjohn · Post by **luciferjohn** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 10:53 am

gmc;1239179 wrote: I was in a transport cafe in balllinluig and got talking to a couple of the drivers-they had been pissing themselves laughing cos I made a pig's ear of reversing my caravan to park it-we started talking about which other road users they hated the most-not caravanners as you might think but those big motorhomes whose drivers seem oblivious to what is behind them. You're talking about guys driving down from the highlands to catch ferries and the like with cargoes worth hundreds of thousands held up by someone freaking out because of the roads or gobsmacked by the scenery and dawdling along. You don't really think of the value in goods a lorry might be carrying do you? It might be the profit from a fishing boat that's gone of it doesn't get there in time.

here here,i agree, the big motorhome driver should have some training in those things before they start out, they dont realize its like a straight truck not a car,and they need to look behind them, and here in the states if you try to pass them they speed up?!? wtf man, if im haulin perishable cargo for you home you dont want me driving 45 in a 60 you want me to get it there, sorry i guess it proves truckdrivers are the same everywhere:p:wah:

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 10:56 am

I would not say the campervan we are looking at is big :-2

Anyway fear not people my husband was a HGV driver for 5 years so i'm sure he'll manage a small campervan.

luciferjohn · Post by **luciferjohn** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:02 am

buttercup;1239188 wrote: I would not say the campervan we are looking at is big :-2

Anyway fear not people my husband was a HGV driver for 5 years so i'm sure he'll manage a small campervan.

i meant no offence, but im glad to hear he has large rig expieriance, it truly does make a difference,;):p;):D

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:03 am

buttercup;1239033 wrote: We are looking to buy and the forums are a minefield. Where ten people say such and such a model is great, another ten appear and say how awful it is.

We're on our second one at the moment.

If you're talking small(ish) (both of ours have been two berth but this can apply to four berth as well) then I'd recommend that you steer clear of the ones that use the from seats to make the beds. Not only are they fiddly to set up but it makes it so much more difficult to use the van during your stay anywhere - you end up putting the beds up at midnight when all you want to do is crash out. You are much better with a bed that can stay put whilst you are driving (this also helps on long journies as, if needs be, you can take turn and turn about).

Daughter's van had a double in the luton - fine for the kids but very crowded for adults so I wouldn't count it as a full double.

Check out the water systems, especially the loo - if it's meant to flush check that it does etc. The water pipes are under pressure and the joints can come adrift when driving over bumpy roads - we always drain ours down before driving. If you do then check out how quickly the water heater fires up after re-pressurising it as some of them can be tempramental.

Ask about storage space, it can be restricted.

We rarely use our space heater - although it's gas fired it relies on an electric fan to spread the heat and that flattens the domestic battery too quickly.

Apart from that, great fun - enjoy

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:05 am

Hi Bryn

Do you mind me asking what model you went for and why?

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:13 am

buttercup;1239197 wrote: Hi Bryn

Do you mind me asking what model you went for and why?

It's a Herald Ensign built on a Fiat Ducato 10 body.

We bought it to tour Ireland as it would have been so expensive to hire one over there. Then we liked it so much that we kept it.

It's a two berth which is all we need, was reasonably cheep and was available before we were due to leave for the ferry. Not good reasons I know but it has served us well.

ETA - It's a petrol and returns about 27 MPG - we were warned that the diesel engine in the Ducato is fragile.

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:22 am

Do you have problems with reverse juddering?

I've seen many people complain about that on campervan forums with the Fiat Ducato.

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:28 am

buttercup;1239204 wrote: Do you have problems with reverse juddering?

I've seen many people complain about that on campervan forums with the Fiat Ducato.

Not that I've ever noticed. I have to reverse off the drive to go anywhere but rarely have to reverse for any great distance but it's as smooth backwards as forwards.

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 12:23 pm

Update- We went for an Iveco LWB van and are at present having it converted by a company who specialise in such things.

We have gone way over budget but it is to our spec, arrives in 2 weeks, very excited

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 8:35 pm

buttercup;1290153 wrote: Update- We went for an Iveco LWB van and are at present having it converted by a company who specialise in such things.

We have gone way over budget but it is to our spec, arrives in 2 weeks, very excited

congrats Buttercup!

we need pics!:-6

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 2:27 pm

buttercup;1290153 wrote: Update- We went for an Iveco LWB van and are at present having it converted by a company who specialise in such things.

We have gone way over budget but it is to our spec, arrives in 2 weeks, very excited

The eldest daughter and family did the same thing and it worked very well for them - what arrangement have you gone for?

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:11 am

I'll be able to show you photo's in 10 days

We went for a fixed bed and the kennel area is underneath, the dogs only have access via the back doors, sink and cooker unit combined with fridge underneath, 2 seats and table, seats convert to small bed, very excited Bryn, might get that dram with you yet :-4

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 7:00 am

buttercup;1290398 wrote: I'll be able to show you photo's in 10 days

We went for a fixed bed and the kennel area is underneath, the dogs only have access via the back doors, sink and cooker unit combined with fridge underneath, 2 seats and table, seats convert to small bed, very excited Bryn, might get that dram with you yet :-4

It does sound exciting, have you planned your first trip?

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 10:44 am

No specific destination in mind, just get in and drive, see where we land up.

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 11:20 am

buttercup;1290442 wrote: No specific destination in mind, just get in and drive, see where we land up.

Aviemore and the cairngorms-no sheep so you can let you dogs roam without worrying about them being shot and plenty of mountain bike tracks to tire the dogs outb with if you are in to tyhat kind of thing. If you've never been up through Glencoe and on up to Skye you have treat coming. Going round the north of skye is worth it as well. Visit Plockton make sure you go in to applecross and go through the torridons as well.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 11:25 am

buttercup;1290442 wrote: No specific destination in mind, just get in and drive, see where we land up.

sometimes, those are the best trips.

thomasrobert · Post by **thomasrobert** » Tue Dec 14, 2010 10:39 pm

These are the steps on how to build your own camper van.

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Campervan Hire UK