Campervan - The new "must have" piece of equipment ?

jerry12953 said:
Oh go on then........

Quite a few years ago, I arrived after dark at a nature reserve car park in south Wales. I thought it a bit odd that there were so many cars parked there but blotted it out of my mind, got on with cooking and preparing for sleep etc. Cars were coming and going. By about 10 pm I was getting really uneasy when I heard another car arrive, drive round, stop, drive round, etc, then park near my van. My anxiety levels were really peaking at that point. Car door opens, someone gets out, walks towards my van.....and suddenly someone slams their fist on my side window. I was terrified!

I can only imagine that it was a vigilante trying to clear the car park of doggers. Any way, I quickly threw a few clothes on, started the van up and just drove, for maybe an hour, till I was more relaxed and found another pull-in where I could spend the night.

Then there was the night in a car park near Malvern recently......just too much coming and going all night for it to have been anything else.

I've never partaken, guv, you understand......it's just a risk you have to be prepared to take.
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I've lived a very sheltered life - never came accross that. Going to Torren Lochan in the summer and dossing in the car waiting for sunrise at one of the reflection spots I go to doesn't seem to have quite the same sense of adventure
 
kenm said:
370 quid per year including tax and European breakdown cover for a purpose built motorhome. Limited to 8000 miles. The converted Mazda Bongo was about the same (a while ago), once I learned to avoid mainstream insurers. Getting quotes wasn't a problem, they didn't care that it was a converted MPV, but they all wanted to start my NCD from scratch.
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Mine’s a VW T5.1 which is more of a day van with a rock n roll bed and an unusual kitchen layout in that it’s accessible from the rear doors - so outdoor cooking. No pop top and it costs about the same as yours as a re-mapped modified van. So really not at all bad on insurance. I’d definitely prefer to sleep on a really comfortable flat bed than a car seat... who (mostly ) wouldn’t. Not much bigger than a car and great to drive and actually quite comfortable too... 400-500 miles in a day doesn’t seem stressful at all.
 
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Donnie said:
Indeed, no way I would want to use a car for sleeping in, been there done that, no car has seats that fold flat AND are as flat as an actual mattress quite honestly and the whole point is about using a camper vehicle and be self sufficient even if only for a day or two, ie be able to cook clean charge sleep etc etc.
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View: https://youtu.be/ec9YXReBSL8

Combine it with one of these and your good to go.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...LZTHM&linkId=496fef3080014484adf3c310801b9581

Of course you'd have to use the site facilities, but I would never cr@p in the van anyway
 
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What is the deal with insurance for a converted van? I have been thinking of a DIY Caddy Maxi conversion for a while now.
 
Alan Clogwyn said:
What is the deal with insurance for a converted van? I have been thinking of a DIY Caddy Maxi conversion for a while now.
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It’s really not too bad at all. There’s a lot of specialist insurance companies. My modified and re-mappped T5 is just over 330.00 per year.
 
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Alan Clogwyn said:
What is the deal with insurance for a converted van? I have been thinking of a DIY Caddy Maxi conversion for a while now.
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I just got my self a caddy maxi life . 7 seater day to day car and 15 minutes later it's a 2 seater mini camper with corner sofa/memory foam double bed . The best thing I ever bought .
 
gman said:
You've never been to Glasgow I take it?
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Been through it but not stopped (I hear the museums are great). Would actually like to visit it and also Edinburgh (been once, liked it). Not for the loo situation though!

We do have our own local version of 'street loos' as Bristol council rolls out lorries on a Thursday or early Friday containing giant open air urinals to place all around the middle of the city for blokes to err, make use of. I can only presume the person who decided on this was Victorian in nature and believes women do not go to the loo ever or s/he likes to see them squatting in the gutter while the blokes at least get some kind of container (but no handwashing facilities at all). I guess people just use building walls on weekday nights.

Its really vile. One of the side products of Bristol shutting down pretty much all of its public loos to save money. Its all a wonderful way to attract tourists.....

Good for 'Wild Life' photographers as opposed to 'wildlife' photographers :eek:
 
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MidnightUK said:
Would actually like to visit it and also Edinburgh (been once, liked it).
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Edinburgh is easy. Caravan Club site in Marine Drive has a shuttle into town. We just wander over the sports field (10 mins) and get the normal bus to town. There is another site in Edinburgh but as CC club members we have never checked it out.
 
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I've wanted a camper for a good while now,it was actually a post by Jerry above years back that made me stop and think. for me I want the bit of luxury of warmth and a bed that a ten doesn't really provide. The cost is concerning I really wanted T5 or 5.1. i've frankly no idea how we'll get there i'd imaging it'll be back to the tools for most of it with things like gas and bed fitting and electircs maybe installed by pros. . i'd really like to buy a new pro conversion and do without the DIY graft. but 40K is not ever going to happen. The T5 market seems to attract every scam going. It's really hard valuing these vans when one doesn't really know what one is talking about. So many older vans being given a lick of paint and a quick conversion.... I really should know a bit ..My granpy was a motor trader I can weld spray etc but the T5 market is one I find really confusing

We have also looked at the transits,cheers for the link to Thomas Heaton's video also interesting.

I shoot wildlife I'm utterly convinced that a camper will be of huge use to us even if it's only a day van with bed windows and night heater It's sort of ironic given the title of this thread the camper is genuinely top of my wishlist of photography related equipment

stu
 
Alan Clogwyn said:
What is the deal with insurance for a converted van? I have been thinking of a DIY Caddy Maxi conversion for a while now.
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Adrian Flux charged us this year £390 fully comp including breakdown.

This gives us a year to convert the van fully and re-classify with the DVLA to a motor caravan on the V5.

So good money.


Solar panel for the roof is next for ours plus a window in the Rear door to aid with cooling and light.
 
GreenNinja67 said:
Adrian Flux charged us this year £390 fully comp including breakdown.

This gives us a year to convert the van fully and re-classify with the DVLA to a motor caravan on the V5.

So good money.


Solar panel for the roof is next for ours plus a window in the Rear door to aid with cooling and light.
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Reclassify you say... tell me more
 
Alan Clogwyn said:
Reclassify you say... tell me more
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The DVLA reclassification is useful for a vehicle’s speed limit, although there seems to be rather a lot of confusion. Commercial vans (ie vans that have been converted to campers) can only travel at 60mph on a dual carriageway for instance. I’m not sure whether the pay-off is increased insurance as a campervan as opposed to a van though. I haven’t bothered reclassifying as yet but keep meaning to look into it.
 
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If you change the use of a vehicle, you have to legally reclassify it, the details are on the DVLA website.

Main advantages for re-classifying as a Motor Caravan are higher speed limits on motorways etc. and normally cheaper insurance, ours is £230ish for the year.
 
Unlocker said:
If you change the use of a vehicle, you have to legally reclassify it, the details are on the DVLA website.

Main advantages for re-classifying as a Motor Caravan are higher speed limits on motorways etc. and normally cheaper insurance, ours is £230ish for the year.
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I don’t know if you have to legally reclassify it? If you don’t it just remains a van I think?

Motorway speed limit is the same for vans too.

I pay £140 for road tax (which is what I meant to say above and not insurance (doh)) What is the tax on a reclassified van>Camper? I’ve been wondering if it’s worth doing.
 
I've just returned from a five week trip around Europe. Our family of four in a converted poptop VW T5. It was a bit tight for space of course, but awesome. We took both a drive away awning and a simple canopy awning, only used the drive away once as it was too much hassle as we moved regularly.

I think we will probably get something a bit bigger, as our main issue was the lack of bathroom facilities, especially with the kids. Still panel van based and of a modest size, as I prefer something easy to park and manoeuvre.
 
Evening all , hi ya @tonybassplayer ...thought I'd join in :) I'm the one that has Maddie the Caddy Maxi camper :wave:

My original plan was buy a campervan ( Autotrail T669) at retirement & head off round Europe for a couple of years . Then I had use of a RollerTeam T590 for a weekend .Then a couple of mates bought campervans .
By this point I knew I was in big trouble :eek::D

So , I'd already decided to get rid of the motorbike as not using it enough & then I realised if I got rid of the car I could afford a little campervan . I wanted a newish van as it was going to have to last me at least 10 years & because I'm me I wanted it to be like a T5 inside...just smaller .
I was quoted £8000 up to £18500 ( yes really ) for the conversion , I settled for a local company as I liked the guy who owned it, listened to me , understood me & most importantly , didn't laugh at the idea of cramming a T5 interior into a Maxi . There was no chance of me doing the conversion myself - I can't hang a picture straight let alone do wiring /insulation etc .

Insurance : I went with Just Kampers , 20thou miles per annum , agreed Insurance Valuation. Not cheap as I only have 4 years NCD(company car driver for 30 yrs) & when I got the Agreed valuation it went up by £350. Next year should be far more sensible . A lot of companies wouldn't touch me as a) it's my only transport & b) the annual mileage is higher than normal for a campervan .

I have everything I need in the van.....hob, heater , pop top roof, rock n roll bed , storage, water & sink , portapotti , 240 hook up , solar . She's been re-classified by DVLA as a Motor caravan . This means the normal car speed limits apply to my van as she's under 3tonnes ( info from GOV.UK website )

It's a major investment but do I regret it ? NO NO NO ........I've had Maddie 4 weeks now & I've had 3 weekends away , all off grid - absolutely brilliant .The extra freedom of not needing to find a campsite or being tied to a b&b suits me to a tee . I love tent camping but feel far more secure & safe with something solid around me so I also don't have rely on mates to come tent camping with me .

So , I've digressed somewhat from @tonybassplayer original question .........is it a must have ? Nope , I doubt it . I managed for years with the car & a tent /b&b/wigwams . BUT it does make life so much easier & enjoyable . For me , the answer is Yes . But it's not for everyone

oh yes....it averages 55 to the gallon , hs plenty of get up n go , fits in a normal car parking space & is very comfortable to drive :D
 
Yes, re-classifying is a legal requirement:-

V5C log book
It is a legal requirement that all UK registered vehicles are classified correctly on the V5C log book. All campervans, motor caravans and motorhomes fall into the DVLA category of ‘motor caravan’. If you have converted a van into a motor caravan then you must return the V5C to DVLA for body type amendment.

Details here:- https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...caravan/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motorhome

Yes, motorways are the same, I should have been more specific:-

UK van speed limits
Built-up areas: 30mph
Single carriageways: 50mph
Dual carriageways: 60mph
Motorways: 70mph

Details here:- https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/vans/99605/uk-van-speed-limits-all-you-need-to-know

Vans are 10mph slower on single and dual carriageways, Motor Caravans limits are the same as cars here, weight depending.

Tax on ours is £240ish as it’s not Euro 4, would be £140 if it was.
 
Okay... I knew about the speed limits. Out of interest, does your reclassified van > camper still show ‘vehicle type approval’ as N1? I know of a couple of people who have still been sent speeding fines despite the reclassification. I think there is also a bit of confusion as to what defines a campervan as opposed to a day van.
 
Anyone seen this

https://newatlas.com/toyota-land-cruiser-flatbox-camper/55703/

A cheap modification to a very useful 4x4

Factor in some blinds and a good sleeping bag/covers and you have the perfect go anywhere (quite literally) 4x4 that will be very reliable, comfortable and capable.

Kind of makes me think my next car will be a landcruiser rather than another Lexus.
 
Heath Robinson would be proud.

No insulation

No vapour barrier

Both important things to consider when sleeping in a metal box.


And cheap? Don't think so.

My conversion cost that in total including double glazed window, toilet, cooking arrangements and sink and tap.
 
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GreenNinja67 said:
Heath Robinson would be proud.

No insulation

No vapour barrier

Both important things to consider when sleeping in a metal box.


And cheap? Don't think so.

My conversion cost that in total including double glazed window, toilet, cooking arrangements and sink and tap.
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But you are getting a proper 4x4 rather than a van. For those keen on winter that's a good thing. Maybe I am too much of a car person for this thread but I cannot see the appeal of a van based vehicle and driving that. These landcruisers are really comfy upfront too.

Insulation - good sleeping bag and crack the window open slightly. Job done.
 
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GreenNinja67 said:
Vans are comfortable to drive, at least mine is.

They're designed to drive a long way everyday.
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I am very fussy with car seats - want at least 8 way adjustable ones, with lumber plus seat heating and ideally seat cooling too. Refinement is a big thing, I am used to luxury motors - my worry is a van wouldn't be as refined. Yonks and yonks ago I had the use of a Shogun and looking back that car was pretty comfortable and refined and not far off the luxury my X5, Mercs and Lexus offered.

Landcruiser with a big engine (they do a V8) with a bit of kit like that would be really good for me anyway.
 
SFTPhotography said:
I am very fussy with car seats - want at least 8 way adjustable ones, with lumber plus seat heating and ideally seat cooling too. Refinement is a big thing, I am used to luxury motors - my worry is a van wouldn't be as refined. Yonks and yonks ago I had the use of a Shogun and looking back that car was pretty comfortable and refined and not far off the luxury my X5, Mercs and Lexus offered.

Landcruiser with a big engine (they do a V8) with a bit of kit like that would be really good for me anyway.
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Over the years I have spent countless nights at race circuits in all manner of sleeping accomodation from a silver foil blanket on the ground to nice campers

Most people prefer a comfortable nights sleep to multiple adjustments on a driver's seat!

Sleeping in the back of a car with no heating/ventilation in most people's opinion is crap TBH. A converted van is just far superior! Ford transit custom is superb to drive - again I visit race circuits over 8hrs away and have no problems driving this distance.

Trying to convince people that sleeping in the back of a car is better than a nicely converted van is just making you look silly imo.
 
Fraser Euan White said:
Over the years I have spent countless nights at race circuits in all manner of sleeping accomodation from a silver foil blanket on the ground to nice campers

Most people prefer a comfortable nights sleep to multiple adjustments on a driver's seat!

Sleeping in the back of a car with no heating/ventilation in most people's opinion is crap TBH. A converted van is just far superior! Ford transit custom is superb to drive - again I visit race circuits over 8hrs away and have no problems driving this distance.

Trying to convince people that sleeping in the back of a car is better than a nicely converted van is just making you look silly imo.
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I find sleeping in cars perfectly fine - and a fold out matteress/pull out bed in the back of car like a landcruiser looks a good alternative.

I just don't like vans, I wouldn't want to own one and for sleeping out I do not think you neccessarily need to.
 
adequate is comfortable enough to do the miles i want to do, Ive happily done 250 plus miles a day in a 1975 mini and been happy, yeah a fancy merc / lexus / whatever is probably lovely but frankly I find them boring drives.

The threads about campers to be fair so comparing campers and modifications to luxury cars is a bit apple and pears to be honest
 
SFTPhotography said:
I find sleeping in cars perfectly fine - and a fold out matteress/pull out bed in the back of car like a landcruiser looks a good alternative.

I just don't like vans, I wouldn't want to own one and for sleeping out I do not think you neccessarily need to.
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How easy is it to stand up in your Lexus to get chamge? Sit at a table with your laptop? Relax stretched out drinking a brew?

There really isn't many people agree with your preferences - what you do is done by many on race weekends because they have no option but not one would pick that option over a comfy campervan!
 
Donnie said:
adequate is comfortable enough to do the miles i want to do, Ive happily done 250 plus miles a day in a 1975 mini and been happy, yeah a fancy merc / lexus / whatever is probably lovely but frankly I find them boring drives.

The threads about campers to be fair so comparing campers and modifications to luxury cars is a bit apple and pears to be honest
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Dunno - I find a car with rear or all drive and a north south mounted engine a highly preferable drive to a transverse mount front drive van.


Fraser Euan White said:
How easy is it to stand up in your Lexus to get chamge? Sit at a table with your laptop? Relax stretched out drinking a brew?

There really isn't many people agree with your preferences - what you do is done by many on race weekends because they have no option but not one would pick that option over a comfy campervan!
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I can get out and get changed, or can change sat down in the back. Don't own a laptop or like drinking hot drinks (prefer simple water etc out of a sports bottle). I dare say with the LS lexus and reclining seats and tables mounted working on a laptop would be fine. As something to doss in the back of a car/SUV etc is fine.

In life I've found no-one has my preferences, I like summer, not winter, hate dogs, I don't like tea/cofee, no interest in music etc. I'm just giving my thoughts on a thread and an alterntive point of view, which is hardly a crime.

If you want comfy and real luxury, you can get a hotel.
 
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SFTPhotography said:
Dunno - I find a car with rear or all drive and a north south mounted engine a highly preferable drive to a transverse mount front drive van.
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I don't even know what that means so it's obvious that if I find whatever it is comfortable then it's adequate for my needs. It's just a car.
 
Donnie said:
I don't even know what that means so it's obvious that if I find whatever it is comfortable then it's adequate for my needs. It's just a car.
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That I suspect is the big difference in opinion on this thread. I really like cars and care about things like driven axels, number of clyinders etc and 8 way memory seats etc. If you don't, lucky you - it's an expensive thing to like.
 
GreenNinja67 said:
I’m more shocked you don’t like music. I couldn’t imagine my life without music in it.
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I have no interest in it at all - I don't dislike it per se, I just do not like it. Which I know is rare - trust me - I don't know anyone else like me. Music, a bit like coffee and dogs, is something other people like.
 
I understand you are clearly 'different' from the majority and you prefer a car but the thread is entitled ''Campervan'.
Constantly stating a car is better when quite clearly it isn't to the vast majority isn't really a discussion though.
I suspect everyone would prefer to spend three nights wild camping in a nice van conversion than three nights in the back seat of a Lexus TBH and if you say otherwise I don't think you are being honest.
 
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