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The what? Thank-you for the clip.the flagallates
The what? Thank-you for the clip.the flagallates
A downside of camper vans in remoter areas is that they (can) give little back to the community, but take a fair bit. Give little by not using local services, whether food or bed etc,, Take in the form of road wear and tear, blocking parking areas, filling rubbish bins, congestion in wilder parts etc.
There's definitely merit in a photographer using one to document areas that would have difficult accessibility but as a general tourist tool
Cheaper-yes, better?-nahbetter with an empty van with an inflatable mattress
The what? Thank-you for the clip.
Slightly tongue in cheek headline but are campervans becoming the new "must have" piece of kit ?
I must admit that it's definitely on my longer term plan to own one as the facility to be able to pull up close to the bottom of a hill, coast or lake an hour before sunset, take a few shots, retire to the comfort of a nice van and be ready a few hours later for sunrise has a huge appeal.
Everywhere I seem to look there seems to be more and more people purchasing them or thinking about them
Anyone just bought or intending to ?
I loved my RV and lived in it for a few years, travelling all over Europe with a 1000cc motorbike on the back, being a lorry chassis it never even knew it was there. I was living in luxury for 4euros a night! By driving it to one place then staying for a few months it was actually quite economical, exploring the local area on the bike. If I wasn't a cripple would probably still be doing it now!I love my camper but in the USA the Luxury RV Coach is the rage
View: https://youtu.be/cCl1CDPHoME
I am still in Ireland with my van but I will return in a couple of weeks and will write up my project (nearly 4 summers of work).
2019 I shall head to mainland Europe.
I bought my ‘van’ off an old guy in my village after he spent a small fortune on a custom build with every comfort and toy. His wife and he got one summer before she fell ill and had to hgo into a care home.
Camper vans are available at every price band but if you want all year use then ‘double glazing’, inner lining and central heating are a must. I have a small diesel fuelled heater which prices a nice flow of warm air wich is circulated in the main cabin. Early September saw it’s use!
I always fancied a VW ‘California’ but I think that now I am in my 60s I enjoy the space i have with all the trimmings and a proper bed!
I think I could live full time in my ‘van’ but currently looking forward to seeing my grandchildren and friends.
Good luck with what you choose.
Steve
What on earth is wrong with a bit of comfort? I'm in my 70's and enjoy the fact that I can sleep, cook, shower, take a dump and watch a dvd or even (horror of horrors) telly in my bus while in the company of my wife and dog and still get out to indulge my hobby.
You ecowarrior you....You are not allowed. You must conform otherwise your non-compliance will be filmed on the latest child-slave made iPhone owned by a huge tax dodging capitalist enshrining corporation, built in the most polluting country in the world before being uploaded onto a channel hosted and owned by one of the largest tax dodging corporations so that lots of other sanctimonious and self-congratulatory gobsh*tes can whine and then pat themselves on the back for a "job well done". And if that doesn't work then let's form a pressure group and try and use the Government as a big stick and legislate it, removing yet another little piece of enjoyment from people's lives.
I quite fancy something like this: https://earthroamer.com/xv-hd/ and what with it's 6.7L V8 engine needing a 115 Gallon fuel tank, I reckon I'll be pumping (excuse the pun) plenty of money into the local economy
You ecowarrior you....
I loved my RV and lived in it for a few years, travelling all over Europe with a 1000cc motorbike on the back, being a lorry chassis it never even knew it was there. I was living in luxury for 4euros a night! By driving it to one place then staying for a few months it was actually quite economical, exploring the local area on the bike. If I wasn't a cripple would probably still be doing it now!
A downside of camper vans in remoter areas is that they (can) give little back to the community, but take a fair bit. Give little by not using local services, whether food or bed etc,, Take in the form of road wear and tear, blocking parking areas, filling rubbish bins, congestion in wilder parts etc.
There's definitely merit in a photographer using one to document areas that would have difficult accessibility but as a general tourist tool
I still think you use a lot of the local services; Pubs for food/drink, local shops and amenities - if you are stopping in an area then something like the day vans can't really be 'lived in' - they provide a comfortable nights sleep. Not sure about the congestion either.
For lots of small towns tourism really bolsters the local economy and if it's easier for you to visit then surely that helps those areas?
Yes, local services can be used, but in general people in self sufficient vehicles will use less of the local services than those who stay in bricks and mortar. That's why they have self-sufficient vehicles!
It's not a problem until it gets above a level. Tourism is beginning to reach troublesome levels in many places - there are examples of cities looking to limit tourists, beaches being closed, 'Tourist Taxes' being proposed.
And what does that have to do with campervans?It's not a problem until it gets above a level. Tourism is beginning to reach troublesome levels in many places - there are examples of cities looking to limit tourists, beaches being closed, 'Tourist Taxes' being proposed.
And what does that have to do with campervans?
Too many camper vans risks creating a similar problem in wilder areas.
The thread title is "Campervan - The new "must have" piece of equipment ?" There's no implication there that possible downsides of camper vans are not to be discussed.
So how are we supposed to get to these 'wilder areas'?
Most aren't within walking distance of train stations or any public transport; surely you really can't expect people not to travel around?
Getting back on topic
I was planning at one point on following what GreenNinja did ie buy a movano and convert, however have decided on another route and get a citroen berlingo and use a bootjumpView: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDtiP0LuWjw
put the fridge on and filled it with water
Keeping an eye on what this ends up like in production guise. An EV camper would really appeal to me as a second vehicle.
Right - this thread has had a little hoovering, and lots of non campervan action has been removed. The protagonists are aware that they are trading on their last warning, and from here on in, ANYONE, and I mean ANYONE who takes this thread back onto its earlier detour is going to have a week to get in their campervan and go on holiday, because they won't be able to see the forum for a while...
Here’s a plusher alternative to a campervans. Ok you can’t cook in it but the rear recliner ottoman seat is just as good. Rear blinds too.
Proper engine too.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201809130467887
And an economical version as a hybrid.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201805136470782
For half the price of a new van you can get this, a ton of petrol to go places and some new gear.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201809301013721
These things just go on and on without going wrong. Nothing Ford or VW made is as dependable as a Toyota or Lexus.
Plenty of room to sleep in, equipment etc concealed and hidden in a locked boot plus inbuilt satnav to help you find your way. Massive comfortable seats you can heat after a mornings cold shoot or cool you after a sweaty hike and they’ll keep you much more comfortable than the seats from a transverse mount engined van. Genuine refinement makes it a perfect companion to whisk you from the UK to the Alps.
This is a remarkably photographer friendly car and I should know. I drive it’s baby brother the GS.
Very interesting, only ever seen this on a Citreon C6 before, could be a very good option for me, I never sleep in a van for more than two nights and then need a proper bed. I intend to do a six week tour of Scotland in the spring, staying out some nights for astro photography and supplementing the van or car with great big comfy hotel rooms with all the comforts in between!
And the money you save will pay for a fair few nights in a hotel...That’s how I do it - some in the car, a lot in hotels to get stuff charged, myself properly washed etc.
I’d swap Scotland for the Alps or Pyrenees though [emoji6]
Imho a diesel 4 clyinder van is unrefined and not luxurious and a camper van is very expensive- for the same or less money you could have a totally amazing car. Refinement and seat comfort are two of the most important qualities in long distance travel. That Lexus would blow your mind and obliterate a campervan in this regard and for a solo photographer who sleeps out occasionally is probably a better fit.