Any tips on campervans/motorhomes?

[caroline7758]

We had such a good time in the motorhome we hired in New Zealand that we are seriously thinking about buying a secondhand one. It'll have to be an old one, so if anyone has tips about what to look out for we'd be very grateful.

[caroline7758]

[Poppy Mole]

Depends on how many are going to be sleeping in it. I have a 1995 Auto Sleepers Clubman which would be ideal for a couple  or  just enough room for 2 friends in single beds. I have not had any problems as yet (everything crossed now as I go down west later this week!!). Swivelling front seats would be better than the fixed type like mine but as it's usually only me it's not a problem.

[ACE]

I would hire the type you are looking at and have a holiday in it to see if it suites you. Diesel engines cost more than petrol because of more mpg. But beware, Londons low emissions zone is soon to include autohomes and I bet that will stretch to other cities when they realise that they have another cash cow to milk.  I prefer a caravan as you don't have to pack everything up every time you want to drive anywhere and it does not need extra road tax.

[Kleftiwallah]

Try these people.  All T4 & T5 enthusiasts.

http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/.    Lots of information and a few for sale.

Tell them Kleftiwallah sent you,   but then again, better not ! ! !

Cheers.    Tony./

[chriscross1966]

You could buy an ex PO/Parcel Force LDV Convoy crewcab and build your own.... THough honestly if all you want is a camper for two then look at a recent VW.... tons of bits and support, the more modern ones have diesel engines and there's strong owners clubs....

[fitzsie]

We have a Peuguot Boxer Symbol, similar to Poppy Mole'e vehicle. A side panel van which does suit a couple and we have the front seats that can swivel round to make up into the two single beds  ie. you have to make up the beds each night . It also contains a toilet and shower, fridge & oven with grill.
You must sit down and decide what are the main features you want out of a van. Some people want fixed beds now, others don't want showers/toilet. Is height an issue? Any heating and if so what sort. Electrical points ?
We use to have a much larger van, that we ended up living in for 8 months whilst our house was being built after our return from France. Came in very handy !! To be honest it can be a minefield and have known people who bought one type of van and a couple of months later decided a different van &  layout was more suited to their needs!  :-\
We downsized so that we could drive around UK cities much easier.Saying that we are off to France in a few weeks. If you like to keep on the move then a motorhome could be for you but if you like to stay in one place for a while then a caravan may be more suitable.
My advice, get the magazines, go to a Motorhome show and join a forum (Out and about Live has one )  and see what's on offer . Have fun ..... ;D 

[SueK]

We have a Reimo VW based camper and I have to say that I'd agree with most of the comments, especially with taking the opportunity to hire one - although that can be expensive - just to see how you get on.  We chose this particular one because the back seats were forward facing and it seemed to us safer the offspring would be far safer in these seats than in seats which were sideways on and where the seatbelts might be compromised, even though the children were just a twinkle in our eye at that point!  ;D

Although you can get things like a shower in a camper, you will find that by using well equipped camp sites things like this aren't necessary at all and that you can manage very well with something which at first glance might seem quite basic compared to some of the more modern vehicles.

And yes, your views of what you need might change over the years.  We got a high top vehicle, with the view that the children would eventually go in the roof space, which they do now.  We didn't really foresee the occasional problems which the high roof might bring - eg our local railway station has just put in an unmoveable high barrier to deter travellers and as it's unmanned it means my OH now can't use it when he works away.  But on the other hand, I must say that we are looking forward to the time when the children go in a tent outside.  ;D

Btw, our van is our only vehicle - the OH uses it every day for work, no parking probs as it's small compared to most vans on the market.

[caroline7758]

Thanks for all your comments. After living in one for 3 weeks in New Zealand we have a fair idea of what we want. We didn't use the shower at all, but as I tend to get up to the loo at least once every night i'd prefer it to have a loo. It's just for the two of us as all the children are grown-up now, though I suspect they might be wanting to borrow it!
We've had a caravan in the past but think this would get used more and we could make a quicker getaway for the odd night or weekend.
My OH has his eye on this one at the moment:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-TRANSIT-CAMPER-VAN-99-V-reg-NEWLY-CONVERTED-2-BIRTH-BURNLEY-/280881947915?pt=UK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes&hash=item4165de650b

[caroline7758]

An update (if anyone's interested!) - the one in Burnley was a big disappointment- my OH couldn't even lie down on the bed!

However, we have today agreed to buy an ex-ambulance conversion. Old but solid and well-equipped. We pick it up next weekend- can't wait for our first weekend away! :D

[pumkinlover]

Lovely!!

[Paulines7]

Pleased you have found something Caroline.  Hope to see a picture of it on here soon.   ;D