closing tag is in template navbar
timefactors watches



TZ-UK Fundraiser
Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 51 to 83 of 83

Thread: Anyone Own a Campervan?

  1. #51
    If the OP is anywhere near the north of Glasgow they are more than welcome to come and have a cuppa, chat and poke about my Toyota Granvia camper

  2. #52
    Master Templogin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Shetland
    Posts
    2,722
    We were considering a Hillside Leisure T6. £40k-ish new. In the end we decided that hiring would be the best bet due to our salty roads in Shetland and no garage. That was three years ago and we still haven't got around to hiring a camper!

  3. #53
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    823
    Quote Originally Posted by Ellietwed View Post
    If the OP is anywhere near the north of Glasgow they are more than welcome to come and have a cuppa, chat and poke about my Toyota Granvia camper
    Thanks very much for the offer, very kind of you. I think I’m keen to go down the VW route but I’m interested in your experiences of camp sites in the UK and further afield more generally.

    If we take the plunge, I can see us getting to grips with things in France, particularly the south but beyond that, who knows!

  4. #54
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    823
    I’m interested in people’s thoughts on the two main financing options...a 4 year pcp or 10year HP.

    The final payment of around £26k sounds very low does it not? I’m attracted to this because I could put the equity into a new deal if I was so inclined. I would probably have to pay an excess mileage charge what however, what with the 10k miles limit.

    As for the ten year option, the total amount payable upsets me and I don’t particularly relish committing to that length of a deal on a campervan.

    https://www.lookers.co.uk/volkswagen...-ocean-offers/
    Last edited by MTM84; 14th March 2019 at 19:22.

  5. #55
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Chesterfield
    Posts
    791
    I’ve converted a couple of vans in the past, a VW T5 and Merc Sprinter. I recently looked at purchasing a new motor home (not a converted panel van - nothing wrong with them) and new ones start around £40k and offer more than a Cali or similar and have excellent residuals.

    In the end I’ve joined the band of two TZ caravaners.

  6. #56
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Cumbria, UK
    Posts
    842
    Blog Entries
    1
    Quote Originally Posted by MonkeyBoy View Post
    In the end I’ve joined the band of two TZ caravaners.
    That makes us three..!



    Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app

  7. #57
    Quote Originally Posted by MTM84 View Post
    but I’m interested in your experiences of camp sites in the UK
    Couple of sites I liked in Scotland

    Sunnyside Croft Arisaig - Fully featured site, nice beach location

    Ardroil Grazing on the beach in Lewis. Stunning spot by the sea and £5 in the honesty box.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  8. #58
    Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    near Glasgow Scotland
    Posts
    1,689

    Quote Originally Posted by MTM84 View Post
    I’m interested in people’s thoughts on the two main financing options...a 4 year pcp or 10year HP.

    The final payment of around £26k sounds very low does it not? I’m attracted to this because I could put the equity into a new deal if I was so inclined. I would probably have to pay an excess mileage charge what however, what with the 10k miles limit.

    As for the ten year option, the total amount payable upsets me and I don’t particularly relish committing to that length of a deal on a campervan.

    https://www.lookers.co.uk/volkswagen...-ocean-offers/

    Clark Commercials at Bilston Glen in Edinburgh are a VW dealership. They are worth talking to regarding a van purchase. I get all my servicing done there.
    Nice people.

  9. #59
    Master Wolfie's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Leicester
    Posts
    7,086
    Blog Entries
    1
    Quote Originally Posted by BillyCasper View Post
    https://youtu.be/37pabRCPEZk

    £6k! Why would you want to do that when you could tie up the best part of £50k on the drive for most of the year? (Kidding).

    Long in the tooth but the Bongo was a great base vehicle as it came with a bed and electrically operated roof. Made as a people carrier/leisure vehicle or for travelling salesmen or something like that.

    Later Nissans and Toyotas are now converters favourites.

    I have a friend who is gradually DIY converting a T5 to keep costs down. There are quite a few DIY conversion videos on YouTube.

    You can also keep costs down by questioning whether you need an onboard cooker for example? Make your tea on a little Campingaz burner, BBQ.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    All good points…. As long as it takes an awning, a barbecue and a decent portable stove would do the rest…. I’m unlikely to want to do wild mid winter camping frankly…

    A fridge, a bed and a table are the only true necessities…. When I caravanned/ campervanned before I never used the toilet or shower…. Campsites tend to have facilities that do the trick (and if not wear your flip flops!)

    Time to poke around the t’interweb

  10. #60
    All of the Outer Hebrides is a must (although Harris is my favourite) and you can't really go wrong with any of the sites there...(when I have the time I'll dig out the names of those we stopped at)..even the midges couldn't dampen our fun too much thanks to lashings of smidge repellent...toured a lot of Scotland, Northumberland and Cornwall with the van..unfortunately the kids are growing up and preferring luxuries like en suite toilets and decent wifi...terrible shame
    You don't have to go too far afield either..had some great weekends in Fife, Arran or Dumfries and Galloway in the van

  11. #61
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    823
    Quote Originally Posted by BillyCasper View Post
    Couple of sites I liked in Scotland

    Sunnyside Croft Arisaig - Fully featured site, nice beach location

    Ardroil Grazing on the beach in Lewis. Stunning spot by the sea and £5 in the honesty box.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Thanks for the recommendations - I’ll look them up.

    Quote Originally Posted by Wolfie View Post
    All good points…. As long as it takes an awning, a barbecue and a decent portable stove would do the rest…. I’m unlikely to want to do wild mid winter camping frankly…

    A fridge, a bed and a table are the only true necessities…. When I caravanned/ campervanned before I never used the toilet or shower…. Campsites tend to have facilities that do the trick (and if not wear your flip flops!)

    Time to poke around the t’interweb
    Whilst abroad I could see us cooking outdoors but in the UK, if we were caught out with bad weather/wind, I like the idea of being able to cook inside the van with a window open. That said, I’m keeping my options open at this stage so good to hear different people's views.

    Quote Originally Posted by Ellietwed View Post
    All of the Outer Hebrides is a must (although Harris is my favourite) and you can't really go wrong with any of the sites there...(when I have the time I'll dig out the names of those we stopped at)..even the midges couldn't dampen our fun too much thanks to lashings of smidge repellent...toured a lot of Scotland, Northumberland and Cornwall with the van..unfortunately the kids are growing up and preferring luxuries like en suite toilets and decent wifi...terrible shame
    You don't have to go too far afield either..had some great weekends in Fife, Arran or Dumfries and Galloway in the van
    Sound great - will do some research into the places you mentioned.

  12. #62
    Master Templogin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Shetland
    Posts
    2,722
    Don't come to Shetland. The ferry price is horrendous!

  13. #63
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    823
    Well I visited a dealer in Glasgow today with my wife and daughter and although the Campervan specialist wasn’t in, I was given the keys and we had a good opportunity to get inside the Ocean and have a good nosey around. Now whilst this one looked good with the cream leather, I couldn’t help but think that given the nature of a Campervan, it would be pretty hard to keep that clean. I’d go for a dark cloth and would buy seat covers all round. The same was also true of the plastic floor and carpet areas - what was VW thinking making these all shades of cream?

    The quality did seem very good and the fridge, ‘wardrobe’ and other areas surprisingly roomy. We’re going to make an appointment for over the Easter holidays so that we can see the beds made up and try them out etc.

  14. #64
    Grand Master Chris_in_the_UK's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Norf Yorks
    Posts
    42,912
    Quote Originally Posted by MTM84 View Post
    Well I visited a dealer in Glasgow today with my wife and daughter and although the Campervan specialist wasn’t in, I was given the keys and we had a good opportunity to get inside the Ocean and have a good nosey around. Now whilst this one looked good with the cream leather, I couldn’t help but think that given the nature of a Campervan, it would be pretty hard to keep that clean. I’d go for a dark cloth and would buy seat covers all round. The same was also true of the plastic floor and carpet areas - what was VW thinking making these all shades of cream?

    The quality did seem very good and the fridge, ‘wardrobe’ and other areas surprisingly roomy. We’re going to make an appointment for over the Easter holidays so that we can see the beds made up and try them out etc.
    I agree - we changed the interior of our custom build from grey cloth to black leather - much more durable (we have 2 dogs).Dark grey floors and mats.
    When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........

  15. #65
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    823
    A big thanks to Johny who couldn’t have been more helpful today!

    Good to put a face to the name and of course, to have a good look around a campervan without any sales people breathing down my neck.

    Was really impressed with your van...I’ve already contacted a few places re. the driver’s seat and my lanky legs!

    Thanks again

  16. #66
    Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    near Glasgow Scotland
    Posts
    1,689

    Quote Originally Posted by MTM84 View Post
    A big thanks to Johny who couldn’t have been more helpful today!

    Good to put a face to the name and of course, to have a good look around a campervan without any sales people breathing down my neck.

    Was really impressed with your van...I’ve already contacted a few places re. the driver’s seat and my lanky legs!

    Thanks again

    Hi Martin.

    Nice meeting you.

    Glad to have been of assistance.

    Bring the good lady up to see it when you get the chance.

    PS: Thank you for the beers that was very kind.

    Johny.

  17. #67
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    823
    Quote Originally Posted by johny View Post
    Hi Martin.

    Nice meeting you.

    Glad to have been of assistance.

    Bring the good lady up to see it when you get the chance.

    PS: Thank you for the beers that was very kind.

    Johny.
    Will do Johny...I’ll be in touch over the next couple of months I’m sure once I’ve looked at all of my options.

    Cheers!

  18. #68
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    823
    Just an update to this thread folks - I’ve booked a California Ocean to hire for 4 nights in October and have booked 2 sites in Scotland that my wife and I have visited in person beforehand to get a feel for them. Fingers crossed we’ll enjoy the experience and will be looking for our own van soon!

    I’ll be plugged into the 16amp electricity supply on both sites. I’ve read various things about electricals tripling the supply. When I’m hooked up, will a 16 amp supply easily cope with the Ocean’s fridge, a kettle and my wife’s hairdryer for example?

    Thanks,

    Martin

  19. #69
    Quote Originally Posted by MTM84 View Post
    Just an update to this thread folks - I’ve booked a California Ocean to hire for 4 nights in October and have booked 2 sites in Scotland that my wife and I have visited in person beforehand to get a feel for them. Fingers crossed we’ll enjoy the experience and will be looking for our own van soon!

    I’ll be plugged into the 16amp electricity supply on both sites. I’ve read various things about electricals tripling the supply. When I’m hooked up, will a 16 amp supply easily cope with the Ocean’s fridge, a kettle and my wife’s hairdryer for example?

    Thanks,

    Martin
    No.

    The fridge is pretty negligible but you'll need a lower powered kettle ideally and don't use the hair dryer and kettle together.

  20. #70
    Master Harry Smith's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Wolverhampton
    Posts
    4,227
    Quote Originally Posted by catch21 View Post
    No.

    The fridge is pretty negligible but you'll need a lower powered kettle ideally and don't use the hair dryer and kettle together.
    We've never found a problem with hookup here or abroad and never tripped any breakers. It is always better however to have lower wattage appliances especially if you use an inverter off your leisure battery (not that you will until you buy your own rig). We have a cooker with gas rings and one electric. Fridge takes minimal power and lights, telly, water pump never have a problem. We even have an electric fan heater installed that gets used on cold nights.

  21. #71
    Best of luck to the Op with his adventures in the van...unfortunately after 8 years of fun with my van its time to sell the Granvia, the kids have outgrown the van and got used to creature comforts like inside toilets and wifi...ridiculous ! I'll get an ad up on SC soon....breaks my heart

  22. #72
    It might physically be a 16A connector but that doesn't necessarily mean it will supply 16A and will trip at 16.1A.

    Various ratings of supply are available, 6A, 10A and 16A being three. Suggest a low-power kettle is prudent.

  23. #73
    Quote Originally Posted by MTM84 View Post
    Just an update to this thread folks - I’ve booked a California Ocean to hire for 4 nights in October and have booked 2 sites in Scotland that my wife and I have visited in person beforehand to get a feel for them. Fingers crossed we’ll enjoy the experience and will be looking for our own van soon!

    I’ll be plugged into the 16amp electricity supply on both sites. I’ve read various things about electricals tripling the supply. When I’m hooked up, will a 16 amp supply easily cope with the Ocean’s fridge, a kettle and my wife’s hairdryer for example?

    Thanks,

    Martin
    From California owners club:

    “If you are on hook up and using the socket on the end of the kitchen then i would stick to electrical appliances up to 2000watts or 2kw”

    What’s that? 8-10 amps?

    The electric kettles sold in the club shop look to be 1kw. I use the gas cooker for hot water.

    I think regular hair dryers are around between 1,800-2,200kw. Wash hair in shower block? Perhaps dry hair there.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  24. #74
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    823
    Thanks guys. Having read so many different things about the electricity side of things, I do find it pretty unclear.

    Given that I’ll be buying a Beach if my wife likes the Ocean set-up, I reckon I’ll probably opt for a gas kettle. I’ll buy a fridge that fits behind the front passenger seat but being able to power a proper hairdryer is important to my wife, particularly if we venture to the likes of France etc. and can’t always guarantee these in the shower blocks etc.

  25. #75
    Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Unknown
    Posts
    5,712
    Blog Entries
    1
    I’ve had a fully converted T5 for the last 5 years and it’s great, had loads of trips all over Europe.

    Conversion was done by these guys.

    https://www.jerbacampervans.co.uk/

  26. #76
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    823
    Quote Originally Posted by Montello View Post
    I’ve had a fully converted T5 for the last 5 years and it’s great, had loads of trips all over Europe.

    Conversion was done by these guys.

    https://www.jerbacampervans.co.uk/
    I believe the company I’m renting from use some Jebras. I recently had a look and their conversions seem to be pretty impressive.

  27. #77
    Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    near Glasgow Scotland
    Posts
    1,689

    Quote Originally Posted by MTM84 View Post
    Just an update to this thread folks - I’ve booked a California Ocean to hire for 4 nights in October and have booked 2 sites in Scotland that my wife and I have visited in person beforehand to get a feel for them. Fingers crossed we’ll enjoy the experience and will be looking for our own van soon!

    I’ll be plugged into the 16amp electricity supply on both sites. I’ve read various things about electricals tripling the supply. When I’m hooked up, will a 16 amp supply easily cope with the Ocean’s fridge, a kettle and my wife’s hairdryer for example?

    Thanks,

    Martin


    Have a nice time.

  28. #78
    Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    North Wilts
    Posts
    1,626
    I have discovered that there are some older Mercedes Marco Polo vans out there. They have done LHD ones for years and they come up on ebay from time to time but the Bilbo De zine is the same van in rhd. There was a really nice blue on on ebay a month or 2 ago. The conversion is Westphalia (owned by MB) by Bilbo as I understand it.
    The vans themselves do tend to be rather narrower than the VWs which is not ideal for beds etc but the conversion spec looks good and I like the sliding rear seats.

  29. #79
    Craftsman Falcata's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Sheffield/Derbyshire borders
    Posts
    489
    I've been looking at this very same subject and idea for some time...

    I'm drifting away from VW and towards the Ford Concept conversions at Wellhouse-Leisure, in Huddersfield;

    Check this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAfv2y3Tx50


    https://wellhouseleisure.com/product...st/used-fords/

  30. #80

    Anyone Own a Campervan?

    Digging this back up.
    I’m contemplating getting rid of the motor, get a nice camper and use it as a daily (ish) driver.

    I have other cars, and am not commuting every day or whatever, so can defo live with one.

    I would like a bit of space, so LWB transporter or similar, and want lots of mod cons.
    I can live without a hob, but need sink and fridge.
    Will need to sleep 3 to 4, and I need awnings.

    Transit and Transporter seem to fit bill.
    Merc Marco Polo sounds good but reports of it being slim.
    (Would love a massive off-road style sprinter but not exactly practical daily driver!)

    Anyone living the van life and can advise?
    Do I buy fitted out or get one converted?

    I might be able to do 40-50k.
    Happy to do less!!!

    It will be a long-term thing.

    What say you, van-fans?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

  31. #81
    Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Matlock, Derbyshire
    Posts
    1,218
    Buy something already converted by a reputable builder. Transporter will most likely have the best residual value and will probably cost you the most upfront. New Transit is supposed to be a really good drive. SWB version fits a standard car park space. But makes a good daily drive.

    All camper vans are compromises. If you’ve kids with you put them in a tent and keep the van for adults. Four in a relatively small van can be challenging.

    Just for info I started with a self build T4 camper, then moved onto an LT35 MWB self build camper. Now have a Hymer B544 Motorhome. So I’ve gone from Air B&B to Travel Lodge to The Ritz.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  32. #82
    Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Unknown
    Posts
    5,712
    Blog Entries
    1
    Quote Originally Posted by notenoughwrists View Post
    Digging this back up.
    I’m contemplating getting rid of the motor, get a nice camper and use it as a daily (ish) driver.

    I have other cars, and am not commuting every day or whatever, so can defo live with one.

    I would like a bit of space, so LWB transporter or similar, and want lots of mod cons.
    I can live without a hob, but need sink and fridge.
    Will need to sleep 3 to 4, and I need awnings.

    Transit and Transporter seem to fit bill.
    Merc Marco Polo sounds good but reports of it being slim.
    (Would love a massive off-road style sprinter but not exactly practical daily driver!)

    Anyone living the van life and can advise?
    Do I buy fitted out or get one converted?

    I might be able to do 40-50k.
    Happy to do less!!!

    It will be a long-term thing.

    What say you, van-fans?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    We run a T5 camper as a 2nd car. It’s drives pretty easy and isn’t too big so is comfortable on the narrow roads and can be parked as easily as a car. We bought ours converted. I think doing your own would take quite some effort but it depends if you are into that.

    Having no hob could limit you when you come to sell as it’s an expected feature.

    Ours is short wheel base but if I was getting another I’d probably go long. That extra space is probably worth the the extra bulk in the car park.

  33. #83
    Master
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    2,339
    We have a T6 SWB which we converted ourselves about 4 yrs ago. It’s SWB, but LWB additional space is useful apparently.

    The campervan market has been bonkers over the last 2 years, but I think the bubble is bursting as foreign holidays became viable again, so don’t rush, and save yourself quite a few quid by buying later in the season.

    As above, buy something from a reputable converter. There are many cowboys out there.
    Also, make sure you know which engine you want. The T6 engines go from 84bhp to 204bhp.

    Pete

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Do Not Sell My Personal Information