Who lives in a van? Or wants to?

[mx wcfc]

My 2022/2023 project is to get a van.

Have a VW Transporter for work stuffs and it is great to drive.

Get it next and pay it off asap. It can store a tent or have some sort of awning no doubt.

View attachment 289520

Then start a slow conversion to camper ish

Thinking about doing a good kitchen, storage and such rather than a bed

A bed and a pop top was my priority.

I avoid cooking in the van and use a portable camping stove on a table outside. Cooking in the van just makes it smelly.

An awning like the one in your pic (or on the side) is almost essential when the weather is shit, but I don’t bother putting mine up when it’s sunny.

There are fb groups that are sometimes helpful for vw transporters. Prices were really high earlier this year with the boom in “staycations” but with foreign travel opening up my guess is there will be a lot of vans on the market in the coming months and this could be a good time to buy.

Good luck.

 

[Badgers]

A bed and a pop top was my priority.

I avoid cooking in the van and use a portable camping stove on a table outside. Cooking in the van just makes it smelly.

An awning like the one in your pic (or on the side) is almost essential when the weather is shit, but I don’t bother putting mine up when it’s sunny.

There are fb groups that are sometimes helpful for vw transporters. Prices were really high earlier this year with the boom in “staycations” but with foreign travel opening up my guess is there will be a lot of vans on the market in the coming months and this could be a good time to buy.

Good luck.

Cheers

I don't touch FB but have a good mechanic neighbour and a fairly decent idea of what I want etc. Have borrowed some mates vans as a practice run so have learned a few lesson's at least

100% agree on the cooking inside the van. With regards to the 'kitchen' interior, I am thinking more of storage for foods, kit and boozes

 

[mx wcfc]

Cheers

I don't touch FB but have a good mechanic neighbour and a fairly decent idea of what I want etc. Have borrowed some mates vans as a practice run so have learned a few lesson's at least

100% agree on the cooking inside the van. With regards to the 'kitchen' interior, I am thinking more of storage for foods, kit and boozes

A fridge/coolbox run off a leisure battery and solar panel is pretty useful if the budget runs to that. I’ve seen coolboxs advertised in terms of how many 440ml cans they hold.

 

[Badgers]

Yes, gotta have a TV to watch in bed. But that's an easy thing to sort. And torrent of lots of films via coffee shop wifi. And make a library of torrents before you leave home.

TBF a laptop would suffice these days

 

[Sweet FA]

Be very careful, even drafty vehicles can be dangerous with gas. Old raving mate Max de Calais from DK Le Sound died a couple of years ago sleeping at a party in northern France with the engine running on his car, exhaust leaked in and he never woke up

I've never heated a tent/van before exactly because of tragedies like that

It's sold as 'tent safe' in the states. You can buy massive ones for RVs. They've got built in CO detectors, tilt cut off etc. Then again they rely on 'ideal burn' to stop it producing any CO at all.

Diesel heaters seem to be the norm with van users on fb. I wouldn’t myself.

The antisocial bastards No matter what the vanistas say, diesel heaters are noisy (inside and out) when they're warming up and noisy (from the outside) on tickover. I've camped next to (lovely) people with a £2k 'silent' heater. Silent from the inside maybe. On a site in Cornwall, one unattended T6 sprang into life with a low rumbling accompanied by a faint scent of diesel wafting across the field as the van's heating timer sprang into action. It sat there for an hour before the owners turned up

Anyway, when I've got £2k, I'm getting one obvs.

Badgers, there's an fb group called 'Dubbed Out Community' which is quite mad obviously but isn't populated by massive wankers like most of the other (unmoderated) fb Transporter groups. I lurked there for a few months - search the group and every combination of fuckery has been done to a T4/5/6 before. They've also got deals with various companies for discounts on van parts.

My bed/side bars/roof bars are arriving next week. Head unit/sound deadening/front speakers next month. Money. Pit.

 

[David Clapson]

I got my Elgrand from Southampton docks yesterday. It started! Not bad after sitting around since March. All seemed well. But when I stopped to pump the tyres up the power steering cut out for a second on the garage forecourt. Hmmm. And there was a lot of vibration froim the brakes. Hmmm. Hopefully just worn pads or discs. Drove 50 miles up the M3 to the MoT without number plates, which was legal but rather strange. The power steering cut out again when the technician drove it into the garage. And a rather severe oil leak was discovered. 'You were lucky to get here' was the verdict. So....I dunno. No warning lights came on during the journey. I hope that's not because the lights themselves had packed up. The engine felt very nice. I was v. cautious on the motorway, but I did experiment with the throttle when the road was clear, and the thing hurtled past 100 like a missile. (Just for a second, I promise,)

 

[l'Otters]

Can I use this in the van with the windows cracked or will I die?

Mr. Heater Little Buddy with Adaptor for Gas Heating Cartridge System with 7/16 Thread : Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

Mr. Heater Little Buddy with Adaptor for Gas Heating Cartridge System with 7/16 Thread : Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.co.uk

It’ll get very damp. Everything porous will be full of mould.

If you don’t mind that, use it with co2 monitors and alarms & keep a window open.

 

[kalidarkone]

I've been endlessly looking at mwb VW Crafters and Merc Sprinters.......Next year I reckon.

A mate has just spent 61 K on a T6 which won't arrive till May next year.

 

[bellaozzydog]

I've been endlessly looking at mwb VW Crafters and Merc Sprinters.......Next year I reckon.

A mate has just spent 61 K on a T6 which won't arrive till May next year.

61 thousand pounds !!!!!

Madness

 

[campanula]

Yep, I know of a couple who spent over £50K on a VW. My whole 6acre wood only cost £32K and my horsebox was £1,200...although I spent another £3000 on insulation, stove, solar and betteries (which I have still not connected up). TBF, I don't actually go anywhere anymore as the horsebox (7.5tonne Leyland Daf) has been parked up in my wood with a burned out clutch). It's mostly a cabin on wheels.

While I would quite like a camper van for trips, I absolutely wouldn't like to spend a winter in one. Doable in a horsebox, though as mine has more space than a narrowboat...and once I have lifted the roof...

 

[mx wcfc]

I'm predicting a fall in camper prices. In spring this year prices were silly. Lots of people bought them for holidays in the UK etc. Sites were full. I reckon a lot of people will have decided it's not for them, that they can't wait to get abroad again, and that prices will fall over the next six months. Initial asking prices will be high, but they won't sell, and prices will come down.

 

[Badgers]

I'm predicting a fall in camper prices. In spring this year prices were silly. Lots of people bought them for holidays in the UK etc. Sites were full. I reckon a lot of people will have decided it's not for them, that they can't wait to get abroad again, and that prices will fall over the next six months. Initial asking prices will be high, but they won't sell, and prices will come down.

They will be too busy buying bog roll at Waitrose and fussing about the kids school's to be able to camp.

 

[ddraig]

I'm predicting a fall in camper prices. In spring this year prices were silly. Lots of people bought them for holidays in the UK etc. Sites were full. I reckon a lot of people will have decided it's not for them, that they can't wait to get abroad again, and that prices will fall over the next six months. Initial asking prices will be high, but they won't sell, and prices will come down.

Yup, they seem to be dropping a bit already from the adverts i've seen recently

 

[mx wcfc]

Just found my post zombie apocalypse survival van.....

 

[nottsgirl]

.

 

[ddraig]

Probably, but not much else!
And yeah, they're like estate agent pics

 

[mx wcfc]

I want something like these but I think they’re optical illusions. Would you really be able to fit a bed and a kitchen into a van like this?

View attachment 290762View attachment 290763

Ime, the only vans you can fit a normal bed across are wider vans like the Fiat Ducato. It does depend on how tall you are though. I test drove an old Transit with the bed across the back and a kitchen set up like that, but I didn't fit on the bed. The couple selling it were a bit shorter than me (I'm 5ft 10"). If you do fit, then that is a good layout. I've seen others like that, so it is doable.

 

[Sweet FA]

I'm predicting a fall in camper prices. In spring this year prices were silly. Lots of people bought them for holidays in the UK etc. Sites were full. I reckon a lot of people will have decided it's not for them, that they can't wait to get abroad again, and that prices will fall over the next six months. Initial asking prices will be high, but they won't sell, and prices will come down.

Won't happen for a while I don't think - the waiting list for new vans is so long, it'll keep 2nd hand prices high for a while yet I reckon. I also think it depends on where you go. I camped for weeks over August and sites weren't full, (N.Devon/New Forest). Maybe places like the Lakes, parts of the New Forest etc were full but they always are in August. Agree that loads of people will sack it off next year - whatever way you dress it up, it's camping in a small tin box

Very happy with how the bed platform looks. Side/roof bars look great and solid enough to lash sail/awning to. Dog bed fits perfectly and he slept happily in it for a couple of hours yesterday.

Bed all fits into existing floor mounts apart from the drilled bolts in the arches - takes about 5 minutes to go from platform to bed - the rear seats fold flat and are level with the platform. I've got a couple of foam mattresses off an ikea bed which I think will fit on the platform. All folds away so I can still get tents etc in the back.

Also bought this:

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4152686

 

[mx wcfc]

Want! - it's on the VW T5 Forum UK on FB if anyone wants a look, as FB won't let me post a link. £30k.

 

[teuchter]

For any south London readers - Nomadland is currently on at Whirled Cinema in Loughborough Junction.

Home - Whirled Cinema

www.whirledcinema.com

 

[bmd]

Who's the bloke with no idea!? Doo dah! Doo dah! 400 miles in just 4th gear! Doo dah! Doo dah!

So anyway, yes I have bought a van. Yes I will answer your jealous enquiries about how amazing it is. No, I can't give you any tips whatsoever about anything to do with vans, my particular van, living in one, driving one, maintaining one etc.

 

[ska invita]

Who's the bloke with no idea!? Doo dah! Doo dah! 400 miles in just 4th gear! Doo dah! Doo dah!

So anyway, yes I have bought a van. Yes I will answer your jealous enquiries about how amazing it is. No, I can't give you any tips whatsoever about anything to do with vans, my particular van, living in one, driving one, maintaining one etc.

most important question is, is that you? and what has been censored on your stomach!

congratulations

 

[bmd]

most important question is, is that you? and what has been censored on your stomach!

congratulations

It is me! And it's a bulge. I look about 3 months away from a new child. I didn't actually know that I have one so I'm just getting used to it.

But anyway! Since you asked, It's an LDV Convoy. 31k on the clock, HPI checked. I'm the third owner. Very clean, was a school bus before a dude bought it and converted it. Is boarded out, has a diesel heater, solar power, needs a few more things then I'm awaaaay. To somewhere.

 

[Boudicca]

Who's the bloke with no idea!? Doo dah! Doo dah! 400 miles in just 4th gear! Doo dah! Doo dah!

So anyway, yes I have bought a van. Yes I will answer your jealous enquiries about how amazing it is. No, I can't give you any tips whatsoever about anything to do with vans, my particular van, living in one, driving one, maintaining one etc.

Who needs gears when you can have a nice yellow van.

I love the shape of the Convoys. Is it already converted? Inside shots please.

 

[Boudicca]

How's the Elgrand going David Clapson ?

 

[bmd]

Who needs gears when you can have a nice yellow van.

I love the shape of the Convoys. Is it already converted? Inside shots please.

I love it too. The bloody engine is loud but it's been called bulletproof by some. 2.4 diesel aka The Banana. No idea why.

I promise I will. Just off to work but I'll take some tomorrow morning.

 

[ska invita]

I love it too. The bloody engine is loud but it's been called bulletproof by some. 2.4 diesel aka The Banana. No idea why.

I promise I will. Just off to work but I'll take some tomorrow morning.

time to drop the D from BMD

 

[Elpenor]

My mate used to drive one of them.

 

[bellaozzydog]

Who's the bloke with no idea!? Doo dah! Doo dah! 400 miles in just 4th gear! Doo dah! Doo dah!

So anyway, yes I have bought a van. Yes I will answer your jealous enquiries about how amazing it is. No, I can't give you any tips whatsoever about anything to do with vans, my particular van, living in one, driving one, maintaining one etc.

This is bumble bee territory

 

[David Clapson]

How's the Elgrand going David Clapson ?

Sitting in a field waiting for me to fix the power steering pump. All it's had is one trip from Southampton docks to said field. When the cold weather arrived my ME got worse and I lost the will to go 30 miles to work outdoors under a car bonnet.