Who lives in a van? Or wants to?
- Thread starter David Clapson
- Start date
Voley
🐀
plurker
tú no tienes la culpa mi amor que el mundo sea feo
Not full-timing but very much enjoyed the last couple of weeks, spending it hovering around Newquay.
Love being able to get straight out the sea and cook up a decent meal
Van's feeling a little small for three, as littlun becomes less little, so going to look at putting a bed for him in the hightop instead of cupboards, I think...
Love being able to get straight out the sea and cook up a decent meal
Van's feeling a little small for three, as littlun becomes less little, so going to look at putting a bed for him in the hightop instead of cupboards, I think...
Voley
🐀
Well that was ace. Van is good for a night's kip once the bed's sorted. Might need another duvet under us, we think, just to iron out a few bumps but otherwise good.
I really enjoyed sitting out stargazing with a coffee brewing and the moon was beautiful last night.
Ace to be up early at Pedn to see this. It's normally midmorning by the time I'm there.
A tenner for the night. Bargain. Deffo be staying there again, bloke that runs it keeps it open all year, too, so we'll probably get the place to ourselves later in the year.
I really enjoyed sitting out stargazing with a coffee brewing and the moon was beautiful last night.
Ace to be up early at Pedn to see this. It's normally midmorning by the time I'm there.
A tenner for the night. Bargain. Deffo be staying there again, bloke that runs it keeps it open all year, too, so we'll probably get the place to ourselves later in the year.
BoatieBird
Well-Known Member
<subscribes to thread>
We've been saving and looking for a while now, we'll probably get one next year.
Just for holidays and weekends, not to live in!
We've been saving and looking for a while now, we'll probably get one next year.
Just for holidays and weekends, not to live in!
Sweet FA
✪ Three rounds Lord, in my .44 ✪
Have you seen those hammock type beds that go across the front seats?Not full-timing but very much enjoyed the last couple of weeks, spending it hovering around Newquay.
Love being able to get straight out the sea and cook up a decent meal
Van's feeling a little small for three, as littlun becomes less little, so going to look at putting a bed for him in the hightop instead of cupboards, I think...
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Sure they must do them for T3s...
Boudicca
Seaside Queen
Rock n roll beds are not that comfortable. You can put a mattress topper inside a single duvet cover and make it the bottom sheet, which is much easier than trying to wrap a sheet around it..
I slept one night on 3" foam in my Mazda Bongo and then took all the cushions to pieces and added an extra layer of foam. It did make the back seat a bit shallow but I didn't like sitting on it much anyway.
plurker
tú no tienes la culpa mi amor que el mundo sea feo
Have you seen those hammock type beds that go across the front seats?
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Sure they must do them for T3s...
Yeah, but I'm cheap
. I bought a campbed from argos (£29) and chopped it down to size so it rests on the front doors. Problem with them is that when it's in place, the swivel seat can't be used so it's a bit of a PITA.
But you using the word 'hammock' has given me an idea to try - drive two hooks into the roof and use a hammock. Might not be good for the spine though
Sweet FA
✪ Three rounds Lord, in my .44 ✪
Lying across a hammock is the key. I slept uncomfortably in one for a week before someone showed me how to be slightly diagonal in the hammock so you can lie flat. Possibly takes up more space width wise though?Yeah, but I'm cheap
I bought a campbed from argos (£29) and chopped it down to size so it rests on the front doors. Problem with them is that when it's in place, the swivel seat can't be used so it's a bit of a PITA.
But you using the word 'hammock' has given me an idea to try - drive two hooks into the roof and use a hammock. Might not be good for the spine though
Do what I do with the dog - mattress on the floor between the front seats and the bed?
Don't do what I do with the dog - tread on him every time you get up for a piss.
Voley
🐀
Yeah we had a mattress topper on it. I'm going to stick another duvet under that and see how we get on.
It wasn't that bad but I think I can make it a bit more comfy.
sim667
All aboard the 303 bus.
I’m really pissed off about my van at the moment.
I had a solar panel fitted in august 2021 which failed in about a year and two weeks, the installer said he’d fit another under warranty but would charge me the standard call out charge to do so, he does diesel heaters too, and I was saving up for one at the time so we agreed if I paid him to come and fit the diesel heater he’d do the solar panel at the same time. Now the second solar panel has failed in just over a year and he’s saying that it’s not in warranty (2 year warranty) as the original one was fitted over two years ago, so I’d have to pay the full cost for replacement. He uses a different brand now which has a three year warranty, but considering I had to redo the crimping on the replacement solar panel because he’s done it so badly I don’t feel inclined to get a replacement from him. So I’m faced with the dilemma, replace the panel with another company, or not bother and just come to the conclusion it was a waste of money.
I had a solar panel fitted in august 2021 which failed in about a year and two weeks, the installer said he’d fit another under warranty but would charge me the standard call out charge to do so, he does diesel heaters too, and I was saving up for one at the time so we agreed if I paid him to come and fit the diesel heater he’d do the solar panel at the same time. Now the second solar panel has failed in just over a year and he’s saying that it’s not in warranty (2 year warranty) as the original one was fitted over two years ago, so I’d have to pay the full cost for replacement. He uses a different brand now which has a three year warranty, but considering I had to redo the crimping on the replacement solar panel because he’s done it so badly I don’t feel inclined to get a replacement from him. So I’m faced with the dilemma, replace the panel with another company, or not bother and just come to the conclusion it was a waste of money.
Voley
🐀
This weekend. Bodmin Moor. Found a great campsite right on the moor. Hot, mind. 
Seem to have sorted the bed out. One mattress topper, an inflatable rollmat and a duvet underneath, sheet on top and I was out like a light.
Bodmin Moor's beautiful this time of year. Gets a bit overlooked as people don't get beyond Dartmoor. Suits me tbf.
Seem to have sorted the bed out. One mattress topper, an inflatable rollmat and a duvet underneath, sheet on top and I was out like a light.
Bodmin Moor's beautiful this time of year. Gets a bit overlooked as people don't get beyond Dartmoor. Suits me tbf.
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ska invita
back on the other side
What's the situation with non campsite parking like these days? How do people hear about where good places to stop are?
Park4Night park4night - Home is very popular.
Also searchforsites.co.uk - I find this better for campsites.
I think they are both designed to be used as apps on a phone, but the websites sort of work too.
Considering a VW Transporter meself, but in a couple of years maybe once some of my savings have unlocked.
Voley
🐀
We've been using Park4night too. Very good so far.
sim667
All aboard the 303 bus.
As a VW owner definitely look at other options, VW’s are way overpriced for what they are.
mx wcfc
Well-Known Member
You do pay for the badge. The reason for that is that the badge says "this is a likely to be a good van". I'm a lot happier with my 2008 VW T5 that I would be with a, say, 2012 Transit/Renault etc.
Mind you, I bought mine in early 2021, so paid full covid tax too.
sim667
All aboard the 303 bus.
Tbf my van base is very good.
My interior though is not, the conversion is just badly designed
ska invita
back on the other side
Thanks for that.
Have things got a lot worse recently? It's it becoming harder to stop? I imagine where and when play a big role
sim667
All aboard the 303 bus.
It seems so, a lot of car parks are banning overnighting or putting height barriers up. One the flip side aires are starting to pop up if you have on board facilities.
Handy for for the p4n app I’ve been told is that the best sites are the ones you have to subscribe to see, but it still shows you the correct location the map.
I’ve never stayed not on a campsite as my partner finds it a bit anxiety inducing, but I’d like to try and get used to it myself.
BoatieBird
Well-Known Member
We've mostly been looking at sprinters/transits, minimum of MWB.
Maybe an unfinished project
Maybe an unfinished project
mx wcfc
Well-Known Member
I bought an unfinished project. Pluses and minuses. I'd love to completely strip out the cupboards down one side, but all the electrics are wired in, with various control boxes screwed in, so it would be a bigger project than it looks.We've mostly been looking at sprinters/transits, minimum of MWB.
Maybe an unfinished project
My interior is very tatty but I never wanted a flash looking one, so I'm sort of punking it up a bit.
kalidarkone
Bringing YOU round.....
I will be looking for MWB Crafter soon.We've mostly been looking at sprinters/transits, minimum of MWB.
Maybe an unfinished project
I think it's more difficult to park discretely than it used to be. A few people leaving trash and emptying chemical toilets by the side of the road has not helped. But, it's easy enough to park up and stay the night pretty much anywhere - if you're discrete.
I read a blog by a guy who lived in his van in London. After a few months, he reckoned it was very easy to do, but concluded - why would you want to?
I enjoy camping in a field with a view, some basic facilities - put the chairs out, light a fire, etc. And happy to pay for it.
Boudicca
Seaside Queen
I think the principle is that you park somewhere scenic during the day and only hit your sleeping spot when you are ready to sleep. I live very close to the sea but there are plenty of vans on the street which are owned by residents, so the extra ones are tolerated as long as it's only for a night or two.
Sweet FA
✪ Three rounds Lord, in my .44 ✪
It can be fairly easy to park up, tho obviously depends where you are. Broadly, south coast beach towns have had enough - car park height barriers; lots of warning signs (Bournemouth/Poole for example have zero tolerance to vans parking on streets & have 'no sleeping/cooking' signs all over). Being subtle is key wherever you are really - I've seen people in carparks taking 2 spaces; 1 for an awning 
The other thing, a favourite topic of van owners, is whether you have 'onboard facilities' or not. Basically the more isolated you are, the better.
P4N is pretty good, though everyone's using it so park ups can be full, depending where you're looking/time of year/no. of spaces. Loads of pubs allow o/n parking for the price of eating at the pub; not many of them leave the toilets open - some do though (there's an fb group naturally - link to map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/v...&ll=53.73589344515968,-1.8975499532073314&z=7 )
The rules are different in Scotland but the 'vw scene' has fucked a lot of places there by being inconsiderate tosspots; particularly around the NC500 route.
The other thing, a favourite topic of van owners, is whether you have 'onboard facilities' or not. Basically the more isolated you are, the better. P4N is pretty good, though everyone's using it so park ups can be full, depending where you're looking/time of year/no. of spaces. Loads of pubs allow o/n parking for the price of eating at the pub; not many of them leave the toilets open - some do though (there's an fb group naturally - link to map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/v...&ll=53.73589344515968,-1.8975499532073314&z=7 )
The rules are different in Scotland but the 'vw scene' has fucked a lot of places there by being inconsiderate tosspots; particularly around the NC500 route.
Sweet FA
✪ Three rounds Lord, in my .44 ✪
If you're musing about buying a VW sojourner, there are a few groups (though quite a few scams; if it looks too good to be true, it definitely is). Some people just put up a vague spec and price and ask what's out there. Gets loads of vans; quite a few decent ones not at insane money.
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