Camper van virgin
Discussion
I've recently moved to the Netherlands, and I'm thinking easy access to the rest of Europe without needing a ferry might me a good reason get a camper van. Trouble is I know nothing about them besides what I've read on a few threads here.
We both camp a fair bit, and while my wife doesn't always manage to pack light unless she's hiking, I'm used to getting all my camping kit on the back of a motorbike so I think we'd be fine with something relatively small that can fit in a normal parking space (eg T5/Bongo), but we're both 6' so I think we'd want a full sized bed and a pop up roof.
Don't think we need an oven if we have a gas hob, but a fridge would be good, and we'd be looking at camp sites rather than rough camping so don't really need anything with a loo or shower.
Presumably electrical hook-ups aren't really necessary if you're moving the van every day to recharge the leisure battery?
4WD would be nice given how often we end up camping in wet fields, but is that common besides the Bongo? I'd also want cruise control and comfy seats if we're driving a long way so that rules out anything too old.
How much hassle are external awnings? Presumably very useful having the extra space if it's wet but are they then a nightmare to store when soaked?
On the bike I use Archie's POI's to find campsites as and when I want one, but obviously not all camp sites take campers, is there anything better for finding sites for campers or do people tend to prebook sites?
Do you get many LHD campers for sale second hand in the UK?
Annoyingly there's a big camper show in Utrecht in a few weeks but I'm back I the UK that weekend, I think having a look a load of different layouts would be a good idea in working out what we want.
I'm thinking we'll hire one for a few days in the spring/summer and see how we get one, but what features should we be looking for?
We both camp a fair bit, and while my wife doesn't always manage to pack light unless she's hiking, I'm used to getting all my camping kit on the back of a motorbike so I think we'd be fine with something relatively small that can fit in a normal parking space (eg T5/Bongo), but we're both 6' so I think we'd want a full sized bed and a pop up roof.
Don't think we need an oven if we have a gas hob, but a fridge would be good, and we'd be looking at camp sites rather than rough camping so don't really need anything with a loo or shower.
Presumably electrical hook-ups aren't really necessary if you're moving the van every day to recharge the leisure battery?
4WD would be nice given how often we end up camping in wet fields, but is that common besides the Bongo? I'd also want cruise control and comfy seats if we're driving a long way so that rules out anything too old.
How much hassle are external awnings? Presumably very useful having the extra space if it's wet but are they then a nightmare to store when soaked?
On the bike I use Archie's POI's to find campsites as and when I want one, but obviously not all camp sites take campers, is there anything better for finding sites for campers or do people tend to prebook sites?
Do you get many LHD campers for sale second hand in the UK?
Annoyingly there's a big camper show in Utrecht in a few weeks but I'm back I the UK that weekend, I think having a look a load of different layouts would be a good idea in working out what we want.
I'm thinking we'll hire one for a few days in the spring/summer and see how we get one, but what features should we be looking for?
RizzoTheRat said:
On the bike I use Archie's POI's to find campsites as and when I want one, but obviously not all camp sites take campers, is there anything better for finding sites for campers or do people tend to prebook sites?
We use campercontact in Europe, and it is very useful. Searchforsites is good but limited to areas the brits generally go to.
Its all about the budget.
Another you could consider if you want something with cruise etc would be a conversion of a Toyota Alphard or Nissan Elgrand.
Both will probably be RHD as they were originally JDM vehicles.
T5s will cost you big money to buy, but you will get it back when you sell.
Bongos (again will be RHD) are an old vehicle now, many suffer from rust and cooling problems so you need to buy on condition and history. They are also quite narrow, so check the bed width before you commit.
With any of them,check the conversion carefully, some are done well, others are a bit amateur. It may be also be prudent to read up on local emissions legislation too, as the older Diesel T5s and Bongos may be subject to regulations soon.
Another you could consider if you want something with cruise etc would be a conversion of a Toyota Alphard or Nissan Elgrand.
Both will probably be RHD as they were originally JDM vehicles.
T5s will cost you big money to buy, but you will get it back when you sell.
Bongos (again will be RHD) are an old vehicle now, many suffer from rust and cooling problems so you need to buy on condition and history. They are also quite narrow, so check the bed width before you commit.
With any of them,check the conversion carefully, some are done well, others are a bit amateur. It may be also be prudent to read up on local emissions legislation too, as the older Diesel T5s and Bongos may be subject to regulations soon.
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