Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Campervan

Bear with me....seriously considering taking next summer off work, sort of trial retirement...want to go away, me and the pooch for maybe several weeks at a time touring this wonderful country. SWMBO will join me when she can but will still be working, off to Wales, Highlands, Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland - have done most of this before (except Wales) but love it so much just want to go, take my time and potter about. Too long a trip for the Mog, luggage and security issues also don't want to spend a fortune on hotels....so I thought the answer is a campervan....NOT a motor home, definitely not a Motor home but a converted VW or Vauxhall panel van is the thought....anyone any experience?

We had an Autosleeper Trident (high top VW T4 conversion) for 10 years. Flippin' excellent vehicle, we took it all over the place, including France and Spain.

We bought it in 1998 for £18,000 and sold it in 2007 with 120k miles on the clock for £10,000 so they hold their value really well.

Here it is in the Pyrenees:

Many of my kayaking friends have small campers , mainly based on VW T4 and T5 , as per Tim's.

There are several watch points , firstly do you want to stand up inside when it is parked , in which case a High Top conversion is essential.

Secondly how many berths do you want , this will largely dictate the size of vehicle you need.

Thirdly , how much cooking/washing etc do you envisage doing inside the vehicle. If using pubs etc for meals you can get away with a much smaller cooker.

If going for a shorter wheel base version , specify swivelling "captains chairs" for the driver and passenger , this will give you a lot more space inside as you can use them facing rearwards.

It is strongly advised to get one with electrical hook up capability, and a leisure battery. This will give you total flexibility in the facilities you need at a campsite.

A conversion is tempting as you start with a lower cost vehicle (and as Tim says professionally converted ones do hold their value) but don't underestimate the amount of work needed to make it "habitable" and comfortable.

There seems to be lots on the Market to suit all pockets£££- simply google and off you go!

Great idea - what an adventure!

Have you thought about a canal boat?- most of the UK is connected and it's a great way to travel at a sedate pace.

I'd recommend a chain of good hotels

My sister's 2 lads (both early 30's) have a penchant for music festivals amongst other things. With a strict budget to be met, both have converted Transits into basic camper vans this summer. The end result is not luxurious but has resulted in a new term for any form of Camper Van.

In our family, they are now known as Tranny-Bagos

BTW - VW conversions command a premium. Others will know better if this is justified.

One of the guys at work ordered a new T5 with a morgan style waiting list so in the meantime bought a used one.

He's had the use of it all summer donee 6000 miles and has just sold it from £2k less than he paid for a quick sale.

Buy wisely and it needn't be expensive.

£2000 buys a lot of hotels and B and B if you buy carefully

I hate Hotels & B/B they are so restrictive, like paying to be in Jail.

As said stick with the VW, the age is insignificant, buy wisely, negotiate hard and i Guarntee your loss per night in a Camper will be a lot less than emptying your pockets for Bacon and Egg on a morning before being kicked out of your room for the next Customer.

Roll on the Weekend, Caravan hitched and away to Ripon. Ye ha.