Reply to: Solo caravanning.....

[BrilloPad]

Better off with an electric bike - assuming the drink drive limit does not apply to them!

Drink drive limit applies to ordinary bikes. Seriously!

[Wilmslow]

Not sure about other campers, but this can be overcome on the VW:

Motorbike Racks

I'd need to check but the max towbar weight is 100-120kgs.

Better off with an electric bike - assuming the drink drive limit does not apply to them!

[minsky1]

The trouble with small camper vans is when you want to go down the supermercado means you have to take the van, I've seen them get around this by towing a small vehicle i.e. a Smart car or rear mounting a scooter - but really only viable on the larger vans

Could use a cycle but not so great for distances with shopping

Not sure about other campers, but this can be overcome on the VW:

Motorbike Racks

I'd need to check but the max towbar weight is 100-120kgs.

[Bacchus]

I don't like the idea of a loo in such a confined space.

The best hack I've seen was on an old friend's Transit.

A genius solution really - he had a cassette loo physically attached to one of his rear doors. When he needed the answer the call of nature, he would assume the position, press a lever and the door would swing open 90 degrees taking him and the bog with it into the great outdoors.

Which sounds great unless you're parked up in the middle of a city... or, like lady Bacchus, using it whilst we're hurtling down an autobahn... (c:

[Pip in a Poke]

PVC (panel van conversion) is definitely the way to go - the v-dubs are cool but seriously over-priced imho (and I have had terrible chocolate engine problems with VW on three separate vehicles, they are resting on the laurels of the mkII Golf and make terrible motors these days)

After years of boats and campers, the one big thing I would advise, especially for an extended tour of Europe, is make sure that you have somewhere to shower and sh** in the morning! You might not find good clean facilities when you want them!!

Something like a Fiat Ducato or Renault Master over the Traffic - looks much bigger (and has room for on-board facilities) but is less than a metre longer than a LR Discovery so nowhere near as big as they look and easy enough to shoehorn into a supermarket parking space. I was using my NV400 as a daily driver last week, you soon get used to the size (like millions of van-drivers) and it is a better drive than many cars.

If you have a reasonable budget, look at Globecar (I think about £50-60k new). Properly winterised for the ski-season and very competently converted.

Or find a van that you like and pay to have it converted (c£20k)

I don't like the idea of a loo in such a confined space.

The best hack I've seen was on an old friend's Transit.

A genius solution really - he had a cassette loo physically attached to one of his rear doors. When he needed the answer the call of nature, he would assume the position, press a lever and the door would swing open 90 degrees taking him and the bog with it into the great outdoors.

[Benny]

The new Mercedes Marco Polo is a good camper too, but is not as established or as well designed as the California. Has some serious storage drawbacks (picnic chairs and table take up the whole under bed compartment).

The trouble with small camper vans is when you want to go down the supermercado means you have to take the van, I've seen them get around this by towing a small vehicle i.e. a Smart car or rear mounting a scooter - but really only viable on the larger vans

Could use a cycle but not so great for distances with shopping

[minsky1]

PVC (panel van conversion) is definitely the way to go - the v-dubs are cool but seriously over-priced imho (and I have had terrible chocolate engine problems with VW on three separate vehicles, they are resting on the laurels of the mkII Golf and make terrible motors these days)

After years of boats and campers, the one big thing I would advise, especially for an extended tour of Europe, is make sure that you have somewhere to shower and sh** in the morning! You might not find good clean facilities when you want them!!

Something like a Fiat Ducato or Renault Master over the Traffic - looks much bigger (and has room for on-board facilities) but is less than a metre longer than a LR Discovery so nowhere near as big as they look and easy enough to shoehorn into a supermarket parking space. I was using my NV400 as a daily driver last week, you soon get used to the size (like millions of van-drivers) and it is a better drive than many cars.

If you have a reasonable budget, look at Globecar (I think about £50-60k new). Properly winterised for the ski-season and very competently converted.

Or find a van that you like and pay to have it converted (c£20k)

All very true. I went with a new California for the warranty (i've extended to 5 years). If I was going to go down the conversion route i'd want to be involved or do part of it myself, but I just don't have the time these days. The Sprinter is a popular choice or a Traffic hi-top as you say.

Planning your sites which have decent facilities is a must while trawling the continent so this is useful also:
https://www.vicarious-shop.com/produ...op-europe-2017

The new Mercedes Marco Polo is a good camper too, but is not as established or as well designed as the California. Has some serious storage drawbacks (picnic chairs and table take up the whole under bed compartment).

[Bacchus]

I've just got myself a brand new VW California Ocean.

Best of both worlds.

Can be parked on the drive and used as a 2nd/3rd/4th car. Easy just to jump in and head off. Takes 5 minutes to set up, just the hydraulic roof up, awning out and turn the captain chairs around. Perfect for weekends or short holidays.

Caravans are pain to tow - you'd be surprised at the access routes to some sites (hence the market for specialist SatNavs), set up on a camp and store. Only viable if you're planning a week or two's holiday in one place.

Motorhomes suffer much the same - are about as refined and drive like a truck, pain to store and can't really be used every day.

PVC (panel van conversion) is definitely the way to go - the v-dubs are cool but seriously over-priced imho (and I have had terrible chocolate engine problems with VW on three separate vehicles, they are resting on the laurels of the mkII Golf and make terrible motors these days)

After years of boats and campers, the one big thing I would advise, especially for an extended tour of Europe, is make sure that you have somewhere to shower and sh** in the morning! You might not find good clean facilities when you want them!!

Something like a Fiat Ducato or Renault Master over the Traffic - looks much bigger (and has room for on-board facilities) but is less than a metre longer than a LR Discovery so nowhere near as big as they look and easy enough to shoehorn into a supermarket parking space. I was using my NV400 as a daily driver last week, you soon get used to the size (like millions of van-drivers) and it is a better drive than many cars.

If you have a reasonable budget, look at Globecar (I think about £50-60k new). Properly winterised for the ski-season and very competently converted.

Or find a van that you like and pay to have it converted (c£20k)

[Hobosapien]

Isn't that PC's family home?

Moved into a flat. Flat packed caravan.

[northernladyuk]

Isn't that PC's family home?

[TheFaQQer]

I looked at doing a conversion. There's quite a lot of work involved though. I woudn't have had the time.

A decent spec Ocean is 55k list for a 150PS DSG.

Toby at T4Life would do the interior for significantly less than that.

[minsky1]

Very tempted with a van style - starting to explore purchasing a Renault Trafic and getting it converted.

Did you get a decent price for your Ocean - they seem to be around £50K??

I looked at doing a conversion. There's quite a lot of work involved though. I woudn't have had the time.

A decent spec Ocean is 55k list for a 150PS DSG.

[Pip in a Poke]

I've just got myself a brand new VW California Ocean.

Best of both worlds.

Can be parked on the drive and used as a 2nd/3rd/4th car. Easy just to jump in and head off. Takes 5 minutes to set up, just the hydraulic roof up, awning out and turn the captain chairs around. Perfect for weekends or short holidays.

Caravans are pain to tow - you'd be surprised at the access routes to some sites (hence the market for specialist SatNavs), set up on a camp and store. Only viable if you're planning a week or two's holiday in one place.

Motorhomes suffer much the same - are about as refined and drive like a truck, pain to store and can't really be used every day.

Very nice....

I'm always reminded of a great Ken Dodd sketch when I see those types of van in which Doddy is seen on a conductor's stand encircled by popular camper vans of the day.

He taps his baton and the rooves of all the vans begin to open and close in a concertina like action and we hear the strains of The Hornpipe.

A giant of comedy.

[Wilmslow]

I've just got myself a brand new VW California Ocean.

Best of both worlds.

Can be parked on the drive and used as a 2nd/3rd/4th car. Easy just to jump in and head off. Takes 5 minutes to set up, just the hydraulic roof up, awning out and turn the captain chairs around. Perfect for weekends or short holidays.

Caravans are pain to tow - you'd be surprised at the access routes to some sites (hence the market for specialist SatNavs), set up on a camp and store. Only viable if you're planning a week or two's holiday in one place.

Motorhomes suffer much the same - are about as refined and drive like a truck, pain to store and can't really be used every day.

Very tempted with a van style - starting to explore purchasing a Renault Trafic and getting it converted.

Did you get a decent price for your Ocean - they seem to be around £50K??

[minsky1]

I've just got myself a brand new VW California Ocean.

Best of both worlds.

Can be parked on the drive and used as a 2nd/3rd/4th car. Easy just to jump in and head off. Takes 5 minutes to set up, just the hydraulic roof up, awning out and turn the captain chairs around. Perfect for weekends or short holidays.

Caravans are pain to tow - you'd be surprised at the access routes to some sites (hence the market for specialist SatNavs), set up on a camp and store. Only viable if you're planning a week or two's holiday in one place.

Motorhomes suffer much the same - are about as refined and drive like a truck, pain to store and can't really be used every day.