My husband would love us to have a campervan. He is disabled and we currently camp, with our dream tent aCabanon Guadeloupe. His health will deteriorate so moving to a campervan is something we need to weigh up. I think a microcamper with awning may suit us, because we are restricted on parking space so it may be best if it doubles as our regular vehicle.
Pepe63, seems to say exactly the same as I said to you. BUT starts with saying disregard the 'this is the bus for me'...as people make mistakes when buying, I did qualify my suggestions for you by saying "Look at many". etc etc. My advice still stands.
In our younger days with children, we camped first, graduated to caravans, built our first campervan on an old Bedford CF LWB. Now the kids are older and left home we bought a Motor home, sold it because of trouble with it, then a few years later bought another German Motor home, sold it because we had trouble with it. Now 2 years after selling it we have bought a Campervan. My thoughts are, camping is time consuming, cold and wet. Caravans are a pain to drag around and set up. Motor homes are big and cumbersome. Our Boxer MWB camper is a reasonable size (I am 6'2"). It fits down lanes easily, you can stop and put the kettle on, set up on site in minutes, warm and dry in the British climate. The down side is, like Motor homes, you have to take it with you if you want to visit villages/sights whilst on holiday. Some people strap cycles to the back, which is great if you are into that sort of thing, or tow cars or trailers with motorcycles on. Then you are back to the caravan thing again. You will have to think hard what your priorities will be. We have decided the camper is best, slightly less room and storage space than a motor home, but more manageable. You just have to buy the things you need for it, rather than trying to fit all your old gear in.
What an interesting and informative thread. Having recently bought a tent, after years of touring in metal boxes, I am already feeling as though I have made a huge mistake. Canvas? Yes, obviously much cheaper (my current criteria!) but as I have already learned, setting up as a lone camper is going to prove time-consuming, not to mention back-aching. An acquaintance who owns a Bedford Bambi suggested I should have traded in my car for an old camper van, the Bambi being her choice because they are, apparently cheap to run if you are having to use them as your every-day vehicle. Haven't seen many Bambis for sale, are there any other options in the same sort of format - and budget range?
I remember a motor mechanic telling me once that it doesn't matter if the vehicle you want is old(ish) as long as it has a service history and has been well cared for. Any comments on that idea?
------------- Life without dogs? I don't think so!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Thinking of getting a camper
