Also consider good size vans such as VW Crafter/LT. Mercedes Sprinters were ok I think, and a decent size. Renault do/did a decent size long wheel base. VW transporters are good, and do retain their value, but I still think thats due to them being over priced in the first place. Im not convinced that they are really that roomy either. I had a VW T25, they are a decent size compared to the T4 and 5 inside, but are not ideal unless you are prepared to pay more for effectily less apart from space inside. Id have a T25 like a shot again, but its only me and the wife, and at the moment we have more use for a conversion motorhome. Esentially you wont go wrong with a VW tranporter, as you will nearly always sell it on, but i'm still of the opinon that they are over priced, and over rated. A transit is just as good as a vw t4/5, and they dont look that different......I've learnt to look, and look, and look again, before commiting, as there is plenty of chouie out there.
Sorry I disagree to a point, a Hi-top LWB T4 with a folding side bed give you oodles of space. With a rock n roll bed I admit they are pretty much useless. as the bed/seat just stops you using the whole length of the van, see pics of my van.
Transits are good but just dont retain their prices and the bodies simply rust away in front of you. Ive had one.
As for VW's being overpriced? yes the ready fitted ones are but empty base vehicles can still be had for £1.5 to £2.5K and the engines just go on and on.
Sprinters used to be the best vans on the road untill they changed production to Spain now the faults on them are simply amazing. The only ones worth having IMHO are the ex Police Mercs but they still pull huge amounts of money.
I still maintain a good old VW T4 is one of the best starter vans, or like us a LWB Hi-top offers all one could want.
------------- Target for 2012 2oz of Gold Total for 2011 1.4oz Gold
I have a VW T5 Multivan that I think is a Caravelle in Britain.
I have 7 seats 'normally' and take out the two individual seats in the back and pull the bench seat forward for camping.
The bench seat folds down into a double bed with the aid of a neat table thing in the boot. This makes a good sleeping platform for two adult or one adult and two small children - my boys are 7 and 3.5 so similar in size to your youngest ones.
I tour Britain visiting friends and family (we live in Southern Sweden) every summer for around a month using the van and a tunnel tent for longer stays or when my hubby flies out to join us for the weekends. I also have a Quechua pop-up cube (base seconds) which is my 'kitchen'. I can attach tarpaulins from this to the bus quite easily/neatly if the weather demands it, yet it is much much easier to drive away from site and return and re-attach than other awnings are ...
If I'm parking on a friend's drive then the bus alone serves as a simple bedroom (though you might have to throw your 15 year old out into a tent!) but when camping you can decide how to arrange people depending on activities or weather or length of stay or anything else ...
Suits us!
(It is my daily use vehicle as well, though I am commuting so much at the moment that I am looking out for a tiny car ... shame really as commuting (to teaching classes) in my bus means I have a lounge with a nice table formed by the back of an individual chair, picnicking, teaching prep., all really comfy in my bus!
Replied to add - having looked at all the links that I clicked on! - that I LOVE that clip together bed that fits over the driver and front passenger seats ...
Thank you so much! One 7 year old boy who likes his own space is going to be very happy with you, and it will mean that all of us could sleep over in the van if it's just an overnight stopover, like wild-camping en route to somewhere else.
Thank you all for your responses/expriences. I think from what i have read i will be looking for a lwb vw or a swb/mwb bigger van. I think the t4/t5 size would be more practical on a day to day level, however the bigger van would suit us better for sleeping/living in. We would not be spending a lot of time in it anywayonce on hols it would literally be at night for sleeping.
I think maybe my problem is that i am trying to find which is the best vehicle for day to day and camping and maybe if i want a small van for day to day the compromise needs to be made in living space.Maybe?
I would defo need an awning in order to make it comfortable for us. I am going to look at the larger vans mentioned abovein swb/mwb size. My license doesn't allow me to drive certain vans.
I believe i can drive upto 3000 max mam, but i was thinking the bits used to fit out a van would be heavy and also all the bits we would want to take. so wanted to stick to smaller for that reason.
Scoutin squirrel, i would love to be able to go for a tour around Europe next summer. So thank you for letting me know that would be possible to do (it is a bit daunting but so exiting, i really can't wait for all of the experiences the kids will have). My daughter would be fine in an awning, either that or she shares the bed with me, that will make the awning very appealing Haha.
I am looking at on the internet today to try to narrow it down.
Does anyone know of any van dealers in Nottingham or better still somewhere i could see some converted vans. The only campervan places i know only stock big campers not dayvans.
Gina, if you - or any other members - are driving over the Oresund Bridge from Denmark (Copenhagen) to Sweden, or flying into Copenhagen airport, then you would be very very welcome at our home, parking places, small camping field, in Southern Sweden.
Camping kit available to borrow - we had a former Scout and 8 of his mates stay last September - the gnomes at the bottom of the garden!
We're members of Couchsurfing so easily tracked down.
I certainly will ... if his lordship can ever decide between blue and orange!
We're just hunting down a bigger tunnel tent on Ebay.de for the periods when we are all together, 2 adults, 2 boys and dog, and in a few short weeks it will be time to hit the road!
The usual mix of nerves (what if it is too baking hot, what if it is too windy/freezy cold, what if the boys spend ALL the time fighting while I'm single handed?) and then dredging up the memories of last summer when they were brilliant and actually so so much better than when staying in friends' spare rooms and having to consider other people's possessions and ways of life as well as share Mummy's attention ....
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Help which campervan/dayvan please
