My wife and I are considering buying our first campervan.
We have a 7yr old daughter and a dog.
We have zero campervan/motorhome experience.
Our initial thoughts are that a VW transporter size campervan with elevating roof would suit us best because it can go anywhere a car can go. We plan to use it for summer holidays on continent and if used in conjunction with an awning means we can leave awning detached on campsite and we can drive off for day into small villages etc something which I suspect could be tricky with a coachbuilt motorhome.
The downside of course is the lack of space and even weekends not too far from home would probably require use of the awning to give space.
As I said, we have no experience at all in motorhomes so this is all theoretical and I would very much appreciate comments from experienced motorcaravanners who could point out any flaws in my thinking. :-)
Thanks
Personally, I think your mid-sized van and awning approach, is the way to got..
(..although I wouldn't just restrict myself to looking at VWs).
Yes, as you say, you'd need an awning(of sorts) putting up but some of these awnings go up really quickly now(..and we just use a pop up Quechua Base shelter, as an "awning" against our current Hiace).
Even if you went for a larger, "coach-built" motorhome, it probably wont be that many years before your daughter doesn't want to be sleeping in the same vehicle as both M&D?....so one of you(you! ) would end up sleeping in an awning or pup tent anyway..
Our first van was a 2003 Autosleeper Duetto(a Transit conversion, loo/shower,oven/hob/fridge etc)..and after since having two much larger coach-builts (the last one a 7mtr+ fixed bed, separate shower cubicle, front dinette job),we now wish that we had stuck with the Transit!....
We have since gone pretty much full circle and are now back to a basic, versatile and fun van...
Using the awning is quite a lot of work and although I used mine a lot when I first got the van I use it very little now a days..I find a sunshade and some wind breaks much simpler unless I'm staying for a few nights,
I also tend to pull a small trailer with me and keep most of my stuff in that as storage in the vw is limited and it very quickly fills up plus a having to move everything about every time you want to make up the bed or similar very quickly becomes a real chore..I've got the LWB and the extra foot and a half makes a huge difference when camping though a little harder to park you very quickly become used to it ...
We have just bought a vw T5 lwb. We are a family of 4 and previously owned a 25ft TEC caravan with fixed double bed and bunks for kids but after 7 years of a seasonal pitch and eldest daughter now being 17 and not wanting to come with us anymore (job and boyfriend) we sold the caravan.
Have had the T5 for eight weeks now and been away twice so far. We havejust purchased an awning and spent Saturday at Sheringham putting it up and trying it out.
We chose the T5 because we liked the layout (pop top sleeper) and the LWB gives you that bit extra room if like us, you have a double passenger swivel seat that turns round to give more room.
We are now 2 adults and a 14yo daughter (and dog on some trips) and are about to set off on a tour of Scotland in 2 weeks.
The awning is brilliant, you can stuff the van to the roof with stuff and then decant it to the awning when you get there. A driveaway awning means you can get around locally and leave the awning marking your pitch.
One consideration is toilets especially with a little girl. We have a porta potti although we haven't used it yet but you should probably think about one for nighttime. Some folks put it in the gap between the van and the awning as that makes a little private space (good idea).
Anyway, loooong post but we have no regrets. Not a cheap purchase so, research thoroughly. Good luck
We have a Quechua base seconds as a quick and easy awning to put up, you can even buy an inner tent for them when your daughter gets a bit older, literally goes up in seconds and takes minimal time to peg. We have just purchased a larger inflatable awning for stays of longer than a few days although sometimes we don't bother putting p them up at all.
I would love a smaller camper van tbh but at the moment with 3 kids and 2 large dogs would be too small for us, but for a small family a little one would be perfect,
------------- Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
we have a McLouis glen so called 5 birth wouldn't say I would ever try sleeping 5 in there but for me and the wife it is perfect we use a pop up awning takes me (one man put up) a matter of 10mins to put up peg down and ready to go. I use the figure of 8 device with the fiamma awning easy to disengage and drive away and very sturdy, we only use it for the dogs on the night and it comes in handy to store all the add on you end up taking which travel in the overcab bed. On the whole we love the motor home a lot easier to drive rather than pulling the van also set up is a doddle. Would recommend you have a good look round at the various types of motorhome glad we did I was looking for smaller type but soon realised a coach build was the one for us.
we used vw t2 for years 2 adults 2 kids and a dog . sheldon hightop was ideal had them on the t2 and t25.
decided an awning was a waste of time . had one but got rid of it . as the kids grew sometimes took a tent gives them independent feel.
loads of sp[ace in the front over the cab for things .
hightop makes wild camping much easier . lift up roof gives the game away.
but have fun what ever you choose .
we never bothered with a porta potty . used toilets where ever . had a bucket with a lid for emergencies . kids soon learn to use toilets where ever they see one .
Thank you to everyone who replied. Much appreciated and very useful advice.
I think the sheldon hightop makes a lot of sense and I will definitely be looking at them very soon.
It has been suggested to me that I might have to travel to England to get a decent deal.
This is one available locally. What do you think?
http://www.thompsonleisure.com/motorhomes-for-sale/volkswagen-leisuredrive/2873/
Personally, I wouldn't be spending anywhere near that sort of money on a "first campervan"(..after all, you may not take to it?..).
For a family, a "vw sized" vehicle will, in the main, just be used to cart all the kit and to hang an awning off....it won't really be used to "live in" as such..
...All of the VW/similar size vans we see on festival sites, tend to just get used as beds, at most..With the living/cooking etc all done outside(in awning/under a tarp)..
So, with that in mind, do you really need an expensive "campervan" ?..
What about starting with a tidy windowed crew-van...and "convert" that as the need dictates..? for example(..just lifted off ebay).
Yes, I know what you mean and tbh I didn't plan to spend that much. There isn't much available here and at the moment I'm wondering would we be better with a folding camper.
Well, a folding camper would certainly be a good(and cheaper)option to try...
(..and it'll be costing you nowt when it's sitting unused, bagged up,on the drive' )
Although, I would want to be sure that it was of a design that wasn't too much of a faff to pitch..otherwise I'd be asking myself why I hadn't just stuck with the tent..
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Topic: Advice please
) would end up sleeping in an awning or pup tent anyway..
