We bought a VW T4 with my lump sum when we retired 9 years ago. We had two cars then , a Volvo estate for long trips and an old Honda Civic for trips around home. we sold the Volvo, updated the Civic and the camper an became our second car if needed. It takes up the same space as the Volvo did on our drive. Sadly this camper van was stolen but we bought another one , fitted a steering lock and a security post on our drive and paid the same as we did for the first one, £12,500, most of this was from our insurance .Alfie' is a petrol driven pop top T4 and an easier drive than the stolen one, a diesel. I made the curtaisns(fiddly!) , added more cup hooks, bought a one ring electric hob , so never bother with gas unless we want a cuppa en route, and we love her! Just back from our first few days away this year , great timing with the wether , and looking forward to our month in France in June. The size of her means she can get into most car parks easily and can be driven along lanes which bigger ones can't reach.Go for it...it's great!
PS should have said Alfie is 20 years old . We have a habitation check every year and the usual MOT , service but she is a very reliable van so no great expenditure. the insurance is with Liverpool and Victoria , along with our car.No real extra expense except for the habitation check.
Lots of people who don't have plenty money to spare manage it! We don't go out for meals cinema theatre pub or anything else really, don't smoke & are in general `canny', as we have to be.
Anyway we're actually quids IN compared to holidays with our old touring caravan!
Towing the caravan our fuel consumption averaged 22-24mpg, whereas our MH Add does over 40 miles to the gallon - that's not motorway trips btw it's what we average even when touring the Scottish highlands, Skye etc. When we add the saving on campsite fees (we only occasionally use campsites with the MH) it pays for keeping the MH on the road with a bit left over.
Using one in a daily basis is fine for older type diesels.
With a modern Euro VI diesel too many local trips will lead to the same problems encountered by owners of modern diesel cars who don't use them enough. Potentially expensive DPF and EGR blockages.
I use a t4 as my everyday drive including 2 x 100 mile round trip, and have thoroughly enjoyed fitting it out for our annual trips to france. I'm useless at DIY but whatever your skill level, or your budget it's always possible to create a useable camper.
------------- John
May/June.....France
Aug.......somewhere else in France
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: How do others manage to do it?
