Hi everyone. I’m new here and very new to camper vans. In fact i don’t even have one yet, which is why I’m here hoping someone can give me some advice which will help get me started.
I moved back to the UK 4 years ago and very nearly bought a VW California. I live in Aberdeenshire, Scotland and I’m a landscape photographer, so the idea behind the camper van was for my work i.e. travel to locations and stay for a few days before returning home. At the time I was unsure how long I’d be in Scotland for so decided not to risk shelling out a hefty sum for a camper I may have to sell if I had to move on. I bought an SUV instead. The idea behind that was the 4WD and enough space in the back to bed down if need be.
Sorry for the ramble, but I thought setting the scene might help clarify what I’m looking for. I now know I’m going to be in the UK much longer so the time has come for me to consider a camper van. I’m looking to trade in the SUV, which is worth around 15k and add any extra required. My budget is around 30k but I can be a bit flexible on that if need be.
What I’m after:
Something around the size of a SWB VW Transporter, preferably an auto.
Good reliability
Will be comfortable for 2 - 3 nights stay
Storage space for my photography gear, preferably where it will be out of sight.
A double bed
Somewhere I’d be quite happy to sit for hours on end whilst waiting for the Scottish weather to clear :)
A van my wife and I, plus two medium sized dogs, could also go away for a couple of days in without issue.
Somewhere reliable that I can either buy one ready converted or where I can get one converted that’s reasonably priced and will do an excellent job - preferably near to Aberdeenshire.
I hired a VW Transporter camper from a local company a few weeks ago, just to get a feel for it. I was hoping they could give me a recommendation but they bought their T6 new and had it converted by a company in South Wales, which is a bit of a trek. They also recommended against the VW California, saying it was overpriced for what you got and getting a conversion done was the best way to go, value for money wise. So my search continues but I’m hoping you guys and gals on here can give me some pointers, recommendation, anything that will help steer me in the right direction because I’m not sure where to start or what the best approach is :/
I'd be looking at the Vivaro/traffic van or the Sevel panel vans are a nice size. The VW vans are good but overpriced.
I had a vivaro works van for a few years, they are nice to drive with better seats than the transit. Don't go near a transit, I had one of those too and within 3 years it was going rusty (58 reg)
Thanks. By the works van do you mean the 'double cab'? Looking at the Vauxhall website they seem to do three models - panel, double cab and combi. Do you know anywhere that you can recommend for conversions?
Sorry, my misunderstanding. I guess you meant the Ford Transit. So that would be the Vivaro Panel then. They do look a bit cheaper than the VW Transporter.
Fredolow, hi there, I'm another Aberdeenshire man. Sorry to say that there are not many dealers in this area.
I went down to Perth and bought my van there. You have the choice of 3 dealers - none of them cheap! I bought from Scotvans in Perth - good stock, reasonable prices, but As a dealer, well, I'm not sure they want to know you after they've got your money!
There's also St Andrews motorcaravans who are a tad cheaper. Can't help with converters.
Nearly forgot, there's a Dee Valley Caravans in Drumoak.
I have a Romahome R30 based on a Citroen Relay - basically a Ford Transit under its skin. Fantastic van which I'm sure would suit you fine. Trouble is that they are rare as hens' teeth.
I live in the north of the county, which part do you live in?
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
Hi Capt Lightning. You've pretty much confirmed what I thought in the lack of dealers around here. I live near Laurencekirk, around 25 miles south of Aberdeen. I don't mind traveling out if I can find the right van, or the right converter. At the moment I'm not sure whether to get a new van or try to find a low mileage second hand one, then get it converted. I'm in no real rush, I just want it to be done right so that I don't encounter issues later on. I think that's why the company I hired the camper van from told me to go to the company in S Wales. They said they searched around everywhere and visited quite a few to see what their workshops and the quality of their work was like. The SW outfit was the best they found but that's some distance and they only do VW conversions.
Fredolow, all the best with your search. At least if you choose to visit, Perth is a lot closer to you than it is to me (near Turriff).
Although I'm a fan of VW (wife drives a VW), I've always thought that their campervans were a bit on the small side. FIAT, Peugeot, Citroen & Ford seem to offer more space.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
The Transporter, size wise, is about right for me. I'm not after anything too big as I'll be needing to squeeze down some pretty tight country roads to get to some locations.
It may not be what you finally purchase, but take a look at Leisuredrive's website, they show the interiors. We have the double bed version. There's lots of storage under the bed, OH takes it for his hobby weekends with his stuff safely stowed.
It may be worth taking a look at Toyota Alphard conversions. The Alphards are Japanese imports. They are top of the range MPVs, that have automatic transmission, some with 4WD as an option, and once converted they give you all of the features of a VW California at less than half the price.
There are plenty of campervan converters in Scotland that you can take a look at. Quick search on the net shows Campers-Scotland.com, Calder Campers, but there are others around.
We've had no problem with insurers, with Safeguard Insurance we paid £350 which include unlimited European cover and breakdown.
Repairs haven't yet been an issue, however the Alphard has many compatible parts with Toyota Previa and Estima, but most work can be done by your local garage.
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: New Camper Van - help required
