A Van for camping/day trips?

413x

413x

413x

Caporegime
Joined
13 Jan 2010
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Location
Llaneirwg
I've been thinking about it for a while. Getting a van for trips camping (where you can sleep in the van) and make day tripping easier.

My life has changed from having a s2000 (amazing car, absolutely amazing). To a 207 auto.
Due to hobbies I'm always hauling kit around.
Tents, mountain bike, kayak.

It's particularly annoying with the bike as its expensive I cannot leave the car at all (even to go into the shops) as it would be fairly easy to steal.
Also just unloading and loading a bike and kayak all the time.


I know vans are expensive but I don't think I'd necessarily be doing a kit out. I'd just like to be able to sleep in it over weekend. And have all my stuff in in it for day trips.


Some of you must have vans for this?


Would probably end up keeping the 207 as a run around.
 
I'd say it was good idea. They don't have to be that expensive, they can be bought second hand and the van life videos on YouTube tell you what you need to know about converting it.
 
funny you should mention this today

just visited a mate of mine, they have a Ford Galaxy that he uses work work, but they went on holiday on a road trip, used the Ford to sleep in (2 of them)

now thinking of replacing it for a van
 
I have a 2018 Vito Tourer and love it. I was lucky and bought it just before prices went a bit mad, I was going to convert it to a camper as Ive done a few before, a transit and a vw t5.

Then my kid came long, so the Vito is just used as a car, but we love it. Bikes in the back, pram without collapsing, tents and all that. Double mattress should you wish, but we usually camp or use hotels.

Im just back from a weekend with mates, 4 bikes, without any wheels off plus the gear, no issues. I know its boring to some but I love the use it gets
 
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I was expecting more "its a bad idea and it sucks"

Yeah prices are certainly more than I expected. Might be a 2024 aim. As I don't want finance. (never have had finance) but from people who get use out of them they seem to love it
 
radderfire said:
I'd say it was good idea. They don't have to be that expensive, they can be bought second hand and the van life videos on YouTube tell you what you need to know about converting it.
Click to expand...

As a start it wouldn't even need a convert either. Blow up mattress and bike and kayak loaded up. Even that would be amazing
 
A few things to just consider, I love an import but couldnt get one that had the length I needed, apart from maybe a Hiace Grandcabin.

I know its common sense, but consider the use and the number of people. If you need to use the middle seats, that drops useable space in most of the imports or SWB vans right down. You'll be fine wheels off for bikes or roof for kayak, but the space is limited. A Lwb version of anything will give much more scope for space, I would recommend you check first.

Tax might be cheaper on imports, most will be £300/year

Other small thing to consider, again, depending on use, is the access to cities. The Low Emission Zones might restrict access for most imports. Glasgow is kicking in next year :(
 
413x said:
It's particularly annoying with the bike as its expensive I cannot leave the car at all (even to go into the shops) as it would be fairly easy to steal.
Click to expand...

I know you've listed other reasons for wanting a van/camper van, but just to counter this point that most decent bike racks do have the ability to securely lock the bike to it. So would be just as much effort for a thief to nick one from a bike shed/park etc.
 
Nothing much to add other than they are super useful things compared to even a big car, i used to regularly chuck my bike in the back of my work van when i went to some sites in Snowdonia as i could do an hour after work on one of the trails, it's so handy to be able to get changed in the back of the van and just throw a muddy bike in without taking anything to bits and just drive home.
 
Friend of mine has converted an older Sprinter Mini Bus to a camper. The bed is at the back raised up and he has a sliding floor underneath where he mounts his bike etc and all his utilities stuff is mountred under there too. He bought it a while back but won't be too deep into it money wise as he's fitted it all out himself.
 
413x said:
I was expecting more "its a bad idea and it sucks"

Yeah prices are certainly more than I expected. Might be a 2024 aim. As I don't want finance. (never have had finance) but from people who get use out of them they seem to love it
Click to expand...

I think it's a brilliant idea, ive gone from city life to doing similar things and really don't regret it.
 
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