Day van or full camper?

[Paul@MW]

Great info on this forum .

Currently living in West London for a few years (due to work, not choice ) and I think we're finally going to take the plunge and get a V6/6.1.

Our plan is to replace our car and have the Van as the daily driver, we want to just find somewhere during the week (probably use pitchup) and disappear for a few days over the weekend with baby+dog! Probably find a site with toilet/showers and just explore the area a.k.a pub. I have a few questions initially:


1: This is the sort of thing we've looked at: Clicky click, clicky click again . Is it worth getting a diesel heater added if we plan to use the vehicle in autumn/spring time - or is it not needed?
2: Has anybody else swapped their car for a van and used it as a daily drive/commuter car? It's approx 30miles a day of driving to work and back.
3: Babies! We have a <12 month old baby, anybody tried camping with a baby this young? I've seen there are loads of tips and tricks you can do to make it easier. We'd 100% want a pop top so we can sleep up top, then baby+doggo would sleep down below (at least that's the plan initially!)
4: How do you rate camperking conversions? The place in the link above ^^ deals with primarily camperking conversions, please don't judge us for buying a blank van and doing the conversion ourselves, we just don't have the time.
5: Any issues with the T28 van that I should be aware of while shopping around?
6: What are the MUST HAVES for your camper? For us its 100% pop-top and an awning! I've seen a few vans with microwave/grill type setup - is it worth it?

And finally, are we being stupid in going for something almost brand new at £45-50k? With it being our daily driver I was worried about reliability issues with buying an older van/camper with 80~k miles on the clock for £20-25k.

Thank you, really excited

Reversing camera is a must to add to the list. Often overlooked but essential...

 

[Pedros85]

Some nice vans there - have a chat with Tom at VwT as they can build any spec you like, prices were cheaper than others and they’d also find a base van if you wanted

 

[aworthy]

Some nice vans there - have a chat with Tom at VwT as they can build any spec you like, prices were cheaper than others and they’d also find a base van if you wanted

Think I'll draft a message for him and see what he says. Do they provide the van as well or will I need to get a van first?

 

[Pedros85]

Think I'll draft a message for him and see what he says. Do they provide the van as well or will I need to get a van first?

Up to you. They can put a search out or you can find one yourself. We booked in the build slot with them (give it a few months for availability) then hunted for vans. They had a van for me but I took too long to say yes (one day!) and it was sold, then I found one myself. They didn’t stick anything extra on the van cost when finding one for me

 

[Salty Spuds]

Great info on this forum .

Currently living in West London for a few years (due to work, not choice ) and I think we're finally going to take the plunge and get a V6/6.1.

Our plan is to replace our car and have the Van as the daily driver, we want to just find somewhere during the week (probably use pitchup) and disappear for a few days over the weekend with baby+dog! Probably find a site with toilet/showers and just explore the area a.k.a pub. I have a few questions initially:


1: This is the sort of thing we've looked at: Clicky click, clicky click again . Is it worth getting a diesel heater added if we plan to use the vehicle in autumn/spring time - or is it not needed?
2: Has anybody else swapped their car for a van and used it as a daily drive/commuter car? It's approx 30miles a day of driving to work and back.
3: Babies! We have a <12 month old baby, anybody tried camping with a baby this young? I've seen there are loads of tips and tricks you can do to make it easier. We'd 100% want a pop top so we can sleep up top, then baby+doggo would sleep down below (at least that's the plan initially!)
4: How do you rate camperking conversions? The place in the link above ^^ deals with primarily camperking conversions, please don't judge us for buying a blank van and doing the conversion ourselves, we just don't have the time.
5: Any issues with the T28 van that I should be aware of while shopping around?
6: What are the MUST HAVES for your camper? For us its 100% pop-top and an awning! I've seen a few vans with microwave/grill type setup - is it worth it?

And finally, are we being stupid in going for something almost brand new at £45-50k? With it being our daily driver I was worried about reliability issues with buying an older van/camper with 80~k miles on the clock for £20-25k.

Thank you, really excited

#3 we took our 6 week old daughter camping to wales for a month, this was over 30 years ago in a tent, non of your namby pamby camper vans then.
#4, we looked at Camper King when we were researching our van purchase. They were the worst we looked at, and we looked at some rubbish. Personally I wouldn’t have one given, but some people are obviously happy with theirs.
#5, search the forum, plenty of saggy arsed t28 issues, especially when you start loading them up with kids stuff.
#6 grills/microwaves take up a lot of precious room in a small space. But it’s your call. Obviously a microwave will only work when on EHU unless you have a meaty battery/inverter setup.

Just my 2 penneth & purely my opinion.

 

[aworthy]

#3 we took our 6 week old daughter camping to wales for a month, this was over 30 years ago in a tent, non of your namby pamby camper vans then.
#4, we looked at Camper King when we were researching our van purchase. They were the worst we looked at, and we looked at some rubbish. Personally I wouldn’t have one given, but some people are obviously happy with theirs.
#5, search the forum, plenty of saggy arsed t28 issues, especially when you start loading them up with kids stuff.
#6 grills/microwaves take up a lot of precious room in a small space. But it’s your call. Obviously a microwave will only work when on EHU unless you have a meaty battery/inverter setup.

Just my 2 penneth & purely my opinion.

Thanks for your info, out of curiosity what were your issues with camperking?

 

[Salty Spuds]

Thanks for your info, out of curiosity what were your issues with camperking?

Poor finish, glue everywhere, knock on edging to name a few. Very obviously built to maximise profit for the company, rather than what the customer wanted.

 

[moomin-j]

@aworthy

My recommendation would be to hire a camper for a week.
This way, you can find out what you do need & more importantly what you don't need in a conversion.
Buy the newest, best spec base vehicle you can afford.
Have you considered SWB vrs LWB?
The LWB is only 400mm longer, but it can make all the difference, especially with a dog onboard.
Read this Forum for guidance, but be aware there are many folk on here that will lead you astray re "must have" purchases!!

For a camper a T28 is probably underweight when you add all the "stuff" you need, with a T30 hitting the sweet spot.

Enjoy the journey, as even before you make your 1st trip out, the Vw bug will put a big smile on your face.
As soon as you can, start a build thread with photos, so the rest of us can see what you are up to.
Then come to a Forum meet to say hi

Good Luck

 

[aworthy]

@aworthy

My recommendation would be to hire a camper for a week.
This way, you can find out what you do need & more importantly what you don't need in a conversion.
Buy the newest, best spec base vehicle you can afford.
Have you considered SWB vrs LWB?
The LWB is only 400mm longer, but it can make all the difference., especially with a dog onboard.
Read this Forum for guidance, but be aware there are many folk on here that will lead you astray re "must have" purchases!!

For a camper a T28 is probably underweight when you add all the "stuff" you need, with a T30 hitting the sweet spot.

Enjoy the journey, as even before you make your 1st trip out, the Vw bug will put a big smile on your face.
As soon as you can, start a build thread with photos, so the rest of us can see what you are up to.
Then come to a Forum meet to say hi

Good Luck

There is a place nearby where we can rent one, just got to check dates with work tomorrow! Pricey at around 560 for 4 days!

We're going SWB. Mainly because it'll be the daily driver, SWB will just be easier for supermarket shops/town driving etc.

Nearly all the ones I've seen are T28!

 

[Chippie1]

Totally agree with you @moomin-j as to buy the best spec you can! Many company’s buying cheap basic spec T28’s putting pretty generic basic kitchens in them and selling them for ridiculous prices! Good luck

 

[czmate1999]

@aworthy

My recommendation would be to hire a camper for a week.
This way, you can find out what you do need & more importantly what you don't need in a conversion.
Buy the newest, best spec base vehicle you can afford.
Have you considered SWB vrs LWB?
The LWB is only 400mm longer, but it can make all the difference, especially with a dog onboard.
Read this Forum for guidance, but be aware there are many folk on here that will lead you astray re "must have" purchases!!

For a camper a T28 is probably underweight when you add all the "stuff" you need, with a T30 hitting the sweet spot.

Enjoy the journey, as even before you make your 1st trip out, the Vw bug will put a big smile on your face.
As soon as you can, start a build thread with photos, so the rest of us can see what you are up to.
Then come to a Forum meet to say hi

Good Luck

Totally agree with this. Rent one first! Money well spent. Read some of the build threads, here’s mine - My T6 To Camper Thread....

My main advice - don’t scrimp on the base vehicle, led headlights, t30 150 at a min etc etc. plan your electrics carefully. Above all else consider the microwave - a must for ease and will be important with the baby. We often do a cook up at home and take stuff with us and reheat. Also M&S microwave meals are a god send when your tired. Diesel heat - plumbed into your main tank is a must as well, imo.

but get the basics right. Draw out a list and plan what you can start with and what you want to add.

best of luck.

CZ.

 

[czmate1999]

There is a place nearby where we can rent one, just got to check dates with work tomorrow! Pricey at around 560 for 4 days!

We're going SWB. Mainly because it'll be the daily driver, SWB will just be easier for supermarket shops/town driving etc.

Nearly all the ones I've seen are T28!

the LWB is really no different to drive or use and you’ll thank us for getting one!!

I wouldn’t go T28, especially when looking at drivability and future value…

 

[aworthy]

Totally agree with this. Rent one first! Money well spent. Read some of the build threads, here’s mine - My T6 To Camper Thread....

My main advice - don’t scrimp on the base vehicle, led headlights, t30 150 at a min etc etc. plan your electrics carefully. Above all else consider the microwave - a must for ease and will be important with the baby. We often do a cook up at home and take stuff with us and reheat. Also M&S microwave meals are a god send when your tired. Diesel heat - plumbed into your main tank is a must as well, imo.

but get the basics right. Draw out a list and plan what you can start with and what you want to add.

best of luck.

CZ.

Nearly every camper out there is the basic 110hp low trim model.

Buying a van and getting a company to do a custom conversion does sound Very appealing, but doesn't that go from spending 40-45k to £60+?

 

[moomin-j]

There is a place nearby where we can rent one, just got to check dates with work tomorrow! Pricey at around 560 for 4 days!

We're going SWB. Mainly because it'll be the daily driver, SWB will just be easier for supermarket shops/town driving etc.

Nearly all the ones I've seen are T28!

I understand it's a lot of cash, but that £560 to rent 1 will probably be the best money you will spend.

Try a LWB, as it does add a lot of "interior volume space" & it's not that harder to park after you've driven it a week or 2

A genuine Vw California campervan is based on a T30 flavour vehicle for a very good reason

 

[czmate1999]

Nearly every camper out there is the basic 110hp low trim model.

Buying a van and getting a company to do a custom conversion does sound Very appealing, but doesn't that go from spending 40-45k to £60+?

Potentially. But you might be better buying and unconverted kombi and using a slide pod or similar to give you a cheaper type of camper that you can then add to…

Startseite english - Q U Q U Q

The mini mobile home in a box: from car to camper van in 1 minute The patented QUQUQ camping module is perfect for those freespirited and spontaneous travellers who don’t want a mobile home. QUQUQ combines a kitchen, bed and storage space all in one box. Simply pop QUQUQ into your boot and the...

ququq.info

 

[Martinf]

Just to contradict some folk here, we always cook in our van, so consider hob and oven essential. I would agree though that some form of heating needs to be available, otherwise just use a tent! Our SWB T28 is fine for us but I wouldn’t disagree on T30 being a good choice, although I believe uprating is possible. Our fully converted van weighs 2540kg fully loaded without people. However we probably ‘travel light’ and try to follow the principle of ‘less is more’.

I would definitely consider ‘height’ to be important, even more so as you intend it as a daily drive. We have a pop-top but specifically have no attached awning and have changed the suspension so as to keep the height as low as we can.

Whatever you do, decide on your own requirements, because everyone’s differ in some way of another. And have fun!

 

[Bav]

I understand it's a lot of cash, but that £560 to rent 1 will probably be the best money you will spend.

...other than the £12.99 for VIP membership.

 

[moomin-j]

Above all else consider the microwave - a must for ease and will be important with the baby.

Ignore this advice from @czmate1999 - a blanket will keep baby @aworthy warm & is much safer than using the microwave

Also M&S microwave meals are a god send when your tired.

best of luck.

CZ.

@czmate1999 - M&S microwave meals - you posh bugger, whats wrong with good old Aldi / Lidl?

Ready Meals | ALDI

groceries.aldi.co.uk

Chilled Food & Meals | Prepared & Ready to Cook | Lidl GB

Browse our range of chilled products at Lidl GB. Enjoy quality chilled, easy meals and ready to cook food.

www.lidl.co.uk

There you go @aworthy, I have now given some advice to protect baby @aworthy & save some money at the same time to put towards your new set of alloys & big brakes you didn't know you wanted!!

I did say in post #28 that there are folk on here that will lead you astray re "must have" purchases!!

 

[Pedros85]

I’ve got a LWB and it’s not hard to park/drive at all. I’d recommend it.

I got a LWB base van and bespoke build with loads of extras for circa 50k. Van was only a year old with 13k miles.

So you can def get a SWB high spec fully done for 40-45k

 

[aworthy]

I’ve got a LWB and it’s not hard to park/drive at all. I’d recommend it.

I got a LWB base van and bespoke build with loads of extras for circa 50k. Van was only a year old with 13k miles.

So you can def get a SWB high spec fully done for 40-45k

Yeh it doesn't have to be a new van for me at all, a year old with <15k miles would be fine!