I don’t know what I don’t know

[Worthyone]

Hello, at 61 (him) and 71 (me), my husband and I are about to take the plunge and buy our first ever campervan. I’ve been researching as best as I can, but it’s literally like learning a whole new language and in my ignorance I'm afraid of overlooking the obvious - hence my thread title. We have a budget of £35k that can possibly stretch to £37.5k, but as a one-time purchase the van has to last a lifetime, i.e. appx 10-15 years. I have my heart set on a VW and it must have five belted seats (we have grandchildren) a pop top and aircon. It will be our only vehicle so needs to be mechanically sound, but

So, what advice would you experienced folk give me? What should I be looking out for?

 

[Cuffy]

Firstly, welcome to the forum.

My advice would be:

1) If possible, rent a van out, both long wheel base or short wheel Base (LWB/SWB) to see if it suits your needs. There's a 400mm difference between the two, not massive but may hinder parking on a drive or similar.

2) Don't get blind sided by all the potential mod's you can do to a van, your budget will get blown out of the water.

3) Think seriously about what you're going to use when on a trip, will you be cooking in your pride and joy? If you don't want cooking fumes wafting around the van and you're going to be whipping up culinary delights outside, then a hob/oven would be wasted space.

4) Automatic (DSG) will command a higher price than a manual van (normally)

The other knowledgeable folk will be along soon to impart their pearls of wisdom.

Good luck with the search.

 

[ginkster]

Hire one first to see if it works for you. You pay a premium for a VW that may be spent better elsewhere, such as a more suitable (larger?) campervan and a car for daily use. Ideally try a selection of vans to see what layout works best so you buy right first time.

 

[drinfinity]

Try out the bed mechanism. Some require strength and agility, others might even be motorised. Our first van rocknroll bed was heavy but OK to pull out, but required a very strenuous heave from the shoulder with an outstretched arm to lift it back to the seat position. Our new one is three panels, not rocknroll, and very easy to flip out and back.

Get LWB if you can.

Have a read on this forum about 204 biturbo issues, and decide if you want to avoid that particular risk.

 

[dubber36]

1) If possible, rent a van out, both long wheel base or short wheel Base (LWB/SWB) to see if it suits your needs. There's a 40mm difference between the two, not mass8ve but may hinder parking on a drive or similar.

400mm

 

[Cuffy]

400mm

Edited, it was early and I'm in the throes of man flu, that's my defence and I'm sticking to it

 

[Bav]

...and I'm sticking to it

That'll be the snot.

 

[CAB]

Go and see as many as you can.

Also do a search on Google and on here for the converter.

Are you or do you plan to travel in a LEZ? Do you need Euro6 or can you get away with Euro5?

 

[CAB]

If it is going to be your only vehicle, definitely Captains Seats (singles up front) and a 3 seater at the back for the grandkids.

You can swap a front bench seat for single, but budget a £1k for it.

 

[StanVan]

I was in exactly the same position at the beginning of the year. All the advice above is definitely sound. Hire first to know you really want ‘one of those’.

My advice is to not forget the van - the interior aspect is easy to review (bed folding, kitchen set up etc.), The original van needs to be understood as best as possible for what it was originally designed for, which includes all the diesel Euro6 add ons that occupy so much of the chemical and mechanical chat on this forum… issues with Ad Blue, EGR valves, DPF, sensors galore etc.

Also go for a high line with sub 70,000 miles if you can? There are some great converters out there that can give you a good van for your budget. Obviously watch out for the sharks.

Essentially keep researching - this forum is the best community to tap into. It certainly has been my go to place to understand so much!