Thinking about buying.

[Joneses2420]

Hi all,

Great to have taken the plunge and registered after what feels like stalking over the past couple of months!

Me and my wife have been mulling over the decision to buy a camper for a while. We have 2 daughters, one is 4 and the other 7 weeks . We feel like the freedom a camper would give us to make memories with them would be incredible and would look to do a lot of weekends in Wales and then one big trip abroad a year.

Obviously as a young family our budget isn’t insane, looking at maybe low 30’s. As someone who really looks in and analyses money and practicality etc I’m just wondering about that side. We need a bigger family car that would cost between 15 and 20 anyways and that will depreciate much quicker. I know the camper would be much more expensive to run but coupling that with me running an expanding coaching business where the equipment is becoming a nuisance for a car and the fact that we could create loads of memories, it seems like a no brainer to take the plunge?

Sorry for rambling, this is a pretty big decision. Am I thinking about this a little to lightly?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Kind of Blue]

Hi all,

Great to have taken the plunge and registered after what feels like stalking over the past couple of months!

Me and my wife have been mulling over the decision to buy a camper for a while. We have 2 daughters, one is 4 and the other 7 weeks . We feel like the freedom a camper would give us to make memories with them would be incredible and would look to do a lot of weekends in Wales and then one big trip abroad a year.

Obviously as a young family our budget isn’t insane, looking at maybe low 30’s. As someone who really looks in and analyses money and practicality etc I’m just wondering about that side. We need a bigger family car that would cost between 15 and 20 anyways and that will depreciate much quicker. I know the camper would be much more expensive to run but coupling that with me running an expanding coaching business where the equipment is becoming a nuisance for a car and the fact that we could create loads of memories, it seems like a no brainer to take the plunge?

Sorry for rambling, this is a pretty big decision. Am I thinking about this a little to lightly?

Thanks for any advice!

Hi Joneses2420, Welcome to the T6 Forum. What you have said sounds a very pleasant way for a family to spend time together and why not. Are you considering a ready made Camper or one that you have to build your self?

 

[T6ChrisO]

Sounds like a great way to make memories! Your budget will get you a ready made camper but might have a few miles on the clock. Unless you are thinking of buying a van and then converting yourself over time??

Welcome along anyway

 

[Frigo110]

Hi,
think about what you need.
We use the T6 as a daily with a Pop-Top and a forty winks bed. During short trips we eat out (snack for the kids never more than an arm lenght away - but you know that).
We have an awning that we use for trips >2nights and cook in there. Benefit is that the 2nd row seat incl. isofix stay in position and you don´t have to spend the money for a bed on rails - assuming you don´t want the kids 2m away from you in the back.

But first - rent one for a couple of days - may not your/ your wifes thing.

 

[DaveD]

I can't think of a better vehicle when you've got children, I had 3 children and a succession of large cars, estate cars, etc, none was ever really big enough or practical in the way that a T6 is. I ended up getting a T6 after my children had flown the nest, but wish I'd gone down the Transporter route a long time ago. I make up for it by taking our Grandchildren out in it, they love it!
Good luck to you.

 

[TallPaul_S]

A T6, even a LWB can be used as a daily car without any issues, they're smaller than some other cars on the road tbh!

Weekends in Wales and european trips are, frankly, what campervans are made for!! For the Wales trips you won't need to do any other preparation than checking the weather and booking a site for the weekend, at 1/10th the cost of an AirBnB. Weekend trips away at a moments notice will be much easier to do.

As for European trips, well take a look in my signature at my 3 week trip to the south of France and Spain last year. All I booked before the trip was the Eurotunnel crossing on the way out. I then just stayed at cheap or free Aires, or booked a campsite when I fancied a bit more luxury. I decided where to go next, and when to go, based on the weather - booking no more than a day or 2 in advance. In all, that trip cost me £1200 for everything for 1 person. Fuel, ferry/tunnel crossings, food, campsites, tolls. And I got to experience some of the best beaches in Europe!

I think you'll only get one answer here, as we're all a little bit biased.... But go for it!

 

[soldas]

Welcome!

This was me 18 months ago.

I've got 2 boys. Nearly 5 and 14 months. 18 months ago we were packing for trip (just 3 of us at this point) for a trip to center parcs for 5 days with group of friends and the amount of stuff we packed in the car and the money we spent just got me to a point of there must be better ways than this.

I've grown up with my dad having vans so it was a no brainer.

We use our van currently mostly as a day type van, down the beach for the day for a bbq style. I've done a few weekends away with our 4 year old and he absolutely loves it.

I think in time we will do longer stays away as a whole family and I truly can't wait for some boys weekends but at the moment the thought of overnighting with the 1 year old is just not possible. He's a proper #2 wrecking ball.

But the biggest enjoyment we have had is just using it to travel to days out and having everything to hand. Being able to make warm milk in a lay by. Stopping for the 4 year old to go pee in the porta etc.

Go with your gut, you know what's right for you but get a decent van and the rest will be history. Plus they hold there value so well it's almost a no brainer

 

[Bav]

Welcome to the forum @Joneses2420. As stated above, if you're looking confirmation bias, then you've certainly come to the right place!

We bought our camper as a retirement present to ourselves, but it's hard to imagine a more flexible, family-friendly vehicle and we do wish we'd have discovered Transporters when our kids were young.

 

[TeeCeeJay]

Welcome to the forum @Joneses2420. As stated above, if you're looking confirmation bias, then you've certainly come to the right place!

We bought our camper as a retirement present to ourselves, but it's hard to imagine a more flexible, family-friendly vehicle and we do wish we'd have discovered Transporters when our kids were young.

+1 for this. We should have done it sooner too. But then my bank balance would be emptier!

Welcome @Joneses2420

 

[Sackmycook]

To add some balance, without p***ing on the parade, be very very careful about what you buy and how much you pay. There are a lot (a hell of a lot) of chancers out there with poorly converted (home or covid companies, now since defunct) vehicles with all sorts of hidden problems (current or future) asking top money. I'd draw up your wish list and investigate the market thoroughly. This forum will provide you with ample assistance going ahead.
Good luck

 

[T6ChrisO]

As above.
If you see something you like, just post the link here and we can give our excellent advice!

 

[Joneses2420]

Thanks for your incredibly nice replies!

Sometimes I’ve seen people warned off in these threads so I’m happy with these lol. Renting one is definitely something we’re going to do. The boss has camped all her life, and even though it was my ideal, I’m the one without experience.

It’s a great point about the conversion quality. Something I’m a little weary of myself as there is a company not too far from me in Llanelli that has some terrible reviews. Will definitely be posting ones we like on here!

One thing I’m a little nervous of with the conversions is the gas cookers. The explosive aspect of that has me nervous, should it?

Thanks again guys you’ve all been very helpful and kind.

 

[Frigo110]

It shouldn’t when it is done proper but quite few are going now gas free and use an induction hob.

 

[TallPaul_S]

Yeah gas is fine when used properly, either with a fixed install or with small canisters and a portable hob.

Induction is definitely worth looking into but if you want to be off grid for more than a day or 2 as well as regularly using induction, you need a suitably beefy leisure battery set up. Most pre built campers done by a converter have anything but a beefy leisure battery set up...

 

[Phil1]

Welcome! I was in a similar position recently, I’ve always wanted a camper and we’ve now got a 17 month old son so I want to spend as many weekends away as a family without the costs of hotels etc. Due to the budget I’ve had to settle for a self build and high mileage panel van which I’m slowly converting. Main things to consider for me was seating, I’ve since installed a 2nd row double so it can seat 5 (four comfortably). This has a massive impact on layout so I’m looking at Kombi camper layouts.

It’s now my daily driver and I love it, however not so much the running costs! Mpg isn’t great, something I never factored in - but if it creates family time and memories…100% worth it!

Some great advice on here and plenty of vans for inspiration!

 

[Joneses2420]

Welcome! I was in a similar position recently, I’ve always wanted a camper and we’ve now got a 17 month old son so I want to spend as many weekends away as a family without the costs of hotels etc. Due to the budget I’ve had to settle for a self build and high mileage panel van which I’m slowly converting. Main things to consider for me was seating, I’ve since installed a 2nd row double so it can seat 5 (four comfortably). This has a massive impact on layout so I’m looking at Kombi camper layouts.

It’s now my daily driver and I love it, however not so much the running costs! Mpg isn’t great, something I never factored in - but if it creates family time and memories…100% worth it!

Some great advice on here and plenty of vans for inspiration!

Thanks Phil,

Can I ask what the mileage was? We are wondering ourselves what mileages we should and shouldnt be considering.

 

[Lubrown]

Do it!
We took a while to get one - the kids were teenagers, but it has been fantastic. Should have done it sooner.
I would heartily recommend having a camper. Plenty of memories to be made.

 

[Phil1]

Nearly 150k, however it came with a full history and was an ex-service van in pretty good condition. Fully ply lined and like new when I stripped it down. No evidence of a clutch so I am expecting that soon. Bear in mind this van was the other end of scale at around £9k.

With your kind of budget I’d be looking a lot lower mileage, but it all depends on if you want something “ready to use” or happy to do a bit of DIY.

 

[Frigo110]

Thanks Phil,

Can I ask what the mileage was? We are wondering ourselves what mileages we should and shouldnt be considering.

You have a substantial amount of money (>30K).
I paid 26 for my 2019, 150bhp, DSG, kombi, one owner, FSH.

I spend around 8K on it so far but for the camping bit I spend "only" a little over 5K.
You should be able to get a van with less than 60K miles- even a T6.1

 

[Phil1]

It all comes down to what you are expecting for £30k I suppose. In an ideal world I would have liked between 60-80k mileage if it had fsh, but it would have doubled my budget.

My plan is to convert to the best of my ability keeping the costs minimal, get it to a point we can use it. If we love it, then I can sell and upgrade. If we hate it, I should be able to sell without losing. That’s always an option if you are new to it all.