Anyone own a Campervan?

[luciferjohn]

i had a 1976 chevy conversion van we had decked out, we had a bed,sink, tv,and you know everything you might nee for camping, and you could beat the daylights out of a 1070's chevy and it would keep running

[gmc]

Originally Posted by Bill Sikes

As a caravanner, you're more aware of the difference between yout current combined vehicle and your normal one. Motor-home people think they're in their cars, except that..... see previous post.

I was in a transport cafe in balllinluig and got talking to a couple of the drivers-they had been pissing themselves laughing cos I made a pig's ear of reversing my caravan to park it-we started talking about which other road users they hated the most-not caravanners as you might think but those big motorhomes whose drivers seem oblivious to what is behind them. You're talking about guys driving down from the highlands to catch ferries and the like with cargoes worth hundreds of thousands held up by someone freaking out because of the roads or gobsmacked by the scenery and dawdling along. You don't really think of the value in goods a lorry might be carrying do you? It might be the profit from a fishing boat that's gone of it doesn't get there in time.

I fancy a bongo-It's the ultimate one one-upmanship when it comes to cars-what do you drive a bongo-and then watch while the motoring expert plucks up the courage to admit they have never heard of them. The kind of car that says you don't care if people laugh at you. Naff is the new cool.

[buttercup]

I see your points guys but our situation (3 large dogs and possibly a fourth next year) means a campervan suits our requirements perfectly. We already have a car which my husband would like to keep and not tow a caravan with (Subaru Impreza)

[luciferjohn]

Originally Posted by gmc

I was in a transport cafe in balllinluig and got talking to a couple of the drivers-they had been pissing themselves laughing cos I made a pig's ear of reversing my caravan to park it-we started talking about which other road users they hated the most-not caravanners as you might think but those big motorhomes whose drivers seem oblivious to what is behind them. You're talking about guys driving down from the highlands to catch ferries and the like with cargoes worth hundreds of thousands held up by someone freaking out because of the roads or gobsmacked by the scenery and dawdling along. You don't really think of the value in goods a lorry might be carrying do you? It might be the profit from a fishing boat that's gone of it doesn't get there in time.

here here,i agree, the big motorhome driver should have some training in those things before they start out, they dont realize its like a straight truck not a car,and they need to look behind them, and here in the states if you try to pass them they speed up?!? wtf man, if im haulin perishable cargo for you home you dont want me driving 45 in a 60 you want me to get it there, sorry i guess it proves truckdrivers are the same everywhere

[buttercup]

I would not say the campervan we are looking at is big
Anyway fear not people my husband was a HGV driver for 5 years so i'm sure he'll manage a small campervan.

[luciferjohn]

Originally Posted by buttercup

I would not say the campervan we are looking at is big
Anyway fear not people my husband was a HGV driver for 5 years so i'm sure he'll manage a small campervan.

i meant no offence, but im glad to hear he has large rig expieriance, it truly does make a difference,

[Bryn Mawr]

Originally Posted by buttercup

We are looking to buy and the forums are a minefield. Where ten people say such and such a model is great, another ten appear and say how awful it is.

We're on our second one at the moment.

If you're talking small(ish) (both of ours have been two berth but this can apply to four berth as well) then I'd recommend that you steer clear of the ones that use the from seats to make the beds. Not only are they fiddly to set up but it makes it so much more difficult to use the van during your stay anywhere - you end up putting the beds up at midnight when all you want to do is crash out. You are much better with a bed that can stay put whilst you are driving (this also helps on long journies as, if needs be, you can take turn and turn about).

Daughter's van had a double in the luton - fine for the kids but very crowded for adults so I wouldn't count it as a full double.

Check out the water systems, especially the loo - if it's meant to flush check that it does etc. The water pipes are under pressure and the joints can come adrift when driving over bumpy roads - we always drain ours down before driving. If you do then check out how quickly the water heater fires up after re-pressurising it as some of them can be tempramental.

Ask about storage space, it can be restricted.

We rarely use our space heater - although it's gas fired it relies on an electric fan to spread the heat and that flattens the domestic battery too quickly.

Apart from that, great fun - enjoy :-)

[buttercup]

Hi Bryn
Do you mind me asking what model you went for and why?

[Bryn Mawr]

Originally Posted by buttercup

Hi Bryn
Do you mind me asking what model you went for and why?

It's a Herald Ensign built on a Fiat Ducato 10 body.

We bought it to tour Ireland as it would have been so expensive to hire one over there. Then we liked it so much that we kept it.

It's a two berth which is all we need, was reasonably cheep and was available before we were due to leave for the ferry. Not good reasons I know but it has served us well.


ETA - It's a petrol and returns about 27 MPG - we were warned that the diesel engine in the Ducato is fragile.

[buttercup]

Do you have problems with reverse juddering?
I've seen many people complain about that on campervan forums with the Fiat Ducato.