I really want a campervan....

[Greydog]

but a smallish one, nothing too big, and have today seen an elderly (1987) VW it's a Transporter t25. I've only looked at it from across the road, but it's calling to me! Before I go and look properly, and am trapped, what do the experienced camper vanners think? Pros and cons? general thoughts?
thanks!

[Chinwag]

Not exactly experienced, but would recommend you hire one first to see if it suits you.

[Maat]

Hiring one first is a good suggestion Chinwag.

A guy at work had one - although it was much bigger than the one you mentioned.

He loved it but found it annoying that, if they wanted to stay somewhere for a few days, they had to keep packing everything away to travel around the area. Either that or take a spare car which kind of defeats the object a bit.

He went back to having a separate caravan.

[Maat]

Actually, I think it was more of a motor home that he had so probably not very useful advice.

Ignore me

[VivaLeBeaver]

I used to have a t25, fab for impromptu trips around the uk. Cost me a fortune in bodywork (it was good condition when I got it but they need lots of attention), expensive in fuel. I couldn't afford to keep it in the end. I do miss it but its nice not been skint all the time now.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Oh yes, the packing away is a pita. I used to have a drive away awning for long weekends or weeks camping. We used to break down a bit, electrics would blow, etc. never anything badly wrong with it, just old parts.

[Greydog]

I hadn't thought about the hiring - thanks! I do know of someone who decided they wanted a camper, bought it, drove it off the forecourt and hated it, so took it back next day! They hadn't even had it out for a test drive to see if they liked it before buying! An expensive mistake to make. I def. don't want a caravan tho'

[Greydog]

Sorry, Beaver, cross posted!

[sanityawol]

There are various vw forums which are really helpful and friendly in my experience. I have a T4 which which I've had some engine issues with due to the dishonest previous owner, but the vw t4 forum has been brilliant. Love my van to bits - it's my daily driver and i can't wait to be back in it rather than my slightly dull car.

Look at the buyers guides, and if anyone tells you a van has had a full restoration ask to see the photos - if it has been done properly they will have documented it as we did with our Splitty... Some of us vw owners are a bit sad...

[ohforfoxsake]

They can be an absolute money pit, and a labour of love. But they are special. Find a good local mechanic (if you happen to be I the NW I can give you a couple of numbers). I have T2 and we love it.

Have a look at the VZI forum, lots of help on there - and advice.

A drive away awning is useful - or just a pop up tent will do the same job. There's a great VW community, and lots of events - might be worth having a look around one for vans for sale.

I got mine via EBay, it has a superviking roof and sleeps 6 comfortably. Hammocks don't make great beds IMHO so decide what type of conversion you want.

It's a great thing to have.

[sanityawol]

I know the money pit only too well foxsake. They do get to you though.

If you go for it greydog and you're in Devon / Cornwall I can point you in the direction of good mechanics!

[Cantbelieveitsnotbutter]

We've a t4 too, its brilliant cant recommend it enough. We converted it ourself. Great for picnics & days out.
Hiring is a good idea if your unsure, but from that you won't be able to judge how much you truly will use it. E.g if you have busy weekends you won't get to use it much.
There's loads of specialists and help out there, also lots of events.

[hz]

Ever thought about a Bongo instead? We have a Bongo and use it a lot. We love the fact you can keep most stuff in the van (as with a VW of course!) during the season, just add clothes and food and you can be off at very short notice. Bliss! However, I do have to second Maat, it is a bit annoying that if you want to go somewhere from the campsite you have to pack up before going. You can never completely avoid this but the best way to deal with it is to be pretty tidy so there isn't loads to clear up and have a seperate tent - we use a 2 man Quechua pop up, to chuck all the stuff like chairs, toys, etc in so you don't have to pack everything away properly. The other down side is that there is of course much less living space than you generally get in a tent. Not too much of a problem if weather is fine but can be tricky if its raining. Lots of people add a driveaway awning to give more space. Despite these negatives we love our campervan and the freedom it gives us and our family to camp whenever we fancy. Cantbelieveitsnotbutter makes a very good point that it is really only worth having if you are going to use if a lot!

[colleysmill]

Elderly! Not elderly

We have a 1987 t25. viva gave us some really good advice when buying ours if you scan back camping a few pages.

I think the points about packing everything up are very valid although it doesn't bother us - I think it tends to be what you've camped with before though, we've always had campers or motorhomes.

Honestly you need either a good mechanic or someone handy. And breakdown cover is essential. And a good contingency fund.

We've had our current van 7 months and we ruddy love it. In fairness though it is the one of two vehicles we actually own (the other being a classic car) so we don't have any other vehicle outlays.

If you're seriously looking then exterior condition trumps interior always.The club 80-90 website is really useful for pointers

[colleysmill]

Dh (who admittedly had a few drinks tonight) says Life is Wedge shaped - do it!

[Greydog]

Thank you all for your thoughts! I have spent the weekend looking at web sites! Didn't look at the Bongos, but will look at them when I start my next trawl! thanks again

[Allegrogirl]

We're got an '88 T25 and we love it. DH is quite handy and knows lots about mechanics etc or I wouldn't have considered it. At the moment while the DCs are still small we sleep in a big tent together but the van is great for carting loads of kit and ideal for picnicing in on wet and cold days.
We've slept it in once with one of the DCs and it was too cramped. We plan to get a drive away tent for the DCs and we will sleep in the van.

Hoping the GPs will do the odd night of babysitting so DH and I can go off together this summer.

colleysmill 'Life is Wedge Shaped' my DH says that too.

sanityawol I'm in Devon. Would be interested in some recommendations for mechanics. Got a list of bits that need doing, as ever.

[YoniMakesTheWorldGoAround]

Another T25 owner here, although in fairness it's my DH's baby.

We do spend a bit on maintaining it but TBH it's our only asset that's going up in value because they are getting so popular.

[chicaguapa]

I really wanted a campervan, even hired one for the weekend. We didn't want to camp in a tent, or want a motor home or caravan. We ended up getting a folding camper because it was cheaper and absolutely love it. We have more space with the DCs and feel it's a really good compromise. Ours is old enough to feel like we're being a bit quirky in it. We have a '98 Conway Cruiser and it only cost £2,000.

[sanityawol]

Allegrogirl we're North Devon... If that's the right sort of area then pm me and I can give you a couple of contacts. I know that it takes me an hour and a half to get to Kingsbridge, for example, so if you're in the South they're probably a bit far away.

Does your username come from the car btw?

[colleysmill]

I think there is a bit of a feeling that t25's are becoming more popular these days - some of threads I've read on other forums have noted a rise in spares prices and vans generally, especially on auction sites.

When we were looking we had a criteria - must have ehu, hard top and be in fairly useable condition (at the time we didn't have time to do massive refurb project). Realistically a t2 was way out of budget and I guess most people find that too.

Despite the long winter we have used the camper more than we thought - days out,weekends too (bravely!) It's also excellent for collecting a Christmas tree!
You have to run and use them to iron out the niggles - since we got her we've repaired bits and tweaked bits but its great great fun

[Allegrogirl]

Yes sanityawol my user name is from the car . I've pinched it from DH who is car mad and has a soft spot a mile wide for Britcrap unloved British cars of the 70s and 80s. He is Allegroman on the anoraky urban exploration and car forums that he likes to frequent.

We're at the opposite side of Devon to you in Plymouth.

[MrsHoarder]

We have a"white van man" van as a campervan and its great. Big enough that the daytime setup is how we drive itaround (move car seat off driver's seat and pop the kettle into the cupboard and we're off) but not a monster of a lorry. dh Can also make a brew in the morning with all the beds still out and without going outside.

[Viviennemary]

I knew a person who hired one years ago to go to France. She hated it and came back early. But more positive I know two people who have them and they love them. But one person is thinking of selling because of justifying the expense for the amount of use. So that has to be taken into consideration.

[sanityawol]

Allegrogirl my DH has only recently sold his Allegro. I feel your pain - he has an assortment of landcrabs and other assorted BMC crap gems in a barn. I suspect that your DH and mine may have crossed paths on other sites if I'm thinking of the same urban exploration one... I've caught DH looking at photos of Longbridge more than once!

If you're ever in need of paint / body wo rk there is a VW specialist in South Molton - not cheap, but bloody good and very thorough. He did our splitty resto for us (sadly we had to sell that one) and it was stunning.

colleys I think that's true with regard to prices - it happened to bay window vans when the splitty got too expensive for most people. It seems that now that T2s are creeping higher that the T25s are getting noticed. I've certainly seen more on the road lately.

[Allegrogirl]

sanityawol bodywork will be required sometime in the future definitely. I'll bear S Molton in mind.

DH would be well jealous of a BMC crammed barn.