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Does anyone have a camper van (an old one)? Qu. about seatbelts.

92 replies

Ellbell · 28/04/2007 23:37

On a whim, I told dh I wanted a campervan for my 40th birthday. At first he was a bit , but I think I've convinced him we'd use it (and that I'd use it with the dds, since he works a lot at weekends).

We are looking at getting something as cheaply as possible just to see how it goes and whether we actually do use it. (Lots of nice places to go within 1-2 hours of where we live, so we wouldn't necessarily be driving huge distances in it.) We've vaguely thought about Mazda Bongos, old VW campers and converted Ford Transits. But it seems a lot of these older vehicles only have seatbelts in the front seats. So if we go away 'en famille' what do we do about the dds (who are 5 and nearly 7)? Is it possible to get seatbelts fitted? When I was a kid my dad had an ancient converted Bedford van, and we kids used to just roam around the back un-tied-down. But that was before seatbelts were compulsory anyway. IIRC we used to sit on the floor of the van and play chess and things! But not at all happy with the idea of my dds not being strapped in.

Also, would love to hear from anyone with a Bongo. We've pretty much written them off, since it's not clear how the dds could use the 'upper storey'. Don't like the idea of them being shut up there at night and unable to get down if they get scared (which usually happens about 20 times a night when camping!) or need the loo or something. But is there a way round this.

Thanks...

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controlfreaky2 · 28/04/2007 23:41

have no helpful answers but am v v at idea of campervan.....

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Ellbell · 28/04/2007 23:53

. Thanks controlfreaky... Was that someone had answered... specially at this time of night. I am still a bit at dh's enthusiasm for this. He hates camping and will only go under duress, which is why a van would suit me and the dds down to the ground... so we could go without him! Also have very happy memories of my dad's old van [nostalgia emoticon].

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Pollyanna · 28/04/2007 23:54

also I am trying to convince dh to get a campervan- he wants to buy his stepfather's volvo instead

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Pollyanna · 28/04/2007 23:55

oh, my dh has suggested we rent one first - there are places near me that rent them out. Have you thought about that?

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gess · 28/04/2007 23:55

I'd go for a bongo. Have 3 kiddies and found out this was the only way to get the seat belts. ,I was going to shove ds2 and ds3 up top, gve ds1 the bed downstairs and have us in a tent attached to the back.

Very hard to get 3 proper seat belts in a non-bong.

Have you seen the congo fury website (google if not).

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Ellbell · 28/04/2007 23:55

What you ladies need is a 40th birthday! Gets the sympathy vote, see! .

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Millarkie · 28/04/2007 23:55

I was looking at camper vans on ebay earlier today, and one of them def. mentioned having had seat belts fitted to the seats in the back ( a vw camper I think)

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gess · 28/04/2007 23:56

We've rented campervans- but usually its the "proper" huge ones and very very pricey. We've done it twice, but it was hugely expensive, and different from bongo camping i think

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Millarkie · 28/04/2007 23:56

We looked at renting one - but couldn't find one with seat belts for the kid's seats.

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gess · 28/04/2007 23:57

most seatr belts are lap belts though- that's where the bongo scores. I love bongos. Ds2 can spot them now and says :mummy are we going to buy a bongo today?" pmsl.

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Ellbell · 28/04/2007 23:57

I like the Bongo, gess. I like that it's not much different from an MPV, and we've had an Espace and a Synergie anyway. Just worried about screaming kids in the middle of the night, unable to get down! Perhaps we need to go and see some with the dds and see what happens when we try shutting them up there... and walking away. [Evil sadistic mother emoticon!]

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gess · 28/04/2007 23:59

I love love love bongos. Be careful fo the bristol people though- know 2 people who bought from there- both broke down. If you're SW UK I can recommend someone to you.

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Ellbell · 29/04/2007 00:00

Thanks for that Millarkey. Will get back on ebay and have a look. I'm not looking for luxury (well, it'd be nice, but doesn't come with our minuscule budget) and am thinking of using van (in the first instance, anyway) mostly for weekends away rather than long camping stints, so don't mind it being a bit 'rough round the edges'.

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TwirlyN · 29/04/2007 00:00

We just sold our camper after 8 years of travelling about. We had the van before children. when the DC came along dp fitted seat belts,(very easy to do, if you need advise DP will help out). We sold our camper, which was a Mercedes old bus that we converted. Our dream was a vw, unfortunately, reality kicks in, they are very small, great for weekends for two, however when it comes to DC you NEED more space. you may also find that even with a bongo you may want an awing... I am not trying to put you off the idea of a camper, just think about what you would use it for. Our darling MERV (the camper) had to go. to tax and insure the van for maybe 4/5 weeks of the year was so expensive. (we also have a car). I also found just a weekend away, was so stressful, it's NEVER just jump in and off you go, you have all the family crap to pack and think of before.
If you want a camper my advise would be choose something you can stand and cook comfortably in, that can take all the DC toys,(boards etc,) that you will be happy in if it is chucking it down outside and remember it may well be parked up a lot more than you may think, therefore deteriorating.

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Pollyanna · 29/04/2007 00:00

is the Bongo the one with the roof? (I haven't done much research on this yet!) which model would fit 4 children in? (sorry to hijack!).

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Ellbell · 29/04/2007 00:01

gess, are you in C'wall? (Remember from another thread, I think...) I am actually in Yorkshire, but often in the SW visiting family.

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Ellbell · 29/04/2007 00:03

Really good advice, there, Twirly. Thanks. Will keep it all in mind.

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misdee · 29/04/2007 00:03

what is a bongo?

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gess · 29/04/2007 00:04

I'm in Devon. \link[http://www.allansvehicleservices.co.uk/\this is the guy you need} - knows everything there is to know about bongos.

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gess · 29/04/2007 00:04

try again

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Ellbell · 29/04/2007 00:06

Bongo for Misdee

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misdee · 29/04/2007 00:09

oh they look fab.

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TwirlyN · 29/04/2007 00:12

they do look fab, but what do you do with DC if its pissing it down outside, you played the lets sod the weather and get wet game, and are bored of it, therefore need to dry your clothes. I'm sorry, but space is needed in my experience with DC over dreaming

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Ellbell · 29/04/2007 00:12

Ooh, gess... I'm dreaming of Bongos again now! Plymouth isn't exactly convenient, but I have saved the address of that place in case I'm still working on this one the next time I'm down in the SW. Thanks!

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Ellbell · 29/04/2007 00:14

Nice realistic vs. idealistic cross-post Twirly. In your scenario, since I'm looking at going places not too far from home in the first instance, I guess I'd just go home early. But I do take your point. Our tent is only small, though, so we have the same problem with that. I find we visit a lot of cafes if it rains!

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