OMG! So excited! Just bought a Bongo!

[SherlockHolmes]

Can't wait to go and collect it - please tell me how fab they are and how much better they are than my collection of tents tent

[Coconutfeet]

Very . I've been trying to wear dp down about one of these for ages.

[SeaShellsInTheMoonlight]

Oooooh! I started researching them (then realised the ££ involved and moved on) but they look amazing! When do you get it?

[happyland]

Very I would love one but fear it would be far too small for our family of 5...

[ledkr]

we have been looking but a bit confused about their berth and what is actually on board.Where did you get it?

[Coconutfeet]

Happyland - I have a feeling that there's an issue with the seatbelts or the car seat fitting (not sure which) or something for a larger family. I'm pretty sure some people I know have sold theirs for this reason.

[JetLi]

Can someone link please?
I thought you meant a set of drums Sherlock

[JetLi]

Oh I found it (I think) - looks fab Sherlock

[mel2005]

i was thinking drums as well what is it? a tent? i cant find one

[JetLi]

Its like a car/campervan tent.

Admittedly I read it first as bong and wondered where exactly SHerlock would be camping & could I tag along?

[Coconutfeet]

Here Mel2005. Scroll down for some pics.

Sherlock - Are you planning on running it instead of a car or is it an additional vehicle?

[mel2005]

wow...i really like that, i dont think we would all fit in, the kids would love it, we could have one and the bell tent

[F1lthym1ndedvixen]

we have had one for years. It is our only vehicle. Fits 7 people, never had any seatbelt bother?
My 2 dc sleep up atop, ours in unconverted so we have an awning for us to sleep in.
We love it, it is easy to drive, easy to camp with.
The ONLY prob we have ever encountered is bastard stupid low car parks...

[F1lthym1ndedvixen]

7 people to transport, that is.

[Coconutfeet]

F1lthy - Two people have mentioned the Bongo seatbelt issue to me, but I can't remember the details so I may have the wrong end of the stick. It could be something to do with the way theirs have been converted? Anyway, very of you.

[F1lthym1ndedvixen]

if it is convertsed, you have maybe seats for 4. There is usually a rock n roll pull out double bed in conversions. which would complicated beack seat belts I suppose. there is a forum called bongofury whch has loads of FAQ.

[F1lthym1ndedvixen]

good 4 wheel drive though. we felt very smug last winter with all the snow and ice. W|e have aklso cleared many a muddy field while other campers were well and truly stuck.

[F1lthym1ndedvixen]

unconverted ones are pretty reasonable. There was one in our local paper for £2k recently.

[Grumpla]

We are planning to save up for a Bongo as soon as our bathroom is done so I am also v !

[SherlockHolmes]

Sorry - been off to collect it! Bought it privately via Ebay. It's supposed to sleep 4, but realistically it means 2 adults and 2 young children I'd say. DD is 15 and taller than me, so she and DS (8) won't be able to share the top bit. We also have a pop-up tent, so will take that as a kind of awning.

Have spent the day cleaning it, opening the roof and closing it again. Folding down the seats and putting them up again. Putting down the blinds and opening them again . Honestly, talk about a child with a new toy. Hoping to go away in it (with just DS) in a couple of weeks, so hopefully we will all fit in ok. It's not converted, as we thought it was much more flexible to be able to use the seats in different configurations (we have the one where the back seats fold up agains the sides which gives you a massive boot space).

I only hope the engine and all things mechanical are sound - it's got a year's MoT so should be ok (fingers crossed).

Coconut it's an additional vehicle for now but may sell my car and use it all the time if it's good enough. Because it's quite old I'm concerned about reliablity for everyday use, but once we've had it a while I'll probably trust it a bit more.

[F1lthym1ndedvixen]

ours was five years old and we have driven it daily for 3 years, no probs. Just find a mrchanic who understands them.

[EightToSixer]

Hi Sherlock. Well done, you'll love it! We got ours in December and the 4wd was amazing in winter, I couldn't get my Fiat 500 out of the toad for 2 weeks in the snow, so we did everything with the Bongo. Ours is unconverted too, so seats 8 and sleeps 4. We have a pop up tent we drive up to and use as an awning and keep camping stove, cool box etc in.
We've had 5 short camping trips in it this year already and think of an improvement of the way we camp in it each time.
Make sure you join Bongo Fury, which is a kind of forum club thing, always loads of hints and tips on there, especially for finding spare parts, experienced garages, hints on how to convert/service it, anything like that. DH had to force himself to get over his phobia of the meekness of forums, but is feeling it up with the rest of them on there now!
Having a Bongo us a little like a VW camper in that owners tend to check out other ones on campsites and smugly reward each other for their wise decision in choosing a less popular camper van, so welcome to the club. You'll love it :)

[EightToSixer]

Also, I second filthymindedvixen, get a mechanic with experience, no problem with seat belts, just low carparks :)

[Coconutfeet]

Sherlock. It sounds great. I hadn't realised that if it was unconverted it still had the roof bit. We're off camping in the morning (In a boring old tent. Gah!) but I'm going to have a closer look at them when we get back. Our car's on its last legs now so we're going to have to think about replacing it soon. Just need to convince dp...

[SherlockHolmes]

Hi again. We have the 4WD version, as it seemed sensible to have something extra to use in the snow if need be. As one of the front curtains is missing I'm scouring Ebay for fabric to make some new, funkier ones (with matching cushions obviously . Haven't enjoyed myself so much for ages. I don't think I'll need to camp in it, just refurbishing it is great