Campervans-do you have one and how often do you use it?

[piscofrisco]

Dh and I are thinking of getting a campervan. We go on alot of Uk weekends away, walking and such, and so we spend a fortune on air b and b. We thought a campervan might do us (and we could take the dogs with more). But are they a colossal waste of money? Are there lots of places to park then up? Please give me your experiences good and bad!

This https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1440910953/

I'm also hoping to use it as an 'office' over the summer as I drive the teens from place to place lol

DD was volunteering somewhere last year and we drove down and I parked up. Cooked brekker. Worked and napped

What do yo7 do about the loo?

Our loo is onboard ☺️

Sounds amazing!

We used ours around 30 times a year OP!

@ManchesterBea managed to pop up a link after my original post. It's a cracking we bit of kit. My pal bought one after seeing ours too lol

@BoobyDazzler if you haven't already, look up Greg Virgoe on youtube. His uploads from a few years ago are on his own conversion and it's an amazing resource.

But it meant something else way before ‘vanlifers’ took it.

What do yo7 do about the loo?

We have a loo, as well as a shower, fridge, stove and oven, hot water and heating system and a king sized bed.

What sort of vehicle are you looking for OP, what sort of size and what is your budget?
Would you be using it for a rough and ready base between long days out (dining in local pubs) or do you want a MoHo with loads of space and all the bells & whistles?

Hi @oOmoonhaOo That is true, and definitely still how I would describe (tent) wild camping!

We have a little ford camper, we usually use it a lot, not as much lately as we’ve not long moved country (it was very handy to drive our things over!) and so we’ve been very busy. Usually we would use it about once a month, then in the summer holidays we would go on a 2-3 week trip in it. We have a driveaway awning, so if we want to go on a day out that isn’t walkable we don’t need to take everything with us.

We really like ours, its a self build, so while it was a faff for me to do, it was cheaper and the layout etc works well for us. Ours does have a small loo/sink/shower combo, which is very handy, especially if the dog needs a wash when we’re away, its also a great place to shove any very wet/dirty clothing.

Absolutely!… Above 600m and above the highest wall

Dh bought a 14 plate Mercedes Vito van last year, and has spent about 4k converting it... lined, rocknroll bed . Not bothering with a stove as we have loads of camping equipment anyway. We are adding a driveaway awning shortly and possibly a roof top tent (as varying numbers of adult kids/grandkids come)
He uses it daily as his transport and the extra bonus is we have masses of space for ikea trips etc
We camp every year so it's just a slightly more solid part for when the weather gets rough. Have a portaloo and a loo tent for that part!!

Mine has been a dream forever and a shitty cancer diagnosis made the decision for me.

She might be a skip on wheels but she's my skip on wheels and I love her lol

We have one and try to get away at least once a month including NYE but not again until mid February. We always stay on campsites. I'm retired and my husband is partly retired. It's something of a lifetime ambition, for me anyway, and I converted him.

We bought a T5 panel van and have converted it over the last eight years, now has a fridge, sink and a couple of gas rings, we had a pop top roof put on it and it has a gas heater so is cosy on a chilly night. We also bought a glawning which we use when we go to Cornwall on holiday as it gives us extra space, DP and our DS often go to the Outer Hebrides in the summer holidays for a couple of weeks in it and it is perfectly suitable for them. We also go to lots of VW shows which are on all around the country.

It's only worth doing if you can afford to get a decent vehicle with a reliable engine, checked out for rust, etc.

I just took the "Oh that'll do, I can make lovely curtains" approach. I had a lot of fun in it, in between regular breakdowns and being towed from A to B.

Worked out that for the actual number of nights I spent in it, adding up the cost of improvements and repairs it would probably have been cheaper for me to have a fortnight in Bora Bora.

Added to which, apart from festivals it's not always easy to find places to park up. My triumphant first night at a popular beauty spot was ruined when my friend and I were disturbed all night by flashing lights and shouting - only found out later it was a dogging spot!!! 😳

I have a Vw camper and I love it BUT ..only get one if you have plenty of money to spare. realistically it's never used as much as you think (the weather or plans get in the way 99% of the time) .. but I enjoy knowing it is there on the off chance we fancy a quick get away which occasionally happens. and I don't need the £££ that's tied up in it.

Don't forget to factor in additional petrol costs and higher insurance compared to a car - as PPs have said, campsites in popular spots can be very expensive too.

I have one and use it a lot in the summer but mainly for day trips, I walk a lot so use it as a base and I have a toilet on board which is handy. My dd is autistic so we use it a lot as somewhere to hide in when we go to the beach or to events. We do use it for nights away but never more than 3 nights as the bed gives me a bad back. We did take it to a festival last year, I don’t think I could have done a festival without it.

My insurance is really low (£150 a year), tax is high but it’s not too bad in fuel.

Very much agree with previous posters, it's definitely not something to do clumsy mathematics about. It will always cost you money, it isn't some kind of free alternative to paying for accommodation. But it's a spontaneity that is amazing. And getting to wake up in some fantastic places. There's also a lovely crowd, and people are so welcoming. We've had lovely stays in villages, even in places like pub car parks, really welcomed with open arms. And obviously spending on meals out etc.

We have a small one we use a lot as a day van - changing room and hot drinks after wet hikes/runs/mountain biking or sea swimming.
we go away to Europe for a fortnight every summer. No more than £1k campsite costs (nice sites with pools etc).
plus around 4-5 weekends a year may to oct.
for us it’s a great alternative to camping, not sure I’d compare it to a travelodge though.
the day van use is what swings it for us. Most weekends it’s at the trails or beach.

@Lovemusic82 you need to tell me who your insurance is with please 🙏🏻