To wonder if a camper van is worth it? Have campervan envy!

[malificent7]

I am in a campsite in a tent with campervan envy.
They are so lovely but very ecpensive and i am on a budget. If i did get one it would be 2nd hand. Any advice / recommendations about owning a van without breaking the bank?
It is the mechanics that worries me most after hearing some horror stories.

there is more than envy involved is this camper going to the only vehicle in the family ? if not two lots of insurance [grrr] is it a coachbuilt? they dont fit in multi story or height bar car parks dont forget if you have one you have to put everything away before moving [disconnect electric been there done that] even if its just the shops they can get expensive as some campsites charge the same for a camper as they do for a car and caravan so it may be better for you to go the caravan or trailer tent route we are just as friendly to the tenters and are also more inclined to come out to play I mean help if you have trouble setting up whichever way you go have fun and keep a few things in your kit frisbees bat and ball even quoits its amazing how you suddenly become like the pied piper if you have a tyoungun who is having a great time happy camping

talkbird Absolutely! I agree. Enjoy your next campervan trip.

So many different opinions, the in-laws had a huge one when they retired and went away often, both here and abroad. But what a pain to go shopping and park the bug thing, and lots of carparks you can't get into. They didn't have an awning either so if children were staying with them and it was wet it was like sardines. Going out in the evening you all have to go, can't just pop out and leave everyone else having a quiet evening, or an early night if not we'll. It worked for them but it cost a fortune and all the maintenance as they did a big mileage, big tyres etc. When we were with them camping all cups of tea and meals were inside even on a lovely day. Whereas I like to sit outside and have some fresh air if the weather was nice, but that was just their way.
Friends who have them do a mix of weekends away with just the van and minimum facilities or a couple if weeks based in one place with awning and a permanent set up with a second car.
Now on my own I do wonder about one but do I want to drive a van around locally for day to day stuff, and I've no room for 2 vehicles. I take a tent for a big holiday and a trailer I did actually buy a small easy to put up tent and thought I could spend weekends away and just take basic equipment so I can do say brekkie and dinner and have a meal out later but have not yet done so apart from a few idd nights, so would I actually do it if I'd got a van. I did consider camping at a bit too far away historical city but the site was so blooming expensive, I did air BnB instead, was able to use my hostesses kitchen, had a nice chat with her each evening, and the other guests and considering it included a good brekkie it was good value and I didn't have to pack and unpack the car I've also done hostelling and cheap rooms at pubs.
Hire one and see how it works for you, do a list of pros and cons, kits if both on here, think what you might realistically do with one, and go from there. If you have biug enough children they can sleep outside in a tent that is another consideration.

We had a campervan for 3 years and we loved it, it became too expensive to run though because it was old - even though it was really well looked after by DH. It was his pride and joy. We went all round France in it for 3 weeks and it was amazing.

We're just on the lookout for a new one - it will be our day-to-day car though so it's got to be as new as possible (in our price range). We also don't really fit in our X-trail with 2 adults, a baby and a huge dog crate that takes up all the boot.

Yes, it's hard work and yes it can be expensive but they are really brilliant. If it's a VW then the community is also lovely.

Im selling a 2017 VW Caddy campervan if anyone knows somebody who wants a newish one. It's only done 9000 miles too! It's based on a Caddy so a lot cheaper to run and it'll definitely fit in multi story car parks etc!

@pictish What you want is a panel van conversion or a campervan rather than a coach built. Then you can have a variety of colours - ours is orange.

And we do loads in the local community when we travel - buy local food, souvenirs, eat out every other night or so, drink in pubs, etc.

Looking forward to summer. We are hiring a Motorhomes and driving it to Italy. Three of us plus the dog.

Will be fab! Might be worth getting a copy if France Passion if you're stopped ng enough in France on the way. You can camp in all sorts of places free so long as you say hello to the owners and if you like buy some of their produce.