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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

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Original poster

campervan pitfalls

32 replies

colleysmill · 18/08/2012 22:11

Hello

We have started to look into buying a campervan of our own and are off to view a T25 1982 vw van on Monday. I have a list of things to look for/ask about but I wondered if anyone with more experience had any tips on there were any particular issues we should keep an eye out for.

Thanks

OP posts:

VivaLeBeaver · 18/08/2012 22:17

Seam rust bubbles. Rust under the mats in the step of the front doors. Rust under the windscreen rubber seal. Be wary of new paint jobs as they could be masking a load of rust and filler.

Check stuff is working, grill, tap, fridge, leisure battery, any plug sockets. Check for damp in the cupboards.

VivaLeBeaver · 18/08/2012 22:17

And if it's a pop top check for any rips in the pop top.

Original poster

colleysmill · 18/08/2012 22:26

Thanks viva its a fixed top so was going to look for signs of leaking and rust on the hinges of sliding door but hadn't thought of the front steps.

if there are any of these signs is it still worth considering? I'm thinking in terms of rust particularly. We have budgeted a small amount for contingency purposes but its not a bottomless pit!

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MelanieSminge · 18/08/2012 22:32

rust beneath, worth getting right under there if you can.
sorry to tell you, but it will be a bottomless cashpit.
but you will have fun too.
good luck!

MelanieSminge · 18/08/2012 22:35

tbh it will be one thing after another.
clutch, gaskets, waterpump, whatever......
you have been warned...

Original poster

colleysmill · 18/08/2012 22:36

melanie I'm beginning to suspect this is why my dad is selling his motorhome that we currently use every holiday

OP posts:

Original poster

colleysmill · 18/08/2012 22:40

Tbh we are kind of used to it as we have a classic car - that's always got something dropping off/not working/needs adjusting. It hasn't got through an MOT on first attempt yet!

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VivaLeBeaver · 18/08/2012 22:40

And the recess on the sliding door side where the sliding door arm fits into, difficult to sort out properly.

I would be put off by windscreen rust, and seam rust the most. Step rusts lightly less so.

But be warned, I got my van in perfect condition but they don't stay in perfect condition. Within 18 months I was getting seam rust, spent well over 1k on bodywork in the next two years. Plus all the electrics kept fuckingup, thankfully dh fixed all of that every time, fridge stopped working, glow plugs melted/fell off. Then taxing, insurance, high diesel costs, mot, services......couldn't afford to bloody go anywhere in it.

MelanieSminge · 18/08/2012 22:40

go for the T25 though, you will have so much fun, it's like a weird cult...

VivaLeBeaver · 18/08/2012 22:41

Join club80-90 if you haven't found them already.

MelanieSminge · 18/08/2012 22:42

same, viva, 4 gear 2 litre petrol engine.....it ended up in the back garden with a rabbit living in it

PlaguegroupGermnastics · 18/08/2012 22:50

I had a 1980 van over 2 years ago (so similar comparative age).

At 5am, waiting for the AA because the engine wouldn't start, soaking wet because the roof leaked, I had a think about what I'd do differently next time. I would spend every penny on a newish, decent van and then put a mattress in the back and kit it out slowly, as and when I could afford it. Campervans have a huge premium attached, which IMO, is over-rated. Generally I'd rather have a cooker in an awning or outdoors than in the van, storage is fairly cheap to fit. The fridge was nice though.

Original poster

colleysmill · 18/08/2012 23:07

Thanks for all your replies. Lots of things to think about (perhaps more than I first thought!)

I'd love to buy my dads newish motorhome but its way way out of our price range, hence the cheaper vans. But I have very fond memories of spending my childhood holidays in a camper and I was hoping to carry them on!

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VivaLeBeaver · 18/08/2012 23:11

To be honest T25s are lovely, but if I was buying a van now I don't know if I'd get a VW. You could get a similar spec van for less money. I'd get a coach built - more space! Too many memories of wet weeks away in a T25 getting cabin fever.

Original poster

colleysmill · 18/08/2012 23:20

Good old British weather always unpredictable!

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hz · 19/08/2012 22:12

Hate to be controversial but have you considered a Mazda Bongo? Teeny bit smaller than a VW and lacks the kudos but it does the same thing! Have a look at www.bongofury.co.uk to see what it is all about or www.yellowfieldscamping.co.uk for my personal experience of buying a Bongo.

BorisJohnsonsHair · 19/08/2012 22:21

hz - excuse me, lacks the kudos .

We have one and it is totally fabulous. We have removed all the original hideous stickers and replaced them with lots of cool ones, have funky curtains and its luvverly. Only thing is, it is also a money-pit. We use it as an 8-seater, but have a shelf about 18 inches high behind the back seats, which we use for the cooker, cool box and water carrier (so no kitchen needed). Also very easy to remove when not needed. I'd highly recommend one.

Original poster

colleysmill · 20/08/2012 08:02

Kudos isn't something we particularly worry about here but the bongos look good on the links.

Dh is going to phone the mechanic who did some work on the van recently to get a better idea of its condition before he heads off to see it tonight with his big long list of things to look for.

Thanks for your help

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hz · 20/08/2012 08:52

BorisJohnsonshair - don't misunderstand me! We are proud Bongo owners. Ours is fully converted and re-upholstered in the back, with the roof hatch converted to make it easy to get to the little ones. It's just that some people just love VW's for their VW-ness - which is fair enough! When we first considerd buying a campervan I hadn't even heard of Bongo's.

Original poster

colleysmill · 20/08/2012 22:19

Bit of an update. Exterior good but interior needing some work to before poodling off for weekend. We will give it some thought and search on ........

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VivaLeBeaver · 20/08/2012 22:31

Well interior stuff is more easily fixed than exterior - what needed doing?

Original poster

colleysmill · 20/08/2012 22:51

New cupboards (not essential I know but looked a bit bodged iyswim) , no bed upstairs, no hole for table (and no table) paint work touch up inside and a jolly good clean!

Running water and fridge though!

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VivaLeBeaver · 20/08/2012 23:04

If you have an upstairs then the bed is very easily fixed.

I went to Timber Technicians near Nottingham and they made me a piece of wood for the extender/pull out bit if that's needed - wasn't expensive at all. Now I thought about getting foam made to measure and covers, would have been a bit over £100. Couldn't be bothered in the end as we didn't use the upstairs a lot - when we did we used camping mats, thermarests.

Timber Technicians would also sort the cupboards out for you.

www.timbertechnicians.co.uk/13301.html

Original poster

colleysmill · 20/08/2012 23:10

Oh thanks Viva we aren't that far from nottingham.so worth looking into.

I need to sit down and properly cost it out really. I was hoping for something that wouldn't be a massive project cause everything we take on seems to be like that! It does have some features that really appeal and the price is pretty good.

OP posts:

VivaLeBeaver · 20/08/2012 23:13

table

It comes with the base, just screw the base into the floor I think.

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