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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.

Original poster

Is it possible to hire a camper?

24 replies

theUrbanDryad · 11/04/2007 23:27

i really want to go to a couple of the free weekend festivals this summer, but don't fancy camping in a tent with a small baby and we can't afford to buy a camping van just yet.

any ideas for where we could hire one/what make or model to go for?

TIA

OP posts:
custy · 11/04/2007 23:37

i looked this up - inspired by the rather rubbish film with robin williams

i just googled

twas trez expensive.

one day i will park my RV on the sea front ( five mins away) and turn into hippy supreme and do things with generators and stuff.

completely off the topic

i too would be interested.

Original poster
theUrbanDryad · 12/04/2007 08:15

well, i'll do some actual research rather than being lazy and expecting MNers to do it for me!!

i used to do parties and stuff up North, i kinda miss it but it's not really the kind of scene i want to take a baby to!

OP posts:
pesme · 12/04/2007 08:17

as custy says it is tres expensive. if you were going to do a whole summer it is almost worth buying one and selling it on when you are done.

Twiglett · 12/04/2007 08:18

yes but they're not cheap

the VW campervans I was looking at were about £550 a week .. one can get a cottage for that price

Twiglett · 12/04/2007 08:18

last week we saw the coolest thing

an RV pulling a trailer in which there was a smart car

Twiglett · 12/04/2007 08:19
dejags · 12/04/2007 08:23

sheesh but the UK is expensive.

we got a 30ft (sleeps 7 a la Robin Williams) RV in the states last year. Like a bloody bus but dirt cheap - around 60 quid a day.

seeker · 12/04/2007 08:24

Why don't you want to camp with a baby? Honestly, it's not that hard and MUCH cheaper than hiring a van!

I saw an even cooler thing in the States once - a huge camper van that you could actually drive a tiny two seater sports car into!

Perfectly acceptable used of the word "cool" by the way!

Laura032004 · 12/04/2007 08:37

I've been camping since DS1 was about 4 weeks old. It was absolutely fine - he just slept in his grobag. We coslept, so he was in the airbed with me, but we also took a travelcot in case it got too much. Gets a lot harder once they hit the mobile stage.

aDad · 12/04/2007 08:44

These people have been around a few years:

kamperhire

and specifically rent out for festivals.

Based near winchester in hampshire. Dont know if that is any good for you.

As everyone says it's quite pricey renting a van, but for festivals it is very handy with young children not to have to lug stuff around / pack / unpack.

MamaG · 12/04/2007 08:46

I've seen that sight too Twig, although I wouldn't describe it as "cool"

quadrophenia · 12/04/2007 08:47

hmmm I would lend you mine but its not reliable enough, there are loads of companies that do hire vws but they are all very expensive, that said they are lots more reliable.

seeker · 12/04/2007 08:50

Can I just put in a vote for the Mazda Bongo? Anyone else got one? We use the van for one night stops, then put the tent up for longer ones. Perfect compromise.

Original poster
theUrbanDryad · 12/04/2007 09:24

i've been looking at campers to buy, there's a very cool VW camper for about 4 grand but i'm not sure DH would go for it. everything else is hideously expensive. something else to put in for when we're filthy rich then!

OP posts:
Original poster
theUrbanDryad · 12/04/2007 09:26

having said that, i'm looking at mazda bongos and they're about 5 grand used.....

are they really good then?

OP posts:
seeker · 12/04/2007 09:50

Dryad - we love our Bongo! Ours in unconverted, so we use it as our everyday car (7 seats besides the driver - I'm the school taxi service!) If we're just going away for the weekend (one night at the beach in the summer for example) we just sleep in the van, but for longer stops we sleep in the tent. There are lots of Bongos about at the moment - there's a very good forum about them - I can't do links but it's called Bongo Fury. Have a look!

quadrophenia · 12/04/2007 09:56

yuo can get a vw camper to buy for around 4 grand easily, if you need any advice you know where to come

seeker · 12/04/2007 10:01

VWs are cool and beautiful and fab and you'd be mad not to want one BUT Bongos (IME) are more reliable mechanically, more comfortable to drive especially if you're tall and have wider sleeping spaces. And cheaper. And faster. Sorry - I hate to say it but it's true!

quadrophenia · 12/04/2007 10:07

oh I agree, our vw is based on love,pure and simple it is farking unreliable but we love it

seeker · 12/04/2007 10:38

It's not yellow is it? I SO want a yellow one! {sends apologetic thoughts to dark blue Bongo parked patiently outside}

Original poster
theUrbanDryad · 12/04/2007 11:17

oh lord won't you buy me
a Mazda Bongo
my friends all drive VW's
but they're just no-go's
worked hard all my life
no help no no no
so oh lord won't you buy me
a Mazda Bongo....

(Hi Quad, btw - are you DC's having good easter hol's? fancy coming over for a coffee when they're back at school?)

OP posts:
quadrophenia · 12/04/2007 17:20

ahh been looking at the Bongos they are reasonable and obviously alot newer, I can see why they would be the sensible option.
seeker there is a pic of my van on my profile, its not yellow though!!
Urbandryad, would be lovely to meet up again, kids go back on monday, they have had a lovely couple of weeks, thank goodness its been sunny or I might just be grey!!

FioFio · 12/04/2007 17:23

This reply has been deleted

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seeker · 12/04/2007 19:55

I use ours on the contraband sushi run....

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