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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

Does anyone have a camper van (an old one)? Qu. about seatbelts.

92 replies

Ellbell · 28/04/2007 23:37

On a whim, I told dh I wanted a campervan for my 40th birthday. At first he was a bit , but I think I've convinced him we'd use it (and that I'd use it with the dds, since he works a lot at weekends).

We are looking at getting something as cheaply as possible just to see how it goes and whether we actually do use it. (Lots of nice places to go within 1-2 hours of where we live, so we wouldn't necessarily be driving huge distances in it.) We've vaguely thought about Mazda Bongos, old VW campers and converted Ford Transits. But it seems a lot of these older vehicles only have seatbelts in the front seats. So if we go away 'en famille' what do we do about the dds (who are 5 and nearly 7)? Is it possible to get seatbelts fitted? When I was a kid my dad had an ancient converted Bedford van, and we kids used to just roam around the back un-tied-down. But that was before seatbelts were compulsory anyway. IIRC we used to sit on the floor of the van and play chess and things! But not at all happy with the idea of my dds not being strapped in.

Also, would love to hear from anyone with a Bongo. We've pretty much written them off, since it's not clear how the dds could use the 'upper storey'. Don't like the idea of them being shut up there at night and unable to get down if they get scared (which usually happens about 20 times a night when camping!) or need the loo or something. But is there a way round this.

Thanks...

OP posts:

misdee · 29/04/2007 00:15

my bungalow is only small

they look great, but i am not getting one lol. i would love an american huuuuge trailer.

Original poster

Ellbell · 29/04/2007 00:17

Me too, misdee. Though I'd probably reverse it into a tree the first time I tried to park it!

I am off to bed now, but thanks to all who replied... esp. Twirly for realism (cos I'm getting all over-excited here, can you tell?)

(What's the betting dh gets me a box of chocs for my birthday instead?)

OP posts:

misdee · 29/04/2007 00:18

yeah i'd reverse it into a tree or lake or something.

Original poster

Ellbell · 29/04/2007 00:19

If I could afford a huuuuuuge American style one, I'd have to shell out the extra for a chauffeur to drive it for me, while I lolled in the rear...

OP posts:

TwirlyN · 29/04/2007 00:29

Sorry if i burst a bubble. I hate it when folk burst my bubbles. Just have a re-think.

gess · 29/04/2007 10:07

We wanted the bongo for daytrips (we were going to get the tiny conversion), and for overnights- with the tent bit on the back (there's one that pops up that one person can put up) would be fine.

BettySpaghetti · 29/04/2007 10:21

I had a 1970s VW Beetle for my 40th !

It didn't have seat belts fitted in the rear but we had them done and it wasn't too extortionate. We went a local guy who specialises in old cars especially VWs.

I love the idea of a VW camper

Original poster

Ellbell · 29/04/2007 20:12

It's OK Twirly... Best to be realistic! And thanks again for the input. Also Betty - I'd like a VW really, but it's whatever's cheap atm. Good to know about the seatbelts though.

OP posts:

nappyaddict · 29/04/2007 20:23

but can you get proper seat belts fitted - not just lap belts?

BettySpaghetti · 29/04/2007 20:41

Yes , the ones we had fitted are proper inertia belts.

fennel · 29/04/2007 20:48

We had a VW camper forr 7 years. It started with no seatbelts in the back but DP put in 3 seatbelts, proper 3 point ones, for our dds and their car seats. You can do it if you have good DIY skills, it's not that hard. (but in our van you had to be careful not to drill at the back of the seats as that was where the petrol tank was).

I would agree with TwirlyN that it's not big enough for 2 adults and several children. It was lovely with just 2 of us and a baby, but rather grim with us and 3 small bouncy lively children.

misc · 29/04/2007 20:51

It is definately proving a prob getting 3 point inertia belts fitted in my vw camper, have so far tried 10 garages, 3 van specialists and one minibus conversion company and no one will touch it!! Looks like dp will have to fit them with the help of a friend.
Twirly if your dp can give us any help with how to do this it would be VERY much appreciated as otherwise we may not make it to bug jam this summer!

misc · 29/04/2007 20:52

fennel what interior did yours have? ours has a danbury and its tricky to see where we would weld them.

MrsWho · 29/04/2007 21:05

I want a camper. Have friend witha Ford and her husband put the extra belts in and another friend with a VW but no extra seats.

fennel · 29/04/2007 21:26

Iirc DP couldn't get a garage or mechanic to do the seatbelts, I think he asked around before doing it himself.

Misc, I don't think there's a standard name for our interior . It had 2 seats facing backwards (or possibly forwards if you shoved them a lot) behind the two front seats, with a little 3rd seat in between these two. These are the seats DP fixed the seatbelts to - using the metal bits from the back of the front two seats to drill into.

And then it had 2 seats without seatbelts facing forwards, (and a fold away table in between these and the rear-facing row of seats). So 7 seats altogether. There was a little fridge under a sink just to the right of the sliding door (which used to fall off regularly and then lockers and a little cooker behind the 2 rear seats at the back. And then boot space. We couldn't put seat belts on the 2 rear seats as they were just in front of the petrol tank, also cos they only had rickety wood to drill into.

not sure if that makes sense but am getting all nostalgic now for my beloved van . the things we give up for children...

misc · 29/04/2007 21:46

thanks for that fennel, will have to check where our petrol tank is before he starts drilling!
Know what you mean about the lack of space with kids....woke up this morn in a campsite with 18mth old climbing on my head saying mouth, ear, nose and poking finger in corresponding holes!! next puchase is going to be an awning for me and dp to sleep in on next trip

quadrophenia · 30/04/2007 21:34

we have a vw camper, check out my profile
there are six of us and we have belts fitted in the back.
we have a dnabury conversion which has a cooker under a seat that folds out and a fridge, but we also use an awning. If you need any advice on what and where to buy then let me know.
have spent the last weekend at a vw show, the most amazing weekend of my life

misc · 30/04/2007 21:41

Q-I saw your post about going to big bang and was very jealous, we already had plans with friends, but we are going to bug jam (and a few in-between!) maybe even without the kids if I cannot sort the seatbelts out only joking the plan is to do them this week jsut trying to figure out the easiest way.
Glad you had a great time at the show I have just been looking at pics on volkszone.

quadrophenia · 30/04/2007 22:00

haha we will be at bugjam, there are some cool pics on VZi do you post there?

Original poster

Ellbell · 30/04/2007 22:00

Is your van the lovely turquoise one, quad? Oooh, I have VW envy... BIG time!

Am I remembering wrongly, or was I talking to you on another thread about a job interview? If so, hope it went well.

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quadrophenia · 30/04/2007 22:01

misc can't believe your local specialist can't fit the belts, our danbury has them, have you asked on VZI about it?

quadrophenia · 30/04/2007 22:02

It is ellbell, cheers, it is lovely, although we broke down on the way from big bang and we only live 30 mins from santa pod!!!

thanks for asking about the interview, i got the job yay!!!

misc · 30/04/2007 22:05

No just lurking there at the mo feel too much of a newbie to join in...I might say something stupid!! (like I do on here!)
Really have tried everyone we can find nearby to fit belts and it just is not going to happen unless we do it by the looks of things. Oh well

quadrophenia · 30/04/2007 22:06

whereabouts are you?

Original poster

Ellbell · 30/04/2007 22:06

Congratulations! Was the interview really uncomfortable with your friend, or was it OK once you got going?

Am also mesmerised by your triple buggy. You don't have triplets, do you? I used to have my two (not twins, but less than two years between them) in a one-behind-the-other jobby, and was lethal with it - always pushing the 'leader' into things!!

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