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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.

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:
quadrophenia · 30/04/2007 22:07

ours is a Danbury too

I post on there sometimes but am mainly posting on my local vw club board now, have you joined one near you?

quadrophenia · 30/04/2007 22:08

Ell I was worrying about nothing it was absolutely fine got offered the job the next day

I don't have triplets but had twins and then fifteen months later had another, pics are there as i was trying to sell it!

Ellbell · 30/04/2007 22:09

misc... bear in mind that I know less than nothing about this... but... I wonder if you found a little old old-fashioned mechanic type chappy and asked about the seatbelts. Just saying that cos my dad's a retired mechanic, and it's the sort of job he'd do quite happily, whereas most 'modern' garages would turn their noses up. My dad loathes cars with 'computers' in, but will have a go at fixing anything with an engine from a lawnmower to a double-decker bus. Ignore me if it's a stupid idea, or you've already tried.

OP posts:
misc · 30/04/2007 22:11

Not joined a local club yet but have met a few people who live close by with vans so will ask if they are part of a club.
I'm near buxton, there seems to be a lot more vw interest down south (grew up in bournemouth and got hooked then) but some very nice people up here, in fact one is round helping us service the van now and we only met him 3 days ago...how nice is that!

quadrophenia · 30/04/2007 22:12

we have three point inertia belts, i will take some pics if you like, but a vw specialist should do it.

Ellbell · 30/04/2007 22:12

Respect, quad, for coping with three under 18 months! Makes me feel tired just thinking about it (but I am old and knackered, unlike you...LOL!).

Off to try to do some work now, but will be dreaming of VWs!

OP posts:
misc · 30/04/2007 22:13

Ell, not a stupid idea at all, just wish your dad lived near me as most people I have asked have said they don't have the'special licence' and don't want to get sued...as if!
Cheers for trying to help and I will try and track down a 'local' retiree through friends

quadrophenia · 30/04/2007 22:13

our vw club is newly formed have met the most fabulous people, yesterday our starter motor jammed and a new friend wacked it with a hammer and voila!!!
I can honestly say the majority of the vw crowd we have met are very lovely people.

quadrophenia · 30/04/2007 22:14

night Ell, dream of hard shoulders, we are well accquainted with them, that should put you off a bit!!

misc · 30/04/2007 22:15

Q- pics would be great if you have the time, then we can get cracking.

quadrophenia · 30/04/2007 22:16

misc ask on VZI, do it there is sure to be someone locally who can help. what year is your van?

quadrophenia · 30/04/2007 22:17

yeah no worries will take some tomorrow for you, its not going anywhere for a few days!!

where else are you thinking of going this year?

misc · 30/04/2007 22:19

Ok I will take the plunge and post on there tomorrow, its a 76 bay window. More practical than showstopper at the moment but got a new engine importantly and running great, has had a new paint job but not my choice of colour and the inside is basic, but I love it!

misc · 30/04/2007 22:21

sorry I am so slow at typing, not decided completely but prob stanford, tatton park and any others that look good, how about you?

quadrophenia · 30/04/2007 22:21

cool, is it a tin top or a pop top?

they are really friendly bunch don't worry about posting there

it sounds fab, we need a new engine is it a 1600 cc? our engine is very poorly, what colour is it?

MrsWho · 30/04/2007 22:22

You lot have got me looking at campers on ebay

quadrophenia · 30/04/2007 22:23

well we were stanford but we have a bad oil leak that needs rectifying and no money before the weekend so thats off. Maybe tatton park and bus stop over, deffo Bug jam and VW action.

quadrophenia · 30/04/2007 22:24

haha its very catching, you either get it or you don't

misc · 30/04/2007 22:25

tin top, I will try and put a picture up tomorrow. The engine is a red one 1641 twin-port (?) from volkspares, runs like a dream although now I have said that no doubt we will visit the hard shoulder soon!

misc · 30/04/2007 22:26

Mrs who, go for it, its great fun and lovely people, go on you know you want to!

quadrophenia · 30/04/2007 22:28

just look after it and you should be ok
our engine overheated and despite a top end rebuild its never been the same, we are taking it to a top mechanic soon and if he can't sort it then we will be getting a new one.

quadrophenia · 30/04/2007 22:28

and recovery cover is a must, we have been recovered 4 times in a year!!

Ellbell · 30/04/2007 22:29

Haha... I told someone on here the other day that all you needed to get a dodgy starter motor going was to hit it with a hammer, and I got a response. We need a [told you so] emoticon! I have never had an old camper, but plenty of experience with ancient unreliable vehicles. (Once had to call out the RAC twice on Christmas Day to my old Passat. Second RAC man got a message from HQ saying 'She can't have broken down on Dartmoor. We've just got her going on the M4 and it definitely wasn't going to make it that far!'.)

Misc, dad is now fully retired and is in Cornwall, so quite far away from you. But he is the king of bodge jobs (in a good way!).

Did I mention work about half an hour ago?

OP posts:
quadrophenia · 30/04/2007 22:29

ours is a tin top, do you make the bed up with planks of wood?

quadrophenia · 30/04/2007 22:31

its nice to see that even watercooled are unreliable!!
I have to admit i was a bit sceptical about the hammer but it worked a dream!