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

Original poster

Talk me out of a camper van.

78 replies

KangarooKenny · 24/06/2022 17:12

Sorry if this is in the wrong place !
Since I was a kid I’ve wanted a camper van, I’ve even been and looked around some. But I’m not sure it would be right for me. I’m aware of insurance, MOT and servicing, but what other financial things are there ?
Now I’m approaching retirement I’d love to be able to explore all corners of the country.

OP posts:
DillonPanthersTexas · 24/06/2022 17:21

Will it just be you using it? Very popular these days are conversions of existing transit vans, you get the exact fit out specification that you want.

Campervan Info

Iheartmysmart · 24/06/2022 18:09

Wish I could talk you out of it but I’ll be picking up mine in the next week or so! Sadly I have no sense of direction so exploring is going to be interesting.

Original poster
KangarooKenny · 24/06/2022 18:14

Me, DH and the dog.
My plan would be to hire one first.

OP posts:
Hobele · 24/06/2022 18:24

I couldn't drive ours. It had no power steering, the seat didn't move forward enough for my short legs and arms, I had to lean to change gears. I loved it as a passenger, especially the smell, reminded me of the cars of the 80s.

RosieBdy · 24/06/2022 18:28

Do it! We love ours...

Roselilly36 · 24/06/2022 18:33

Hiring one first is a sensible plan, had we had done that, we never would have bought one! The draw back for us was that, you had to book a site, these sites are often booked up, weeks in advance, so you can’t just think shall we go away this weekend? Sorting out the chemical loo, water etc. We had ours from new and sold it a year later. Didn’t work out how we imagined, but pleased with tried it with young children and a dog. But don’t let me put you off, but hiring one will help you decide whether it’s right for you. Good luck.

Keepyoursarcasmtoyourself · 24/06/2022 18:35

Think the downsides are you have to pack everything up when you need to drive somewhere and no that's it.

Original poster
KangarooKenny · 24/06/2022 18:38

I’ve heard of drive away awnings, so presumably you could leave chairs/table in it.
I think my plan would be to go to places that you can walk to things from, like a pub for a meal and a corner shop.

OP posts:
carefullycourageous · 24/06/2022 18:38

The main downside is they are very expensive.

I love them and have previously owned one but when I did the hard analysis of how much it would cost to buy/run one now, and divided it by the number of weeks I would use it - it was cheaper to rent one.

So I would say it depends on a) your approach to spending cash and b) how much spare cash you have.

Powerplant · 24/06/2022 18:45

We got a transit conversion and love it. Just me DP and the dog. We try to camp where we can walk into places however it takes us 5 mins to pack things away. Try to find one that is already registered as a camper van as I believe insurance is cheaper.

Libertybear80 · 24/06/2022 18:46

We bought a VW transporter and converted it. However they are money pits because we love it so much and there's so much to keep adding to it to make it even more stunning.

Roselilly36 · 25/06/2022 06:07

Sites are often out of the way, that is why you see a Motorhome towing a small car or bikes on the bike rack. Our motorhome was a 5 berth and quite tall so many car parks with height restrictions were out.

FlorrieFosdyke · 25/06/2022 07:06

We have a Mazda Bongo and drive away awning. It is fab! We have had some fantastic holidays in it.
It is small enough that I am comfortable driving it. It does need the awning for extra space, particularly if it's raining and you want somewhere to sit.

Original poster
KangarooKenny · 25/06/2022 07:07

FlorrieFosdyke · 25/06/2022 07:06

We have a Mazda Bongo and drive away awning. It is fab! We have had some fantastic holidays in it.
It is small enough that I am comfortable driving it. It does need the awning for extra space, particularly if it's raining and you want somewhere to sit.

Do you actually drive off for the day and leave the awning ?
If so, do you leave stuff in it or not, as it might be stolen ?

OP posts:
Libertybear80 · 25/06/2022 07:12

We drove away and leave non valuables in the awning. If someone feels the need to nick the pasta or a plastic plate I feel sorry for them 😁

User12398712 · 25/06/2022 07:33

Do you actually drive off for the day and leave the awning ?
If so, do you leave stuff in it or not, as it might be stolen ?

It's no different to a tent, presumably? Loads of people go out and leave tents unattended and stuff doesn't generally get stolen but, equally, you probably wouldn't leave your iPad in a tent and go out for the day.

CaptainMyCaptain · 25/06/2022 07:39

We have one for the two of us and a dog. We love it. We book in advance because we want nice sites but don't find it too much of a problem getting in anywhere we're retired and tend to go mid week when it's quieter so that probably helps.

We don't drive it once we're set up but walk everywhere or use buses.

SilverPeacock · 25/06/2022 07:47

Hiring first is good plan. We have one and we don’t use it enough to justify the expense really. But if you are retiring this might be fine for you. As pp said you still have to plan booking campsites. Financially the petrol is quite costly, it is a bit of a gas guzzler.

When we do use it it is good. We have drive away awning.

SilverPeacock · 25/06/2022 07:49

And yes just leave stuff in awning which is an enclosed thing like a tent. Take valuables as you would with a tent

QuebecBagnet · 25/06/2022 07:52

I used to have an old VW camper van and it was a total money pit. I spent at least £500 a year just bodging up seam rust.

they’re small and cramped inside. I had visions of travelling to a different place every night and touring more and in reality just booked a site for a week. So sold it and got a caravan which has more space and cheaper annual costs. I do regret not being more adventurous and going and touring Scotland, etc.

Iheartmysmart · 25/06/2022 07:55

Ooh @FlorrieFosdyke that’s what I’m getting! I’m glad you like yours. Do you think a very short person could put up a drive away awning on their own? I’m a bit undecided about getting one for that very reason. It’ll only be me and the dog though so we don’t need masses of space.

rookiemere · 25/06/2022 07:56

Definitely try hiring.

I had romantic ideas of how a camper van would be until we rented one. The main issue was that it was so big that driving anywhere in a town was a pain, oh that and packing absolutely everything away whenever we moved. There was also the small matter that the company we hired from were charlatans so it took almost six months to get a £1200 deposit back.

But it might be different or better in a smaller van. I hate being cramped so I'm thinking I wouldn't like that either. But then we have friends who love it.

Deffo try before you buy.

Viviennemary · 25/06/2022 08:03

Rent one for a short time first. Its a love or hate thing I'd say. I knew somebody who did that and they all hated it so much they came back early. And yet other people love them. I can see the appeal in a way but I've never tried one.

eggsellentwork · 25/06/2022 08:09

I'm currently on a campervan holiday and I love it! Had a camper when I was younger, and this is my first time with kids - Od totally buy one except with having kids I think I'd need a big new one rather than a glorious beautiful rust bucket, and sadly I don't have £70k!

FlorrieFosdyke · 25/06/2022 08:30

@iheartmysmart I'm sure you can. We've got an inflatable awning, which makes it much easier.

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