Camper Van knowledge (Read 412286 times)

SA Chris · July 30, 2008, 08:46:58 am

So how many Bongoers is that? Percy, galapinos, Fat Boy SF, did Obi Wan go for one?

Percy B · July 30, 2008, 10:43:24 am

Its a full 'side' conversion - so it retains one of the original rear bench seats that converts to a bed with a couple of extension pieces rather than having a rock and roll bed in it ('cos it takes up more room and is less flexible). Has all the other shizzle too - pop-up roof, fridge, double hob, sink, electricity and water hook-ups, leisure battery, dimable internal lights, heater, bling alloys, electric blinds, dual air con, etc, etc.

Don't get me wrong - I'd love a transporter, but a Bongo lets me have the camper I want for half the price. My VW camper-owning brother in law was all for taking the piss until he got a tour of 'the pope-mobile'! "Oh, its awesome...", he said with some bitter disappointment in his voice.

SA Chris · July 30, 2008, 12:30:19 pm

It is amazing what they fit in. Very compact and bijou.

lagerstarfish · July 30, 2008, 01:40:04 pm

I lusted after a Bongo... until I drove a Chevy Astro (4.3l V6 190bhp) and found out that they could be converted to LPG (£ok and free parking in Sheff city centre). I don't like the stupid skirts that imports to the UK all seem to have, so was pleased to find one with damaged trim that I wasn't paying for. have now started de-pimping it; skirts are off and it no longer scrapes the floor whilst cornering hard or going over "speed" bumps - also looks less like something one would want to steal/break into. I'm probably not going to convert anything inside... for now

My choice of Chevy over Bongo was a proper case of heart winning over head - I have realised that my life is better when my vehicle is something I love, rather than something purely functional and economical.

lagerstarfish · July 30, 2008, 01:50:15 pm

Connected with this topic....
Anyone used/own a drive away awning for their vw/bongo/other campervan? Any reccommendations or advice in this area?

SA Chris · July 30, 2008, 02:23:55 pm

I had a Ford Astrovan for a while while iw as living in the US. I think the Chevy is very similar, only more interesting. The Astrovan had a rock and roll type bed; the seats folded flat to form a fairly comfy sleeping place, which I didn't knwo at the time I bought it. Bonus.

No idea about awnings sorry. We will probably pitch our Family sized tent next to ours to start off with.

lagerstarfish · July 30, 2008, 02:44:26 pm

Quote from: SA Chris on July 30, 2008, 02:23:55 pm

I had a Ford Astrovan

Aerostar ?

SA Chris · July 30, 2008, 02:50:05 pm

ummmmm, yeah.
Dunce.

SA Chris · July 30, 2008, 04:32:46 pm

you gotta love the paint job

well done inside though

http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=470645

Percy B · July 30, 2008, 05:19:25 pm

Easycamp Venice 200 is the boy. Drive-away awnings for the discerning camper-van owner.

lagerstarfish · July 31, 2008, 08:56:23 am

Quote from: Percy B on July 30, 2008, 05:19:25 pm

Easycamp Venice 200 is the boy. Drive-away awnings for the discerning camper-van owner.

Do you own one, Percy? Why are they so good?

Percy B · July 31, 2008, 10:21:22 am

I'm about to own one.They're the one recommended for Bongo's by the guy who did my conversion. A good fit to the van, and plenty big enough for storage and use as a double bedroom, plus you can drive the van away from it dead easily - so I've been told! I'll let you know how it stacks up when I take delivery....

Andy B · July 31, 2008, 11:22:42 am

We have a drive away awning for our van which we have hardly ever used, because to use it securely you need to be on a campsite, which defeats one of our reasons for having a van, ie. not being limited to camp sites or paying camping costs.

galpinos · July 31, 2008, 11:48:58 am

I've just got a wind out awning that came with the van.

What does "drive away" mean? Does it close up on all 4 sides for when you leave it?

lagerstarfish · July 31, 2008, 12:36:42 pm

Quote from: galpinos on July 31, 2008, 11:48:58 am

I've just got a wind out awning that came with the van.

What does "drive away" mean? Does it close up on all 4 sides for when you leave it?

yes, so it stands on its own like a tent.

Percy B · July 31, 2008, 01:48:30 pm

Quote from: Andy B on July 31, 2008, 11:22:42 am

We have a drive away awning for our van which we have hardly ever used, because to use it securely you need to be on a campsite, which defeats one of our reasons for having a van, ie. not being limited to camp sites or paying camping costs.

I agree, but as we will be spending a little more time on camp-sites given my new found status as a family man, bring on the big tenty thing to store all our crap in whilst on a climbing/biking/schmooling tour of southern France in September. If you don't use yours and want rid of it, I'll buy it off you Andy!

SA Chris · July 31, 2008, 02:01:35 pm

Dare I ask what schmooling is? As a camper van owner to be, is it something I should know about?

lagerstarfish · July 31, 2008, 03:52:07 pm

If you had one of these and put a camper body on top, you wouldn't have to spend money on ferries or accommodation when going to Font (on ebay now)

Jaspersharpe · July 31, 2008, 03:55:47 pm

You're just out to piss off Mrs Starfish by buying the most Clampett style vehicle possible aren't you.

SA Chris · July 31, 2008, 04:00:13 pm

Quote from: lagerstarfish on July 31, 2008, 03:52:07 pm

If you had one of these and put a camper body on top, you wouldn't have to spend money on ferries or accommodation when going to Font (on ebay now)

What sort of mpg does it get though? Be handy for getting to some beaches too.

LucyB · July 31, 2008, 05:35:15 pm

Quote from: SA Chris on July 31, 2008, 02:01:35 pm

Dare I ask what schmooling is? As a camper van owner to be, is it something I should know about?

Schmooling = whatever people do on holiday when they aren't climbing - not sure what, but I'm about to find out

lagerstarfish · July 31, 2008, 10:33:04 pm

Quote from: LucyA on July 31, 2008, 05:35:15 pm

Quote from: SA Chris on July 31, 2008, 02:01:35 pm
Dare I ask what schmooling is? As a camper van owner to be, is it something I should know about?

Schmooling = whatever people do on holiday when they aren't climbing - not sure what, but I'm about to find out

I guess that it will be very similar to the thing that people with caravans do when they go on caravanning holidays. Anyone know what they do?

SA Chris · August 01, 2008, 08:02:28 am

The same as what they do when they are at home; watch SKY, eat and drink, and have mindless conversations with neighbours, or anyone who happens to be camping within earshot.

Andy B · August 04, 2008, 07:15:16 pm

Quote from: Percy B on July 31, 2008, 01:48:30 pm

Quote from: Andy B on July 31, 2008, 11:22:42 am
We have a drive away awning for our van which we have hardly ever used
If you don't use yours and want rid of it, I'll buy it off you Andy!

Sorry Percy, Emma wants to keep it for some reason.

richieb · August 09, 2008, 09:17:35 pm

Some good advice here folks. I just lashed out on an ex demo peugeot expert this afternoon! Need to use the van as my everyday vehicle as well as weekend warriormobile so Im hoping the expert will be a good size/economy comprimise. Its the new shape so a bit bigger than they used to be.
Will probably just do a basic insulate/bed/storage job for now.

One thing......what exactly is a 'rock n roller' bed? Just a fold away hinged type thing or something mre clever?