Camper Van knowledge (Read 412304 times)

Johnny Brown · May 08, 2009, 12:51:33 pm

The one I had was a short wheel base with a full bulkhead.
Getting rid of the bulkhead and adding some length would be a huge improvement to it, you could probably live with the bad drive.

Paul B · May 08, 2009, 12:51:54 pm

I saw a Tourneo Connect (euro transit i'm guessing) in Albarracin and thought it looked like an amazing weekend warrior van. Shame there's all this talk of a crap drive.

Not overly relevant:

slackline · May 08, 2009, 12:58:36 pm

Quote from: Paul B on May 08, 2009, 12:51:54 pm

Not overly relevant:

Picture of the hottie was appreciated though

ben · May 08, 2009, 01:30:43 pm

re: berlingos. I have one and done a removable conversion that folds out over the top of the front seats (you can adjust them so they lie back flat), gives you plenty of legroom and the full width of the car. PM me if you want more details or photos. Downside is you have to remove the rear seats to slot the conversion in (8 allen key bolts). I have a friend who's done something similar but it just goes over the back seats, means you can carry 5 + don't have the hassle of removing/storing seats, however it also means you don't have much headroom

re: peugeot expert/scudo/dispatch - great vans for small conversions, again, more details available on request

Paul B · May 30, 2009, 01:52:51 pm

with the possibility of having a mad dash for a potential trip I've started looking at Bongo's again as I doubt a month is enough to source a good van and convert it. T

hey do look like a good option (if a bit pricey), do we have any advances on 30mpg? Its going to feel like quite a hit compared to our 60 mpg wonder car.

galpinos · June 01, 2009, 08:38:08 am

Quote from: Paul B on May 30, 2009, 01:52:51 pm

hey do look like a good option (if a bit pricey), do we have any advances on 30mpg? Its going to feel like quite a hit compared to our 60 mpg wonder car.

In word, no.

fatboySlimfast · June 01, 2009, 08:50:34 am

They are thirsty beasts im afraid, 28mpg tops for ours. We have an unconverted one with a full width rock and roller bed in, the side conversions were to cramped for my liking.

galpinos · June 01, 2009, 09:07:48 am

Quote from: galpinos on June 01, 2009, 08:38:08 am

Quote from: Paul B on May 30, 2009, 01:52:51 pm
hey do look like a good option (if a bit pricey), do we have any advances on 30mpg? Its going to feel like quite a hit compared to our 60 mpg wonder car.

In word, no.

(Mines a fully converted new shape 2.5 TD Auto)

Paul B · June 01, 2009, 09:30:52 am

4wd or 2wd?

Hmmm... The chances of me sourcing and converting a van (well) in a month are slim I think.

galpinos · June 01, 2009, 09:56:49 am

4WD.

Got it from jalimports, good vans, ok conversions, pain to deal with.

The guy at Manchester campers seems a good sort.

Paul B · June 01, 2009, 09:59:23 am

they're looking like a good fall back option should I not be able to find a decent T4/5 in time but 28mpg seems pretty sh*t and thats without a side conversion and the added weight that comes with!

fatboySlimfast · June 01, 2009, 01:49:19 pm

T5 caravelle 2.5tdis quoted at 34.4mpg, better but still fairly thirsty.

Nibile · June 01, 2009, 02:16:44 pm

Quote from: Paul B on June 01, 2009, 09:30:52 am

4wd or 2wd?

Hmmm... The chances of me sourcing and converting a van (well) in a month are slim I think.

i've converted mine in a similar time, a very basic conversion, mind, but i haven't seen many better usage of space. if you need info i'll post a few pics.

ps YYFY with the roadtrip you lucky bast****!!!!

Paul B · June 02, 2009, 09:31:43 pm

woohoo...

Newest Member of Team Yellow Here.

T4
Ex AA
120k miles
pop top
side unit conversion

some bits of the interior need a little tidying up but I'm ecstatic with the find and the general condition of the van. Deposit paid, pick up on Sat.

Johnny Brown · June 02, 2009, 09:52:36 pm

How much? Looking at summat similar myself... is there a dealer for these ex-AA vans?

Paul B · June 02, 2009, 09:58:52 pm

I'll drop you a pm...

eteve · June 04, 2009, 12:17:12 pm

there is a guy sells all the ex aa vans on ebay.

Paul B · June 04, 2009, 12:20:15 pm

I think they're starting to get into short supply about now which probably won't be good for prices.

andyh · June 04, 2009, 12:30:15 pm

Quote from: Paul B on June 02, 2009, 09:58:52 pm

I'll drop you a pm...

I'd also be interested in where you got it from and how much you paid, cheers

lagerstarfish · June 04, 2009, 01:29:00 pm

I've been enjoying my LPG experience.
Local councils have been converting vans to comply with their targets of reducing dirty emissions and businesses have been doing the same to avoid congestion charges. These might be worth looking at for camping conversions. LPG is 50p/litre in this country, but I seem to remember that it is more expensive in France; so possibly not great for a Euro tour.
ebay has a few LPG commercial vehicles at the mo... eg.

Paul B · June 04, 2009, 01:37:13 pm

with the reduced economy that running on LPG brings, is it really worth it? The payback period for a conversion must be massive. Maybe not with a huge american thing I suppose?

lagerstarfish · June 04, 2009, 01:54:30 pm

Quote from: Paul B on June 04, 2009, 01:37:13 pm

The payback period for a conversion must be massive.

Yes, if you pay for a new conversion. However the resale value of a convertion seems to be very small, so buying a van that is already converted makes more economic sense.

Paul B · June 04, 2009, 02:01:37 pm

nice. I wonder why the LPG conversion has no impact on the resale value? weird. I once tried to buy something similar but the insurance companies weren't having any of it.

lagerstarfish · June 04, 2009, 02:13:17 pm

It has an impact, but nowhere near the cost of the convertion. As you say, weird.
My beast cost me only slightly more than the conversion costs alone (carried out 12 months earlier), mental.

Paul B · June 04, 2009, 02:25:39 pm

From the other thread: