2 berth small PVC or campervan (non pop top)

[headlight]

My sister is thinking of getting a PVC/camper.
She won't drive anything to big, I would say 5.4m max but preferably 5m, and it needs to be automatic, and she will be using it solo.
She wants a toilet but can manage without a shower.
Budget about £20k.
Any suggestions please.

 

[SpeedyDux]

I doubt if the early Fiat Ducato PVCs with ComfortMatic gearboxes are anywhere near £20k. I think 5.4m ones really only started to be available from major converters in about 2015/2016 so probably still nearer £40k used prices.

Possibly older Renault Master or Transit van base vehicles came with automatic and maybe a self-conversion for that sort of money. Just my guess.

 

[headlight]

I doubt if the early Fiat Ducato PVCs with ComfortMatic gearboxes are anywhere near £20k. I think 5.4m ones really only started to be available from major converters in about 2015/2016 so probably still nearer £40k used prices.

Possibly older Renault Master or Transit van base vehicles came with automatic and maybe a self-conversion for that sort of money. Just my guess.

Yes wanting an automatic for that sort of money seems to be quite limiting.
I previously had a 5.4m PVC based on a lwb, hi top Renault Trafic which would probably have suited her but it was a manual.
Just seeing if there were any options for a manufacturer converted van in her price range.
The other option is a Transit custom sized van and doing either a full or partial conversion ourselves.
Mercedes Vito's are available in automatic.

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

I don’t think an auto camper at that budget is possible to get but a decent second hand transit custom should be well under budget leaving something to cover a basic conversion.

 

[headlight]

I don’t think an auto camper at that budget is possible to get but a decent second hand transit custom should be well under budget leaving something to cover a basic conversion.

Yes that is the other option as there are vans around that size with an auto box.

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[rod_vw]

Sorry for your sister but her wishes are well beyond the budget that she has. Buying in that range of price is only likely to incur maintenance bill in the near future that will negate the benefit of keeping the buying price down.

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

Yes that is the other option as there are vans around that size with an auto box.

My work van is the L1 auto 4973mm and have an L2 on order at 5340mm so either would be ok length for her. They drive really well.

 

[Elsie2010]

My sister is thinking of getting a PVC/camper.
She won't drive anything to big, I would say 5.4m max but preferably 5m, and it needs to be automatic, and she will be using it solo.
She wants a toilet but can manage without a shower.
Budget about £20k.
Any suggestions please.

I think she may struggle with her budget, unless she goes down the self conversion route
Our PVC that's 5.5m but has a manual gear box was 40k back in May and its 13 years old....so I think if there are any out there within her price range, they may be quite old and that could potentially mean more issues (although, newer ones aren't immune either, granted)

 

[mitzimad]

Many van automatics have a bad reputation in the motor trade especially the robotisied manuals on vivaro and masters

 

[headlight]

Thanks for all the replies so far and please keep them coming.
TBH I asked on here really just to confirm that at her budget a manufacturer converted van with auto box was not an option which it looks like is the case.

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[Nanniemate]

Manual but we'll in her price range

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Just did a ebay search automatic campervan and these are examples of what poped up .I bought mine off ebay and was lucky just because and have a really good look at the vehicle before you get carried away with in shiny internal bits. Ot is out there but may not be an easy hunt good luck.

 

[SpeedyDux]

There are possibly a handful of LHD converted older automatic 2.8 Ducatos in the UK. A 4 speed ZF autobox was available in LHD only. IH did one or two PVCs to special order and one came up for sale a while ago at around £30k at Nick Whale if I remember correctly.

I also wonder if Autosleepers might have done a few conversions on the LHD VW T4 chassis to special order. I am less confident about that possibility.

Otherwise, there might be some personal imports like the used LHD Wesfalia California Auto that I bought in Germany. That should be within budget.

 

[Coolcats]

My sister is thinking of getting a PVC/camper.
She won't drive anything to big, I would say 5.4m max but preferably 5m, and it needs to be automatic, and she will be using it solo.
She wants a toilet but can manage without a shower.
Budget about £20k.
Any suggestions please.

HymerCar Ayres Rock, is the spec we have and what a delightful MoHo it is. You should be able to get a 2nd hand one for that budget and I doubt she would be disappointed.

 

[headlight]

HymerCar Ayres Rock, is the spec we have and what a delightful MoHo it is. You should be able to get a 2nd hand one for that budget and I doubt she would be disappointed.

Aren't they pop tops ?

 

[Coolcats]

Aren't they pop tops ?

Nope the pop top is an extra they can be ordered as a 2 berth many dealers order them with the pop top

All the range as standard does not have a lifting roof.

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[Coolcats]

Aren't they pop tops ?

There are many images of HymerCar with the pop top but here is a Video of one without, having the skylights makes it bright inside, we had a rear roof light installed along with a bathroom window, but did not bother with the additional rear side windows.

 

[Nanniemate]

There are many images of HymerCar with the pop top but here is a Video of one without, having the skylights makes it bright inside, we had a rear roof light installed along with a bathroom window, but did not bother with the additional rear side windows.

I think.its a.little over the OP's budget

 

[Coolcats]

I think.its a.little over the OP's budget

for sure if new but an older model may be OK

 

[Janine]

My Autosleeper Nuevo comes in at a tad over 5m and I am sure I have seen an auto version.

 

[Guigsy]

Isn't there a company that effectively does an after market kit that robotises the Ducato manual? I seem to remember it was mainly sold as a disability aid?

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[Nanniemate]

Isn't there a company that effectively does an after market kit that robotises the Ducato manual? I seem to remember it was mainly sold as a disability aid?

The are a few that do it but would then effect the insurance as a performance modification

 

[Blue Moon]

Try "used Toyota motor homes" on autotrader. There's plenty within the OP's budget and most are autos.

 

[Guigsy]

The are a few that do it but would then effect the insurance as a performance modification

Maybe a little. Still be far cheaper than buying a van 10 years newer.

 

[SpeedyDux]

Try "used Toyota motor homes" on autotrader. There's plenty within the OP's budget and most are autos.

Good shout. I nearly forgot:

Mazda Bongos / Ford Freda (same van) are nearly all RHD autos, many with camper conversions. Big enough for a solo traveller but no separate toilet compartment - needs a portapotti. You can find them without the "auto free top" elevating roof. Nicknamed "Bongolows". Mostly 2.5 diesels but there are some 2L petrol ones too that could be ULEZ compliant for now. Fuel economy is a Bongo weak point. Lucky to get 30 mpg. Some Funsters have owned them. Very easy to drive.

Finding one for sale that is relatively rust-free is a challenge. You still see them from time to time. For a lot less than £20K.

 

[rod_vw]

Just stop faffing about and make me an offer on this BUT it's on its way to France tomorrow for a month so please don't push too soon.

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[Bertilak]

Whilst the original Bongo's are likely to be rusty, that trend of conversions on Japanese import vans may hit the spot... Regius, Granvia even Hiaces etc.
Probably old fashioned in terms of engine and autobox tech, and thus not as economical as say a DSG T5, but probably bulletproof.

 

[Minxy]

Just stop faffing about and make me an offer on this BUT it's on its way to France tomorrow for a month so please don't push too soon.

Nice camper but there's no way I'd use it with that gas bottle set-up, sorry.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Good shout. I nearly forgot:

Mazda Bongos / Ford Freda (same van) are nearly all RHD autos, many with camper conversions. Big enough for a solo traveller but no separate toilet compartment - needs a portapotti. You can find them without the "auto free top" elevating roof. Nicknamed "Bongolows". Mostly 2.5 diesels but there are some 2L petrol ones too that could be ULEZ compliant for now. Fuel economy is a Bongo weak point. Lucky to get 30 mpg. Some Funsters have owned them. Very easy to drive.

Finding one for sale that is relatively rust-free is a challenge. You still see them from time to time. For a lot less than £20K.

I think the weak point of a Bongo is the bodywork/chassis.

The older they get the lighter they are

 

[rod_vw]

Nice camper but there's no way I'd use it with that gas bottle set-up, sorry.

Yes, it's one of the jobs to do. put it in a correctly vented enclosure. The location is more or less standard in VW conversions.

 

[cyberyacht]

Size-wise no-one has mentioned NuVenture's or Romahomes. Don't know if any are auto though. When it comes to size, I think width is more relevant than length.