Camper van options - no kitchen or bathroom

[Grianan]

You can’t have a van classed by DVLA as motorhome without kitchen. That said, I don’t think that’s what’s driving you.
I think the first thing you need to decide is whether you want standing height permanently or if you’re happy with a pop top. Think of wet and windy weather.
That will help define your base vehicle.
Next, do you want permanent bed or sofa made up?
Are you moving on every 2 days or so or are you staying in one place for a week or more.
Once you’ve got a clear idea of how you’ll use it you can have a custom build. There are lots of wonderful van converters out there.

 

[Northernraider]

For years I had vw campers that had no kitchen or bathroom and managed fine to be honest.

The vw multivan is probably your best bet it has a full width rock and roll bed fitted , it has a table that folds down flush with the wall and you can even get one with an elevating roof so it can sleep 4.
With this I used an electric cool box and a table top camping stove without problems.

No toilet means you're peeing outside etc or you're restricted to campsites.

I never uses camp sites with mine and managed 2-3 week holidays with my ex partner in it.

 

[Northernraider]

Just visit one of the many Volkswagen convertors with your specs.
Base van, insulated and lined, new roof/windows if required.
1 x row of cabinets, 1 x rock n roll bed, swivel seats, table, lighting, electrics, refrigeration to suit your requirements.
Must be thousands of similar vans already on ebay?


Same rules apply at Festivals, if you don't meet dvla requirements for a camper, you won't be allowed access to camper areas, or indeed be permitted to sleep in your vehicle (when in general parking).

It's strange as I've had literally dozens of vw campers , at least 30 between splitscreens and the t4 with all models between, most were motorcaravan on the v5 but only 6 or 7 had fitted cookers etc in them.
I always did the cooking outside or in an awning or for just coffee and a butty I had a 2 ring table top stove.


But to be honest with those sizes of vehicles it really never mattered whether it said motorcaravan or not.

I attended about 10 or 12 vw and classic car shows a year at that time and it didn't make a difference.

I see loads of people using estate cars and old vans with a makeshift bed in the back of them these days

I guess it depends on how bothered the op is regarding formalities.

I like having a toilet and shower etc nowadays hence a motorhome but depending where he's using it
I.e. Spain there's showers on all the beaches and often public toilets too.

 

[tonyidle]

6' long bed,

That excludes an awful lot of campers and motorhomes .

 

[MichaelT]

[QUOTE="Northernraider, post: 3340925, member: 49727"

No toilet means you're peeing outside etc or you're restricted to campsites.

I never uses camp sites with mine and managed 2-3 week holidays with my ex partner in it.
View attachment 304180 View attachment 304181[/QUOTE]
Is this why they are now an ex partner

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[Northernraider]

[QUOTE="Northernraider, post: 3340925, member: 49727"

No toilet means you're peeing outside etc or you're restricted to campsites.

I never uses camp sites with mine and managed 2-3 week holidays with my ex partner in it.
View attachment 304180 View attachment 304181

Is this why they are now an ex partner[/QUOTE]
Ha ha no they actually never minded..despite them having never been camping etc before they met me. I've been quite fortunate that way I've introduced a few partners to camping and motorhoming as I kind of got in to it as soon as I was able to drive. I had my first vw camper at 17 years old

 

[pjay]

If its just the two of you then get yourself a Citroen Berlingo/Peugeot Partner and bung either an Amdro or Campal kit in the back, and an awning type tent on the back if req'd.
If you want more bed length then I think you can get kits for the lwb Ford Tourneo or VW Caddy Max...

http://www.amdro.co.uk/

https://campal.co.uk/

Pete

 

[The general]

Be careful with ferry crossings, the rate for a van is a lot higher than a motorhome/campervan, it is treated as commercial.

As I found out travelling to the Orkney isles , even thou I had a proper bed in back of bulk standard transit , I could only get Motorhome rates if v5 showed it was a motor caravan , which it did not so charge commercial rates !

 

[Cheshirecat57]

I think the whole thread is another “ 5 post wind-up”

 

[Puddleduck]

Wow. That would be a good signal to me to turn round and find somewhere else. It's supposed to be about fun and freedom, not Gestapo inspections.

But if there was an accident where you were found to be at fault (unlikely but one never knows) would your insurance cover you if your V5 states van and not motorcaravan? If you are using a van for camping would van insurance cover that at all or would the insurance people claim it was not being used for the purpose they insured it?

Just a couple of thoughts as to why festivals etc insist on it all being done to the letter.

Rather like a tent, if you are happy to arrive somewhere and set up your stuff, why can't you have your portable table, BBQ, stove, and what not to cook outside in the great outdoors? But it wouldn't be a campervan. This might be a bit miserable in cooler weather, but it that is the style of travel you want, great, and your vehicle can probably be much smaller than the full blown motorhome, if all you need within is seating for travel and that pull out bed. I suspect that for longer distances you can always have an awning or day tent that you can erect for your day living space, changing clothes, etc, and many sites will expect you to have that tent attachment where there isn't space in the vehicle. You can even get small WC tents for your portapotty thing if the site isn't full facility. But then you need the vehicle space to carry that extra kit while you travel, and must be aware of how long it will take to set up and pack down each time.

Not allowed on the Aires and equivalent though - and the OP said they intended to do extensive European travel. As many of us are aware the European campsites vary - and a vehicle without facilities could struggle. In Switzerland there is no wild camping allowed and you have to use sites. The two we have used forbid cooking outside due to fire risk - and one had no ablution facilities so you really did need your own.

Tent camping places did not allow sleeping in vehicles.

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[Puddleduck]

Oh some motorhomes now have "hideaway" showers where the floor space can been sectioned off as either shower space or living space. Adria / Sunliving have them.

 

[Mikeco]

I can never understand why someone has a caravan and does not use the bathroom, by that I presume the cassette toilet as well.

Hi all,

We have a caravan at the moment and just never use the cooker or the bathroom. We are used to camping so prefer to cook outside on the camping stove (keep the smells outside ) and don't think we have ever used the shower. It seems that it's a lot of space permanently tied up in facilities we simply don't use.

I really like the California, but would prefer it if the toilet/shower and cooker/sink area were made into additional living space. Perhaps bespoke is the way to get what we want.

What do you use as a toilet, a bucket outside.

 

[chaser]

It would appear that there are plenty folk who apparently define a camper van by having a shower or an oven. The clue is in the name...

Motorhome... yes, all the mod cons of home.

Campervan... tent on wheels.

Of course I know I can go bespoke or buy secondhand on Ebay, I just wondered if anybody here could recommend anything in particular.

Get yourself a second hand ambulance, near enough done to your specs

 

[Yorick]

The other thing is that to use any of the main club sites it needs to be a motorcaravan , a van with a bed wont be allowed on site . I have had my landrover camper "inspected" twice , as to ehu with rcd, cooking facilities, etc , and it has everything inc sink and fridge etc apart from a loo !

I'd avoid them places like the plague

 

[Yorick]

Most sites will require a vehicle to have been specifically designed with sleeping accommodation, which includes a proper bed facility rather than simply a mattress laid to a floor. But the standard converting rear bench seat that pulls out to a bed would meet that. You'd need curtains, blinds or similar. Otherwise it's basically a car or van and that won't cut the mustard.
.

I've been doing it 10 year and never had anybody inspect inside

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[The general]

But if there was an accident where you were found to be at fault (unlikely but one never knows) would your insurance cover you if your V5 states van and not motorcaravan? If you are using a van for camping would van insurance cover that at all or would the insurance people claim it was not being used for the purpose they insured it?

Just a couple of thoughts as to why festivals etc insist on it all being done to the letter.



Not allowed on the Aires and equivalent though - and the OP said they intended to do extensive European travel. As many of us are aware the European campsites vary - and a vehicle without facilities could struggle. In Switzerland there is no wild camping allowed and you have to use sites. The two we have used forbid cooking outside due to fire risk - and one had no ablution facilities so you really did need your own.

Tent camping places did not allow sleeping in vehicles.

Ref insurance ,for sure it would be void if found van used for living in etc , if not declared when insurance taken out ,on my travels around the uk you will be surprised how many hire vans you see with the occupants using it for a cheap Motorhome ie mattress in back portable cooking facilities etc

 

[DL42846]

My wife and I currently have a caravan but want to change to a camper van. Our plan is initially for weekend use but in time to do some extended Euro travel for several months at a time.

Doing Euro trips for several months at a time sounds like you might be running into cooler seasons and bad weather. I wouldn't want to cook outside in the rain etc. Europe is a big place compared to the UK with mountains where it can get cold in the summer time. And bigger distances to cover. If I didn't have all the on board facilities like showers and stove I probably wouldn't wild camp which would be such a shame as there are some very nice places and its comforting to know you can just pull onto the side of the road or in the middle of a small village square and overnight there without worrying about things like cooking outside or toilet arrangements. Perhaps I'm just becoming soft in my old age and prefer more creature comforts compared to my past.

 

[Loveshack]

Hi Jings,
we have a bespoke, and have never yet used the shower.
We do use the 2 ring hob, but mostly do washing up at facilities. We stay on sites 90+% of time. I would go with outdoor cooking if we could find an acceptable awning. We have done 6 weeks in Spain, Portugal,Italy France and Croatia. Latest was home for early October, earliest, away mid Feb.
A Porta-Potty in a cupboard is a minimum once of a certain age, and “number Twos” in emergency only. ( the thought of @rapping in a cupboard just doesn’t appeal”.)
Good Luck

 

[FreedomSeeker]

What a bunch of Nazis you all are.

They want a camper without a kitchen and bathroom. Why are you all so threatened? I feel the same - I hate the ugly cooker, the endless tea and coffee. I'll have a bottle of wine at night, thanks and a bottle of water in the morning.

I arrived here because I want bathroom and loo only - no kitchen.

I want a camper to jump in when I feel like it. I will eat in restaurants and cafes - no need for a kitchen AT ALL.

If I have to take food and crockery and glassware etc and wash up and pack up - that's like living at home but without the convenience to me - I want freedom to roam.

I want to be able to use a loo and a shower - essentially I see it as a portable hotel room that I can use at short notice WITHOUT the ties of home so I can go where I want, when I want.

 

[Themselves]

And the Lazarus award for resurrection goes to…..

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[Revolvor]

What a bunch of Nazis you all are.............

Interesting first post to a three year old thread.
Not very appropriate language in the current situation.

"How to make friends and Influence people!"

 

[Otter Spotter]

What a bunch of Nazis you all are.

They want a camper without a kitchen and bathroom. Why are you all so threatened? I feel the same - I hate the ugly cooker, the endless tea and coffee. I'll have a bottle of wine at night, thanks and a bottle of water in the morning.

I arrived here because I want bathroom and loo only - no kitchen.

I want a camper to jump in when I feel like it. I will eat in restaurants and cafes - no need for a kitchen AT ALL.

If I have to take food and crockery and glassware etc and wash up and pack up - that's like living at home but without the convenience to me - I want freedom to roam.

I want to be able to use a loo and a shower - essentially I see it as a portable hotel room that I can use at short notice WITHOUT the ties of home so I can go where I want, when I want.

As a non member have the decency to moderate your language, there are no ‘Nazis’s on this forum.

 

[chaser]

As a non member have the decency to moderate your language, there are no ‘Nazis’s on this forum.

Be very surprised if he comes back.

 

[LesW]

What a bunch of Nazis you all are.

They want a camper without a kitchen and bathroom. Why are you all so threatened? I feel the same - I hate the ugly cooker, the endless tea and coffee. I'll have a bottle of wine at night, thanks and a bottle of water in the morning.

I arrived here because I want bathroom and loo only - no kitchen.

I want a camper to jump in when I feel like it. I will eat in restaurants and cafes - no need for a kitchen AT ALL.

If I have to take food and crockery and glassware etc and wash up and pack up - that's like living at home but without the convenience to me - I want freedom to roam.

I want to be able to use a loo and a shower - essentially I see it as a portable hotel room that I can use at short notice WITHOUT the ties of home so I can go where I want, when I want.

Goodbye...

 

[Aksp]

For 8 years, until very recently we had a VW T5 SWB with no kitchen or bathroom facilities other than a small fridge. It had a full width bed and plenty of storage space and we cooked under a sun canopy or drive away awning. Most of the time we stayed on campsites and used their bathroom facilities but with the drive away, could use a portapotty.
We regularly went into Europe including a 3 month road trip in spring/summer, and camped in the UK all year round.
Only upgrading now (waiting on delivery) to a Compact as we are retiring and want to travel with some home comforts.

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[FreedomSeeker]

I'm making the point that someone suggested they would like a different kind of camper and you all descended on them like something out of The Hills Have Eyes,

Whatever the language, you DON'T have the moral high ground as its YOU that are trying to suggest that someone else's lifestyle isn't acceptable because it differs from yours...and yes - I think that stinks.

 

[TCG]

is he a troll

 

[Otter Spotter]

I'm making the point that someone suggested they would like a different kind of camper and you all descended on them like something out of The Hills Have Eyes,

Whatever the language, you DON'T have the moral high ground as its YOU that are trying to suggest that someone else's lifestyle isn't acceptable because it differs from yours...and yes - I think that stinks.

Point taken but you shouldn’t call people names, the hint is in the name ‘Motorhome Fun’, also check when the posts were done your at least 2 years out of date and the OP never joined so is unlikely to have read your comments. Jim the owner of this site has good control of moderating and he will decide if someone goes too far.