Longer trips in a VW sized or slightly larger van or swb ducato ect (5 Viewers)

[Bobby dazzler]

Considering doing a longer break in a swb type vehicle how many have done this and managed worked round stuff and found that sometimes it's been a big bonus?

 

[ChrisL]

How long is a longer trip and how many travelling? A mate and myself travelled around Europe for several weeks in Mitsubishi Delica but we stayed at campsites every night, I had a drive away awning which my mate slept in and I slept in the van.

 

[Hedgewitch]

The longest I have managed in a VW Transporter is two weeks. Only had myself to consider and the available storage for food and 'stuff' was not an issue.

The BIG problem is that whilst it did not rain much (Scotland) it was very windy. I could not sleep with the pop-top open (because of the noise of the canvas flapping about) and the lack of head room was so restricting that it has put me off planning any more decent lengths trips. I used to have a PVC (Ducato sized) so standing up and walking around was never an issue.

Of course - the VW is 100-times easier to drive and park than a big white delivery van

I would imagine going from your Hymer into a VW would be quite a shock to the system

 

[Guigsy]

Spent 6 months in a 5.4m Ducato in Europe. Much of it in Aires and car parks.

 

[L' Hobo]

I nearly always travel solo in my VW T25 California, in the past 10yrs I have travelled on three 8 - 10week trips to Sweden via France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and Denmark and back via Poland.
Another similar length trip was Spain, Portugal and back via France.
A number of other trip were taken before I was 75 a few yrs ago.
Stayed on campsites every few days and wild spots while visiting cities and places of interest.
Never had a problem but as I've been travelling for the past 50+yrs, never expected any and I suppose it depends what one is used too.

I now have a FWD 3500kg PVC and find my off road excursions very constricted compared to the RWD VW.
I ALWAYS thought, if any other vehicle could get up a road/track, so could I in the VW and this proved to be true.

Good luck, take care, plan ROUGHLY ahead, and enjoy yourself!

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[CAB96]

The longest I have managed in a VW Transporter is two weeks. Only had myself to consider and the available storage for food and 'stuff' was not an issue.

The BIG problem is that whilst it did not rain much (Scotland) it was very windy. I could not sleep with the pop-top open (because of the noise of the canvas flapping about) and the lack of head room was so restricting that it has put me off planning any more decent lengths trips. I used to have a PVC (Ducato sized) so standing up and walking around was never an issue.

Of course - the VW is 100-times easier to drive and park than a big white delivery van

I would imagine going from your Hymer into a VW would be quite a shock to the system

An insulated poptop cover makes a big difference, keeps it dry and cuts down on noise, wind etc.

 

[TrudeandDall]

Considering doing a longer break in a swb type vehicle how many have done this and managed worked round stuff and found that sometimes it's been a big bonus?

Depends where and when you are intending to travel. 2 weeks in the UK hemmed inside by wet and windy weather seemed like a chore in our (old and now gone) SWB T4. But in France in summer weather when we could live outside for much of the time, 7 weeks was not long enough.

 

[Hedgewitch]

An insulated poptop cover makes a big difference, keeps it dry and cuts down on noise, wind etc.

You are absolutely right and it is something I considered, BUT, I am vertically challenged and putting one up one my own would be impossible, plus there's the problem of storing it inside the van.

 

[L' Hobo]

You are absolutely right and it is something I considered, BUT, I am vertically challenged and putting one up one my own would be impossible, plus there's the problem of storing it inside the van.

I've looked at them a few times but always come to the conclusion that if the weather was so bad that I needed one, I would just keep the roof closed and spend the money in the pub by the open fire.
With a VeeDub, one has to take the KIS approach, Keep It Simple.
Plus, what does one do with a wet insulated cover when travelling next day?

PS. In the VW, I always carry an insulated boiler suit for sitting about on cold nights and IF it's really cold or I'm wild camping, I can sleep in it or move off at speed without the need to get dressed if disturbed.

 

[StillGoing]

We used to have a SWB T5. We replaced it with our current Hymer 7m motorhome after a particularly stormy 2 week holiday in Scotland. We couldn’t put the pop top up. We couldn’t erect the small tent we took with us where we stored boxes of stuff. We couldn’t put up an awning. It was no fun.

It’s easy to park in towns and it was great when the weather was calm although you do have to be very organised and don’t mind rearranging the van every night.

We would not go back to a T5.

You could always hire one before committing.

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[L' Hobo]

We used to have a SWB T5. We replaced it with our current Hymer 7m motorhome after a particularly stormy 2 week holiday in Scotland. We couldn’t put the pop top up. We couldn’t erect the small tent we took with us where we stored boxes of stuff. We couldn’t put up an awning. It was no fun.

It’s easy to park in towns and it was great when the weather was calm although you do have to be very organised and don’t mind rearranging the van every night.

We would not go back to a T5.

You could always hire one before committing.

I have had VW for 40+ years and agree with you, they a great in fine dry weather BUT, as a solo traveller and especially with my 1989 Westfalia California, I have never had to rearrange anything every night?

My bed stays down, my clothes in the wardrobe and above the bed, stay handy, food in the fridge, gas in the underslung tank, water and waste in the separate tanks and pot,pans etc in cupboards.
What's to move except, perhaps, the Captains front seat swivels?

Buy a 1989 Westfalia Joker and you don't have to lift the roof!

PS. Now that I'm well over 70, I now have a Murvi Marello too, bit of luxury 'convenience' in my old age!
Later the Murvi might go but the VeeDub will stay, I can fix that without the need of a computer!

 

[Fragle]

Considering doing a longer break in a swb type vehicle how many have done this and managed worked round stuff and found that sometimes it's been a big bonus?

We are at 50 nights so far in our IH Crafter.

No campsites all off grid no problem plenty of space. The bigger the van the more you will carry that you don’t need.

 

[StillGoing]

I have had VW for 40+ years and agree with you, they a great in fine dry weather BUT, as a solo traveller and especially with my 1989 Westfalia California, I have never had to rearrange anything every night?

If there are 2 adults in a T5, you have to put away the bed or you can’t get to all the cupboards, put out the table, easily get to the sink, have room for two of you to stand up, etc.

When I’ve travelled on my own in the T5, I used to sleep in the roof (weather permitting) and leave everything in day layout below. That worked well.

 

[The Old Man]

Summers in Spain and Europe, Wildcamping, using a VW Transporter with a double mattress thrown in the back, Camping Gas two burner stove, four 25ltr plastic water containers a shovel, and a Solar Shower.

Neither W3 or I were shy.

My assessment? You expand to fill available space and resources. Just plan and rehearse.

 

[L' Hobo]

If there are 2 adults in a T5, you have to put away the bed or you can’t get to all the cupboards, put out the table, easily get to the sink, have room for two of you to stand up, etc.

When I’ve travelled on my own in the T5, I used to sleep in the roof (weather permitting) and leave everything in day layout below. That worked well.

Maybe that the reason I don't buy any of this modern stuff.
Have a good look at a T25 Westfalia, you'll see why they're loved!

When I'm travelled with a lady, we just left everything in the Westy as described and just swivelled her front Captain's seat with footrest, swung out the clever table arrangement, She had her G&T while I cooked the meal. (I like cooking!)

Yes, you have to be organised or you brush up against each other.....but that can be fun too!

PS. Never liked sleeping in roof space, everything I wanted, including the diesel heater controls or the brandy, was always downstairs!

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[fred_jb]

We have had several VW or VW style conversions and while enjoyable, now we are older and retired we just cannot be doing with the faff involved in raising roof, folding beds, Porta Pottis, etc.

We now have a 5.4m Ducato based camper which is a revelation. Permanent rear double bed, permanent standing room, bathroom and shower and comfortable lounging area using dinette and swivelled front seats. We are on our second four week European trip this year and have found the van very comfortable and according to our Fitbits we sleep better in the van than at home!

The width has not been a problem, and the 5.4m length allows easy parking in most situations while the 180 bhp engine and auto box gives relaxed driving on the back roads but with a quick kickdown providing plenty of go for overtakes when needed. The van also excels on the autoroutes and can power up the steep inclines on the A75 in France keeping up with other traffic. The thing we feared, finding height barriers in our way, has not materialised, and has been a complete non-issue.

 

[Coolcats]

Considering doing a longer break in a swb type vehicle how many have done this and managed worked round stuff and found that sometimes it's been a big bonus?

5.4 mtr Ducato is the same length as a long wheelbase transporter but with a H2 or H3 you can stand up so whilst we loved our T5 transporter we love the 5.4 mtr Ducato even more…But then again it is a Hymer

 

[Guigsy]

5.4 mtr Ducato is the same length as a long wheelbase transporter but with a H2 or H3 you can stand up so whilst we loved our T5 transporter we love the 5.4 mtr Ducato even more…But then again it is a Hymer

I completely agree. My parents have just swapped (the wrong way) from a 5.4m Ducato to a very expensive Transporter conversion. After one night away, they want a drive away awning for the space.

 

[L' Hobo]

I completely agree. My parents have just swapped (the wrong way) from a 5.4m Ducato to a very expensive Transporter conversion. After one night away, they want a drive away awning for the space.

I know the feeling!
Now nearly 80, I still have my old 1989 VW Westfalia which I love and fix BUT it's nice these days to have my 6m MURVI that I can stand up in front of the toilet in!

 

[Odd job]

It's not the trip, it's the weather. When the weather is good we spend more time outside. The reason we sold our pvc was a rainy day in Cornwall. After 24 hours inside with 1sq metre of floor space we decided we needed more space. We now have a caravan with much more space but of course all the drawbacks that go with a caravan, but last year we had a day of rain on Whitby it's better with more space

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[L' Hobo]

It's not the trip, it's the weather. When the weather is good we spend more time outside. The reason we sold our pvc was a rainy day in Cornwall. After 24 hours inside with 1sq metre of floor space we decided we needed more space. We now have a caravan with much more space but of course all the drawbacks that go with a caravan, but last year we had a day of rain on Whitby it's better with more space

It was also a rainy 2 days in the Lake District with the VeeDub that convinced me I needed something bigger.
For 48hrs I had not been able to stand up and I did not want to Pop the top and get that wet because, with the constant torrential rain, how was it going to dry before I closed it again and, yes, I could go outside and stretch my legs but where did I hang my sodden clothes?
The rain didn't stop for 4days!

I can now stand up, sit or lay down on the bed in my 6m MURVI, cook dinner, make tea and even go for a 4 stride walk to the toilet/shower room that is situated at the extreme rear of the van.

This area can be accessed by opening the rear door which is extremely handy when returning to the van with wet clothes which are hung there to dry before I access the lounge area, bliss!

 

[Hedgewitch]

For 48hrs I had not been able to stand up and I did not want to Pop the top and get that wet because, with the constant torrential rain, how was it going to dry before I closed it again and, yes, I could go outside and stretch my legs but where did I hang my sodden clothes?
The rain didn't stop for 4days!

Amen to everything he said!

 

[rod_vw]

We've been motor homing in a VW since 1976 (just like L' Hobo ) and are both now in our 70s. From a 'tintop' Bay Window T2 all the way to high roof LWB VW T6 now jumped to a LWB MAN TGE.
In the T4, T6 & T6 days ours were always LWB High roof models and duration of stay has never been a limitation, 4 or 5 weeks in Europe was quite the norm. The lack of a toilet/shower pod being the biggest negative but a Porta Potty was quite suffice. Here is our last T6
Now in France with the TGE and enjoying the extra facilities but a bigger van does not always go where the T6 did quite so easily. After all it is 1.7m longer!

 

[Guigsy]

We've been motor homing in a VW since 1976 (just like L' Hobo ) and are both now in our 70s. From a 'tintop' Bay Window T2 all the way to high roof LWB VW T6 now jumped to a LWB MAN TGE.
In the T4, T6 & T6 days ours were always LWB High roof models and duration of stay has never been a limitation, 4 or 5 weeks in Europe was quite the norm. The lack of a toilet/shower pod being the biggest negative but a Porta Potty was quite suffice. Here is our last T6
Now in France with the TGE and enjoying the extra facilities but a bigger van does not always go where the T6 did quite so easily. After all it is 1.7m longer!
View attachment 918028

There's not a lot of difference in footprint from a T6 LWB to a 5.4m Ducato. 10cm longer and wider? But you can gain standing room, a permanent bed and a bathroom.

 

[Tonks]

You are absolutely right and it is something I considered, BUT, I am vertically challenged and putting one up one my own would be impossible, plus there's the problem of storing it inside the van.

I have one. I'm 5' 4" (163cm) and put it on by myself. I do need steps though. I'm not one of those who can balance on a wheel while doing stuff to the roof! Admittedly, that was a PiTA on Friday when it was very windy, but I still managed it. Usually it goes on fine unless you're somewhere that lots of people can watch you struggling...
It rolls up surprisingly tightly and sits with all my bedding while I'm travelling. The steps fit under the seat.

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[Tonks]

I've looked at them a few times but always come to the conclusion that if the weather was so bad that I needed one, I would just keep the roof closed and spend the money in the pub by the open fire.
With a VeeDub, one has to take the KIS approach, Keep It Simple.
Plus, what does one do with a wet insulated cover when travelling next day?

PS. In the VW, I always carry an insulated boiler suit for sitting about on cold nights and IF it's really cold or I'm wild camping, I can sleep in it or move off at speed without the need to get dressed if disturbed.

Mine has an excellent waterproof bag. The only issue is that if you have to pack it away soaking, the back gets wet and so if you're just doing a quick and wet hop to the next site, it's not really practical to put a wet wrap up on the canvas. At least, I don't. But if the day dries out a bit it's easy to dry the wrap and then fit it again.