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?
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An insulated poptop cover makes a big difference, keeps it dry and cuts down on noise, wind etc.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
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.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?
An insulated poptop cover makes a big difference, keeps it dry and cuts down on noise, wind etc.
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.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.
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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?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 couldnāt put the pop top up. We couldnāt erect the small tent we took with us where we stored boxes of stuff. We couldnāt put up an awning. It was no fun.
Itās easy to park in towns and it was great when the weather was calm although you do have to be very organised and donāt mind rearranging the van every night.
We would not go back to a T5.
You could always hire one before committing.
We are at 50 nights so far in our IH Crafter.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?
If there are 2 adults in a T5, you have to put away the bed or you canāt get to all the cupboards, put out the table, easily get to the sink, have room for two of you to stand up, etc.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 canāt 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 Iāve 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.
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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 moreā¦But then again it is a HymerConsidering 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?
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.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 moreā¦But then again it is a Hymer
I know the feeling!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.
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It was also a rainy 2 days in the Lake District with the VeeDub that convinced me I needed something bigger.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
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!
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.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
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...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.
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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.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.