Panel van quest.

[Krazykate]

Hi, a bit of a newbie here and your help would be much appreciated.
After having a Bongo many years ago and a very old 5.7mt coach built Fiat, I’m on a quest to find my first 'grown up' van. Got the pennies, been researching like a mad thing, but struggling with sourcing one from a Scottish dealer or by a reasonably simple route going to get one or even transporting one up here. Does anyone have experience in Scotland (or vice versa) of obtaining a van and perhaps favoured dealers with stock with mainland uk delivery? I’ve looked at every Scottish entry on the dealers list on here, left my details with many and now stabbing in the dark at the rest of the country. Any advice would be great. Thank you.

 

[Krazykate]

You still havnae said where up here is!?
Scotlands a big place
Alex fae Perth

Krazykate fae Moray. I don't dwell on where I'm from as I'm dreaming of travelling away.
Plus if I want a dealer it looks like I'm going to have to travel south anyway.

 

[Mark and Mindy]

It might be worth checking the exact width of the French bed. Our 2nd PVC had what was described as a "small double" transverse bed at the rear which in reality was more like a large single. It was only a 5.4m van so that was definitely the compromise with a dinette at the front plus a small washroom. We've now upgraded to a 6.3m PVC with longitudinal rear beds - moved house so we now have the drive space.

 

[Krazykate]

Yes will definitely do that. The van I saw yesterday with a rear lounge and front dinette, had a transverse bed and it matched a double bed size, but didn't look it.

 

[LiamD]

Yip, exactly that, thanks. (Goes off to rob bank)

I have one of these and really like it. The price on that one seems a bit steep though. I had 9-speed auto, alloys and cab blinds and it was only £42K new. There's an Expedition group on Facebook where they're sometimes available.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/431...cently_seen&multi_permalinks=7762810677095493

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Krazykate]

I have one of these and really like it. The price on that one seems a bit steep though. I had 9-speed auto, alloys and cab blinds and it was only £42K new. There's an Expedition group on Facebook where they're sometimes available.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/431...cently_seen&multi_permalinks=7762810677095493

Any idea off the top of your head the dimensions and if you share with another person? (not essential information!)
I'm wondering if you are in the southern half of England, I'm starting to notice vans can be thousands cheaper.

 

[stuartholmes]

You still havnae said where up here is!?
Scotlands a big place
Alex fae Perth

I think it's Wick. Or Thurso.

Edit: sorry, just seen herself answered before me. But I was kind of close

 

[LiamD]

For price comparison with the earlier Autotrail Expedition, here's a 2024 for not much more.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/motorhome-details/202406110651804?sort=price-asc&advertising-location=at_motorhomes&berth=4&make=AUTO-TRAIL&postcode=HP3 8RE&year-from=2024&fromsra

 

[LiamD]

Any idea off the top of your head the dimensions and if you share with another person? (not essential information!)
I'm wondering if you are in the southern half of England, I'm starting to notice vans can be thousands cheaper.

Mine was bought new so price would be fixed wherever in the the country I'd been.

Sometimes travel alone but mostly with my wife and two dogs.

Which dimensions are you interested in knowing?

 

[Krazykate]

So from my gold paint thread to my quest, essentially for a big end bed, a huge turnaround this afternoon.
First swayed by very helpful members on here, I went to view a gold Warwick this afternoon.
Got there, first impressions, too plush, too long, too shiny, perhaps a luxury for my retirement.
I clearly just wasn't ready for the leap to a much newer van.

Ive just sold a 22yr old van in great nick, for sentimental reasons as my mum recently died of leukaemia, van memories just too much.

Long story short, when I arrived at the dealer there was a PVC sitting in reception having just arrived, web photos about to be taken.
One owner, very low miles, light metallic blue and a few extras.
A big end bed, a little over half my budget and sadly was being sold by a gentleman who was terminally ill. Seemed meant to be so picking it up on Saturday!
...and what a lovely forum, so glad I joined thank you.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Hedgewitch]

Seemed meant to be so picking it up on Saturday!
...and what a lovely forum, so glad I joined thank you.

Congratulations - and chuckling to myself.

Getting a new van can be a funny thing, you can plan and plan as much as you like but sometimes The Universe decides for you.

I did a similar thing a couple of years ago, phoned a dealer who fortunately was the nearest to where we live to ask about a van on his website. It would have been 'right enough' but not exactly perfect. During the conversation he told me about a van which had just come in as part-ex, not yet on the website and WAS 100% right. I bought it the next day

We will need photos on Saturday!

 

[Krazykate]

Congratulations - and chuckling to myself.

Getting a new van can be a funny thing, you can plan and plan as much as you like but sometimes The Universe decides for you.

I did a similar thing a couple of years ago, phoned a dealer who fortunately was the nearest to where we live to ask about a van on his website. It would have been 'right enough' but not exactly perfect. During the conversation he told me about a van which had just come in as part-ex, not yet on the website and WAS 100% right. I bought it the next day

We will need photos on Saturday!

Thank you Cant sleep, Im like a kid at Christmas!

 

[carolyn]

Thank you Cant sleep, Im like a kid at Christmas!

You haven’t told us what van it is, you’re not allowed to tell us it’s just blue. We need much more info than that!

Congratulations, very exciting.

 

[Krazykate]

You haven’t told us what van it is, you’re not allowed to tell us it’s just blue. We need much more info than that!

Congratulations, very exciting.

Citroen Relay 2.2 manual. 62' plate, 30,000 miles on the clock. One owner. Webasto heating, bike rack, solar panel. 5.4mt. I plan to go island hopping and a passer by said to get as small a van as possible.... the total opposite to what I was looking for!

 

[carolyn]

Citroen Relay 2.2 manual. 62' plate, 30,000 miles on the clock. One owner. Webasto heating, bike rack, solar panel. 5.4mt. I plan to go island hopping and a passer by said to get as small a van as possible.... the total opposite to what I was looking for!



View attachment 908538

We’re getting there but who is the Converter? Eg Vantage, Swift etc. The company who built the interior bits who turned it from a delivery van into your magnificent 2nd home.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Krazykate]

We’re getting there but who is the Converter? Eg Vantage, Swift etc. The company who built the interior bits who turned it from a delivery van into your magnificent 2nd home.

East Neuk conversions near Edinburgh.
Can't wait to make it my own.
600 payload.
Need all new stuff for the inside as I emptied my last van.
Plus an awning, converter fridge, e-bikes, better Satnav, that'll be it used up!

 

[carolyn]

East Neuk conversions near Edinburgh.
Can't wait to make it my own.
600 payload.
Need all new stuff for the inside as I emptied my last van.
Plus an awning, converter fridge, e-bikes, better Satnav, that'll be it used up!

How wonderful. I’ve heard they’re really good . We’re right down the other end of the country from you but love panel vans as well. I think you’re very wise to buy a van for your needs rather than buy a van to accomodate the needs of very occasional extra nieces whose visits might fizzle out. You can have great fun with them in other ways.

 

[Krazykate]

How wonderful. I’ve heard they’re really good . We’re right down the other end of the country from you but love panel vans as well. I think you’re very wise to buy a van for your needs rather than buy a van to accomodate the needs of very occasional extra nieces whose visits might fizzle out. You can have great fun with them in other ways.

Thanks Carolyn, I think so too, just took a little time to work it out!
Will look forward to touring down your neck of the woods in future.
Have a nice day.

 

[Jonno1103]

Bit of a drive for you but Oaktree Motorhomes which wins many awards and for my money does one of the best handovers known to man have a very tidy Autosleeper within your budget.

 

[Krazykate]

Bit of a drive for you but Oaktree Motorhomes which wins many awards and for my money does one of the best handovers known to man have a very tidy Autosleeper within your budget.

Hi Jonno
Don't know if you've read above but I had a spontaneous purchase of a 'van with character' yesterday so will be spending the rest of my budget on something else! (hopefully not the van in a garage!)
Thanks for taking the time to give me some info though.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Gingernuts]

Well done Kate, congrats on the new van!
It was meant to be
5.4m = daily driver if need be.
and fits in a normal parking space
Don’t go too daft on the accessories until you see what you need……..not want
All the best Alex fae Perth

 

[Krazykate]

Well done Kate, congrats on the new van!
It was meant to be
5.4m = daily driver if need be.
and fits in a normal parking space
Don’t go too daft on the accessories until you see what you need……..not want
All the best Alex fae Perth

Cheers Alex, thanks for your support.
Fiamma awning, compressor fridge (full of cider) and a n ebike.
What d'ya reckon?

 

[carolyn]

Thule monitors awnings are supposed to be that tiny bit better quality. Not sure if it’s true but there was a thread on it fairly recently. We’ve had them on our last two vans.

 

[stuartholmes]

You haven’t told us what van it is, you’re not allowed to tell us it’s just blue. We need much more info than that!

Congratulations, very exciting.

Fighting back the urge to say something dreadfully sexist...

 

[stuartholmes]

Very pleased for you Kate, excellent news!! Been a joy to be involved in the discussion & feel sure you'll be rewarded with many happy days and nights in the van. Look forward to seeing pics of you with champagne in hand & sun in sky!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Krazykate]

Fighting back the urge to say something dreadfully sexist...

Now here's me thinking (some) blokes just care what it looks like, not what's really inside.

 

[Jonno1103]

Cheers Alex, thanks for your support.
Fiamma awning, compressor fridge (full of cider) and a n ebike.
What d'ya reckon?

Nooooo, stay away from peddles & walking shoes. Priorities are folding chair, Ice maker, Ninja BBQ, Ooni pizza oven, Solo Stove, dishwasher!

 

[Otter Spotter]

East Neuk conversions near Edinburgh.
Can't wait to make it my own.
600 payload.
Need all new stuff for the inside as I emptied my last van.
Plus an awning, converter fridge, e-bikes, better Satnav, that'll be it used up!

So you are getting an EN van then ?!

 

[stuartholmes]

Now here's me thinking (some) blokes just care what it looks like, not what's really inside.

Many blokes do. I used to think I liked Holly Valance.

 

[Krazykate]

So you are getting an EN van then ?!

Ooooh, didn't know that an 'EN' was a thing. Let's hope it's a good thing! I'm giving it to my partner for her birthday tomorrow and she doesn't know anything about it!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Riverbankannie]

Ooooh, didn't know that an 'EN' was a thing. Let's hope it's a good thing! I'm giving it to my partner for her birthday tomorrow and she doesn't know anything about it!

Fantastic. We want to know how it goes.