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]

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

Hey, me too . We could just block out her background

Fantastic. We want to know how it goes.

Many thanks, I've got butterflies like albatrosses.

 

[PhilMary]

Have you had a look at Select Motorhomes stock, Simon Select is a member on here.

My Autocruise 144 is with Simon Select at Select Motorhomes and sounds like it will do the job.

 

[Krazykate]

My Autocruise 144 is with Simon Select at Select Motorhomes and sounds like it will do the job.

I have a van now thank you.

Not at all Stuart I took it as well intentioned advice!
It appears a French bed is located at the back along the side of the wall with a washroom squeezed in beside. It often has a corner cut off which may be suitable for the shorter partner. On investigation it still seems to be double bed size. It apparently leaves extra room at the front.
Anyone else's experiences?

I have bought a van now, however after researching French beds they all seem to be 120cm ish. A double is 137cm. We sleep in a king so just not cutting it!

 

[CAB96]

So, getting a trailer for the girls then, or just leaving them behind

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[Krazykate]

Well an exciting day for us all, even for Dotty our dog. My OH spent whole day in tears saying "I can't believe it" ...and "ye can move forward a foot yeh know" in Sainburys carpark.
Thanks for your lovely support on here folks. You'll regret it though, now Ive got loads of questions!

 

[Pausim]

What a great birthday surprise!

 

[Krazykate]

What a great birthday surprise!

With a hangover to match!

 

[Hedgewitch]

Huge congratulations, all three of you look extremely happy (although two of you definitely look like you are still in shock )

 

[alir]

Congratulations on your van. We have a 5m EN Fifer and love it.

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[Crazyj]

Congratulations on your new van. You can’t go wrong with a Fifer Touring. But then, I’m
biased as I have one! If you have any questions feel free to fire away

 

[Krazykate]

Congratulations on your van. We have a 5m EN Fifer and love it.

Thank you, we pick it up today and I'm beyond excited!
Out of interest do you have those dreadful batons to make up the bed? I've enquired at West Neuk about they're new slide out one but it's £1000

Congratulations on your new van. You can’t go wrong with a Fifer Touring. But then, I’m
biased as I have one! If you have any questions feel free to fire away



View attachment 911710

Thanks very much for that, is yours light blue too?
Just picked it up it's immaculate, great to drive and park.
First lesson, when you open the rear door with the bike carrier don't smack the carrier into your head when shutting it!

 

[carolyn]

Thank you, we pick it up today and I'm beyond excited!
Out of interest do you have those dreadful batons to make up the bed? I've enquired at West Neuk about they're new slide out one but it's £1000

Thanks very much for that, is yours light blue too?
Just picked it up it's immaculate, great to drive and park.
First lesson, when you open the rear door with the bike carrier don't smack the carrier into your head when shutting it!

I remember doing that many times on our first van. A little old Autosleeper symbol. I eventually knocked some sense into myself!

I saw the photo of your spaniel leaping on the seats. My first thought was that you need a trip to Dunelm or similar for some quick dry blankets before he ruins them!

It looks like a fantastic van.

 

[Krazykate]

I remember doing that many times on our first van. A little old Autosleeper symbol. I eventually knocked some sense into myself!

I saw the photo of your spaniel leaping on the seats. My first thought was that you need a trip to Dunelm or similar for some quick dry blankets before he ruins them!

It looks like a fantastic van.

Thanks Carolyn. Blankets in hand, plus 'van' lead, harness and collapsible bowls.
The Amazon delivery guy is shattered!
Sitting with ice on ones head

 

[carolyn]

We find those packing cubes with mesh panels very good as well. I use the small ones for undies and socks and then the bigger ones for T-shirts , shorts, jumpers etc. if you roll everything it’s amazing how much you can get in. I don’t iron, very bad for the environment!

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[Crazyj]

Thank you, we pick it up today and I'm beyond excited!
Out of interest do you have those dreadful batons to make up the bed? I've enquired at West Neuk about they're new slide out one but it's £1000

Thanks very much for that, is yours light blue too?
Just picked it up it's immaculate, great to drive and park.
First lesson, when you open the rear door with the bike carrier don't smack the carrier into your head when shutting it!

It does look lovely from the pictures, I hope you both have many memorable travels in it. We’re just back from a few weeks in Provence, the van (and the conversion) performed faultlessly. Just one tip. Don’t go out and leave the roof lights wide open, even with cloudless skies - we learned from that mistake and were drying out our carpets for a couple of days…..

Mine has the slide out base, it does make things quite easy. See how you get on with van; if the rest of it ticks all the boxes and you think it might be a ‘keeper’, it might be worthwhile getting the bed converted. Mind you, chances are you’ll have got used to the faff by then!

Our van is Expedition Grey (looks like primer to me - didn’t have a choice at the time, but I’ve grown to quite like it now!)

Bike carrier - ouch! Haven’t gone down that road yet, I’m quite keen but the other half isn’t - plus we have a dog who definitely wouldn’t want to be towed in a zip up trailer….

 

[alir]

Thank you, we pick it up today and I'm beyond excited!
Out of interest do you have those dreadful batons to make up the bed? I've enquired at West Neuk about they're new slide out one but it's £1000

Thanks very much for that, is yours light blue too?
Just picked it up it's immaculate, great to drive and park.
First lesson, when you open the rear door with the bike carrier don't smack the carrier into your head when shutting it!

Hi. Ours uses the tables, no pullouts.

 

[Krazykate]

Hi. Ours uses the tables, no pullouts.

Just been away for a few days. Didn't have a problem converting the bed in my last van, going to be changing this one!
On each side you have to undo sliding clips, flip out a hinged platform of wood then slot in 4 separate batons to lay the boards on. If you want to use the less bumpy backs of the cushions you have to swap them as they have curves on one end. Seemed a minor detail on purchase but different in reality! Fab van otherwise

 

[stuartholmes]

On each side you have to undo sliding clips, flip out a hinged platform of wood then slot in 4 separate batons to lay the boards on. If you want to use the less bumpy backs of the cushions you have to swap them as they have curves on one end.

Hard to believe there isn't an easier way..
Hope you can get it sorted soon.

Nice to hear you're enjoying the 'van though, cheers!!