Would love some advice,criticism or ideas.

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

As I have posted a couple of times recently, our free time that we have for motorhoming is now very limited.
We have a 5 berth , 6 belted coachbuilt Fiat Ducato of 2001 vintage which we have had for the past 5 years and enjoyed some good times.
Alas, it will now be dormant except for the usual run out to keep things sweet, and we are going to sell.
BUT, I don't really want to give up motorhoming, so we are looking at compromises.
Also, my car is getting a bit long in the tooth, and I would like something more upto date ( it's a 2008 Mercedes A class hatchback with 84k on it).
So. In order to avoid having one vehicle that will at best get maybe a couple of outings a year, and will still need all the bits like insurance, tax, mot and servicing, and another vehicle that will probably only do 6k a year getting to work and pottering about, but will also need tax, mot, insurance etc etc, my thoughts are heading towards replacing both with a day type van, with pop-top roof, rear seatbelted bed frame ( Rock and Roll type?), no bathroom and hot water, but with EHU facilities and fridge plus gas, similar to these vw transporter conversions, Mazda Bongos etc etc to use on a daily basis with the option of some sited camping/ campervanning when time permits.
Use will be mainly 2 persons when camping, but occasionally could have two smaller grandchildren ( 11 and 7) and I would want the facility of an awning or roll out canopy.
I would really appreciate thoughts, comments, ideas, pitfalls etc and welcome all, especially negative stuff on my thoughts.
One area that does concern me is the safety feasibility of the rear bed with inertia 3 point seat belts for transporting 2 children.
And, what are these sort of vans called?
Are they Campervans ,Dayvans, PVC conversions etc, and who actually commercially converts them from a van into a vehicle as described, and do they have any form of safety certification for the rear seats or crash-test conformation.?
I realise quite a few people have converted their own, but I just cannot do that, so I am exploring other avenues.
Please believe me, all comments are seriously welcome as we are at a crossroads in our short, but enjoyable motorhoming/ campervanning experience.
Thanks.

 

[dunnah01]

Blasphemous but what about a caravan?

 

[Abacist]

My daughter bought a VW Campervan that started life as a new van and they converted it with rock & roll bed, pop up roof, sink, fridge, portaloo, electrics, gas hob, hot water boiler, solar panels etc. There are lots of these converters about and VW do their own from new. You are talking £60k plus for a new one but there must be a secondhand market. In daughters van there are 3 rear belts and she has two kids aged 6 & 8 now but were younger when she bought it. Works fine as a day van as well and she has a drive away awning for when they go on holiday in it.

 

[GeoffnDee]

www.devonconversions.co.uk have a Ford Firefly model that may work for you

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Blasphemous but what about a caravan?

Thanks. But will again sit on the drive with only the potential of maybe a couple of outings.
However, We have considered this and do have another car which is capable of towing, but would be looking at the Eriba pop-top type of vans as they seem pretty light in towing weight and would match with our cars capability, so that idea is not completely dead........yet!
Thanks for taking the time to reply.

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[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Thanks for the reply.
Definitely won't be a new one, that's for sure.
As your daughter converted hers, did she have to have any form of safety certification / crash test configuration for the rear bed/ seats, to conform with insurance or DVLA?
Thanks for the reply and comments.

My daughter bought a VW Campervan that started life as a new van and they converted it with rock & roll bed, pop up roof, sink, fridge, portaloo, electrics, gas hob, hot water boiler, solar panels etc. There are lots of these converters about and VW do their own from new. You are talking £60k plus for a new one but there must be a secondhand market. In daughters van there are 3 rear belts and she has two kids aged 6 & 8 now but were younger when she bought it. Works fine as a day van as well and she has a drive away awning for when they go on holiday in it.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Thanks for the reply.
Definitely won't be a new one, that's for sure.
As your daughter converted hers, did she have to have any form of safety certification / crash test configuration for the rear bed/ seats, to conform with insurance or DVLA?
Thanks for the reply and comments.

. My mistake. PILOT ERROR. Sorry.

 

[Terry]

Go for a older VW transporter. Lots around and will hold its price better than any others - only thing you need to do is ask/ make sure whoever converted it used a Pull test rear seat - they come with a certificate- after that you can use it as every day transport

 

[busbuddy]

Do you usually do sites now as you will need to really if you just have a day van.
Alongside my motorhoming I have always done the premier inn/travelodge as and when it was needed.....and rented apartments etc in cities.
It's all about what you want out of your trips away.....will a van as a daily restrict any of your day to day stuff......will you sit there reminiscing about when you had room in a van.....will you actually go away

A big pros and cons list is needed and maybe rent a small campervan for a quick weekend to somewhere you have been to before so you can compare

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Go for a older VW transporter. Lots around and will hold its price better than any others - only thing you need to do is ask/ make sure whoever converted it used a Pull test rear seat - they come with a certificate- after that you can use it as every day transport

Go for a older VW transporter. Lots around and will hold its price better than any others - only thing you need to do is ask/ make sure whoever converted it used a Pull test rear seat - they come with a certificate- after that you can use it as every day transport

Thanks for the reply. Sorry for the double post.
This is the sort of info I am looking into re rear seats/ beds.
Shall continue to research.

Do you usually do sites now as you will need to really if you just have a day van.
Alongside my motorhoming I have always done the premier inn/travelodge as and when it was needed.....and rented apartments etc in cities.
It's all about what you want out of your trips away.....will a van as a daily restrict any of your day to day stuff......will you sit there reminiscing about when you had room in a van.....will you actually go away

A big pros and cons list is needed and maybe rent a small campervan for a quick weekend to somewhere you have been to before so you can compare

Thanks for the ideas.
Hadn't thought of renting to try out the idea.
Our needs/ ambitions mean we like to also stay in hotels, often abroad , when time permits and family duties allow ( our choice,not a demand).
As for the van as a daily vehicle, yes that would work for me, and don't think I would be reminiscing about past times.
Yes , site use would obviously be the way forward and besides, we are not ones for 'wilding', unless alcohols involved!

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[Spriddler]

similar to these vw transporter conversions, Mazda Bongos etc

I looked at several Bongos but don't fancy a rock 'n' roll bed as when opened up it takes up nearly all the internal space and the under-worktop cupboards/fridge are inaccessible. A pop top is very poorly insulated and noisy in winds or with the external comings and goings, revelry, chatting by neighbours.

 

[L' Hobo]

Now is the time to get a T25 VW diesel Westfalia (it must be a Westy). All genuine Westfalia's are LHD and came out of the factory as a Campervan, so can be registered as a Motor Caravan.
They are not cheap, but get one in good condition, and it will go up in price.

Parts are easily available.
Mine has a rock & roll bed that converts into a 3 belted bench seat with 2 swivel captains seats up front.
2 more beds in the pop top roof.

OR, if you only take your trips in the summer months, never mind the caravans, have a look at the Conway trailer tents.
Not my first choice but they do have a faithful following?

Good Luck!

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Thanks for the suggestions.
Used to have trailer tents years ago before moving to caravans, and then, after another break, as now our motorhome.
Will look up T25 Westfalia , but think we may be in an area of financial confusion, to put it politely.

 

[L' Hobo]

I looked at several Bongos but don't fancy a rock 'n' roll bed as when opened up it takes up nearly all the internal space and the under-worktop cupboards/fridge are inaccessible. A pop top is very poorly insulated and noisy in winds or with the external comings and goings, revelry, chatting by neighbours.

People can buy insulated covers, similar to screen covers, that go over the canvas of the Pop top.

 

[L' Hobo]

Thanks for the suggestions.
Used to have trailer tents years ago before moving to caravans, and then, after another break, as now our motorhome.
Will look up T25 Westfalia , but think we may be in an area of financial confusion, to put it politely.

Check the diesel T25 out, 40 mpg compared to 25 mpg of the petrol and, at the moment, the prices are reasonable compared with the Split-Screen and the type 2. but are going up so be quick if you decide to want one?

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[Abacist]

If you look at converters sites they say the rock & roll bench seats have inbuilt certified belts but nothing sideways on to the front is legal in Europe, must be front facing.

 

[L' Hobo]

If you look at converters sites they say the rock & roll bench seats have inbuilt certified belts but nothing sideways on to the front is legal in Europe, must be front facing.

Agree about side facing but I thought rear facing was also legal as it is supposed to be the safest seats to travel in on aircraft, trains etc.?

 

[Terry]

There are converters around doing conversions on Traffic and Transits that are a lot cheaper than VWs. Obviously they are a lot cheaper so come sale time you won’t get as much. Well worth considering though- again car like every day use but a lot newer van than you would get a Vw for same money Just for info a pull tested /certified R&R seat frame costs anything from £700 upwards.

 

[Gromett]

Might be worth looking at a custom Vauxhall Vivaro, Renault Trafic conversion. Pretty good vans and not stupidly priced like VW's More could be spent on the conversions itself.
Both me and Wissel are converting them ourselves at the moment.

The reason I like the vivaro is that it is under 2M in height so gets under all height barriers I have come across. It fits (just) into a car parking space so using it as a daily driver is no hardship.
The LWB version is easily long enough for a full length bed plus plenty of space left over for other stuff like storage/toilet etc.

Some pretty decent diy conversions on youtube if you are practical.

Also they can tow 2T so they are good for towing a caravan. For the nights when you have the kids with you maybe look into a teardrop trailer. for sleeping and bigger kitchen?

 

[Langtoftlad]

Probably beyond the budget
Wildax Triton... even squeeze in a loo & shower!
https://wildaxmotorhomes.com/models/triton-range/

I've seen a 2019 for £52k
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/motorhome-details/202311184079709?advertising-location=at_motorhomes

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[mitzimad]

my son converted a vw many years ago with a rock n roll bed with seat belts which was fine but when they had the babt it was rebuilt with a proper RIB crash tested r n r bed it was our wedding present to them at 2500 quid

 

[big bertha]

We went from 6 berth motorhome to a 6.4 pvc to an Eriba caravan but now our favourite 5 metre Fifer with a loo (must have a loo ) we still have car which daughter borrows so Fifer perfect van for daily use and beds can convert to belted seats.
We loved our Eriba easy to set up on a site and always admired.

 

[HKF]

If you're not going to use it much at all, have you thought about hiring one when you do want one? This would allow you to have a greater choice of everyday vehicle, plus someone else can have the stress and cost of maintenance, insurance, cleaning, MoT, decrease in value, etc etc. Also, depending on your circumstances of course, you might be able to hire a better model than you could afford to have sat on the drive doing nothing

 

[the1andonly]

Having used a Bongo for 6 years (and now regreting selling it) They are more than upto the task but getting long in the tooth More appropriate would be a conversion based on the Toyota Alphard.

 

[The Old Man]

If you are not making a lot of trips/holidays and they are planned ahead, you could consider just giving up on owning and hire a van when you want to.

Alternatively, so many campsites now have lodges, cabins, yurts to hire, maybe that would suit you?

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[Cal54]

I’ve been looking at the Devon Firefly myself as the layout suits me and I too am wanting a vehicle for daily use as well as camping. I don’t think Devon make the pop top anymore so you will need to look for a used vehicle. If you find one you will need to move quickly - I found 2 but they had sold before I could view!
I am now purchasing a Leisuredrive Renoir - but it isn’t a pop top. Not a problem for me as I don’t need to sleep grandkids!
Another option that might suit you is a Nomad. Take a look at their website.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Thanks for all the replies and thoughts folks.
Hiring when needed seems a possible way forward, as does yurts, lodges,cabins etc, and have no objection to those but, they require pre planning.
I still would like the spontaneity of something that IF we get a free few hours unplanned OR get the chance for some single days out either on our own or with the Grandapprentices , we have the facilities for a drink or something to eat , and possibly a loo, yet still have a practical vehicle I can use to get too and from work a few days a week.
Anyway,some good suggestions so far, so thanks to all who have replied.
Also interested in the actual practicalities of these type of campervans, ie for bedding storage, pots and pans, awnings etc when travelling.
Think that might open a can of worms though.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

I’ve been looking at the Devon Firefly myself as the layout suits me and I too am wanting a vehicle for daily use as well as camping. I don’t think Devon make the pop top anymore so you will need to look for a used vehicle. If you find one you will need to move quickly - I found 2 but they had sold before I could view!
I am now purchasing a Leisuredrive Renoir - but it isn’t a pop top. Not a problem for me as I don’t need to sleep grandkids!
Another option that might suit you is a Nomad. Take a look at their website.

May I ask what a Nomad is please.
Google bought up some obscure tribes in the desert!

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

We went from 6 berth motorhome to a 6.4 pvc to an Eriba caravan but now our favourite 5 metre Fifer with a loo (must have a loo ) we still have car which daughter borrows so Fifer perfect van for daily use and beds can convert to belted seats.
We loved our Eriba easy to set up on a site and always admired.View attachment 865837View attachment 865838

May I ask what a Fifer is please?
Thanks.

 

[Cal54]

Captain Yoghurtpot - Nomad is a conversion company. If you just put Nomad campervans in your search field you should find them.
Take a look at Hoyles of Denholm (dealer based in Yorkshire). They have a number of pop tops but also have a couple of Nomads listed.