Campervans

[ladywoman]

My Hubby, Raysparx and I have always wanted to have a campervan and are now seriously looking We would be really grateful for any advice you can offer. We have been looking at 2.3 D Newstars, they seem to offer good value for money. We dont want anything larger than that as we like to go off the main roads, however, we dont want to be like two sardines either!! But there must be lots of advantages and disadvantages of owning that we havent thought of . Are there any accessories that are vital or any that we are likely to be persuaded to buy that you really
dont need? One thing we know for sure is that we dont want to tow a caravan. Cheers and thanks in advance

[Ethel]

Can'[t find that campervan - can we have a link?

[ladywoman]

Dont have a link at the moment, but they are as Fiat Ducato 4 berth with overhead berth. Any advice on campervans in general would be great, thanks Ethel

[Ethel]

Sorry - I keep wandering off!

General things to bear in mind, as I am unclear as to whether this is a campervan or a motorhome.

1. Weight. Many people are licenced to drive 3.5 ton only. The weight of the vehicle includes not only 'fixtures and fittings' but fuel, water, luggage and passengers.
People are caught out time and time again by this. They buy motorhomes with high spec and lots of extras such as awnings and don't consider there will be little weight capacity for themselves and luggage.

2. Remember to make sure you have EVERYTHING you need in the van when you have parked up. It is no fun half way through cooking a meal to find you have run out of salt/loo roll etc and you are miles from the nearest shop. You can't just drive off with things lying around.

3. Storing the van - have you got a secure place to park it while you are at home?

4. If you intend going abroad, remember that you will be displaying UK plates and anyone and everyone will know that your passports are somewhere in that van. Be aware of security at all times.

5. Hire first! It may be an expensive holiday to hire a van for a week or two, but it will be a very worthwhile experience. You will find what you can live with and without, any other problems and give you experience when the salesman is schmoozing you into parting with a lot of money.

Here is a useful site that has a forum:

http://www.motorhomefacts.com/

Good luck!

[Sphinx_Svens]

Do NOT but a Ducato ... the built quality is rubbish ... park it out-of -level and the doors don't shut ... I had a company one ... pile of poo

[ladywoman]

Thanks so much Ethel . It is amazing what can be learnt from all of you out there. I didnt know that there was a difference between a campervan and a m otorhome. Thought is was two terms for the same thing. (Hope that hasnt sounded sarcastic - its not meant to be - honest!)
Think your idea re hiring is really valid, we might just do that. Thanks again June

[Sphinx_Svens]

but ???? .... i mean buy ... sorry

[ladywoman]

Thanks for that Sphinx - can you recommend an alternative

[Ethel]

ladywoman - I don't know that there is a technical difference really between a campervan and motorhome.

But most people think of the little VW type vans as campervans
http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/classic_cars_ar chive/60_vwcamper.jpg

and the bigger vehicles as motorhomes:
http://www.gm-motorhomes.co.uk/newcover3.jpg

[BuckTarbrush]

Hi ladywoman

Try this website, its seems to have lost of usefull info.

http://www.motorhomeinfo.co.uk/buy/buyers.html

Hope this helps

[markja]

join the camping and caravan club. hundreds of bods that have loads of advice.
an extra to ethels note, a new occurance is that bad people are melting a hole in the plastic windows of campervans parked up for the night. putting a hose in said hole and passing sleeping/anastetic gas through it.every body stays asleep when the bad boys crowbar the door open and rob you blind. not nice!!
invest in a small,tough safebox for your docs and photocopy them before you leave the uk. if they go missing get a mate to post the photocopies to you.may help with officials

[ladywoman]

Thanks Markja for that. There is certainly lots to thin about. We are not anticipating going abroad in it, just UK, but can happen anywhere I guess!