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If you consider finding a 19k panel van ‘looking harder’ then I think I’m ok ;)
We’ve found a really nice and well cared for T4 that we’re about to make an offer on just under the 12k mark.
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I’ve spoken to people that have them a few times and seen them in the flesh. We were parked up near a lake in France and a German couple arrived late and spent a considerable amount of time setting theirs up on the top of their land rover. They loved it, and it was a leftover from a big desert trip a few years before, but if it wasn’t for nostalgia it would fail any tests of practicality or flexibility.
The amount of time it takes to set up is off putting, and at the end of the day it’s just a tent, so you still have to cook and sit outside or just in your car if the weather is bad. They’re the least stealthy things in the world, So the difference between having a car and pitching up a tent next to it is marginal.
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Don't get me wrong, I'm still keeping an eye out for decent VWs, it just seems that what you get for your money is a bit skewed.
We've settled on a max budget of £15k, which basically gets you any Japanese vehicle you like in any setup, or a T4 or older T5 with lots of miles.
Still haven't decided on anything yet.
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I didn’t know bongos didn’t have reversing seats. That is a big downside for a vehicle that size. Will definitely do some more digging in the hiace options, thanks.
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All across the UK - Ireland, Scotland and England. A lot in Portugal, Spain and France. Mainly in the middle of nowhere, and rarely in cities.
There’s an app called park4night which makes it very accessible.
We got asked by the landowner in glen Nevis to use the campsite after having been there for a few days (which we did and he was very amenable) but never had any trouble.
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I hear you. Budget is to follow after scoping. The main thing right now is to figure out the market and ascertain if this is something that requires more investment to get a higher spec van with a longer life, or to start with something more reasonable and test the water.
I lived in a MWB Sprinter for a year, and did a fair bit of work on the interior to tailor it to what we needed. It seems mad that the budget for a weekend van might be 10x the cost of something we lived in full time!
My current thinking is that we either go for a Bongo Friendee style and be content with slightly poky to see how much use it gets, or go all out and get a T5 or T6 and aim to rent it out when not in use.
The main thing is that this doesn't need to act as a car anything other than very occasionally, and primarily it is a camper intended to be comfortable for two people to go climbing, surfing, operate as a base for bike trips and get to remote places for off grid camping.
You're right about not overcomplicating things, in an entire year, including nights at -7c we used our diesel heater once, and I could definitely do without a shower and toilet. Definitely needs to be possible to cook a meal inside comfortably though, both for winter and for being a bit sneaky. I also think people get overly hung up on stealth, and having only used a campsite once in a year, I don't know why people bother.
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I'd seen some nice Transit Custom conversions. Looking at the connect conversions, it does look on the pokey side.
Conversion via mechano isn't a bad shout, but I'm not sure time will allow. Any good kit recommendations? Ideally not too much leather and plastic!
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Opening up the classic 'alternatives to a VW' chat the the nth time.
On the lookout for a campervan that is small and fuel efficient. Like everyone else out there, something like the California would be ideal, but preferably without the price tag!
Needs to be quite modern, fuel efficient and able to replace a car (albeit one that's rarely used).
Would really value any update to this list of alternatives, and also any conversion specialists that do vehicles of this size, with a finish that isn't too plastic heavy.
Alternative options:
Toyota hi ace
Mazda bongo friendee
Nissan elgrande
Vauxhall vivaro/renault traffic
Trim trim trim.
I have the same brake levers as you on mine, and I have a real issue with the bolt. The bridge between the two sections is a really nice place to rest your hand, but the bolt digs in! I need to get some with a wraparound clamp and bolt below.