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Ha. Yes, of course...Yep, demand through the roof during and since the Covid-era.
Ha. Yes, of course...Yep, demand through the roof during and since the Covid-era.
We got our van from Sussex Campervans up near Horsham. They build vans to order. I'm not suggesting going there specifically, but there are quite a few companies that re happy to talk you through the options and process.Cheers - a lot to go do some research about.
Fair comment.If I hadn't been sleep deprived due to parenting an 8-week old, I rather think I may have responded similarly...
Indeed, babies always have.They cost a fortune!!
I spent so long writing an answer to @Goldstone1976 I missed your call to arms!@Papa Lazarou, as a campervan owner, will be able to advise, I’m sure.
We have just had an addition to the family and my partner mentioned that she'd quite like to buy a camper van/mobile home (not a caravan) so that we can do long weekends/a week (or maybe 2?) in the UK and near continent with the little one, instead of braving airports and planes with a screaming child. Like an idiot, I said "yes, that sounds like a good idea" - As mitigation, I have only the fact that the perpetual extreme tiredness has fuddled my rationality.
One small problem. I know nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing about said vehicles. Thinking about the various things I need to research: how the f do I get power to it? how do we cook? how do we shower? what the f do I do with shit and piss? what facilities do I look for on a site that we might visit? is it legal to just park it anywhere? which models are reliable? As I said I know nothing about any of this. The only thing I do know is that it'll need to sleep 3, in two beds (and for a couple of years, it'll need to be able to sleep a baby/toddler).
I'm sure that some of you do know stuff. Any tips welcome...
That's a nice van. We spend August bank holiday most years down at West Bay with Bournemouth & Poole dive club and some of the members there have beautiful vans, all in the 80k+ new though. Not what I'd like to be driving down a narrow road in Western Ireland or Cornwall.We bought a 6 berth Chausson Flash 03 in 2019 and have never looked back. It has proved brilliant for away games as we build little holidays around them. Initially we only stayed on campsites but there are various apps which show pubs and car parks which allow overnight stays and we tend to now do this. Last summer we took the ferry across to the Hook of Holland and drove to the north of Denmark and across to Stockholm. This year we have already done Everton and Stoke away and are planning a trip across to Poland this summer before our daughter takes it to a festival.
You need to consider where you can store it and make sure it is within legal limits for driving on a standard driving licence. There is a small camper van place at Plummers Plain and the owner gave us great advice when we were looking and we always go there for our habitation checks and any repairs.
I tried that and my wife bought one on ebay whilst I was at work. T25 Vw - was a pain in the arse but kept for 8 years and some really great memories so in the end she knew best as is so often the case. T25s don't depreciate btw, but they also are not worth v much. Get a water cooled one with good interior and a powerful engine. Westfalia best.If I hadn't been sleep deprived due to parenting an 8-week old, I rather think I may have responded similarly...
My mate has one and has one with a Euro 6 engine compliant for ULEZ, when it eventually spreads out to the M25 boundaries.We have just had an addition to the family and my partner mentioned that she'd quite like to buy a camper van/mobile home (not a caravan) so that we can do long weekends/a week (or maybe 2?) in the UK and near continent with the little one, instead of braving airports and planes with a screaming child. Like an idiot, I said "yes, that sounds like a good idea" - As mitigation, I have only the fact that the perpetual extreme tiredness has fuddled my rationality.
One small problem. I know nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing about said vehicles. Thinking about the various things I need to research: how the f do I get power to it? how do we cook? how do we shower? what the f do I do with shit and piss? what facilities do I look for on a site that we might visit? is it legal to just park it anywhere? which models are reliable? As I said I know nothing about any of this. The only thing I do know is that it'll need to sleep 3, in two beds (and for a couple of years, it'll need to be able to sleep a baby/toddler).
I'm sure that some of you do know stuff. Any tips welcome...
If you were in the market for one of these "...slightly larger 2 berth van, with a shower, fixed bed etc..." what would you be looking at? The very limited research I've done so far this afternoon points me to a VW Grand California as soemthing to look at. A shower and a proper-ish loo is pretty much a must (for me, not for her).That's a nice van. We spend August bank holiday most years down at West Bay with Bournemouth & Poole dive club and some of the members there have beautiful vans, all in the 80k+ new though. Not what I'd like to be driving down a narrow road in Western Ireland or Cornwall.
Perfect for them, as they're all pretty much retired and can use the van frequently enough to get the value as you certainly have it would seem.
Once I retire I would like to do the Grand European tour with Mr Laz (she's my wife now) in a slightly larger 2 berth van, with a shower, fixed bed etc. I see so many accounts of trips all over the continent, and it really appeals to me. I just need to get to retirement age with enough pension and health left to make it happen!
Out of interest looked up the model to see what it looked like - first one I saw on auto trader - very good with the number plate https://www.autotrader.co.uk/motorhome-details/202305197549270?advertising-location=at_motorhomesWe bought a 6 berth Chausson Flash 03 in 2019 and have never looked back. It has proved brilliant for away games as we build little holidays around them. Initially we only stayed on campsites but there are various apps which show pubs and car parks which allow overnight stays and we tend to now do this. Last summer we took the ferry across to the Hook of Holland and drove to the north of Denmark and across to Stockholm. This year we have already done Everton and Stoke away and are planning a trip across to Poland this summer before our daughter takes it to a festival.
You need to consider where you can store it and make sure it is within legal limits for driving on a standard driving licence. There is a small camper van place at Plummers Plain and the owner gave us great advice when we were looking and we always go there for our habitation checks and any repairs.
I won a Motorhome from a Pret A Manger scratch card …it said “WIN A BAGEL”.
Whilst totally not what your partner will want to hear but travelling with a baby/toddler is a doddle. Ditch the camper van and go on holiday outside of high season while you can. When your little one(s) get to school age is the time for a camper in my opinion.
What's the fuel economy.like on that? Looks really spaciousWe bought a 6 berth Chausson Flash 03 in 2019 and have never looked back. It has proved brilliant for away games as we build little holidays around them. Initially we only stayed on campsites but there are various apps which show pubs and car parks which allow overnight stays and we tend to now do this. Last summer we took the ferry across to the Hook of Holland and drove to the north of Denmark and across to Stockholm. This year we have already done Everton and Stoke away and are planning a trip across to Poland this summer before our daughter takes it to a festival.
You need to consider where you can store it and make sure it is within legal limits for driving on a standard driving licence. There is a small camper van place at Plummers Plain and the owner gave us great advice when we were looking and we always go there for our habitation checks and any repairs.
A shower that doesn't work usuallyFair comment.
With me I would be doing the driving, cleaning it etc etc. I prefer renting a cottage in the countryside for a holiday, with a shower.
Ha, ha funny you should say that.A shower that doesn't work usually