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We are on the cusp of buying a converted VW T5 - we have had it brought to our attention this is classed as a commercial vehicle, and if fact may get refused entry to some campsites!
Anybody had any experience of this? Its a bit concerning, and taken the shine off buying one somewhat.
As a reference, its not white. If that makes any difference.
Cheers.
If the v5 says "van with side windows" then technically it is a van/commercial vehicle. All UK campsites I've used allow VW's so I don't think you will have an issue with booking. The vehicle status will affect speed limits from what I remember. i.e 50mmph max on single carriageway, 60mph on dual carriageway.
I think the inference is you may not be welcome on holiday campsites if you turn up in a transit towing a caravan and something about a dag.
Seeing as the DVLAs been tightening the rules arround "stealth campers" I suspect most campsites will be making more pragmatic decisions than purely going off what the V5 says.
If it has 2 side windows you’ll be fine.
I think the inference is you may not be welcome on holiday campsites if you turn up in a transit towing a caravan and something about a dag.
Thankfully no dag - especially given the caravan brand - but we never had an issue in our Transit + caravan combo:
Since sold and gone to a tent combined with the Transit. No problems whatsoever with campsite access in our 'commercial' vehicle.
Same as the tip or the ferries, if it’s got windows in the sides then it’s just a big car innit.
Never had any issues when I had T4 camper, T5 Kombi or even my Ford Custom Transit DCIV
Yeah you’ll be fine. They’ll not be looking you up on the DVLA database. I have a Transit Custom panel van, commercial, but it’s silver & looks smart. No problems. They just don’t want battered old white vans, tipper trucks etc or sign written vehicles.
Same as the tip or the ferries,
Pretty sure I’ve even had both our Caddy then Vito panel vans on Channel ferries on car rates before
Thank you, I knew I could rely on the Singletrack community. Feel a lot better now. 🙂
Same as the tip or the ferries, if it’s got windows in the sides then it’s just a big car innit.
Never had any issues when I had T4 camper, T5 Kombi or even my Ford Custom Transit DCIV
Not at my local tip, I have to have a resident's van permit for my T4 Kombi.
Never had a problem at campsites though.
You'll be fine. The only stuff that might get you a second look is if you've hand rollered the thing in army green textured bedliner, have a stove pipe through the roof or wooden decking and firewood on the roof rack 😉
We got turned away from a site down near the tunnel once on way to a crossing due to the sign writing on the van. The ‘van’ in question was a Hymer motor home and the ‘sign writing’ was the Hope Factory Racing livery.
I guess it’s just best to not stay where you’re not welcome, as they’re clearly asshats anyway.
We were turned away once in our diy conversion. They were a bit vague as to reasons but it came across as snobbery. As above, you don't want to be where you aren't wanted. Ended up somewhere nicer
or sign written vehicles
We got turned away from a site down near the tunnel once on way to a crossing due to the sign writing on the van. The ‘van’ in question was a Hymer motor home and the ‘sign writing’ was the Hope Factory Racing livery.
I guess it’s just best to not stay where you’re not welcome, as they’re clearly asshats anyway.
Um... was that by any chance near to Revs?
Never been turned away. Either with ex-AA t5 with windows or current t6 plain van with caravan and two dogs. Did leave a posh club site just because it wasn't fun and they wanted us to move the caravan over as it wasn't situated correctly even though having the door on European side made the pitch unworkable. Every other site has been grand.
We are out in the Peak at the moment and there are more converted vans on the site than motorhomes and caravans.
Probably people have been building during the lockdowns.
Some sites have specific rules like no dogs or adult only but you should be good to go on all the ones we have used in the UK
My experience from the European sites are that they are even more happy to take everybody.
They’ll not be looking you up on the DVLA database
I wouldn’t put it past the manager at Glenmore to do that.
We were turned away once in our diy conversion. They were a bit vague as to reasons but it came across as snobbery. As above, you don’t want to be where you aren’t wanted. Ended up somewhere nicer
I'm going to be arriving after a 4-5hr drive late with a grumpy kid so not having somewhere to sleep would be a tad inconvenient 🙁
Tbh we often wild camp so something that doesn't look too campery is convenient. It's very rarely an issue, just that once, and wasn't a big deal, did take me a bit by surprise though
I’m going to be arriving after a 4-5hr drive late with a grumpy kid so not having somewhere to sleep would be a tad inconvenient
if you are down in Devon, just pull up Paignton green, take a shit by the back wheel of your van and bingo , the council will be down with your own portaloo within the hour and to check your welfare. Stay for a week if you like 😉
Tbh we often wild camp so something that doesn’t look too campery is convenient. It’s very rarely an issue, just that once, and wasn’t a big deal, did take me a bit by surprise though
Kinda my concern as I saw something about "vans with signs" when I booked... figured a few MTB stickers wouldn't be a big deal but now I'm wondering... we are 3 miles from Revs @parc farm and the plan is to arrive Friday night get some kip then get off to Antur first thing... (so we may arrive and leave before we are judged 😉 they already emailed to say they will leave our names on the plot as they won't be there after 9pm ... ) then back from Antur that night and Revs next morning .. so they really only have the Sat night to chuck us off... I guess if they do (probably won't but travelling with a kid so being cautious) I'll just park up somewhere and if I get hassled I'll just say we had a booking but...
if you are down in Devon, just pull up Paignton green, take a shit by the back wheel of your van and bingo , the council will be down with your own portaloo within the hour and to check your welfare. Stay for a week if you like 😉
Is this a thing?
I'm down for a sailing race later in the year and the rigging/launching is off the green. We've been told to ping them our name/reg if we're planning to sleep in the vans.
Is this a thing?
I'm guessing this was a reference to the arrival of the traveller community in that area rather than your event.
If you're sleeping in your van don't upset anyone with a loaf of bread. I remember someone tossing a loaf on top of a van down there after a night out at an event many years ago. The occupant (another competitor) was woken with a raging hangover by the sound of seagulls dive bombing his van at first light.