[Closed] Living with a motorhome

Its all a compromise

Live in it the biggest thing you can find, long ish trips nit your usual vehicle then largish. your only vehicle ...dont bother IMHO

Worst of both and you have a crap vehicle for daily use and not big enough when away. I had one of the original citroen romahomes [and i lived in an Iveco = 20 mpg ]
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I would rather camp or take a caravan tbh.
if you must whatever has the best mpg, the cheapest parts and can park under height restrictions would by my choice.

Insurance on campers is about as cheap as you will get motor insurance, I use Shield.
I would personally go bigger, but as you say it is all a compromise.
Drive away awnings are good for increasing your living area, just not as quick as pulling up, handbrake on, kettle on.

Also depends on if it's your only vehicle and if you need to commute in it. City driving? Not too fun in a big van.

If that's not an issue then go big!

Take the same tip as buying a tent if its two persons then buy a three persons tent
for when it rains and space is a premium.
But in saying that find the ones you like then Hire them out especially whens its raining
so hire your short list out.
Also if you buy second hand and you want to drive through London make sure
they are the correct age being emission failure is a fine of £ 200 per one day.

We had a high top VW as our only car for years. The best thing about them is that they will go anywhere. With the motorhome I now have to look at height restrictions and widths etc.... Also there was nothing on the VW that I couldn't bodge somehow if it broke. I have a big motorhome with bunks for the kids now, but as soon as they fly the nest it's back to a VW for me. Miss it like hell.

I've got a VW T5 Transporter and I think I'd be lucky to get 40mpg out of it. I certainly don't consider it thirsty but I've never sat and worked out the MPG. I have the 2.5 engine with the 6 speed box so it's very frugal on the motorway but powerful enough to not be frustrating.

It's very nice to drive and just the right size to be a 'proper van' without jumping up to Transit size. VW Campers are very popular but very cramped. Better to think of them as a motorised tent than a motorhome. You really want something a bit bigger for spending any amount of time sleeping or living in especially if you want to carry bikes on the inside.

This is my only vehicle and I love it. I once had a LWB transit as my only vehicle and I ended up hating it. It serves it's purpose very well but I'm already planning to get something bigger when my missus gets a car for daily duties. There's just no room to do the kind of camper conversion I want and still have room for bikes and all the dirty kit that goes with them.

Thanks. It would only be for me and Mrs B (who doesn't drive anyway) and we are both retired so no commuting or pesky kids to worry about. The go anywhere VW -v- looking out for height restrictions in a motorhome is on our mind. Good that insurance is not to bad.

My current Berlingo has done 42,800 miles in over 9 years from new so I don't drive loads anyway. Usually have a bike with me when I do!

Keep the Berlingo or swap to a car and get the motorhome for touring.

Also our Ducato 2.8td based high-bay horsebox does 35mpg, loaded or not.

T5 vans will do 40mpg at best and the camper will weigh a bit more so likely to be slightly less. Full size motorhomes tend to be 30mpg at best due to the hideous aerodynamics.

We've got a 2.4 transit base on a chausson and it never gets mre than 27 m.p.g
Only gt 14k miles on clock, so may get better, but not holding my breath

I had a two berth motorhome based on Fiat Ducato base for a few years, and lived in it with my gf for 7 months on an extended surf trip down the Alantic coast of Europe. Found it completely liveable, but we are pretty laid back

I got about 25mpg in mine, it was a 2004 2.0l engine. I think the dealer is overestimating somewhat. Check out the weight of the motorhome/vw conversion compared with the base vehicle and you'll understand why fuel consumption suffers. Essentially you're driving around a loaded van. The VW conversions will be better, as retain the van aerodynamics I guess. Ours was very rattlely as well, again a think a conversion may be tighter.

Also it's worth googling damp problems and motorhomes...

The extra width never bothered but the height is a pain at some carparks.

Have you considered a caravan? I know they aren't exactly cool, but having to keep packing the van up everytime we went to the beach, supermarket etc could be a pain.

The motorhomefacts forum is well worth joining to get some more informed views

I'm another Chausson transit owner here, and i reckon on 25-27 to the gallon, my little vauxhall vivaro works van fully laden most of the time manages 34-36.

Salesmens figures are always taking the figures from the brochures...

PS .... for comparison my lightly laden Renault Trafic gets close to 40mpg, mainly A roads

I've got a t5 transporter with a caravelle rear triple seat which turns to a bed. Planning a semi camper build but with units sink being removable not fixed.

With the seat and associated fixings my little 1.9 T5 still returns low 40s mpg on a run, low to mid 30s around town.

It does struggle on long uphill drags but I didn't buy it for speed.

Whatever you do will be a compromise.. Either compromising your space in the van/motor home Vs the routes you can take... I wouldn't fancy trying to get a motor home down some single track country roads/lanes, then there's the issue of height too.

Also worth bearing in mind how long you intend to keep it. Motor homes are generally fibreglass bodies and will require more attention and care if you're planning a long ownership.

I like the idea of pick ups and these.
[img] [/img]
[url= http://www.neneoverland.co.uk/4x4services/demountable_campers.php ] http://www.neneoverland.co.uk [/url]
[img] [/img]
[url= http://www.5thwheels.co.uk/approved-used-models/demountable-camper.html ]http://www.5thwheels.co.uk/[/url]

I've no experience of a campervan, other than my old man's DIY conversion involving lots of plywood & a brush painted Commer van. 🙂

But we do drag a caravan around from time to time these days. Love it. Depends how big the van, & your choice of tow car, but you won't get any more than low 30's hauling a tin tent. Plus it's 60mph & all the drama of towing to contend with.

I've also got a 2.4 Transit based motorhome and got low 20's to the gallon when driven gently but as low as 15mph on 80mph motorway runs (which I tend to avoid!).

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I love ours, plenty space yet small enough for daily use.

Sharkattack is spot on in my view.

I've got a VW T5 Transporter and I think I'd be lucky to get 40mpg out of it. ...........VW Campers are very popular but very cramped. Better to think of them as a motorised tent than a motorhome. You really want something a bit bigger for spending any amount of time sleeping or living in especially if you want to carry bikes on the inside.

I've got a T5 and no way it gets near to 40mpg.
It is very cramped, 4 people in a long wheelbase.
When you spend a few days in it you realise what the difference between a campervan and a motorhome is.... you need to get out of a campervan to get various things done. I like it for overnight trips without much stuff but for longer trips it is a bit of a pain having to rearrange everything.
It's also not ideal in crime ridden areas, eg most of the UK south of the border, mediterrainian (sp) France, Italy etc. You end up having to pitch a tent to leave all your stuff in during the day anyway,

Should have added...

On the obvious plus side, it's not too bad to drive round day to day. I drive to work in is 2 or 3 days a week and it's fine. If a little thirsty.
Fits in car parking spaces no problem, which I think the next size up wouldn't.

It's also not ideal in crime ridden areas, eg most of the UK south of the border, mediterrainian (sp) France, Italy etc. You end up having to pitch a tent to leave all your stuff in during the day anyway,

Erm... care to elaborate? Are T5's some kind of thief magnet? I'm going to be spending a couple of months in Italy and the France this summer. Will I die?

EDIT: Just re-read your post. Do you mean your stuff might get knicked if you're using a tent all the time because the van isn't big enough?

Depends on what type of camping you are going to do really. If you both like camping in a tent and want to do short breaks then I would go for a T5 style camper. If not then I would suggest going for something a bit bigger which has its own bedroom compartment. If you do go in this direction you would really need to be using it regularly to justify the expense. I was looking into it for our family of four kids but TBH even the huge camper vans seem to have less space in them than the caravan we already have. I am based in Germany and we have met loads of German retired people who have bought the bigger style camper vans like this one [img] [/img] and basically spend half the year travelling around Europe.

Was going to suggest you might end up hating it as an only vehicle and suggest you got/kept a car too but probably not doing so few miles!

Always the option of hiring a car if you need one or city car club.

Might be worth renting a camper van (if you haven't already) to make sure you both enjoy it.

We would have loved a T5 but for the very reasons mentioned above they do become a bit cramped. Hence we bought a Fiat Ducato crew bus and had it converted. They measure up about 20cm wider which doesn't sound much, compared with a T5 however we seem to have so much more space. The T5 feels smaller due to the inwards sloping walls too, where as the Fiat etc is more boxier.
You can be smart with storage, we had a couple of clever storage extras to our conversion that are very useful indeed.
I would fully recommend having a van converted as you can spec it exactly as you require within £££ limitations of course!

[i]Are T5's some kind of thief magnet? [/i]

Seeing as my T5 Multivan got nicked last Tuesday night I would say yes! 🙁

In reply to shark
What i meant was that many of the places I go with the van are notorious for theft from vehicles. If you are camping or caravanning then you can easily leave your stuff in the campsite where it is safe. With a campervan it`smuch more tricky. You either leave your valuables at home, take them with you for the day, pitch a tent in the campsite and leave them here or leave your van in the campsite, which is kind of restrictive.

Having lived with a half done van conversion and doing 30mpg day to day. Having a second cheap car for nipping to the supermarket etc. This means you can get the van you want for going away and still live with it.

My Berlingo only gets 40mph amd I drive that with care on the fuel front so thought salesman's mpg estimates on generous side. Figures suggested above a bit closer to what I would have expected.

Probably will keep any purchase awhile, only had 2 vehicles in last 20 years!

We are in our mid 50's now and thinking of camping a bit less as we get older, we also have more time being retired. We did hire a VW Westphalia for SSWC 2007 in California and that was a positive experience. Even that was for us to see what we thought of the idea.
It is all the compromise stuff about only vehicle/narrow roads/ height restrictions/space inside/toilet (for occasional use) that we need to get out heads around. Thanks for responses.

Spando sir, like the look of your van, any pics of the inside and spec etc...

Spando- has the side door come off yet? My work invested heavily in an entire fleet of Peugeots v similar to yours and our mechs hate them!! Changing the clutch is a two day job apparently..

Will post more pics soon.
Allthepall no not yet! Hope it doesn't, though I've had various transit vans at work that the doors fell off! I'm sure there will be maintenance nightmares along the way but that's life living with a van you love. Fiat have the largest market share for motor homes so can't be that bad.

Spando sir, like the look of your van, any pics of the inside and spec etc...

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Its a 2007 Fiat Ducato 2.3 was originally a crew bus. We got it converted by Mill Garage in Duns, they offer a great service and are happy to build any design to your spec.
They have a Plan A and a Plan B layout and an options sheet for things like heating, extra swivel seat, kids bed etc.
If you have your own specific layout ideas then they will build it for you no problem. Cost wise we found them to be middle of the road. The quality and flexibility that they offer impressed us.
It is a costly project and there are always compromises, its just a case of weighing it all up.
We have had ours since Nov, we've used it loads and love it.

Go on then, I'll wade in.

I currently drive a SWB T5 with an Angel camper conversion from Amdro:

http://www.amdro.co.uk/angel.php

I did the conversion myself using the kit, but they will do the full lot for you.

Myself and the little lady lived in it on a European road trip lasting from April to September, from Norway to Southern Romania, the year before last. We did have a small awning too, but didn't always put it up.

The kit performed flawlessly, and a massive advantage is a fixed boot area, which you often don't get with rock'n'roll style beds. It held two road bikes, two deckchairs, an awning, a BBQ, charcoal and other random bits of stuff that accumulated over the months. For me it was a key selling point.

It's right that you should think of it as a mobile tent, rather than a mobile home: you can't stand up and walk around in it, but find a more stormproof tent 🙂 It's completely waterproof and windproof, you don't need to pack it away wet, with a two ring stove, running water, a stereo, a heater (if you fit hookup) and a comfy bed. It is also very comfortable to sit in reading or whatever when the rain's bouncing down outside. And you will spend time outside of it when the weather's good, but that's kind of the point of camping isn't it?

I now use it as my daily commuter and get about 38mpg. It also fits in standard parking spaces, multi-storey car-parks and costs the same as a normal car on ferries.

If you're anywhere near Cirencester you're welcome to come round and I'll give you a tour 🙂

Have had a Mazda Bongo for 2 years and love it. 6 weeks round France in the summer was no bother and I used it as main vehicle (though have a small, very cheap car now as well)

Fits in most spaces width wise, but not into height restricted car parks (nearly had a nasty accident at Glasgow Airport!)

Not so good on deisel, hence the small car, get about 27mpg, but it is a great vehicle, full conversion.

IHN good point, its always packed ready to go. We love camping but got sick of packing the car up and then sorting it all out when we got home. The van is so much easier, we keep it stocked with basic food and brew kit, a set of clothes each and toiletries. It takes just a few minutes to get on the road, happy days.

Spando, thats very nice, like the shoe cupboard and the RIB seat...

now you got me looking at Ducatos....

We have a Ducato conversion, which suits Mrs M & I fine. The double bed at the back is up most of the time, so effectively the van is a small flat, with bathroom, kitchen, bedroom & living room. We had it converted by Autohaus, who were 95% ok, some compromises were made in our spec.
However I really like driving it, except in town. Tis a bugger to park in tight spots, at 6m long. I can send pics if you want. We've hada couple of fortnight holidays, & it's just great for 2 people.

Try L&C vans in Stone. They know what they're doing.

We get 30-33mpg at 25000miles.

It sounds silly but one of the criteria we had for our design, was to have a side door which slid open far enough for both of us to sit on the sill. It's just very companiable, if not downright romantic. Coachbuilt campers have little awkward doors so you lose the open airness of van conversions, and the big sliding doors are very secure when closed.

I agree that one of the virtues of a bigger camper is that we can keep basics in there are all times, so that a weekend away can involve just chucking a duvet & a pint of milk in there.
Having the bed at the back ready made means that we can just pull up somewhere, make a cup of tea & crash without rearranging everything.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xmoses/4974154911/in/photostream

Tis fab

If you want to use it as a second vehicle rather than exclusively for holidays, you want to be looking for a 6 metre panel van conversion (PVC).

Up until recently we only had tight/competitive onstreet parking and its the sort of size where you can hang out the door to get into a tight space, as soon as you get to the wider coachbuilts you have to rely on getting out/a camera/a helper to park in tight spots.

A 6m PVC will just about fit into your average sainsburys space (although normally I will take a tandem bay to dissuade people from trying to park right up behind me as my spare wheel makes the rear door vulnerable to damage) and if quiet I will take four spaces as it makes leaving much easier.

The only time we've ever had issues with the high top is when we have been to forest car parks for biking, but its a good thing really as the last place on earth you want to leave a camper is in a deserted forest car park.

Mine is a self conversion, and having stripped it out last year for a refit, I can say with confidence that a fixed rear bed with garage under/behind is many, many times more practical and more than outweighs the extra space it takes up. For us the fixed bed has become a second seating/lounge area whereas before it was partitioned off full height for bikes. Despite less floor space the van is easier to live in.

Edit: Mr Moses, why are your pics marked 'restricted' and therefore outside my 'safesearch' settings?!

Sorry, no idea why my pics are restricted. They're all innocuous, I think.

I can still see them, just caused me to hesitate, being on a work machine and all that 🙂

I think my choice of camper would be dictated by it having it's own toilet and shower. I would love a T5 sized van but I'm not using campsite toilets and in bad weather pooing in the bushes is not fun!

[i]I'm not using campsite toilets[/i]

Why on earth not?

[i]in bad weather pooing in the bushes is not fun![/i]

And pooing in a cassette toilet housed in a wardrobe is? Not to mention the fun of emptying said toilet.

I have a VW T4 with a toilet in it. It's a godsend when it's raining at night, especially for the mrs. In addition car doors are noisy, you don't realise until it's 4am and deathly quiet on a campsite. They wake children up, I DO NOT want to wake my sleeping child and I like to drink a lot of beer when I'm camping...

I was squeamish about chemical toilets for years, now I've got one and it's really easy, takes 5 mins to empty but...

no poos, never ever. ever.

childhood memories of campsites where people had had dodgy tummies from being in a foreign country/bad BBQ food/alcohol. 😯

Emptying....don't they come with a dash mounted button for when you get away from a populated area? 😉 (joke)

Personally I prefer pooing in the bushes, but Mrs M doesn't. She also takes our van to festivals, as an ex-hippie chick would. Having her own loo & shower makes all the difference to the experience. The cassette loos aren't that unpleasant to empty, a 5 minute job. The combination of a valve over the hole & the chemicals mean that they don't don't smell, either.

Happy SWB Pop-top T4 California owner here. We did consider larger vans but it had to double up as a second daily use vehicle. Good points are that it can easily be used as day to day driver and no parking issues. Also great for day trips out as we can get a brew on and prepare lunch etc.

[img] [/img]

As others have stated it really is more akin to tent camping with better weather protection and without having the hassle of putting up a tent - personally I see this as a good thing, but if comfort is your thing you are probably better getting a bigger van with separate sleeping compartment. Ours is kept ready to go at a moments notice over the summer months so it's just a case of slinging in a bag of clothes for a night away at the beach or in the hills. When we get there, we pop the roof and are done. For longer trips where we're staying several nights in each place we pitch a driveaway awning which gives us loads of extra space.

Can be a bit cramped in bad weather without the awning, particularly if you've got a load of kit but we've learned to travel light as a result.
Personally I'd be averse to ablutions in any vehicle so the lack of onboard facilities is a blessing rather than a curse - less to clean and less to go wrong.

Ours is a Westfalia conversion - if I was going to upgrade it I'd probably look at something with a full width rock and roll bed and a removable kitchen unit, just for greater flexibility. The Westy design is great but relies on you packing it well, and we do find not all the storage is used effectively so I'd be prepared to sacrifice it for some more interior space. Captain's seats are a must as they really help you make best use of the space - we've had 4 people + child in ours eating dinner.

A good compromise between a camper and full on coachbuilt may be the larger Westfalia conversions - take a look at the Exclusive which is the high top LWB T4 version (EDIT: Just discovered they're introducing an LWB T5 version called the Club Joker) and has a fixed bed in the roof, separate kitchen area and washroom. Or the James cook which is on a MWB Sprinter base. Both of these are smaller than a coachbuilt motorhome but have more space than a T4/T5. Hope this helps.

http://www.westfalia-mobil.net/en/modelle/james-cook/james-cook.php

Buy a caravan.Cheaper to buy and run.Less depreciation.No mot,tax,servicing and cheap insurance.
Motorhomes are ok if you're moving on each day and want to do some wild camping.
If you intend using campsites and staying a week or so then a caravan is much more practical as you've got a vehicle to get out and about in.
Towings easy and if you don't fancy reversing on a site get one with a motormover,Easy.
Modern 2.0 litre diesels are easily powerful enough,giving around 30'ish with the 'van and 50'ish without.
Just looking to get another caravan myself after a year off and theres some cracking vans about in the 3 to 4k region.
Wouldn't touch a old cheap motorhome with a bargepole.

I would love a T5 sized van but I'm not using campsite toilets and in bad weather pooing in the bushes is not fun!

Just open the door and piss out the side...It's a great way to scare the dog walkers at South Fistral 😉

We have a T4 with the typical lowering and Audi TT wheels, R&R bed and Kyham Pop up Awning for Races and the like. Now we've added to the family I'm just about to put a 3/4 bed in (Pull Tested) rip out the Half Bulkhead and drop captain seats in and build a bit of a buddy box type thing down the side with stow aways so it's all a bit more slick.

For 24hour events and stuff we have a porta loo

Less depreciation

That's reminded me of one of the other benefits of going with a quality VW type conversion over a coachbuilt... they do hold their value really well. I could probably get back what we paid on ours 5 years ago if I sold at the right time of the year.

I think it depends on where and when you intend to use it. If you are going to mostly go abroad to somewhere sunny, a small an is fine as you wont be spending too much time in it. If you intend to use it in the UK and therefore spend a lot of time hiding from the crap weather then I would suggest something bigger.

As a compromise though, I saw some really nice renault trafic type conversions in France last year. One couple I talked told me they got rid of their biggish van for one of these as the big van was just too much hassle, even though it was more comfortable. Bit like this but a renault:

[img] [/img]

I really like these, garage for the bikes 🙂 :

[img] [/img]

Motorhome over Campervan every time... We have tried both for multi week trips as well as single night stopovers and now have a Motorhome.

For the simple reasons that (as other people have already stated) you need space to move around each other when it's rubbish weather outside and
It's nice to have a bathroom and not have to take tha portaloo out from under the seat and find somewhere private to take it.

We have just about the smallest motorhome we could find - 17ft long with overcab bed, and it is really comfy for two adults. Reckon we could use it in more or less the same way with up to two nippers in there too...

I have a separate bathroom in my T4

Some of the more middle class faux-hippy sites that we favour are a bit sniffy about white motorhomes

but yes, if you really want the internal space then a van isn't as big as a motorhome. If it's only for 2 and you have the cash, something the size of a Ducato Tribute would be awesome;

[img] [/img]

For us, it's more about the big sliding door and the outside/inside nature of camping, that, and I wanted a VW.

Sniffy about white motorhomes hahaha - nothing the desperately insecure aspirational middle class types won't be snobby about if they think it helps separate them from the masses.

Caravans do make sense in a way but they are so ugly. Why do we have these horrible white plastic things instead of Airstreams?

Coincidentally when I was looking up 5th wheel caravans I found this:

[img] [/img]

Coincidentally when I was looking up 5th wheel caravans I found this:

Last year in France I saw the ultimate holiday set up. Artic cab (Harley Davison behind the cab) towng a 15m (very expensive looking) caravan, pulling a trailer with a q7 and a final little trailer with a jet ski. Not sure how many campsites would be suitable though.

[url= http://www.worldcarfans.com/109020516802/1million-motorhome-with-space-to-store-own-sportscar ]Meh![/url]
[img] [/img]

We thought about a caravan but decided on a motorhome in the end (we tend not to stay in any one place for more that a few days). We're on our second now, and have been all over UK and Europe with them, including much of Scandinavia.

Here's our current one:
[img] [/img]
Has a nice big garage for the bikes - swallows 4 no problem, or one motorbike. Not exactly useable as a daily vehicle though.

Motorhomes are particularily good if you're not using campsites. Ours is self-sufficient for a few days without a hookup or access to water.

I drove a big van last year with a trailer on the back - 14 seater with 9 guys and bikes for half of it. (I was driving LEJOG) Having never towed a trailer before I found reversing really difficult with a trailer and never really got the hang of it over the week so a bit put off caravans.

We went to a showroom at the weekend to take a look and saw a couple of T5's that were 3 or 4 years old with 74-80,000 on the clock which seems quite high. Prices were £24k & £28k which is above our budget anyway.

Going to be difficult to choose between a camper and motorhome for all the reasons eloquently put in the above comments. Toilet would be nice for No 1's over night.

we have a peugeot boxer converted to a camper.
I have the swb low roof with 100bhp engine. I average 37mpg on a roads but 32 on the motorway.

Boxer is great as its wider than a T5...I sleep sideways. At 5"8 I can just about stand up in it, enough to cook standing and change easily - no chance in a t5 without pop up / high roof.

Its my only vehicle, fits in normal car parks (too high for multi- stories but so is almost every van)

I have corner seating that pulls out into a double bed, cooker and cupboard and a half height (so doesn't block the rear windows) boot. It fits 3 bikes in or 4/5 surfboards.

Happily spend a long time in it. If it wasn't my only vehicle i would consider a mwb but I have enough room for 3 adults to spend a lot of time in, change into wetsuits etc...

Definately worth trying to have in van storage for bikes, I always got nervous sleeping in the van with them on a rack. Plus when we were away and wanted to sight see for a day or few days around a city it was a nightmare trying to hide bikes.

[IMG] [/IMG]

sorry dont have one with bikes in!)
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We have a Chausson Flash 04 which is a low profile coachbuilt motorhome. It has a garage under the rear double bed which will swallow 4 bikes and loads of associated kit. It is on a 2.2 diesel Ford Transit base. I view it as a result if I average more than 30mpg, but am annoyed if I get less than 28mpg. I NEVER exceed 60mph, as it guzzles fuel at higher speeds. It is a 2010 model and does similar mpg to friend's hitop VWs, but with plenty of space and toilet/shower.

We have done 3 6 week Alpine trips over the last 3 summers, and use it a lot in Scotland all year round.

I agree that if you are looking at site-based week-long holidays, a caravan may be better. We have stayed on a campsite only 4 times in 3 years, and for us discrete wild camping is the way.

I have a 96 vw t4 hightop autosleeper. 2.5 petrol. Gets about 25mpg.I use it every day and it's been great.
Gettin on a bit. Arches need looked at and it's gettin a little tatty but i still love it and will never not have a camper if i can get away with it.
It is time for a replacement mind you.
I'm goin for a T5 with the pop top.

What a great thread folks, love your vans. Its such a personal thing and all vans are great large, small and cara...
It is interesting to hear some folk mention the large sliding door, that was one of our deciding factors for a panel van conversion.
We went for years dreaming about having a van of some sort and can safely say we really did our research lol. We looked at every conceivable option within our budget and are so happy with our wee van.
Hope those with your vans have some great missions and those on the quest for a van find the one. Enjoy the journey...... 😀

I've just gone from a custom built panel van conversion, to a proper motorhome and the difference is amazing, we can actually move around in this one and there is space for everyone, We've gone for a 6 berth, though there's normally only 4 of us to give us some space.

Proper motorhome for us. We had an ace Westfalia T3 high top. Loved it for being a VW and being part of the scene. But the truth was, it wasn't big enough and everything had to be moved to do anything. We sold up and bought a 2000 Ducato Hobby. Its under 6m long, has a garage and a fixed over cab bed.

LH drive is perfect for us, easy to drive, easy to live in (when we sold the house we moved into it) everything has a place in it. Gas outlet for a BBQ and an awning so outdoor living is ace but double floor for winter protection. Our biggest 'upgrade' for us was proper camper tyres, make the world of difference. Having a toilet and shower is wonderful especially if your racing, come back, shower something to eat and head home. No restrictions on toilet use, no point. If you only use a cassette for night time use the stench will build up over a few days. Use it every day and they are fine and clean and never stink. Chemical 'tea bags' are cheap and very easy to use.

I wouldn't want use to go back to a van conversion, too much of a compromise.

These are my experiences, yours may differ.

Tech, what difference did the tyres make? Since we have a panel van conversion, I wasn't aware of special tyres for campers.

If I remember correctly the tyres for motorhomes are necessary for the amount of time motorhomes spend effectively near fully loaded and not actually moving. I think they have reinforced sidewalls so they last longer under these conditions - but this may be pants, I'm sure I'll be corrected if I am making it up. They may run better as well, but I only had motorhome tyres.

I also have a feeling most tyres have to be binned because of age rather than mileage.

I do remember they are damn expensive

Yup damn expensive, but worth it. On STD van tyres we used to find the rear end was very wayward, tramlining on the motorway sliding around in corners. Fitted the Michelins and it stopped all that. It may be because they are just better quality. But the sidewalls are stiffer, but give a nicer ride and they can be inflated to a higher pressure. Also with the Motorhome being loaded all the time they have a higher force rating. Quieter everywhere and seem to run less hot, ie on the old van tyres, i couldn't put my hand on the surface if we stopped at the services, that worried me - if that ever had a blow out, it was stick your head between your legs and kiss your ass goodbye. Michelins are also Mud and Snow rated too.