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So we've had a T5 LWB campervan for 5 years - used it heaps and loved it. But probably I've used it heaps with the dogs, Mrs A just 'quite a lot'. She's pushing for us to size-up because:
- our van isn't the comfiest for 2 to sit in for an evening, nor to eat dinner
- it's not that bright in an evening
- we've 2-3 spaniels so floor space is limited
- after a week or so of camping, she gets a bit bugged by the relatively limited, dark space
So we just looked inside a Fiat Ducato 6mtr length van and an Autotrail van and she really liked them. We're pretty constrained on size because of our driveway so I reckon 6 - 6.5mtr is the max we can cope with. Also we use our van as an occasional 2nd vehicle which is handy, wondering whether the bigger van becomes a bit of hassle for short trips, or popping into town etc?
Other requirements are -
- automatic gearbox
- toilet but shower optional
- ideally some solar
- 2 berth only
- height allowing us to stand up
- prob not a fixed bed
- not bothered by gizmos
- if we sold our van and added a chunk, we could (possibly/hopefully/maybe) budget at £35k
- v much like the look of the newer Autotrail style
Is there a good start point for searching? Things / types to avoid? Ideally we'd spend less ... if £35K can be spent but doesn't have to be, going older and cheaper wise?
We've got pretty confused trying to filter our search so far, so any guidance gratefully received!
Watching with interest
Watching with interest
+1
£35k might stretch the budget depending how new a van. The plus side, is most don't have big mileages. Only issues is ULEZ areas and where do you usually go as a daily (parking etc). For me, we were in a proposed ULEZ, more than 5m meant MrsF's car wouldn't fit the drive, and I'd need it to fit in a multistorey if I was to drive to work (usually cycle), plus we use lots of beach car parks with a 2m limit. Ended up with a people carrier van. We needed something that could be a daily. Very nearly went for a Ducato sized van.
That said, you know the pro's and cons of a smaller van. Lots of layouts in the Ducato sized vans. Some of the 'bike' garage equipped ones were high on my list.
That said, you know the pro's and cons of a smaller van. Lots of layouts in the Ducato sized vans. Some of the 'bike' garage equipped ones were high on my list.
Clever Campers 540 Duo looks like a layout that I'd really like with some garage space. Unfortunately it seems they are a new model so no used ones around and they don't seem to have any dealers in the UK or a right hand drive model. Other than those 3 deal breakers it's perfect 😂
We've had a SWB T5 campervan for coming on 15 years and the living/sleeping area size has never been an issue until now, when the dog we now have is just a bit too big to sleep in the footwell (which is where previous dogs have slept). That, and the fact that the van itself is now a bit long in the tooth is the reason that it will be sold when I actually get my arse into gear and get it up for sale.
We have talked about getting something bigger but, other than a bit more room, the only thing we'd want that we don't currently have is a toilet on board. At this point it'll probably be a retirement purchase, which will hopefully be in the about six years.
TBH, we coming back to the fact that a small caravan is probably the answer...