Camper van (1 Viewer)

Rob and Val

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Oct 17, 2010
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Hi, John, and a warm welcome.

Most people will tell you that their first motorhome purchased was not ideal for them - although we were lucky with ours. If you can look at as many as you can before making a final decision it might prevent you from making any mistake.

The main consideration is whether or not the motorhome suffers from damp. If it does, it can be very costly to repair. It would be wise to purchase a damp meter before any viewings.

Second is the layout, e.g. how easy is it to make up the beds at night.

Third, make sure you test-drive the vehicle, not just on the flat but up hills and round corners.

We expect that others, with more technical experience, will be along soon to offer more advice. Good luck with your search.
 
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scotjimland

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Jul 25, 2007
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Hi John..
.. for 30k you can buy second hand just about any type, make and size of motorhome.. from a 5mt pop-top camper to a 12 mt USRV .. do you want a panel van conversion (PVC) .. C class or A class.

write down what you plan to do , where you will go and how many will be with you.. consider where you will store it.. on your drive or in storage ..do you want fixed bed or not..
.. will you camp 'offsite' or mainly use sites... will you use it for daily transport.. etc

once we have an idea you will get a lot of advice and suggestions..

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Photo4x4

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Jul 26, 2014
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I am looking for a camper van
Firstly - welcome.

Ah! Are you looking for a 'camper van' or a motorhome?

You need to checkout which you need/want by going to a large dealership and looking at all types.

My limited understanding is that a camper van is usually a smaller van conversion with more limited inside facilities. It is more like a car to drive and they are often used as a daily vehicle.

A motorhome is generally larger and is self contained with 'normal' sized cooker and fridge with on-board toilet and shower. Some will have beds that are permanent as well as ones you make up at night.

There are three classes of MH: a) Van conversion, b) coach-built and c) 'A' class.

They are:

a) a commercial van that has been fitted out by a specialist conversion company
b) a specialist chassis and cab that have had a coachbuilt 'habitiation' area (living area) built on the back
c) a rolling chassis that has been built from the chassis up (including the cab) by a MH builder

Each has its advantages and disadvantages and each has its devotees.

Also look out for 'over cab' beds (permanent), built in bunk beds etc.

Anyway have fun having a look and deciding which suits you.

I hope I have the above correct, if not I'm sure there will be someone along who can fill you in better.

Good luck.

Keith Hart
 
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Puddleduck

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Also check the payload and your driving license!

How many berths and seat belts do you need?

Lots to think about.

oh and
welcome.jpg

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mjltigger

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Nov 12, 2014
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Welcome.. to clarify the camper van thing. I would call anything @Photo4x4 put under category A to be a campervan.. that's what we have. Lwb hi top transit. Think next time might go for a transit jumbo but will still call it a campervan..

As said, size and layout are the key things, what you call it can come later.

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cruiser

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we hope you find what you want. but have a good look around before you buy one.
 
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movan

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Hello and welcome.... you will get lots of advice on here.

Have a word with John Cross Motorhomes and also look in the FOR SALE Forum .. from the Home page. You will need to let us know a bit more of what type of van you are after.

Welcome. :)
 
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Judge Mental

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welcome:) you are a bit vague John as to what your after...when some one says camper van to me I think of a panel van conversion.

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haganap

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I'm an oldbie MH number 10
I call our motorhome a camper.... found it to snobby to refer to it as a Motorhome...mates at work used to rib me and call it a caravenette...

You need to give us some ideas on what your looking for to get a more complete anSwer.

How many of you are there? How big is your drive? Etc etc
 
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jtp890

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try a couple on hire first. Some people find motorhomes not for them, big investment
 
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cruiser

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my mates called mine the old tin box.

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TheBig1

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many many years! since I was a kid
at least when you get insulted, its in a nice/funny way:LOL:
 
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Terry

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Can't remember ;)
IMO anything without a loo/shower is a camper/day van- after that they are all motorhomes (VOSA term motor caravan:))this term also applies to camper vans ;)About 95% are based on a commercial vehicle in some form be it a PVC,(based on a panel van) Coachbuilt (panel van front with coach build body on rear)or A class (based on a van or wagon chassis with full made up body)---Need more info from yourself on what you are looking at/thinking of.(y)
terry

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cruiser

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don't I know it. but I am only worried when people are nice to me. that does not happen very often. so all insults welcome.
 
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