I need your help please! (1 Viewer)

[Blaise]

Hi everyone

I want to buy my first motorhome and hope you nice people will give me some good advice. I need something in which two people can sleep, plus one large dog! I have to have an automatic due to a gammy leg, and I will be using it as my main vehicle too, so it needs to be small. I like the look of the Romahome, but apparently the two-berth comes only with manual transmission. The old-style VW camper also appeals, but they are SO expensive. (I have a maximum budget of 8k.). I know it's a big ask, but I'd be so grateful for your wisdom. It's all because my job requires me to be away overnight from time to time and I have an elderly dog who needs to come with me.

Thanks in advance.

 

[calion]

You could consider a Mazda Bongo/ Ford Freda. The majority of them seem to be automatic. Small enough for everyday use, but can also be camped in.

 

[Deleted34567]

Toyota Hiace may suit

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[TheBig1]

something along the lines of a duetto would suit what you list as requirements. plus being based on a ford transit is easy to get parts for and maintain
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like this one

 

[Ali n Tim]

Sorry no help with your question but welcome anyway

 

[Blaise]

Thanks so much for the quick responses . Are all those mentioned above insulated, like a Romahome? I wouldn't want the pooch to boil in summer or me to freeze in winter!

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[DP+JAY]

This looks good if it's genuine.

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or there's this.

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[grumps147]

Will these do, they will convert your vehicle as well as making their own models ... Broken Link Removed

Ah, just noticed your limit, and I can't find any at that price yet, sorry.

 

[Blaise]

Thanks so much for all your replies. You have given me hope!

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[joncris]

There's a dealer in Bristol who imports secondhand campers from Japan and his prices are usually well within your budget. He/they advertize a lot on ebay. I'll try and find you a link

 

[joncris]

Try this link Most well within your budget BUT as most are grey imports check before you buy that you can get insurance
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Campervan...omes&_dcat=14256&Transmission=Automatic&rt=nc

 

[Bluestar]

I would put your wish list into the eBay search engine and see what pops up.
Not strictly a camper but the Astro day vans are great with an electric bed and are automatic.

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[joncris]

This one looks good and its the Bristol dealer I mention in a previous post
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[Blaise]

Again, thank you!

 

[DanielFord]

Depending on ones level of mechanical competence, the obvious answer is a PVC that is Ford Transit based. Then purchase a second hand auto box from a regular Ford Tranist and fit to the van! It is a very simple job, and even a local mechanic wouldn't charge the earth to fit one!

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[f6c]

Welcome aboard

 

[Puddleduck]

Sorry can't help with your specific query, especially as we are so far away but pleased to say "Hello" anyway.
Hope you get sorted soon.
Our first van was a Toyota HiAce and was wonderful. We also had a TownAce which wasn't so good.

 

[John.]

Hi & welcome

Sorry I can't help but lots of sound advice above.

The link jonchris put on sounds good

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[westy77]

The old VW campers are way overpriced for what they are. By that I mean the T1 and T2's (Splits and Bays). The T3 (square looking van from 79-92) is slightly cheaper and easier to live with, but still an old pain in the arse that likes to rust. Which brings us to the T4, these can be over priced as every floppy haired flip flop botherer that can't afford an older van has taken every ex AA T4, put a billabong sticker in and headed straight for Cornwall. But you can still find decent vans. Are you opposed to LHD? If not the Westfalia vans are great and good ones can be found for under £10k.

Do not ever buy one of those newish Brasilian T2 vans as they are rusting before they get here and for the price you can get a good origonal German built van.

 

[westy77]

I know this is advertised over budget, and I'm not sure how often the website is updated. But this is what I mean about T4 Westfalia. If it is the thing you like the look of it would be worth contacting Steve the owner and having a chat at least.

http://www.eastfalia.com/detail.aspx?carid=258

 

[Popeye]

Now that last post by Westy77 makes a load of sense, looks a good van too....

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[mjltigger]

my vote is for the transit based PVC. You can get a lot of van for that sort of money.

in fact, you could probably do your own in that sort of budget

I think there are a couple of things you might struggle with a bongo or similar, firstly it is practivally impossible to get a toilet in them let alone a shower and secondly you might struggle to fit a large dog in once the bed is made up. I think you will likely have similar issues with T4 conversions.

 

[Blaise]

Well, I've been busy since you last heard from me . I've checked out various vehicles, including some VW campers, and covered a wide range of ages and prices. What I've not yet managed to do is see any Romahomes, but there's a showroom within about an hour's drive which I hope to get to later this week.

Something that several of you have kindly suggested is to think about what I really need, so I'm going to list that here in case anyone can point me in the right direction. I definitely need an automatic, and it must be sufficiently insulated to be safe to leave the pooch in, whatever the weather. It ideally needs two berths and to still have room for the dog to lie on the floor when the beds are down. (I could probably manage with one berth if all the other boxes were ticked.) It must have a loo or sensible floor space to put a portable one.

Having looked at a number of vans I also now know what I could manage without . I don't have to have a fridge, a cooker, running water or electricity. The vehicle would not be for holidaying in, but rather when I have to go to conferences requiring an overnight stay - all the luxuries like hot water would be available at the venue - I just need to be able to sleep with my dog and spend a penny if necessary!!

Grateful for any further thoughts.

 

[mjltigger]

Still a transit but have you thought where you will park? Depending on the type of conference some places will have height barriers etc. That limits you a lot.

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[TheCaller]

I know this is advertised over budget, and I'm not sure how often the website is updated. But this is what I mean about T4 Westfalia. If it is the thing you like the look of it would be worth contacting Steve the owner and having a chat at least.

http://www.eastfalia.com/detail.aspx?carid=258

Well if he really hasn't sold it in something like 18 months, I'm sure he would be open to offers.

But it's not an automatic, so ruled out. Good example of what is possible though. T4 autos are hard to find. Part of the reason for that may be that the T4 auto box has to be one of the worst automatic gearboxes I've ever driven - and that's from someone who loves VW campers & would normally chose an auto over a manual - but not in a T4.

 

[Bluestar]

Still think an Astro day van, take the centre seats out for a portable loo.

 

[movan]

I know of a Duetto which may be coming up for sale in a few weeks time ... they havn't decided yet whether to sell ... It will be for around eight and half thousand.. What part of Hampshire are you in? I will tell them that you may be interested if you like.

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[Blaise]

Ooh, thanks Movan, but I think I've come to a decision...... I had a look at some Romahome R10s today and I want one!!!! The only problem is the automatic bit - apparently they are few and far between. Any thoughts on where I should look please? Would there be any point in putting out a general shout for one on here?

Of course, if there are loads of reasons why a duetto would be better, I'm all ears!

 

[calion]

I think you will find the R10 is too small, especially with a big dog!

 

[movan]

I think you will find the R10 is too small, especially with a big dog!

Agree Calion. Unless abroad of course when I guess the good weather means will be outdoors all the time.