Your first Motorhome (1 Viewer)

Nov 2, 2008
461
377
Lincolnshire
Funster No
4,767
MH
PVC, S&L Iveco
Exp
45 years
Aimed mainly at people like us that has been doing it for quite a while. I'll start it of with our first van: A Bedford CA Martin Walters Dormobile Romany, 1600cc petrol with three speed box which had quite a high top gear and very low bottom gear made life interesting followed by a BMC J4 Dormobile. We then upgraded to a VW Bay window Westfalia and we really thought we had arrived. Enjoy the reminisces.
 

sparky

Free Member
Feb 19, 2008
97
85
bingley yorkshire
Funster No
1,542
MH
a class burstner aviano i
Exp
30 years
Hi p reg 1800cc auto sleeper elevating roof Sherpa with seized king pins would go round in circles all day long
 
Aug 7, 2007
669
608
Dundee
Funster No
73
MH
Elddis Autoquest 195
Exp
since 1975
my first was a Commer Ju van that I converted with the help of my brother. As I was an apprentice panelbeater/paintsprayer changed from the sh1t beige to a cream and burgundy colour scheme.
Then I had the first (of a few) 1972 VW Bay window.Then a Merc 208d, 709D lwb, Transit hi top lwb all converted by myself and brother.
Now many, many, years later we just collected our latest an Elddis Autoquest 175 earlier this month.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
May 7, 2011
4,797
42,784
Cornwall Gorran Haven
Funster No
16,300
MH
T Line 785
Exp
motorhoming since 1979
I converted ( of sorts) a commer mini bus back in 1979.

upload_2015-3-29_21-12-19.jpeg


copy of original Photo hence date incorrect
 

Popeye

Deceased RIP
Sep 5, 2011
7,926
86,461
edge of New Forest
Funster No
18,072
MH
Frankia Platin Plus
Exp
On and off since 1983
The very first engine I changed on a vehicle was on a Commer like the one in your picture Terry, I was apprenticed to a Routes Group Dealer back then.

My first MoHo was the Bedford on the right in this picture.A Richard Holdworth Conversion

2007_1027Nostalgia0252.JPG
 
Apr 27, 2008
11,794
13,952
Eastbourne East Sussex
Funster No
2,327
MH
Hymer low profile
Exp
Since 1972
Home converted VW rusty bay. Early 70s


edit That means I've been motorhoming in one form or another for 40 years:eek: (and it don't seem a day too long)
 

pops

Free Member
May 1, 2012
544
697
south glos
Funster No
20,821
MH
Pilote panel van
Exp
since1997
Hey popeye, I was a apprentice at a Rootes Group Dealer in Bristol back then (1963).

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Jul 21, 2013
148
128
Vienne France
Funster No
27,035
MH
VW T4 & MC LOUIS 671
Exp
2013 / 2004
1973 vw camper late bay window tintop called Tom (still have this van under slow restoration now :) )
1972 vw camper early bay window pop top called Jerry
1987 vw camper t25 hightop called Tufty
1999 autotrail 590 called Toots
2004 autotrail 700 (curent van) called Ela.
 
Jul 24, 2009
4,324
103,181
South Yorkshire
Funster No
7,631
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
Since 1999
Only ever having camped we jumped in at the deepend and bought a new Laika Ecovip back in 1999. Kept that for four years before we saw a new Frankia I650SD at the Northern Motorhomes Show at York and promptly swapped them. Still got it and still delighted with it. We have never named them, they are simply "the van".

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

wasp

Free Member
Dec 21, 2008
1,724
18,180
Warsop
Funster No
5,206
MH
None gone caravannin
Exp
15
1973 Holdsworth camper on a transit,1979 Bedford CF home conversion by a cabinet maker it had a 1600 engine in and it was so heavy it wouldn't pull me caravan,1984 Transit self build camper, 1971 Volkswagen Danbury I loved this and so did Sylv . 2001 Swift 590 RS didn't like that bought a 2001 Ford Transit Buccaneer Clipper, am now sellin this and have bought an old 1995 Mobilvetta Euroyacht cos it were cheap and it got beds:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
 
T

Tackle man

Deleted User
My first motorhome was a scout patrol tent in the 50's. I enjoyed scratching the insect bites so much that I have camped ever since. Loved the bright orange frame tents that got bleached in the sun along with cooking the occupiers in the hot weather. My first "Tin tent" was a 1972 VW Bay Window Devon Moonraker Camper (Pictured below)that pulled an Eriba Puck caravan. I am on my third motorhome now, a Hymer Exsis i688.
IMG_2875.JPG
Wifey and I are now retired and loving it! :D

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

old-mo

Funster
Extra Special
LIFE MEMBER
Oct 16, 2008
16,341
93,473
Weymouth. Dorset...
Funster No
4,470
MH
Nearly aint got one.
Exp
Caravan & motorhome 45 + yrs
Our first coach built... about 1978,,, after various van conversions..

Picture a bit blurry.. Some where in Cornwall.. :doh:

DSCF0859 (600 x 450).jpg


 

Snowbird

LIFE MEMBER
Apr 24, 2009
11,818
22,345
Liverpool.
Funster No
6,422
MH
Fifth wheel.
Exp
Since 11-05-2000
The first was a Standard Atlas Dormobile conversion with a 998 cc Standard 10 engine. No photos survive of that, thank goodness.
The first with photographic evidence is my Commer self build, I think with a 1725 Hillman Minx engine. I travelled all over France in that one and the last I heard of it, it was on Corfu
kays favourites 003.jpg
.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Mikey RV

LIFE MEMBER
Mar 7, 2010
4,849
23,863
Devon
Funster No
10,532
MH
Burstner Elegance I821G
Exp
Since 1977
Started off with a 1966 VW splitscreen Devon conversion in 1977, had a 67 also after that, then a bay window VW panel van and a 1965 VW kemperink it's a Dutch conversion, then went on to T4's then a Winnebago Journey now a Burstner Tag axle.
The 65 Kemperink
image.jpg
image.jpg
 
OP
OP
Ranger
Nov 2, 2008
461
377
Lincolnshire
Funster No
4,767
MH
PVC, S&L Iveco
Exp
45 years
That six wheeled split screen looks interesting. Could the rear axle be lifted to aid traction and what engine did it have as looks a bit big for a 1200cc to pull?
 

calion

Free Member
Sep 3, 2014
406
527
Funster No
33,170
MH
C class
Exp
since 2008
Our first van was the one I've sold this week. 1995 Holdsworth Minuet, we've had him (Eric) for 7 years and used him loads! Now bought a VW
005.JPG
104vw.jpg

Compass Calypso, only 9 months newer than the old van, but hey, we're not all rich lol! Learned to drive in my fathers 1972 VW bay window, so campervans are in my blood :)

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Mikey RV

LIFE MEMBER
Mar 7, 2010
4,849
23,863
Devon
Funster No
10,532
MH
Burstner Elegance I821G
Exp
Since 1977
That six wheeled split screen looks interesting. Could the rear axle be lifted to aid traction and what engine did it have as looks a bit big for a 1200cc to pull?

The front axle was put on by one of the owners a 70's custom job, it does nothing just for looks, the rear axle is factory and the engine was a 1600 with webbers, not the fastest of things, got done for loitering before speeding. You had to be careful when going over speed humps because if you went too slow the front back axle would leave you suspended in mid air as the rear wheels drive. The Kemperrink was a Dutch conversion.
 
Mar 16, 2010
3,050
29,978
Carmarthenshire
Funster No
10,651
MH
In between
Exp
Since 1988
A Beford Pioneer coach built in 1988... Must have some photos of it somewhere must have a look for them.
It had a petrol engine and top speed of about 55mph but it took us all over the continent only breaking down once when the diff went in Luxonbourg.
 
OP
OP
Ranger
Nov 2, 2008
461
377
Lincolnshire
Funster No
4,767
MH
PVC, S&L Iveco
Exp
45 years
The front axle was put on by one of the owners a 70's custom job, it does nothing just for looks, the rear axle is factory and the engine was a 1600 with webbers, not the fastest of things, got done for loitering before speeding. You had to be careful when going over speed humps because if you went too slow the front back axle would leave you suspended in mid air as the rear wheels drive. The Kemperrink was a Dutch conversion.
I see now, I thought the middle axle was the drive axle as it has got the VW lean due to the suspension so in that case the chassis must have been lengthened along with the all the cables and gearchange rods.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

jollyrodger

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 1, 2012
6,264
26,386
Devon/Cornwall
Funster No
23,107
MH
'Obby
Exp
Since 1968'ish
1st van "conversion" of sorts June/July 1968 was a mini van,mattress in the back touring I.O.M and
Scotland was our honeymoon with 1st misses no pics but great memories :) and still good friends now.
 
OP
OP
Ranger
Nov 2, 2008
461
377
Lincolnshire
Funster No
4,767
MH
PVC, S&L Iveco
Exp
45 years
That's brought back even earlier memories of motorised camping. a mate and I converted a Ford Prefect into a camper by taking the back seat out, modifying the front seats to make two beds and set off for at night for Devon. We got nearly there and decided to stop and sleep so went a few yards up a lane from the road, clothes off into sleeping bags and to sleep. Awoke 10 ish on Sunday morning to sound of voices and found we were parked on the track up to a church. It was at this point lying naked in our sleeping bags that we thought curtains would have probably been a good idea.
 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top