Best MPG Van Advice Please (1 Viewer)

[foresthobbit]

I'm new to all this, and initially was planning on using a canvas bell tent and a 1.9tdi diesel car to go travelling for upto a year. I'll probably be spending part of the time camping in a spacious 5m bell tent, however, have now decided that having an 'indoor space' would be very helpful when on the road and stopping overnight in places.

Because of a super tight budget, I need something that will give me at least 35mpg, hopefully more. Is this possible. I probably won't do a conversion, but use a portable stove, chemical toilet & have a single bed in there.

I have questions about electrics but I'll ask that later

The LDV convoy has been recomended as offering 35+MPG, but from what I understand the drive is awful. Any other vans I should be considering, I don't mind small as I was previously planning on using a estate care to sleep in when I'm not camping!

Other vans I've been thinking about is the VW T5/T4 and the mazda bongo. Can't seem to get figures for MPG on them.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[pappajohn]

cant really comment on mpg figures but what you should realise is the insurance on a standard panel van may come under commercial vehicle insurance and will probably be much more expensive than a regular motorhome.

 

[foresthobbit]

cant really comment on mpg figures but what you should realise is the insurance on a standard panel van may come under commercial vehicle insurance and will probably be much more expensive than a regular motorhome.

Thanks Pappajohn, so commerical van insurance would be quite expeinsive? What about an MPV?

Thanks

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[mitzimad]

mpv would probably be cheaper to insure and ferries would be cheaper than a commercial
best aid to mpg is a block of wood fixed under the go pedal

 

[foresthobbit]

mpv would probably be cheaper to insure and ferries would be cheaper than a commercial
best aid to mpg is a block of wood fixed under the go pedal

Thanks I like the block of wood under pedal idea

 

[stcyr]

<------- 35+ mpg

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[foresthobbit]

<------- 35+ mpg

I've been looking at the VW Sharan MPV diesel & that does a whopping 50mpg on the motorway. I think an MPV conversion might be the way forward for peeps on a tight budget. Besides, you can pick-up a 2003 model for under £2k

The Seat Alhambra is looking good to, the 1.9tdi engine seems fast and economical.

 

[lugnutt]

bongo....25 mpg:Sad:

 

[foresthobbit]

bongo....25 mpg:Sad:

Sucks

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[alfandM]

it sounds like the Romahome should fit your bill you can get around near 60 mpg out of these, a nice little MH built on a citron chassis small but compact :thumb:

 

[1_man_and_his_dob(lo)]

If you're willing to go down in size to something in the Fiat Doblo/Citroen Berlingo/Renault Kangoo class you can easily get 35+ mpg. My 1.3 diesel Doblo campervan does almost 50 mpg (mixed motorway/country lane driving) and I've heard of Berlingo-based Romahomes doing just over 50 mpg. So the MPV versions should be even better with less weight to pull.

 

[alfandM]

Hi again, the site for info on the Romahome is www.smallmotorhome.co.uk happy hunting, Alf:thumb:

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[Heyupluv]

I've been looking at the VW Sharan MPV diesel & that does a whopping 50mpg on the motorway. I think an MPV conversion might be the way forward for peeps on a tight budget. Besides, you can pick-up a 2003 model for under £2k

The Seat Alhambra is looking good to, the 1.9tdi engine seems fast and economical.

Are these mpg figures you quote for two people all your gear food water diesel etc: and on the motorwayoh:

if you go down the romahome route..check with the ferries... I was speaking to a person with one and he was moaning he was being charged as a commercial van on the ferries around twice as much.
.

Mel

 

[wizzer59]

By the sounds of it you were thinking of staying on camp sites with your bell tent. The thing is with a small van conversion, you will be able to wild camp most of the time which will save you loads on site fees:thumb:

Welcome by the way:thumb:

 

[Terry]

Hi just my thoughts a small Romahome type will not cost a lot and after a year will not loose a lot come sale timeSame with a older VW t4 type van.A panel van conversion will cost a lot by a mainstream converter, but a self build PVC will be both cheap to buy and run Almost all will return mid to high 30s and if you are not too fussy on the conversion you can pick up some for about the same price as a empty van :thumb:
I have seen over the last few weeks a 2007 Renault Master,half decent conversion for under 5k and several very basic conversions on 2002/5 vans around the 3/4k price :thumb: This gets you cheap M/H insurance and ferries
Terry

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[Wildman]

The romahome HILO will fit the bill. If it wasn't for our dogs that would do me.

 

[Bennyheaven]

Fuel consumption

Mk6 transit tddi driven steady 30mpg

 

[rainbow chasers]

Bongos are quite poor at 25mpg, think T4 is around 30mpg, but they come with their own issues!

Honest opinion would be to go and find a Toyota Hiace - 40-45mpg, dry clutch and go on forever.

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[novawight]

The romahome HILO will fit the bill. If it wasn't for our dogs that would do me.

No Room for your homebrews though...........Del

 

[gozomike]

With my Autosleepers Mezan LL (similar to the Roamahome) I have managed 49mpg over 34,665 miles. The best fill to fill has been 56mpg. It has the 1.6HDI engine which is a euro 4, I travel one up but otherwise fully loaded, most of my trips are long distance and with a light right foot.



If I had not been using the diesel heater when off EHU I am sure the average would be over 50mpg, but I am allergic to cold.



A high top will obviously not do as well as the pop up roof version.

Mike

 

[wizzer59]

With my Autosleepers Mezan LL (similar to the Roamahome) I have managed 49mpg over 34,665 miles. The best fill to fill has been 56mpg. It has the 1.6HDI engine which is a euro 4, I travel one up but otherwise fully loaded, most of my trips are long distance and with a light right foot.



If I had not been using the diesel heater when off EHU I am sure the average would be over 50mpg, but I am allergic to cold.



A high top will obviously not do as well as the pop up roof version.

Mike

Thats one hellava trip

Just looked at one on ebay great van for one I should think:thumb:

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[gozomike]

Thats one hellava trip

Just looked at one on ebay great van for one I should think:thumb:

err I never said it was one trip, just the MPG over that distance, including 5 trips from the Uk to Gozo, Malta.

You are quite correct on it being great for one person, you would need to be on very good terms to go 2 up.