Two vans

[Slioch]

Do any Funsters run 2 vans? We are thinking of replacing our car with a "day van", you know the type, side kitchen, rock and roll bed, portapotti in a cupboard.
We have a 7m. coachbuilt, very comfy for longer trips but we feel a bit cumbersome for just going out for the day, or even an overnight.
Conversely, do any of you with bigger vans just say sod it and use the thing for days out etc?

 

[Podney]

No.
Daft idea in my opinion.
Local trips out,use the car.
Longer trips,use the moho.

 

[Two on Tour]

Yes, Tinker2 runs a 7.2 metre Elddis 175 and a recently purchased V dub as a day van.

 

[scotzsue]

We have a coachbuilt, I have a doblo dayvan, which i use for the odd few days out on my own, John has yet to sleep in it Covid put paid to those plans this year.

 

[Slioch]

No.
Daft idea in my opinion.
Local trips out,use the car.
Longer trips,use the moho.

So really, two daft ideas, in your opinion.
We're thinking about the small van to give us options. Eg, we've gone out for the day, lovely weather, good forecast, don't need to go home. Also, having our own toilet facilities wherever we go is quite the attraction these days.
But, a 7 metre coachbuilt isn't exactly massive, it will go most places we would want it to. I need to decide whether we really need a small van too, or if it's just me wanting another toy.

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[Off da Grid]

Ours is a 6m fiat ducato panel van type we use it to go to the local beach, mountain bike track or kayaking on local rivers.
Even take it to garden centres or shopping sometimes.
You just have to take into account the height and length to park it, we find the best spots to park are as far away from the shop entrance as possible where you can find a double space as most people are too lazy to walk more than a few metres.

 

[Slioch]

Ours is a 6m fiat ducato panel van type we use it to go to the local beach, mountain bike track or kayaking on local rivers.
Even take it to garden centres or shopping sometimes.
You just have to take into account the height and length to park it, we find the best spots to park are as far away from the shop entrance as possible where you can find a double space as most people are too lazy to walk more than a few metres.

We used to have a 6m. PVC, if we still had it this thread wouldn't be here.
But we (used to?) travel abroad for 2 months twice a year, and wanted more space/comfort.
We want to keep the bigger van meantime, but if we find that Covid/Brexit (sorry) changes our plans, we might rethink.
In the meantime, I'm still drawn towards a 2nd small van. A decent used one won't drop much value if we decide to sell it in a few years.
Oh no, I'm talking myself into it now.

 

[rod_vw]

Yes, I've got two at present. My selfbuild's overlap sometimes by a number of years as having two can be useful. The older one is currently Broken Link Removed.

Maybe if that one sells I will advertise the newer one as we are pondering going up a size, probably a New Crafter.

 

[phase3begins]

So really, two daft ideas, in your opinion.
We're thinking about the small van to give us options. Eg, we've gone out for the day, lovely weather, good forecast, don't need to go home. Also, having our own toilet facilities wherever we go is quite the attraction these days.
But, a 7 metre coachbuilt isn't exactly massive, it will go most places we would want it to. I need to decide whether we really need a small van too, or if it's just me wanting another toy.

You know you want one so go for it. If you don’t do it you will always wonder.

 

[Spidey]

I have been thinking along these lines we have a 7 m van, I know not large. However when our car needs replacing I am thinking of a small van that looks like a car. That way we get a car and a van. There are quite a few companies doing these conversions. But like the OP said it is making sure that we need it and it is not just "I want a new toy phase". Hubby is against the idea as he thinks we would not bother with the bigger van but I can't see us going away for a long time in a small van. Also better than just buying a car again.

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[Nixdorfer]

We had a vivaro day van for a few years, then got s 6.8m coach built. But we still used the vivaro most of the time as more convenient and didn't want to take 'the beast' for just a day out and have to battle parking it.

Sold the vivaro eventually as seemed mad running two plus cars. But tbh still wonder if we made the right decision as a few times would of been handy

So if you have the option if using is as a daily driver personally I'd go for it. Worst than can happen is you sell it again and they don't lose much value

 

[Shrimp]

I think it would be a good idea.
Nice big van, plenty of space for a week or twos holiday and a smaller ‘runabout’ van for everyday use and the odd day out or a night away!
If you have the room to house both go for it, if it doesn’t work revert to a big van and a car!

 

[bobnick]

We bought a 2017 brand new VW Caddy Van Black Edition...........to go to B&Q and the garden center. Now got a massive 8k miles on it in 3 n arf years.................how i wished i would have got a day type van (and probably kept some change in my pocket).
So go ahead get one i would say.

 

[busby]

So really, two daft ideas, in your opinion.
We're thinking about the small van to give us options. Eg, we've gone out for the day, lovely weather, good forecast, don't need to go home. Also, having our own toilet facilities wherever we go is quite the attraction these days.
But, a 7 metre coachbuilt isn't exactly massive, it will go most places we would want it to. I need to decide whether we really need a small van too, or if it's just me wanting another toy.

If you can afford it,,do it,,,BUSBY.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

I’ve got 4 watches......is that a similar thing at a different financial level

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[busby]

I’ve got 4 watches......is that a similar thing at a different financial level

So have i but three of them cost less than a fiver and i never wear one, of them ever.,BUSBY

 

[Tinker2]

As Two on tour says I have recently purchased a T28 as a day van, a replacement for my car that was rarely used.
Since we have had it we have used it, for days out, nice to be able to make a cuppa & picnics, bikes on the rack.

My car did less than 2000 miles a year, so we're a waste of time.
The wife has a smart car, so we have the best of all world's.

So in answer we think we have made a good decision.

 

[ceejayt]

We have a 9m van - since the lockdown we have been using it for days out to the beach with the dog. Perfect for this and all the comforts of home plus the dog loves it.

 

[Minxy]

We've toyed with the idea but never done it, we don't holiday in the UK (or rather didn't as we don't know what the future holds!) so having a small camper for the odd night seemed a bit OTT especially since we occasionally have a night or two away at the seaside and have no problem with parking a larger MH, so the only thing we'd 'save' would really be the fuel cost which would be totally negated by the cost of running an extra vehicle.

The only 'sensible' finance option would therefore be to replace the car but we both love the Smart ForFour and in order to get a modern small camper it would cost a LOT more as hubby, who does most of the driving, wouldn't want an older one without the modern bits and bobs.

We have 3 dogs too but realise that we'll be down to our 2 smaller ones in the 'nearish' future so that's not as big a consideration as it was previously.

Think how you'll REALLY use it before taking the plunge and also whether NOT having the usual bits and bobs etc with you, and the reduced space, will make it a chore rather than a pleasure.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

I suppose ( for most) a motorhome is generally a compromise in some areas
So if you can have another solution, budget/planning permitted, is an ok idea

A bit like a garage with a limo , a convertible, a 4x4, a pick up and a shopping car

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[Coolcats]

Do any Funsters run 2 vans? We are thinking of replacing our car with a "day van", you know the type, side kitchen, rock and roll bed, portapotti in a cupboard.
We have a 7m. coachbuilt, very comfy for longer trips but we feel a bit cumbersome for just going out for the day, or even an overnight.
Conversely, do any of you with bigger vans just say sod it and use the thing for days out etc?

We have a Transporter Kombi easy to park its predecessor was 1/2 day van but also put to work during the week. Better than a Range Rover or other SUV as it has practicalities they do not offer. Go for it is all I can say, and have it converted for day van use. There are a loy of converters out there but I have used Visiontech before they have a good attitude and unusually for converters have never had to take anything back to them.

 

[mitzimad]

My son has two a la strada regent and a fully converted t4 with pop top he cant let go of the vw although i keep telling hime to sell it now while prices are good