What do you make of this van? (1 Viewer)

[Jac Sprat]

I'd like your opinion on this as it'll probably go before we are ready to buy.
It seems to be self done up. No table which is odd. Otherwise minimalist which I quite like.
New with 10 on the clock!
Why no table??
https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/2017-motorhome-4-seats-4-berth/1265497218

 

[Deleted member 29692]

It is a self-build. Nothing wrong with that as long as it's done properly. If you were going to buy one then unless you know exactly what you're looking at take along someone who does when you view

Perhaps there's a free standing table that they just haven't bothered picturing. If not it would be simple and cheap enough to get one

 

[Allanm]

Looks a bit too minimalist and uncomfortable for me, not keen on the colours either.
If it were me, I could put up with it if it had some comfortable seating or somewhere for two to lounge about a bit when it raining outside.

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[wasp]

I don't like the idea of having to empty the cassette into the aisle of the van, surely he could have bought the opposite hand Thetford. Does it have any water tanks. Also not enough storage.On the up side it is 4 berths

 

[DiggerJon]

Heck, it's gloomy, what a cheerless place to spend wet days in!

 

[chaser]

Just don't like it

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[Paul and Kate]

If a self build is something you'd like and need any questions answering could I point you in the direction of
@Ralph-n-Bev as they self built a beautiful peugeot aptly named pug
Sorry for guiding questions your way Ralph or Bev

 

[Odd job]

Without a table it cannot be registered as a camper van, a fixed table is a requirement.

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

Agree with all above . Think I'd want to see photos of the build too . For wiring and insulation etc
It's got to have a table somewhere (maybe it's stored away ) otherwise it won't fit the conversion criteria. Looks very dark ( but that might be the photos ) and basic .
When Ralph first insured Pug they required a gas " certificate " to prove it was up to safety standards. And a full habitation report including a co2 room test . Make sure it has those .

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[Deleted member 29692]

Without a table it cannot be registered as a camper van, a fixed table is a requirement.

No it's not.

I very briefly owned a coachbuilt from one of the major manufacturers that didn't have a fixed table.

was the vehicle in question and a complete dog it turned out to be which is why I only suffered it for a few months.

 

[Northernraider]

Where do you start?

OK it's black.... Crap for hot countries

Its dark and dingy inside
Carpet in a toilet area...... Euch
Seats look about as comfortable as a park bench.

The price...... Is he serious?

So in a nutshell I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole

 

[RowleyBirkinQC]

Um, I think it's eye of beholder territory, its not for me...

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[jockaneezer]

It's a bit too austere for my tastes and agree about the black colour maybe being a problem in hot weather. In my mate's Devon Monte Carlo conversion, the toilet cassette also withdraws into the hab space though. The seats don't look too comfortable, they remind me of '80's Space Invader consoles !

 

[Wissel]

As I remember from when I registered my van as a motorhome, the rule for a table was something about a fitted permanent table. But this could be "fitted" folded into a wardrobe or something. Basically, the van has to have a table, but a stowed one is fine.

My first concern on the van shown would be insulation. Looking at the image where the back door is open I couldn't see a lot (could be there and sufficient, but something I'd want to check - especially on a black van).

Wouldn't worry about the toilet cassette being retrieved from the inside. I did this out of choice as at the time cassettes were being stolen. Plus it made it easier to fit the toilet slightly lower (on a Ducato type van the toilet I used would have to be raised to clear the vans structure). I did make it look nice though:

 

[Boringfrog]

I couldn't imagine relaxing in there. Looks like a quick build to make a quick buck.

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[The Wino]

I think none of the major manufactueres would design a van as dark and austere as that and expect to sell any but beauty is in the eye of the beholder . I would also worry a bit about resale. Also it looks like theres no shower so a no go for me and you were asking about ski-ing don't know where the stuff drying would go or the level of insulation.

 

[The Wino]

Just looked again no mention of a sink or heating or cold water or waste tanks!!!!!. I think its aimed at staying overnight for surfers not a touring motorhome.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Like most - I'm not keen on it for so many reasons, many been mentioned but I add;
Winterisation seems to be a priority for you - is it?
Have the rear passenger seats been properly & safely installed?

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[Deleted member 29692]

It would be interesting to speak to whoever converted it and find out their thinking. It looks like it's a new conversion that's never been used. Perhaps whoever did it converted it for their own use and so to their own spec but now for whatever reason they've decided to sell it instead.

 

[Stretto Boy]

Without a table it cannot be registered as a camper van, a fixed table is a requirement.

Our 2017 Autosleepers Broadway FB has a freestanding table. Does that mean it's not a motorhome? It's registered as one.

 

[Stroppy Bird]

As most others have said, not really keen on it for reasons previously mentioned.

When I first started looking for a bigger van than our old mazda bongo I started off by looking at a lot of self build race/day vans like that one. I ended up getting a 3 year old Adria twin which fitted our needs much better.

For those interested here are the rules of what is required for a vehicle to be registered as a motor caravan.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...o-a-motorhome#dft-definition-of-motor-caravan

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[Jac Sprat]

Thanks everyone. Not many PVCs of that age. (new!) come in my price range which is why it caught my eye . I did ask him about table and he said you can easily fit one. I asked about insulation and he said it was fully insulated sides and roof panels. I agree about sombre decor but I never understand why people take their pics with the blinds closed - seems daft.

 

[Northernraider]

Thanks everyone. Not many PVCs of that age. (new!) come in my price range which is why it caught my eye . I did ask him about table and he said you can easily fit one. I asked about insulation and he said it was fully insulated sides and roof panels. I agree about sombre decor but I never understand why people take their pics with the blinds closed - seems daft.

I'd forget the fact that it's new.... You can do a lot better than that for that kind of money
Or buy a van and have it converted

 

[Emmit]

Am I the only one to notice that two of the seats (berths???) don't have seat belts.
Therefore. It ain't a four berth.

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[Northernraider]

Am I the only one to notice that two of the seats (berths???) don't have seat belts.
Therefore. It ain't a four berth.

I believe it can still be classed as a berth regardless of travel seats.... Mine is 6 berth for sleeping but only 4 belted travel seats

 

[Emmit]

I believe it can still be classed as a berth regardless of travel seats.... Mine is 6 berth for sleeping but only 4 belted travel seats

Totally concur, BUT 6 berth to 4, not much of a problem but 4 down to 2 could quite easily cause trouble.

There are loads of things to consider when buying a vehicle but I might be wrong (don't think so) that it might not be legal to sell a forward facing seat without a seat belt and if not illegal, I'm sure that some sort of notice should be visible to all users of the van.
In addition, it would never enter my head to check any vehicle I was buying that a forward facing seat did not have a belt. No doubt the owner/maker of this is hoping a potential buyer also fails to note this omission.

 

[Stroppy Bird]

Am I the only one to notice that two of the seats (berths???) don't have seat belts.
Therefore. It ain't a four berth.

Picture 8 shows the clips to receive the seatbelts for the other 2 forward facing seats so can't see why the actual belts wouldn't be there. Whether you would trust them on someone else's self build is another matter.

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[davejen]

I used to have a juke box that looked like those seats.......
Cheers, Dave

 

[Terry and Jan]

To me personally...........Na!

 

[rangi]

Is it a M/Home on the V5? If it isn't you are not buying a M/Home, you are buying a VAN! No matter how it's been fitted out it's still a van!

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