What second hand camper should I get?!?

[VANpelt]

Hi, I'm looking to buy my first van. I've saved up for a budget of 3-4k for the van. I'm happy to spend some more doing it up but generally want to buy something I'm only going to have to change the cosmetics on, I don't have the ability to add bedding/change layout etc.

I've been spending a lot of time on ebay looking at vans that seem to be going for around 2.5-3.5k - they generally seem to be late 1980s/1990s VWs or Talbot vans. I really don't know anything as I am completely new to this and know no one living the van life...

I guess my main question is which vans are the most worth it and will actually last? I want to travel a lot in it and potentially live in it in my final year at university! It's going to cost me most my savings from the last few years so its an all or nothing situation (if it is terrible I'm screwed).

Any help appreciated - thanks!!!

 

[Lenny HB]

To be blunt most vans in your price range are going to be a pile of junk. The best you can probably hope for is a home conversion but the difficulty will be finding one of that age that is relatively rust free. There are an awful lot about that have had the chassis badly repaired. Tread carefully.

 

[monzer]

I had an old Talbot and absolutely loved it and drove Gibraltar to Northern Finland in it. Layout was perfect for me but was going to be too much trouble fixing the bodywork to stop the leaking that developed.

That's going to be your biggest problem with vans that age so anything you look at make sure it has a recent habitation check with paperwork. The paperwork will show you if it has any damp or leaks.

 

[nicholsong]

I had an old Talbot and absolutely loved it and drove Gibraltar to Northern Finland in it. Layout was perfect for me but was going to be too much trouble fixing the bodywork to stop the leaking that developed.

That's going to be your biggest problem with vans that age so anything you look at make sure it has a recent habitation check with paperwork. The paperwork will show you if it has any damp or leaks.

If it has got that and is mechanically sound it may well be outside your budget.

I think that keeping within your budget may be buying you into a lot of trouble.

Maybe a re-think is needed.

Geoff

 

[Eggs]

Most, not all, vans of that age/price won't have full documentation. It's a big gamble at that money. That said, paying >£50k doesn't mean you'll get a good one.

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[SpeedyDux]

Unless you are very brave and can afford to lose your savings, don't risk it. You need a lot of knowledge and experience to have any realistic chance of finding a sound cheap campervan for less than £4k.

For what you are hoping to do your budget ought to be closer to £15k plus about £2k for contingencies because even at that budget level it can turn into a money pit. Best of luck.

 

[Spriddler]

To be blunt most vans in your price range are going to be a pile of junk. The best you can probably hope for is a home conversion but the difficulty will be finding one of that age that is relatively rust free. There are an awful lot about that have had the chassis badly repaired. Tread carefully.

My sentiments exactly. It'll end in tears.

With your budget, unless you are extraordinarily lucky you'll be forever paying out on repairs; usually serious money if you can't do any of the work yourself. Garages charge anything between £50 and £120 per hour just for labour. Also, get some insurance quotes using details of a speculative vehicle. I use Comfort Insurance Co.
Look up any potential purchase on the Gov't MOT history website (link below) which will document significant past or existing faults, although it may still have other faults which are not covered by the MOT test:

Check the MOT history of a vehicle

Check the MOT history of a vehicle from 2005 onwards, including if it passed or failed, its mileage and why it failed, download MOT test certificate

www.gov.uk

At the very least you need the assistance of someone who knows about vehicles.
My advice for your budget would be to get a more modern small van (e.g. Citroen Berlingo, Renault Kangoo, etc.) and chuck a mattress, bucket and camping stove in the back.

You seem to have used your 5 free posts so if you're serious about buying a camper joining will definitely save you far more money and stress than the joining fee. Post a link to any vehicle that interests you.

It might help to give your approx location in case anyone can help you in your search.

LATER......
As an example and its MOT history, just to give you an idea of the sort of problems to look out for.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=174517605605

And to get its MOT history enter the reg'n no. D797RTM, click on 'MOT history' and scroll though it to see its past grim problems with wear and corrosion (which won't be the last of them).
Broken Link Removed

 

[duane0001]

Although I am picking up a new MH in the new year I have been running about in a panel van with a carpet, bed settee, camping stove, port potty, camping fire and a tub of fresh water.
I always make sure I have the doors cracked open when using gas and fit a carbon monoxide alarm
Stay safe and good luck

 

[two]

The older the vehicle, the more you'll spend on maintenance. The purchase price may be suppressed because of this. So, although a low initial price may make the proposition look attractive, subsequent expenses are likely to take the shine off things.
I admire your adventurousness but seriously suggest that you consider a more conventional student life-style:
Minimise financial commitment. Maximise fun.

 

[Swifter]

This will end in tears if you don’t have more money available. You will not be able to spend 3-4K and just drive around with no problems . Tax , MOT insurance, repairs ( likely to be costly and regular) etc . I don’t see many students driving campers or motorhomes because at that age most simply do not have enough money to keep the vehicle on the road . Good luck but please be very careful about what you do with your savings .

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[68c]

One on Ebay at the moment for £3,792. 1989 Talbot Express.

They were a very popular base vehicle and converted by several companies. I would recomend an AutohomesTalbot Camelot, the 2ltre petrol drives well. Most of these hi-top style vans have a gas water heater, shower, sink and cooking facilities, a grill at the minimum. The toilet will be a Porta Potti style. Plenty of spares, good engine however the gearbox is a weak point. Of course these are now thirty years old so can suffer from corrosion, particularly at the base of the windscreen. Ideal for a first van, you will learn a lot. Do not listen to those saying you cannot do it on your budget, the most you can lose is the purchase price. Those folk with £75,000 vans will lose that in depreciation very quickly.

 

[CamperJack]

Unless you are very brave and can afford to lose your savings, don't risk it. You need a lot of knowledge and experience to have any realistic chance of finding a sound cheap campervan for less than £4k.

For what you are hoping to do your budget ought to be closer to £15k plus about £2k for contingencies because even at that budget level it can turn into a money pit. Best of luck.

And that is exactly why I'm building my own camper from a builders van. Traditional MHs, even those that are very old, fetch silly money if you ask me. I couldn't believe how much my parents paid for their 20 + year old MH. More like £20K + but I do reckon they got a good one. Even if spending that kind of money on something so old and outdated screws with my mind.

I paid about £4k for a builders type van that's only six years old and has just about done about 100K miles. Loads of life left in the engine and the mechanic who did my service says it's nice and clean on the underside, so the floor shouldn't drop out. That's always a bonus. I've had old cars that leaked through the bottom (rust) and know what a money pit they can be. When I got a "proper job" I got so sick of ploughing money into old bangers I got a loan and bought a nearly new car. Even with monthly payments of £120 I reckon it cost less than the frequent £500 repair bills I was getting, as well as buying a new car ever time the MOT expired!

However...

Rather than just saying it can not be in your budget I'd like to suggest something perhaps a little more helpful.

I seriously urge you to do the same as me and look at doing your own build. A ready built MH looks like an easy option. Everything there, and done.

But in reality what is there will be outdated. My parent's van didn't even have 12V sockets or LED lighting. The leisure battery was miniscule, their appliances inefficient and outdated. Add to that that in your budget the body or engine may well be on the way out and it will turn into a bit of a money pit. Having been a poor student I hate to think how I'd have found the money for repairs - I wouldn't have.

It's really not as hard as you think, doing a conversion. Take a search on YouTube, loads of good videos and how tos on there. Be warned. You can spend many hours watching. I did / do! There are people on there who create some lovely vans having never held a power tool in their lives before.

It needn't even be even that complicated either! There are people out there who insulate, panel them out with ply and then buy regular house furniture (beds, draws tables etc (Ikea and charity shops) and secure it to the walls / floor to stop it moving. Search for "no build builds" online and on YouTube. You don't need to be a carpenter. Add to that a thetford porta potti (I have on and think it's fantastic) and a camping stove, jerry can for water and away you go!

I was even watching a video with a woman (very hippy like lady) who runs all her electricity off a little power bank (USB lights, USB fans, charges her phone and tablet ect) and charges it as she drives or with a small solar panel.




A no build build would be easily doable without any skills al all, no specialist tools, and within budget!! Don't let people tell you it can not be done. Just outsmart them and think about how it can be done!

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Certainly food for thought on this video in relation to light.
But what about heating?
May have to look at a few more videos of hers.
Does she actually live in her van full time?
And in which US state?
Suspect it might be a "sunshine" one with no snow, little rain and no cold biting winds, but I stand to be corrected.
Still interesting to see a different perspective though and not knocking her way or lifestyle.

 

[ambulancekidd]

 

[CamperJack]

Certainly food for thought on this video in relation to light.
But what about heating?
May have to look at a few more videos of hers.
Does she actually live in her van full time?
And in which US state?
Suspect it might be a "sunshine" one with no snow, little rain and no cold biting winds, but I stand to be corrected.
Still interesting to see a different perspective though and not knocking her way or lifestyle.

I don't know much about her but the guy is called Bob Wells and runs the Cheap RV Living YouTube and website. He lost his house and was forced into living in a van. Now he loves it and despite earning a very decent living from his YouTube etc says he will "never torture himself" by living in a house again.

He also set up a charity in the USA called Homes on Wheel Alliance kitting out American "mini vans" and giving them away to people that need them because they are being made homeless, among other things.

You can see a mini van being "no build built" here to be given away. Same principle, but apply it to a van. It's just a question of scale. See the end of the video for a finished mini van. Obviously a builders type van would be much better and you can have wooden furniture and be much nicer etc.



As for the heat Bob travels with the weather, spending the winters in desert in the south and moving into the forests in the north in summer. The perks of being a nomad in a vast country like the USA I guess. Although he started his van life in Alaska and it gets cold there!

For heat in the UK I'd get a diesel heater. You can get them for less than £100 now. If you really can't fit it yourself, pay someone who can. Still a better option than a £4K MH that will keep going wrong IMHO.

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[CamperJack]

Here's a better example of a van "no build build". Tour starts at 12mins 09 secs.

 

[Spriddler]

And that is exactly why I'm building my own camper from a builders van.
Rather than just saying it can not be in your budget I'd like to suggest something perhaps a little more helpful.
I seriously urge you to do the same as me and look at doing your own build.

Admirable suggestion but it would seem that the OP doesn't have the tools, skills, place, money or timescale to build his/her own.
You're proposing rather more than changing the cosmetics.

Hi, I'm looking to buy my first van. I've saved up for a budget of 3-4k for the van. I'm happy to spend some more doing it up but generally want to buy something I'm only going to have to change the cosmetics on, I don't have the ability to add bedding/change layout etc.
I want to travel a lot in it and potentially live in it in my final year at university!

From earlier posts I recall that the OP was intending to persuade various friends to allow parking on their drives.
The OP's actual circumstances aren't known but as a (presumably youthful) student the cost of insuring it may come as a shock and hit the budget hard.

Do not listen to those saying you cannot do it on your budget, the most you can lose is the purchase price.

It would seem that the purchase price is most of the money that the OP (apparently an impecunious student) has managed to save.

Hi, I'm looking to buy my first van. I've saved up for a budget of 3-4k for the van.

 

[Chris]

If you have a drive available to park up on might a caravan make more sense?

 

[busbuddy]

Have you tried to get an insurance quote yet?
I would do that first before looking any further

 

[Lenny HB]

but as a (presumably youthful) student the cost of insuring it m

Very difficult to get insurance for Motorhomes if you are under 25.

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[CamperJack]

Admirable suggestion but it would seem that the OP doesn't have the tools, skills, place, money or timescale to build his/her own.
You're proposing rather more than changing the cosmetics.

If you read my further comments on no build builds you may better understand the point I’m attempting to make.

 

[jopparocks]

Had a look on Gumtree and in Scotland there are a couple of vans in your price range but they all seem to need some sort of work.
Here is one for example.

Used Cars, Vans & Motorbikes for Sale | Gumtree

Find amazing local prices on used Cars, Vans & Motorbikes for sale ✅ Shop hassle-free with Gumtree, your local buying & selling community.

www.gumtree.com

 

[movan]

Although I am picking up a new MH in the new year I have been running about in a panel van with a carpet, bed settee, camping stove, port potty, camping fire and a tub of fresh water.
I always make sure I have the doors cracked open when using gas and fit a carbon monoxide alarm
Stay safe and good luck

Duane, don't know how much you are selling yours for, but is it of use to the opening poster?

 

[movan]

VANpelt I'm not going to shatter your dreams. When I was your age, I wish I had bought an old van to travel in... see Duane's post above.

As long as your expectations arn't too high, you can have FUN and learn a lot about batteries, potties, solar panels ready for when you have saved up enough for a more solid, younger van. Look on your van as a temporary measure and enjoy the freedom it gives you... enjoy being young. You will become disillusioned with costs and reality of travelling... but see the positives. They will give you something to aim for once you can save. Good luck.

 

[kevenh]

I am still on my first hand camper. No idea what I'd do with two.
Welcome to MHF!

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[Lenny HB]

Had a look on Gumtree and in Scotland there are a couple of vans in your price range but they all seem to need some sort of work.
Here is one for example.

Used Cars, Vans & Motorbikes for Sale | Gumtree

Find amazing local prices on used Cars, Vans & Motorbikes for sale ✅ Shop hassle-free with Gumtree, your local buying & selling community.

www.gumtree.com

I just had a look at the MOT history, all the fails have been for what I would call minor for a vehicle of that age. Could be a good buy providing there is no damp problems.

 

[Spriddler]

If you read my further comments on no build builds you may better understand the point I’m attempting to make.

Fair point. It doesn't help that we don't have any useful detail of the OP's situation/aspirations/capabilities etc. and no follow up is likely as a non-subscriber.
I've been round this dream twice when each of my sons were at Uni and again when one wanted to convert my really nice 1970 VW Beetle into a beach buggy. He tried to tempt me with a glossy magazine article with photos of a smiley Hugh Grant lookalike in crisp white polo shirt and Chinos simply unbolting the Beetle shell and bolting on the buggy body over a couple of weekends in a spacious fully-equipped workshop.
Even the spanners were smiling.

 

[duane0001]

Duane, don't know how much you are selling yours for, but is it of use to the opening poster?

No, Wont sell my van and it would cost over double what he wants to spend, It can be done for 4K, but not in my van!

 

[gus-lopez]

 

[Spriddler]

I've been particularly careful not to be too ambitious in my replies as it would seem from the avatar that the OP is a female student. I know I shouldn't say so but I'll risk the wrath of the NMC and say that developing the skills to repair rusty and oily vehicles and do constant maintenance does not interest most of the fairer sex.
Yes, I have seen pics of the Queen (or was it Princess Margaret?) changing an ambulance wheel in wartime but she wasn't living in the van on a friend's drive with a porta potti.