Fetch Camper Vans

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Mandymoo Jan 2023 8:12am, 23 Jan 2023 16,033 posts	0 Mandymoo Oh and Tey to get a 5 speed not a 4 speed. Our T4 was ex AA van
jelly Jan 2023 8:39am, 23 Jan 2023 4,576 posts	0 jelly Our T4 was an old N reg and still going well. Ours had the full height so we could stand up in her (she was called Nora) it made a big difference to us that, it’s not that we are tall! If we hadn’t needed extra space for a growing teenager we would have kept it! When we were given a new pop up van for when ours went in for some insurance work we hated it.
Cats Whiskers Jan 2023 9:50am, 23 Jan 2023 786 posts	0 Cats Whiskers Thank you both. That’s really helpful. And I think the extra headroom is a good idea as I’m quite tall. What was it about the pop-up bit that you didn’t like, jelly? Is it a hassle to use it? Or do you end up having reduced headroom around the edges in a pop-up because only the central bit goes up?
Gobi Jan 2023 10:09am, 23 Jan 2023 78,986 posts	0 Gobi My T5 has 230000 miles . Did another 400 in it over the weekend
Running Ronnie Jan 2023 10:18am, 23 Jan 2023 2,547 posts	0 Running Ronnie Hi CW - I go on a large facebook group - dubbed out. A lot of these guys swear by the older vans and say that as long as it is maintained properly then mileage is not an issue. Like you, I did not have a massive budget so bought a higher mileage T5 but soon realised that the build inside was done on the cheap (battery didn't last, cupboards rattled, cheap fridge used too much power for the battery to cope with...) and we just didn't like it. Sold it and bought a T6.1 with a brand new build and have been much happier ever since. Wished I'd done that first time round. I think I rushed into the first van, as at the time they were selling in minutes. So my advice, make sure it's right for you (inside and out).
jelly Jan 2023 11:11am, 23 Jan 2023 4,580 posts	0 jelly The pop up van just wasn’t as well thought out considering the cost of one compared to our tatty old T4. There wasn’t the storage that we had. We had a large drawer under the bed and cupboards but there was also a big space in the back behind the rock and roll bed. It was also the type that had the seat that had to be taken out and turned around and there was no access to the back from the front, which is a problem when it’s awful weather. The older van also had a chemical toilet and cupboard. Something the ‘loan’ van didn’t have. I know this was just a basic 2019 pop up vw van, and I know that there are plenty of people who have these and are happy with them but it just wasn’t suitable for us! Even the pop up mechanism seemed flimsy and obviously because it wasn’t what we were used to it popped up while we were driving a couple of times 😂 We always found a fridge to be essential. There were a family in one in the Isle of Wight last year wild camping, with 2 young children, I just don’t think I could do that without a fridge 😂 We did travel up to Scotland in her the first year (she came with a nice inflatable awning) which was really useful in the summer. Aswell as the gas I had a 2 ring electric hob which we stored in the back for when we were plugged in! We took just as much time to choose a suitable motor home when we traded in. There were lots of different set ups and you have to consider your needs and get what works for you.
jelly Jan 2023 11:13am, 23 Jan 2023 4,581 posts	0 jelly Good advice from Running Ronnie, Nora our van has been with one owner for quite sometime and had been well looked after.
Mandymoo Jan 2023 2:33pm, 23 Jan 2023 16,035 posts	0 Mandymoo Yep great advice from RR Our old T4 had a full size rock and roll bed as OH is 6ft 3, we had cupboards behind the drivers seats etc. The T6 we had a 3/4 Rib bed with Evo Designs units specially made for the Rib bed. We had a pop top put in at a later date and it was a game changer, much more room for OH. Plus the front seats swivled.
Gobi Jan 2023 2:45pm, 23 Jan 2023 78,991 posts	0 Gobi I had a fully converted T4 and realised I didnt use a lot of it, got a T5 long wheel base van and had electrics sorted and a pop top but nothing else. Brilliant I have a van for CX with security for my bikes and we can camp with very little planning.
Big_G Jan 2023 3:28pm, 23 Jan 2023 2,250 posts	0 Big_G I wouldn’t be without the pop top on our van. We did have an issue with it one time where it wouldn’t stay up, which was a nightmare for us, but fortunately quickly fixed. You mentioned about other brands, and we’ve got a LWB Renault Trafic conversion with rock n roll bed, swivel seat in the front, fridge, hobs, plenty of storage. A consideration for us was the dog. There’s plenty of space for him in the ‘boot’ when we’re travelling, but also plenty of space under the foot of the bed for him when we’re sleeping. We haven’t got an awning but we’re considering one, although having said that we don’t tend to stay at a site for more than a couple of days or so, so we haven’t quite made our minds up if they’re worth the potential faff for us.