for an ad-free Fetcheveryone experience!

Fetch Camper Vans

98 watchers

cathrobinson Oct 2024 7:02pm, 19 Oct 2024 13,011 posts	Quote Pin cathrobinson I bought some new mirror covers, and drooled after a couple of vans… but there still isn’t an option that gives us what we really want.
Eynsham Red Oct 2024 7:31pm, 19 Oct 2024 11,465 posts	Quote Pin Eynsham Red SarahWoo wrote:Now, however, we’re looking to downsize. Will hopefully have a smaller van in the New Year Why are you looking to downsize?
RunningRonnie Oct 2024 9:52pm, 19 Oct 2024 3,438 posts	Quote Pin RunningRonnie geordiegirl wrote:Thanks @RunningRonnie we originally thought we’d camp so there is campsites and looking no at them they seem to allow campervans now to work logistics of getting back for van / getting van to next night stay. Would be good to hear how you make that work. It's something I'd like to do soon.
SarahWoo Oct 2024 7:26am, 20 Oct 2024 20,872 posts	Quote Pin SarahWoo @Eynsham Red It is with reluctance. Mr Woo wants to be able to drive into and park in towns more easily when we’re touring. Our van is about 4.5 tonnes fully loaded and about 8 metres long with the bikes on the back. He’s going to be 70 next year and, although he probably wouldn’t admit it just yet, I think he’s starting to find it more onerous than he wants it to be. The wing mirrors get bashed on what feels like a regular basis and he’s managed to crumple both rear corners in the last 2 years. I’m not convinced that a 6 metre van conversion will be as enjoyable as our lovely motorhome but I guess I’ll adapt to the change.
Eynsham Red Oct 2024 9:31am, 20 Oct 2024 11,466 posts	Quote Pin Eynsham Red @SarahWoo I can understand that. For that weight van your husband will need a medical report at 70, completed by his GP which is an additional faff. We’ve got a similar sized van (7.5 metres with the storage box) but lighter at 3.5 all up, but we don’t use it to tour in towns and built up areas as we will hire a car and leave the van on site. Car hire charges since the pandemic have gone through the roof though, so it’s made our holidaying a lot more expensive. I hope that you find something which is a suitable comfortable compromise for the future.
SarahWoo Oct 2024 9:39am, 20 Oct 2024 20,877 posts	Quote Pin SarahWoo Yes, @Eynsham Red, I meant to mention the medical report. We bought our electric bikes to help with getting around but they aren’t always an attractive option if the weather’s bad or the route isn’t bike friendly or the dog doesn’t fancy being in her bike basket that day
Rosehip Oct 2024 9:57am, 20 Oct 2024 33,454 posts	Quote Pin Rosehip That's a shame @SarahWoo but being able to park in towns is a bigbonus of a 6M van - a driveaway awning might make the onsite experience more comfortable? and this is the only van I may have been persuaded to change to - similar layout to ours but with easy to set up dropdown bed https://youtu.be/EqXgJ9CEyUE?si=VnsgzlCVk3MhbGfj
Rosehip Oct 2024 9:58am, 20 Oct 2024 33,455 posts	Quote Pin Rosehip and wrt awnings, we were looking for one, for very occasional use, but they were all airbeam ones of which I don't understand the appeal ? They are expensive, bulky and heavy. Think I'm going to look for a secondhand poled one made for a vw and adapt it to fit the height of our rail with a couple of triangles of material
cackleberry Oct 2024 10:30am, 20 Oct 2024 4,150 posts	Quote Pin cackleberry Our awning is an airbeam job. Wouldn't have bought that type, but it came with the van. It's great! About 12 pumps and it's up, quite stable on its own so easy to adjust into position before securing in place.
Rosehip Oct 2024 10:39am, 20 Oct 2024 33,458 posts	Quote Pin Rosehip we don't have anywhere to store one if we're not using it - and I also have an aversion to them after tent camping next to an airbeam tent that was being topped up due to a leak all night!