for an ad-free Fetcheveryone experience!

Fetch Camper Vans

1 lurker | 97 watchers

Mandymoo Feb 2021 8:44am, 2 Feb 2021 11,063 posts	0 Mandymoo Yes you cant actually register as a campervan now unless it has one of the bath like roofs on the top, pop top doesn't count, plus there are a few other rules too. Luckily we registered ours before the rules change so is now a campervan with DVLA. We were going to sell our and buy a newer van, start again so we had the warranty etc but as you say new vans are extortionate prices, plus we are really happy with ours so have just booked it in to have the pop top done (not sure why I was so against it before) and a heater out in so we can use more when we have retired later this year.
RunningRonnie Feb 2021 9:22am, 2 Feb 2021 1,938 posts	0 RunningRonnie We are not handy at all, so would not even consider doing it ourselves. I bet the satisfaction from doing it is immense though. The number of vans already touring Scotland does bother me a little and the fact that I'll be adding to that. Certainly in future years, we will go further afield, but we love trips within Scotland as it is and always have done.
TheScribbler Feb 2021 9:28am, 2 Feb 2021 5,289 posts	0 TheScribbler Yes, I'm a bit worried that people in Scotland may be a bit fed up with camper vans. We did a great week's trip in a hired van in September 2019 and there's much more I'd like to explore. We would probably look to avoid peak holiday season, but may opt for shorter trips to places like the Peak District and Yorkshire Dales. Right now, just to be able to go to Scotland would be a treat. I do hope we can camp in our new camper van in 2021.
Northern Exile Feb 2021 9:34am, 2 Feb 2021 7,329 posts	0 Northern Exile I am also concerned about the negative impact of an influx of camper vans to Scotland. Local feelings run high, especially on the 500 route. The good news is that organised sites seem to be better value in Scotland, so that will be the way we'll go rather than our usual wild camping. We'll probably try for a trip to the Cairngorms later in the year and possibly Glen Nevis, but that depends on reports of the holiday throngs!
TheScribbler Feb 2021 9:43am, 2 Feb 2021 5,290 posts	0 TheScribbler We did part of the 500 route and got lucky with three splendid sites and then 2 nights wild camping. I'd be more tempted to go up the east coast and across to the islands next time if we can.
♪♫ Synge ♪♫ Feb 2021 9:50am, 2 Feb 2021 38,854 posts	0 ♪♫ Synge ♪♫ I loved the sound of the North Coast 500 when I first heard about it, but there is so much comment (and vitriol) about it on various FB campervan groups that I think I'd stay well away and find my own routes and destinations in Scotland. It sounds as if there are many stretches of single-track road with passing places (something I am very familiar with down here in Devon) and many motorhome drivers (and, yes, possibly campervan drivers too!) who just aren't prepared to reverse or who don't understand that you need to leave a suitable interval between you and the vehicle in front because you won't both fit into the same passing place. I just don't want to meet all those people! I suspect the NC500 started out as a fantastic marketing/tourism campaign and has become a victim of its own success.
Mandymoo Feb 2021 9:59am, 2 Feb 2021 11,064 posts	0 Mandymoo I agree totally with Synge - we would love to do it but are very wary of the things he mentions. Its also quicker for us to go to France and Europe (when allowed) from here.
Gobi Feb 2021 10:04am, 2 Feb 2021 73,036 posts	0 Gobi I plan to ride the NC500 which means my van will be with me as support but I don't plan to sleep in it :¬)
RunningRonnie Feb 2021 10:05am, 2 Feb 2021 1,939 posts	0 RunningRonnie I actually wondered about steering towards some of the less touristy areas at first. Would give us a chance to get used to the van, with easy access to home if needed. For example, the Moray coast is beautiful. There are tourists there, but not in the numbers you would see at Skye. Living in Garioch area of Aberdeenshire, I only ever saw the odd camper leaving the area, so we certainly did not have an influx. If I didn't live here, it would certainly be on my list as you have a lot of very nice walking/cycling/running.
RunningRonnie Feb 2021 10:06am, 2 Feb 2021 1,940 posts	0 RunningRonnie I remember doing the North Coast 500 over 20 years ago on my own - long before it had a name. I camped in a cheap tent, drove my aging Vauxhall Nova up those hills and met loads of people.