Fetch Camper Vans

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GimmeMedals Oct 2021 10:10am, 16 Oct 2021 21,474 posts	0 GimmeMedals We are stubborn about insisting in a fixed bed with toilet and shower. Our last motor home was superb for living in but we were limited in where we could go as there were some places, such as Perranporth, with no parking for such a big vehicle. The new camper has 2 long side seats/single beds, but not a fixed double, and no outside lockers, which are the compromises we’ve had to make to get a 6m van so we can go nearly everywhere. We will be packing very carefully and only taking what we need.
TheScribbler Oct 2021 10:52am, 16 Oct 2021 5,658 posts	0 TheScribbler We only got our VW campervan last year and anticipate using it a lot more, but we’ve already said that when we can take more time off work and tour, we’d look at something with a toilet and shower. We already shelled out for a ladder to reach the pop up bed more easily. Mr S has just done his first night solo camping. I bet he loved having the downstairs bed to himself.
Fields Oct 2021 11:04am, 16 Oct 2021 86 posts	0 Fields Anyone got views on a Toyota Alphard? I think they need to be imported but it’s essentially a car which is big enough to have a bed in the back and some storage so has the flexibility to go anywhere plus not need another vehicle.
GimmeMedals Oct 2021 11:09am, 16 Oct 2021 21,475 posts	0 GimmeMedals I don't know anyone who has one, Fields. It depends on what your needs are. If what you want is a car you can sleep in, then it sounds ideal.
mrs shanksi Oct 2021 11:19am, 16 Oct 2021 12,950 posts	0 mrs shanksi I have one and I love it Fields! We wanted a van we could park like a car. We got it from these people : campervanco.com
mrs shanksi Oct 2021 11:20am, 16 Oct 2021 12,951 posts	0 mrs shanksi
Big_G Oct 2021 11:24am, 16 Oct 2021 1,171 posts	0 Big_G When OH and I bought our van (long wheel based Renault Trafic, 5.4m in length) we had a look around different campers and also different MoHos. We had long chats about the merits of each, and there are advantages and disadvantages of both, we felt. We felt we needed to compromise somewhere to get what we would be happiest with. Basically, we came to the conclusion that a MoHo would be better when actually camping, but we felt that for short breaks, weekends away and day trips that the campervan was better for us in terms of ease of use on the roads, and also that it would get more use (i.e., we didn't think that we would use a MoHo for a day trip out on Dartmoor, for example). I suppose everyone has their own take of how their vehicle will be used and there is no single right answer for everyone. We have been away for 2 weeks in ours (me, OH and the hound) and it was fine for our purposes so we are happy, but when we bought it, it was a toss up between this and a MoHo, and we ended up opting for this after lots of debates about it. One thing about the fixed beds though - I think if we had gone for a MoHo we would have opted for a bed that had to be made each time. We just felt that the fixed beds took up a lot of space when during the day, that space wouldn't really be used. That was just our take on it, and as I say, we each have our own priorities so this isn't a dig at anyone else's priorities or preferred options!
Fields Oct 2021 11:29am, 16 Oct 2021 89 posts	0 Fields Thanks for your posts mrs shanksi, it looks a beauty. I presume it can get anywhere, has no height or length restrictions. How is it to drive? It looks like it’s smaller than a SWB van. Does it function well as a car? If I got one it would be my only vehicle.
Mandymoo Oct 2021 12:46pm, 16 Oct 2021 12,787 posts	0 Mandymoo I love our Campervan and ita only now we are using it a lot more that the bes is becoming an issue. OH is 6ft 3 and not a small bloke, so after a couple of nights I feel a bit a squashed when sleeping. We don't use the pop top for sleeping as I normally have to get up a couple of times in the night plus it wouldn't be warm enough in the autumn/winter. If we go for a caravan we will keep the VW and see how it goes. A motorhome won't work for us as we like to take the vw to the beach etc and don't want the height issues etc plus the VW is our daily drive
mrs shanksi Oct 2021 12:49pm, 16 Oct 2021 12,954 posts	0 mrs shanksi Thanks Fields, it's fine to drive, it's an automatic and a hybrid, and it's basically a converted MPV so no height or length restrictions. You could use it as your only vehicle, my friend has one and she uses it all the time. It's already 14 years old but only had 55k miles on the clock when imported last year. The back two seats pull down to form a rock n roll bed which is wide enough for two to sleep comfortably and it has a pop top where our son has slept. You could fit two people there if they cuddle in. We also have a fridge, induction hob and sink but now I feel I could live without those. I wouldn't do without the portapotty though!