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 Topic: VW T5 pop top - pointers
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24/7/2024 at 7:27am
Location: Dartford Kent
Outfit: VW T6 conversion
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Joined: 06/5/2008 Platinum Member 
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My Transporter conversion comes with a cupboard for a Portapotti - being a man of a certain age this proves invaluable at night. Having been a caravanner, my experience was that campervanning is a different mindset, as Franbee says. For example, I haven’t used levellers yet. And I’ve got the pack down to about 15 minutes if I want to go out. Rather than a driveaway I use a Reimo domed sun canopy for a bit of outside space. Storage is tight, more like tent camping, so it pays to be economical with the tut you carry.
I’ve recently done a five week trip to Europe, and I loved it. The driving was actually fun compared to towing, got to go up some narrow gorges that were breathtakingly beautiful. I stayed mostly on campsites; I don’t believe in wild camping if it affects the provision of campgrounds. I could go offgrid if I need to, but I do like a morning hot shower, and a proper toilet if possible.
Fiona’s suggestion of hire before buy has merit. I didn’t, and jumped straight in. Campers seem to hold their value, so there’s always the option of selling on. Due caution in terms of buying any vehicle, and I’ll be getting a habitation service come the autumn as well as the vehicle one. It’s not quite as convenient as a daily runaround, but possible. I haven’t once regretted my choice.
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24/7/2024 at 11:17am
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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Joined: 19/6/2009 Diamond Member 
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Each to their own, throwing this idea into the mix...
When I was planning to change unit from a tent to a van, I decided to opt for a MWB VW Crafter just under 6m in length, instead of a smaller and lower vehicle like a VW T5, so that I could squeeze in a decent kitchen, a separate bathroom with a shower and a toilet, and a drop-down bed.
It was the best design related decision I had made, as I can use my own toilet as and when required without having to walk to the facilities block, especially at night and/or when the weather is foul; and the drop-down bed enables me to have a decent living area and without having to make the bed up every night and morning.
The MWB VW Crafter can just about squeeze into a normal parking space, width-wise is definitely OK, length-wise will be sticking out a bit that will not cause a serious obstruction.
My van is too big for me to use as a day-to-day run around though, and I have a small car for that purpose.
DK 
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* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *
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24/7/2024 at 1:21pm
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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Joined: 19/6/2009 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 9627
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Quote: Originally posted by Nosaj on 24/7/2024
Thanks all,
Still deliberating as the toilet/washroom may be a deal breaker. If we go a little larger we can get a washroom so something like a crafter/sprinter size that sits in between a camper and a coach built.
Take your time to evaluate all the pros and cons, as well as your needs and wants, as it is a significant investment.
My van was 5-year in the planning. I attended big shows and stepped into as many MHs and PVCs as I could, read up on different layouts, and came up with my own needs and wants, and went down the custom PVC route.
The main design must have that pushed me down the custom PVC route was the requirement not to use a gas stove or to carry a LPG tank.
DK
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* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *
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24/7/2024 at 1:46pm
Location: London
Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
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Joined: 17/9/2015 Diamond Member
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Back in 2018 when I decide the old bones were suffering a bit too much with erecting tents and all that lugging of heavy gear, and seemingly hours of pitching and breaking down, I looked at everything that could be considered an upgrade to a tent.
Looked at basic campers, and came to the conclusion it was about as close to the fabled 'tin tent' as was possible to get, not a lot of space, few facilities, but quite a hefty price tag to still be living a very basic camping experience! - all it lacked was guy ropes and tent pegs! Figured I could do a better upgrade for the cash!
Ultimately ended up with a fairly luxurious caravan with proper onboard bathroom, full kitchen, and SPACE! Had the advantage that if I wanted to go out, I didn't have to pack stuff away first, and the car would have few limitation on where I could take it. Towing was never an issue for me, as towed lots of things before and held no fears, nor did I see many limitations on the regions I would likely take it to, the Scottish 500 and the like being one of the few!
So VERY happy with my choice, still got the same van and no plans to change, think a camper would have been a short lived thing as the basic facilities (or lack of!) would have got to me, either going MH or caravan after a season or two.
TBF, I can see some appeal, for a quick w/e break, just up and go, I could do that, but a couple of weeks away, NO!
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