So our Cabanon tent has been sold on ebay as we are now the proud owners of a metallic plum VW T25 Camper.
We've wanted one for a while now. It has a full width bed, curtains, captains seat and rear lighting. We avoided any with a full conversion kit as we would like to have a removeable cooker and also need to figure out what would be the best use of space, so we're taking it away for a few weekends before we spend any dosh on the inside. Its a tin top so we need to think hard about storage. We'll definitely get an overhead locker and a standing unit behind the drivers seat, then some kind of removable kitchen/larder unit for behind the passenger seat. For now we will be happy to look at buying the Outwell camping units (larder and wardrobe)which would fit quite nicely and are pretty smart, and moveable. I picked up some nice alloys on ebay for 50 quid too!
Avoiding fixed side units would allow us to keep a full sized bed which is another priority. If we add in a roof box, a bit of space for stuff under the bed and a drive away awning for storage/equipment on longer holidays then we should be sorted for fairly modest cost.Of course none of these ideas have been tested out yet!
The best thing about it is the VW Golf 1.9d engine which was fitted last year. Thus means we can cruise at 70 through france with it. The gear box though feels like your moving a big stick in porridge but i suppose its a question of getting used to that.
So anyone else have a T25 (or any small camper for 2)and care to share your experiences ?
Used to have one for yrs, outed it about 3 yrs ago because I couldn't be bothered with the maintanence any more, but don't let that put you off.
I hope the AAZ engine has been fitted properly. Your indispensible T25 resources(in case you didn't know) are brick-yard & club80-90 Parts are available from your local GSF & Eurocarparts stores, from Brick-Yard & also many parts can still be ordered from your nearest VW van centre.
I would insure it as a camper or you may have trouble getting continental breakdown cover for vehicle that age.
It was fitted by a VW camper specialist in Chester (Volksnation) and was used as his everyday driver. He lives three miles away from me and has offered to do 'mates rates' on all work so thats a real plus. I know what you mean re the costs. Most issues seem to relate to the engines or body work. It will only be used in the summer and SORNED for the winter months. If push comes to shove im under no illusions with this - Ok im planning to keep it for a good few years and will be doing some high miles in the summer, but id sell if required, pretty much ala your comments i.e if things start to get expensive.
Thanks for the tips, i didnt know about the parts sources but yep 80/90 and Brkworks are incredible arent they!.
Had one for five years. With an awning we slept five - husband in the awning, me and youngest in roof and other two kids in the bottom. I loved my van, but she went in 2007. She had her own scrapbook and diary with photos,etc. That went with the van. Here she is:
------------- Smoke me a kipper ............ I'll be back for breakfast!!!!!
We have a bongo - maybe not as cool as a VW but getting there and just as good (if not better) to drive. We love our current set up - bongo and quechua pop-up tent. Had our first journey (driving) abroad last year when we went to the South of France. Same again planned for this year - only wish we had done it years ago!
Great looking van vwstarbug, and a decent awning too! The round lights are much nicer than the later square ones. Did you just get fed up of it, or did it turn to rust??
feeblecat, i looked at the bongo and there was no real reason to go for the VW other than i just liked the look of the T25s. Your right about the VW drive, it isnt the best, but its comfortable on the motorway which is the priority. Driving T25s with the original engines was a struggle to get past 60 odd but one thing ive realised is that campervan driving even with a modern engine isnt something to be done in a hurry, so 65 - 70 max will be just fine.
bigtoe, you're absolutely right about 65-70 mph. We never go above 65 and mostly stick at 60 - before we got the bongo we had read a lot about high fuel consumption - not true in our case - weve found the bongo to be good on fuel, but then we stick around 60 and dont use it at home for running to the shops etc. Of course I would like that wee bit extra room but the advantages of a campervan far outweigh the disadvantages of a motorhome for me so I'm willing to make that sacrifice. The campervan is a mindset - we think of it as a car with a bed (hob and fridge), if we thought of it as a motorhome it wouldn't work.
i have had two in the both t25s. one was a 2.0 aircooled on a y reg really struggled at times and the twin carbs were shot so it was heavy on fuel, the thing that made me get rid was being overtaken by a milk float struggling up a hill in the lake district. next i got a 2.1 injected 91 model that flew and returned about 38mpg on a run went all over scotland in it had it for two years then bought a coachbuilt. we had a toilet tent that we used as a shower room, we got a whale submersible water pump conected it to some electric conduit approx 1 foot, run the 12v wire through it and at the top connected it to a shower hose and put a switch in the wiring and connect to battery, and used to fill a cool box with warm water place pump in water switch on get wet worked a treat.
i have had two in the both t25s. one was a 2.0 aircooled on a y reg really struggled at times and the twin carbs were shot so it was heavy on fuel, the thing that made me get rid was being overtaken by a milk float struggling up a hill in the lake district. next i got a 2.1 injected 91 model that flew and returned about 38mpg on a run went all over scotland in it had it for two years then bought a coachbuilt. we had a toilet tent that we used as a shower room, we got a whale submersible water pump conected it to some electric conduit approx 1 foot, run the 12v wire through it and at the top connected it to a shower hose and put a switch in the wiring and connect to battery, and used to fill a cool box with warm water place pump in water switch on get wet worked a treat.
Hi Bigtoe,we just sold a T25 in feb ,broke my heart it did ,we had it for 9 yrs ,as tentz said above ,join the 80-90 and brickyard sites,there is a wealth of info and tips .
There is also a very healthy social scene with get togethers at VW shows and club rallies ,and best of all FREE to join
She was a lovely van but just got to the stage where lots of mechanical things were wearing away and needing replacing much quicker than I could save up to pay for them! Plus husband had a Land Rover 110 Defender that was eating away at our money too.
------------- Smoke me a kipper ............ I'll be back for breakfast!!!!!
Lovely colour Billiepeam and a great spot too.....is it shell island??
starbug...thats kind of what were worried about, though the new engine should help re the bills (wishfull thinking eh!). I drive a classic citroen so am hoping taking the plunge with the camper doesnt mean too much more spending on cars, there aint too much left. The vw will be put in mothballs six months of the year.
Thanks Bigtoe ,its a 70,s porsche green,it was very bright.
The campsite is Hewits Campsite Benllech Anglesey ,loverly views,we went last yr with the VW transporter t25 club 80-90,have you joined yet ,there are loads of members up your way,
Yeh joined the 80 90 club, plenty of info there. They have a two part membership thing and im having difficulty getting into certain parts of the site, I'll enail them and find out. We're off to Oswestry on sunday for the Bustypes event to see if we can pick up a few parts and some ideas re interiors...........im actually really going so someone can tell me how to fit the new alloys weve got! There not as nice as yours but they should look pretty cool.
Welcome to the wonderful world of the T25 Bigtoe!!
We have a 1.9 watercooled, white with flowers on the rear! Its my daily driver and beloved camping machine!!! and driving over 60 is almost unheard of! The holiday starts from the minute I walk out the door....
I love her to pieces!!!
We also belong to Club 80-90 and regularly go to meets and the advice and help has been an absolute godsend! If youve filled in the form to get the full membership then there shouldnt be a problem getting into the member only sections.
Come and say hello on there - we're D&DCAMPA there too!! would love to see piccys - plum sounds fab!!!!
We have a 1989 T25 Westfalia California. Bought it last year and as well as many short trips we did 2,500miles round France last year.
Our 'van has a big wedge top and this makes it so much easier for moving about inside and is convenient. yes there may be more 'drag' but we have found our van to be good on fuel...is a 1.6td. We don't mind just pootling along and other drivers in France we have found to be very considerate of us!
When we bought our van it had just had a new engine fitted. Unfortunately the gearbox went on our first trip out.........cue a bill for £700. However this is really the only money so far spent on the van.
Managed to do the big France trip...oh had to get a new battery then but that was the only problem we had. Then did a week in Cornwall and the hoses split in the engine!!! Found a fab VW guy in Wadebridge who sorted us out that time.
We love getting out in our van.....and can't wait for France again this year!