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Have already received some fantastic advise from this forum on buying our first campervan and travelling in Europe, so thougt I would tap into the collective brain again..........

We now have our hearts set on a VW T4 Autosleeper Trident, probably from mid 90's (or very similar hi-top), with the cost of fuel spiralling ever upwards fuel economy is obviously an important consideration (no point in buying a van if we can't afford to feed it)

So what sort of fuel economy in MPGs are we likely to get from this type of vehicle?

Are we better to look at petrol or diesel, my initial thoughts are that a diesel would be more efficient, but I'm sure that seasoned van owners will have their own opinions (are diesel more expensive to buy or repair?)

All advice much appreciated

Quote: Originally posted by wineciccio on 31/5/2011

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Hi, well let me tell you of our trident it was almost 8 years ago, and yes it was diesel, we travelled from calais to milano (italy) on almost a tank full, we literally refilled about 45 miles from our stop, ie, camping citta' di milano, ok i never pushed it above the 60 miles an hour mark more like 50/ 55 all the way and no mototrway apart from when we reached almost our destination. We could make it to L'Estartit spain where i'm writing this from on 2 full tanks and spare fuel to run around. So my advice is go for it.

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Quote: Originally posted by Tentz on 31/5/2011

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Some petrol engines may have lpg conversions so even cheaper to run than diesel but lpg tank takes up interior space.

Post last edited on 31/05/2011 22:54:52

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Also, you may not be allowed to use some of the tunnels ie Eurotunnel, if you have LPG as your engine fuel source 

Hi, i own a 2.4 5cylinder vw t4 autotrail, she,s 20 years old and got 114,800 miles on the clock, she runs like new ,also giving me 30 to 35 mpg ,

vw is best

sean

I agree, the 2.5 5 cylinder engine is a cracking unit. Just make sure it has had a cambelt change AND a new waterpump. A common failure on a unserviced engine, one seizes and the belt jumps/strips.

My Last T4 was getting around 37mpg.

I've got the heavier T5 california now and you have to drive it very gently to get that figure, it is heavy (2.6 tonnes) and a auto though!!

My Autosleepers Trooper, VW 2.5TD, has averaged 42 mpg since new in 2003. I do try to drive economically and usually cruise at 60-65 on motorways.