I’m thinking of selling my car and buying a small campervan, its just for me and my dog for one or two nights away at a time. I do still need to get to work though, unfortunately. So any recommendations on most economical and practical campervan to buy. Thank you
It depends on your budget, that might help you get more directed replys. Have a look at the autosleeper range of van conversions. For your size medium wheelbase would suffice and double as a Car. Would fit in car parks etc. Vw vans are popular too, and compact. Maybe consider the pop top vans? If you have a list of what’s important and a budget, you’ll get lots more help
Think about where yo7 Park it at home too. Do you have a drive?
Thank you Lorfal. All I want really is a camper that has the basics for couple of days away for one adult and retriever dog. So just a bed, gas rings, fridge/coolbox, sink. Enough room to sit comfortably in the evening. I’m hoping a budget of around £4000. My biggest concern is it costing me a lot to use it for work, I have to use it for work as I start at a time when buses and trains aren’t running.
At your budget something that will be 20 years old is your limit look at the height as well as a lot of vans will be to high to get into carparks with barriers
Our VW van would be way out of your price range, however I can highly recommend it as a main vehicle, we use ours all the time. It fits into a car parking space, and at 2.0 m high before the roof pops up goes under most car park barriers. We have no toilet in our van, but if you are on your own, you may want to have one.
How about a Citroen Berlingo micro camper, they're compact and I imagine cheap to run. There are a few on ebay in your budget range. I've never owned one but they look good for a daily use camper.
Have a look on EBay for Mazda Bongo they’re great little vans, we started off 12 years ago with one and gradually updated to brand new campervan, the only downsize was 22 mpg with some as 4 wheel drive.
I agree, a Citroen Berlingo / Renault Kangoo micro camper may be worth a try. The running costs will be similar to the average car. They are small, but if it's only for a night or two it may suit your needs. If you wanted something a little bigger but still car like, then the Romahome Hylo would be good & there are some Peugeot Experts that have been converted. I would personally avoid the Mazda Bongo because of the running costs. They nearly aways Autos with 4WD. There are a lot of home converted campers ( nothing wrong with that if it has been done properly ) so check that everything works & looks like it has been fitted properly.
I have a Cireon Berlingo with a pop top, it’s perfect my the wife and me and our two little Yorkies, it’s like a tardis, it has two burner cooker with grill, sink, fridge, porta pottie and two single beds. It does 40 plus to the gallon (diesel) and has four traveling seats with seatbelts, if need be the units and rear seats can be removed and hay presto you have a van. From what you said I think one would suit your needs perfect
I think a lot depends on how many miles you will do using it as a car.
The camper will be much more expensive to buy than a car but will need replacing just as soon if you do a high mileage. With a low mileage it will last a long time just like a car will.
Navver - I do about 80 miles per week travelling to and from work, not sure if that’s classed as high. I don’t intend to do very long journeys in the camper, I live in Devon so it’ll be trips around Devon, Cornwall and Dorset.
That's only 4000ish a year- nothing really. The only thing is that if it's a diesel, I'd suggest one without a Particulate Filter. These can clog up (expensively) if you only do short runs. That's why we have a petrol car.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.