Hello,

Does anyone own a camper van if so what type. I saw someone today with a VW camper van in orange (you know the ones) and I thought Hmmmmmmmmmm.....nice way to pop away for the weekend with the Pup, and easier than a towing a caravan. Any suggestions to a make anyone

Karen

I've got one of the old orange and white VW camper vans. I adore it but it costs a fortune in petrol and I mean a fortune. I'm thinking of selling it and getting a van and doing it up with a bed with dog cages underneath. It also cost me £4,000.00, although it's nearly as old as me, it looks brand new.

Myself, my two friends and 5 Spanish Water Dogs have had some fun times in it when we've gone to shows. All three of us slept on the road side at Scotland with all the dogs and it's only a 2 birth, talk about comfy!!

Now that's not a bad idea getting a van I want something I can pack up and go with Sal when I'm off in the week just me and her :D

Maybe a van would be a better idea and dissel too hummmm...Thanks

Karen

Fiat, Citroen and one of the other companies have the identical van and I think ones called the Skooda, hopefully someone will correct me, I believe that this one is the cheapest although they are extactly the same van. My friends been looking into it so I'll ask her!!

It wd. be a lot cheaper than old VW I'm sure. Not much fun when you are going up hill on the motorway doing 30mph either:d although it does hit 70 going down hill.

Karen

We were lucky enough to buy an ex Balfour Beatty crew mess van - its a LWB Ford Transit High top - so in addition to being a diesel, its also fitted out with a table, 5 proper seats round it, and a gas cooker & handwash facility - AND room at the back for 2 leos (on the round floor) and 3-4 aussies (on the first floor) all, safely crated in.

It also has a side sliding door, and next year, we hope to get a tent/awning to fix on the side - so that we can sleep out there, the dogs in their crates - then the cooker table etc inside!

It's been pretty good on diesel as well - we've averaged out at 33 mpg going to the Champ shows this summer. I can drive it comfortably - and I love the feeling of being higher up & seeing over the hedges.

The other thing we want to get is airconditioning - this year we've used the battery operated fans, but hopefully next year we'll have that as well - so what's the betting that we get all geared up for camping and the weather is AWFUL!!

We bought it locally, from a little firm that just deals with commercial vehicles - I don't think you are in our area (SE Essex), but he says he can get them on a reasonably regular basis.

Margot

Thanks Margot,

That might be ideal for me thanks, I never considered that idea. I will have a look around my area first though but if I don't have any luck I'll be down your way soon ;)

What my idea is, is to be able to pack up wth Sal and just head out to where ever England/Wales/Scotland I have always fancied the idea and I really would like to spend about 3 weeks travelling around U.k or Scotland. I read the book 500 mile walkies about the bloke that walked from Minehead to Dorset with a mad dog called "Boogie" and although I don't fancy walking so the van is a good option I think. Just a dream but maybe to come true if I get the van :D

Karen

Oooooh, slightly off topic, but i read that years ago, cracking book!

There is another one by him (Mark Wallington or something?) Boogie Up the River, similar vein, silly idea possibly in aid of impressing a woman, with a black dog that farts alot as a companion!!!!!! (mmmmm all my dog seem to be very 'Boogie' like, especially the pup!)

Em

I don't have a camper van but i have just been to Devon and then down to Cornwall and all we saw were VW camper vans i would love one myself.

We have a caravan now but had thought of getting a camper for showing on the continent,, to aviod paying extra on the ferry, but I think I would get clostrophobic with 4 dogs and a 5 year old as well has husband and I.Round Newquay in cornwall some of the surffy's vans have everything +the kitchen sink.We went to Brownhills and found a brillant winnebago only £99,895. must find the lottery ticket

Hi Karen
have you looked anymore into this ?
My boys' dad has an old VW Camper and often goes away in it .
And dont forget after a certain age they are tax exempt !! ;)

No Lel not yet this weekend I'm going to look around.

Karen

My VW was made a year after the deadline, and although it is now 30 years old doesn't qualify!!!! I think that the government realised that there were a no. of old vehicles out and about, and I bet some of them hadn't been used until the no tax rule came into existence. It's a pain up the a*** for people like me, who were told that it wd. be tax exempt and it isn't!!!

I love my old VW it looks brand new, has the original bodywork etc. and I'm only it's second owner although it cost me quite a bit, but it has been worth it. As I said before the two downfalls are the price for petrol and that it's not exempt from road tax