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Campervans

TechSupp

By TechSupp
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TechSupp

TechSupp

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We keep mulling over the idea of getting an old VW camper van, possibly a T2 bay window one, so just wondering if anyone on here has one and there experiences with them, things to look out for etc etc. What they like to drive? May never come to anything, nice to have a dream though. Just looked on ebay and some nice ones.
iom100

iom100

Posted
Posted
Campervanning is great fun. Don't buy a VW though - completely overpriced because of the hipsters who buy them. I have a Toyota Granvia - it's a dream to drive.
Iain.Faulkner

Iain.Faulkner

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I have a VW camper...in short it's amazing (there's pics somewhere on edugeek of her)! But it does cost an absolute fortune to run and maintain. We used to have a static caravan in North Wales, but swapped it for the camper, best decision we made, we get to go all over the country in her, see lots of new places etc you just have to be content pootling along at 30 mph for hours on end :-)
Iain.Faulkner

Iain.Faulkner

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Better question to ask would be "what doesn't cost"!

 

We've had her 3 years, and in that time we've spent thousands on welding, new seats for the front, whole new brake system, replacement roof on the pop top, new engine...we're just about to go for our next MOT which will no doubt be more welding. Plus we want the interior replacing to allow us to accommodate our imminent arrival which again will be several thousand pounds!

 

On the plus side, it's of such an age whereby we don't pay road tax :-)

TechSupp

TechSupp

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Ha, nice one, obviously even though it costs a lot you still think its worth it. At least I would be going in with eyes wide open and wallet by the sounds of it! Still it's only an idea at the moment.
witch

witch

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Posted
I was just going to say that my son is a VW fanboi and runs a local VW Audi group ( DAS-VAG) there are many camper vans in the group and whilst they are lovely, they do cost an absolute fortune to keep on the road. A lot of the VW fans have moved to a VW T5 or similar - they keep the camper for shows but do their actual holidaying in the T5
edutech4schools

edutech4schools

Posted
Posted
I am just about to sell my T4 as we will soon be having baby number 3. I have tried to work out a way of fitting us all in but unfortunately the VW will have to go. She is a 2.4d and very cheap to run and maintain. Insurance is the same as our ford focus and petrol prices not that different from the car. I have had her for 4 years and only needed to replace the fan belt (Touch wood). The T4 do not look as iconic as the original but everyone still flashes and waves at us and they drive like a car and do not need loads of money to keep them on the road.
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Pyroman

Pyroman

Posted
Posted
If you're going for a camper VW are the only way to go. The waves and smiles from small children and adults alike are worth every penny and every minute of your spare time (that you will undoubtedly spend) on her/him (yes they all should have names!). I have a T25 and i wouldn't trade her for the world, yes bits are expensive but mines 24 years old, what do you expect?! Where are you based in South Yorkshire? If you're sheffield then have a look on Facebook for the Sheffield Volkswagen Owners Club, they're great people and full of knowledge. Also you're actually buying at about the right time, the bottom has fallen out of the VW market in the last few years, a rusty old bay used to go for about 8k now you can pick up some mint vans for about the same price or less. My stepdad just sold his 1972 T2 (that's a bay) to a bloke from South Wales for £6400 (which i told him was too low but there ya go!) You have to think about what you want your van for, if speed and rust isn't an issue then go for a T2, if you want a bit more poke then try a T25 or even a T4. You can get some great looking T4's for the same money or less than you'd pay for a bay and you generally get a lot less hassle as they're obviously a lot newer. I would say the 1.6 is slightly underpowered it's alright when there's nothing in it but as soon as you load up with kids and camping gear you soon add a whole load of weight. Mine's a T25 High Top with a 1.9 Petrol engine and i Max out about 70 but at that point she's really struggling so i cruise at about 55-60(if i'm feeling brave and the wind's not too strong)
Pyroman

Pyroman

Posted
Posted
P.s The SVWOC run a festival locally in kilnhurst called DubOdyssey it's in august but well worth checking out to get ideas for what you want your van to look like, and what type of van you'd like. There's a load of different options from the lounge style with just a rock n roll bed and a massive sound system, to the traditional "camping" interior with cookers water sinks the whole job. When parents sold the bay window they bought a T4 which was more practical for them to drive to spain in.
Pyroman

Pyroman

Posted
Posted

p.p.s. if you're going to go and look at campers CHECK EVERYTHING lift up all the carpets, look at all the seams and funny nooks and crannies as they can get Uber rusty and not in the most obvious places. If you know someone who knows VWs take them with you or ask on the SVWOC if anyone would be willing to go and have a look with you. I heard a story very recently where someone's bought a Bay window for 6 grand and then it looks like they're going to have to spend about 9 Grand getting it back to a decent standard, yes they're lovely vans but don't be suckered in to buying a really rusty one just because you've got your heart set on it or you will be paying out for it for forever and a day.

 

Sorry for 3 messages, as you can tell i'm slightly obsessed!!

HarryMonkey

HarryMonkey

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Posted
A friend of mine has just bought a brand new T500 that he has just sent away for a conversion to a camper. I look at what he's spent and shudder at what I could get for that ... a really nice motorhome with all the mod cons!
jinnantonnixx

jinnantonnixx

Posted
Posted (edited)

Like Pyroman, I used to own a VW T25. The chassis on these are normally good, it's basically a body bolted onto girders. The seams are the weak spots, though.

 

Some sound advice - assume the bottom two inches of any van is rotten, and if it's not is a bonus.

 

Look into every nook, then look into every cranny. Twice. Look on the pipework and tyres for any recent paint spraying. A bit of filler and paint can make a rust bucket look good for a short while.

 

I owned my camper for about 4 years, then the engine blew up. I changed the engine and tons of parts, cost me about £2,500. I sold it for more than I paid for it, but the guy who bought it had a good buy with all those new parts.

 

I have a Kangoo mini-van at the mo, and I have actually camped in it by reversing it into an awning. Really.

Observe:

http://www.edugeek.net/members/jinnantonnixx-albums-stuff-picture14305-dscf1435.JPG

http://www.edugeek.net/members/jinnantonnixx-albums-stuff-picture14306-dscf1436.JPG

 

 

I'm toying with the idea of a new van, but it won't be a camper. You can get side windows fitted for £150 a side, and I'm going to make a basic kitchen unit with a gas cooker which can be slid in when needed. Maybe a Renault Traffic or Toyata Hiace.

Edited by jinnantonnixx
Pyroman

Pyroman

Posted
Posted
Like Pyroman, I used to own a VW T25. The chassis on these are normally good, it's basically a body bolted onto girders. The seams are the weak spots, though.

 

Some sound advice - assume the bottom two inches of any van is rotten, and if it's not is a bonus.

 

Look into every nook, then look into every cranny. Twice. Look on the pipework and tyres for any recent paint spraying. A bit of filler and paint can make a rust bucket look good for a short while.

 

I've had that one recently, the outside of the van looks alright, bit rusty, taken the interior out and it looks like the rear wheel arch needs doing and the side sill on the drivers side all the way down it! Had a quote the other day for £1000 without a spray afterwards. I think i need to see my usual VW man and see what he quotes!

jinnantonnixx

jinnantonnixx

Posted
Posted (edited)
I've had that one recently, the outside of the van looks alright, bit rusty, taken the interior out and it looks like the rear wheel arch needs doing and the side sill on the drivers side all the way down it! Had a quote the other day for £1000 without a spray afterwards. I think i need to see my usual VW man and see what he quotes!

 

Absolutely. Once the van is lined and kitted out, rust can work its magic invisibly until it's too late.

Edited by jinnantonnixx
Iain.Faulkner

Iain.Faulkner

Posted
Posted
p.p.s. if you're going to go and look at campers CHECK EVERYTHING lift up all the carpets, look at all the seams and funny nooks and crannies as they can get Uber rusty and not in the most obvious places. If you know someone who knows VWs take them with you or ask on the SVWOC if anyone would be willing to go and have a look with you. I heard a story very recently where someone's bought a Bay window for 6 grand and then it looks like they're going to have to spend about 9 Grand getting it back to a decent standard, yes they're lovely vans but don't be suckered in to buying a really rusty one just because you've got your heart set on it or you will be paying out for it for forever and a day.

 

Sorry for 3 messages, as you can tell i'm slightly obsessed!!

 

This is really good advice, when we bought ours we looked at 5 or 6 before we settled on our "Winnie". We took someone with us who was a general car and VW enthusiast who knew what to look for, so we came away with the right one for us.

rad

rad

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Posted

My father in law is a mechanic. We had a VW Super Viking 2.0Ltr 6Birth camper, started life like this:

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg147/RAD-83/Viking/Image007j_edited.jpg

 

After many panel parts replacing, new upholstery new gutters etc etc

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg147/RAD-83/Viking/IMAGE_032.jpg

 

The finished result was this:

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg147/RAD-83/Viking/IMGP0523.jpg

A complete body refurb, new doors, new front panel, replacement interior, refurbed seats and cushions downstairs (original uptop), same roof and pop top. The original engine was left in it, the 2.ltr Automatic gearbox that we took all the way to Suffolk from Essex, and used a tank of fuel.

 

Anyway, as FiL didnt want to go from petrol station to petrol station he sold that one and bought what he really wanted and that was an Early bay shell:

This is how it started its life with us:

 

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg147/RAD-83/Early%20Bay/14022011177.jpg

as just a shell with wheels as such.

 

The shell went off to the paint shop to be resprayed

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg147/RAD-83/Early%20Bay/IMGP0590.jpg

 

New wheels fitted and then the "conversion" started. First up was the 1.9 Diesel engine from a Golf Mk3

 

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg147/RAD-83/Early%20Bay/IMGP0599.jpg

Then the interior was completed with new bed, new or refurbed seats (forget which) and new cupboard unit (no pics though) to this:

 

Used as a Wedding car for our wedding last year.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg147/RAD-83/Wedding/SR0073.jpg

 

If you have any questions I will do my best.

  • Thanks 1
Tall_Paul

Tall_Paul

Posted
Posted

I had a T25 Devon Eurovette for about 4 years.

 

Great fun, and we loved it. But it was starting to rust in the seams and every time I took it out I was wondering what would be the next thing to break!

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