Do you need to know which campervan is right for you? Our guide offers information and advice about making that motorhome purchase.

BUYING A MOTORHOME

There are many options available to buy a motorhome. You can read reviews online and decide whether you are making the right choice for a motorhome. However, it is advisable that you have experience with mechanics and knowledge of the vehicle before buying a motorhome for the very first time.

It is better to consider a dealer for the final purchase for the first time. The dealers are expert in this area and have an in-depth knowledge of the motorhomes.

They can even provide fixtures and guide a person a lot better according to his or her preferences of buying a motorhome. They would also provide full MOT.

Therefore, a dealer can help you navigate the huge variety available out there in the market.

VW CAMPER OR TRANSPORTER

T5 is currently popular in the market. Replacing the T4, the T5 is larger and more advanced, it can fulfil the demands of modern camper drivers. There is a nine-seat minibus, panel vans, caravelles, and campers. There are sliding door options and tailgate as well. Camping conversions can make the life of modern camper a lot easier.

Engines
Two different diesel engine choices are available to a user for T5. A user would get four total outputs of power. There are different capacities for engine available for example, 114 bhp 2.0 litre, 1.9 PD with 85 or 150 bhp, 2.5 litres with 130 bhp or 174 bhp.

Other considerations

Shorter vans look better in appearance, however, for the camper conversions, LWB can be better. Instead of Kombi, an individual can buy a panel van. It can be a cheaper solution since an expert can assist with the conversion. The price of fitting rear side windows is £150 a pair.

Spec is also a good option since air conditioning is important. It is important to keep in mind that there might not be passenger bags in the spec buses. Sliding doors on the sideways can be a minimum requirement as well if there would be many people in the van and thus there would not be a need of the camper conversion.

SMALL PANEL VAN

Panel vans are important for the campervan conversions. These are reliable, affordable, and are available in different formats. VW Transport is quite dominant in the market of the campervan. Ford Transit is popular for the light transportation. Since 1950 after the VW Transport conversion, many panel vans have been used for campervan conversions.

CAR DERIVED VAN

The car-derived van is cheap and easier to drive. These are cars with the van-like area at the back. These are most suitable for camping during the weekend, as the size is small and limited. The rear area is also smaller in comparison with the Mercedes Vito or VW Transporter.

These type of vans are usually suitable for 1 or 2 people and are suitable for the short summer camps, however, for longer trips, it is wise to consider a panel van where a person can stand easily. Common models include the Nissan Vanette, Peugeot Expert, Citroen Jumpy, and Fiat Scudo. It is possible to drive these with a car license.

MEDIUM OR LONG PANEL VAN

The kind of vehicle that you select determines how much space is available on conversion. Length and height are the important dimensions to consider. Ex-commercial panel vans are quite popular. They have interior space, which is good and there are minimal fittings to remove.

SWB (short wheelbase) LWB (long wheelbase)are two considerations to look out for. Wheelbase vans, which are longer, give more space. There are various features to consider and keep in mind, out of which roof height is extremely important. It depends on the roof height of a particular van that whether a person would be able to stand in the van or not. Bed space is possible for the extendable roofs.

LOW PROFILE COACHBUILT MOTORHOMES

A cab and chassis is used, which is usually from a van manufacturer and this is usually from a major van manufacturer. In order to complete the vehicle, the motor body is built. There are a cassette toilet and shower and usually, two to three people can sleep inside. There is a fixed double bed available for some. There is a large locker underneath, which is usually called the garage.

Campervan and medium-sized motorhome manufacturers include:

• Auto-Sleepers
• Bilbo’s
• Devon Conversions
• IH Motorhomes
• Murvi
• Timberland Motorhomes
• Volkswagen California
• Westfalia Ford

COACHBUILT MOTORHOME WITH AN OVER-CAB BED

Traditionally this particular van was called Luton. Whatever has been said about the low profile coach built motorhomes apply to coach built motorhome with an over cab bed as well. Motorhomes usually use the extra space for the over cab bed while there are others comprising of a large storage area here.

Medium to large motorhome manufacturers include:

• Auto-Sleepers
• Auto-Trail
• Lunar
• Elddis
• The Swift Group

SO WHICH VAN SHOULD I BUY?

The starting price of new vans is £35,000 and it would reach to £50,000. So you need to be specific about what you need before you make a final purchase decision. There are different things to look, for example, the fitting of the drawer and other minor details. Sometimes there is a possibility that sliding doors inside the campervan might not slide and thus it is important to do a thorough check before buying.

Check how much attention is given to the details and the overall quality of the campervan. There might be a possibility of choosing different finishes from the manufacturer. It is important to include a list of the must-haves. For example, which bed size the individual preferences, what type of rood they want, the passenger seats, etc. Do a price comparison based on these particular features.

CONSIDERATIONS WHEN BUYING A CAMPERVAN

BUDGET

There are options available for a price of £1000; however, there are different factors, which determine the budget of an individual. It is also wise to keep aside some budget, which you might need to spend on repairs and fixtures. In general, it would also depend on how much you are driving the vehicle and how well maintained it is.

SIZE OF VEHICLE

When considering a certain campervan for purchase, you need to consider the size of the vehicle. It should be according to their specifications keeping in view the seats, beds, space, and the family size. There are other things to consider as well such as how much space a vehicle would take and the fuel capacity of it.

NUMBER OF PASSENGERS AND BEDS (BERTHS)

There are many countries in Europe, which demand that the adults in the vehicle should be wearing seatbelts and thus it is important to make sure there are enough seatbelts for the number of passengers travelling. It is important to check the beds in advance. Depending on how many people are travelling and going for a trip, select the campervan with that number of berths.

WHERE WILL YOU BE TRAVELING?

It is also important to consider the place where you plan to travel with your family or friends. If the road is bumpy and rough, make the selection of the vehicles accordingly by finding out in advance, which campervan would be most suitable for a certain place. VW T4 is suitable for the rough roads in northern Spain for example.

SERVICE HISTORY AND MILEAGE

A vehicle with full service history (FSH ) or complete service history (SH) is usually the better option. It shows that a vehicle is well-maintained. Leisure vehicles usually have a low mileage. It is less than 100,000 miles. With the advancement in the field of technology, modern vehicles can go up to 200,000 miles. It is generally not wise to invest in old vehicles.

BEST CAMPERVANS FOR 2 PEOPLE

Car derived van, VW camper, transporter, and small panel van can be suitable for 2 people.

VW campers are ready to go and an individual can keep the essentials in them. Type 2 and T25 models might have the petrol engines, which would be more expensive than the diesel engines.

Small panel vans are more spacious and they comprise of diesel engines, which can make them more economical.

Car derived vans comprise the least space. However, in comparison these quite cheap and it would be easier to drive these. It is important to keep in mind that these can be quite small for a longer trip.

3 PEOPLE CAMPERS

Medium or long panel van and small motorhome can be an ideal option for 3 people.

These vehicles would be easier to drive and they would offer more space. It would be easier to park in the park bays. It can be a good option for long trips for 2 to 3 people.

FOR 4 PEOPLE

Long panel van, motorhome can be a good option for 4 people.

There would be lots of space available; however, it would be difficult to park there. In fact, for some people driving can be difficult as well.

FOR 5 OR MORE PEOPLE

A motorhome would be ideal for 5 or more people.

It would be spacious, however, it would be expensive to buy it and run. Parking for these would be difficult as well.

THE RISING ROOF

Side rising roof looks neater in appearance. On inspection, check the height near the kitchen area. There is a panoramic option available as well nowadays. These styles can be great for hot weather.

VERSATILE ‘PODS’

There are nowadays options for removing furniture from the campervan thus allowing more space inside. This particular campervan offers four different configurations to the users.

TWIN SLIDING DOORS

With the assistance of this particular feature, a camper van is likely to be lighter. It would help in keeping the cooking smell at bay. It also gives more options to mingle with the family members and talk to them while they are outside.

For example, Auto Campers are an award-winning MRV, which allows the kitchen to open from both the outside and inside. Rolling Holmes also offer twin sliders.