VW Campervan holiday

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SaraR

Full Member
Mar 25, 2017
1,631
1,177
Ceredigion
I love the old split screen buses and seriously thought about buying one but went for a modern T5 Kombi instead.
Whilst it does not have the iconic status, for me it was the better family vehicle.
It is used everyday as a 5 seater car, as a van at weekends (just filled the van with fire wood for scout camp this weekend) and then holidays its a proper camper van with bed seats and pop up roof. Its got a 2.4 Turbo engine so even fully loaded you dont notice it and can always keep up with the other traffic.
It also amazes me how much interest my modern van gets and I am for ever been asked for advice about buying one (twice this week).
It seems there are a lot of people that want to be part of the VW camper scene but also want more practicality.
If I could justify it I would have a classic VW bus. But if it meant getting rid of my modern van I dont think I would. (I love it too much)
Chalkflint
https://www.flickr.com/photos/163752892@N05/48177499106/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/163752892@N05/48177581132/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/163752892@N05/48177511051/in/dateposted-public/
I so want a T5 or T6 kombi (SWB)! Drove one for work for years and it was a dream. I'd do some very light modifications to make it more camping friendly but I wouldn't want to lose the van capabilities.
 

SaraR

Full Member
Mar 25, 2017
1,631
1,177
Ceredigion
Cost of my conversion was (IIRC)....

Sound deadening, insulation and boarding: £250

M1 tested bed and front seat reupholstered: £1750

Units: £800

Fridge: £350

Night heater, lights and electrics: £1700

Pop top: £2450

Gas cooker: £60

Awning: £300

So a grand total of: £7660.

So quite a fair bit of cash...... but I did it bit by bit, as I could afford it. So I saved and then spent. It's all paid for. No HP or loans. Every time I added something I just made it all better, or that's my thoughts anyway.

A base van is the biggest cost though. I agree. I reckon you could get a decent VW T5 for £8000 to £10000 that'll see you through for years and years. Costs could be kept down if you did all the install yourself (electrics, gas, heater etc) but that depends on how good you are at DIY. At least I know everything on my van is safety compliant and insurable should I have an accident. Biggest thing for me though is the adventures we go on and the memories. That can't have a price put on it....

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What's the lower limit for engine choice, in your opinion, for a T5 destined for a camper?
The one we had in work was great (and had 4motion) but someone told me the other department's had a weaker engine and was hard work in the hills as a result. Sadly I don't know what either of them were.
 
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Van-Wild

Full Member
Feb 17, 2018
1,400
1,221
44
UK
I have a T6. The engine in mine is a 2ltr TDI at 102PS. Lowest sized engine has 84PS. The do go up to higher, or you can get any engine remapped for more lower gear range power, or better economy. My engine has not struggled on hills, or more accurately the Dolomites in Italy or Bavarian Alps, even when fully loaded. My engine is very economical for a van. Pulling power at lower range is fine. I know it's a van and not a sports car so I don't expect a good quarter mile time. I've not found it lacking.

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SaraR

Full Member
Mar 25, 2017
1,631
1,177
Ceredigion
I have a T6. The engine in mine is a 2ltr TDI at 102PS. Lowest sized engine has 84PS. The do go up to higher, or you can get any engine remapped for more lower gear range power, or better economy. My engine has not struggled on hills, or more accurately the Dolomites in Italy or Bavarian Alps, even when fully loaded. My engine is very economical for a van. Pulling power at lower range is fine. I know it's a van and not a sports car so I don't expect a good quarter mile time. I've not found it lacking.

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Thanks, that's very useful!
 

Paul_B

Bushcrafter through and through
Jul 14, 2008
6,154
1,546
Cumbria
Remapping to get more power actually gives better fuel efficiency. I read an article written by the guy responsible for Fleet decisions at BT recently. He said they remap for power and efficiency. The results they consistently got was about 15% better fuel economy for vans and 8% for cars. The result was lower carbon emissions. Even the 8% for cars would be enough to drop down a company tax level if it got put through the vehicle type approval. He said as much that they didn't put their fleets through type approval because the company didn't benefit enough for the cost but the employees with the cars would.

I can't find the link now but I think it's in a fleet vehicle buying trade journal. Which one I don't recall.

With Ford customs the engine is basically the same from 89, 99, 125 and 140 iirc. IIRC the 170 BHP is a different engine or other parts. It is possible to remap up to about 164bhp in vivaro / trafic I heard.

The best figures for fuel economy and carbon emissions in the vivaro is for the 120bhp biturbo engine. A complex turbo system though. Expensive to fix / replace. Is it worth it?

At the end of the day van life is about relaxing with the journey. Do you really want to rush around like a car? If it's your only vehicle I guess power and performance might be more important. However it's a van so will handle like a van. Even the vw handling is not as good at their cars. I own a largish seat mpv (altea xl) and it handles a lot better than even vw t5 vans.

One thing I've noticed with test driving vans, even seemingly the same vans (age, mileage and spec) can handle differently. One vivaro wallowed around even gentle bends. Another made us feel a little sick. Another was very nice drive indeed. Same van if you look at the details.

I really don't understand why.
 

Soloman

Settler
Aug 12, 2007
514
19
55
Scotland
I've got a camper well motorhome really,wanted smaller but with 6 dogs and a wife who loves a shower no matter where she is had to be bigger.For a long time I felt as if I wa selling out on the bushcraft thing but as we usually use club sites and we don't litter the countryside I'm feeling ok and I've seen more of my country as I can just leave it and wander off.20190604_134159.jpg
 

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