OT: Vehicle suggestions?

"elyob" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi,

I was just walking back from tennis and saw someone driving a camping van,
and I thought to myself "You know, I think I'd like to have one of those
to make the most of the weekends". So, am about to investigate them. I was
thinking I'd need something that sleeps two, reliable, economical, cheap
to insure and cheap to run. I wouldn't use it for weeks on end, and would
just use it to go away on weekend with my mountain or race bike (there's
the tenuous cycle link). I'd like to be able to put out some sort of
awning to cook under, therefore cooking facilities not really required
except for boiling a kettle. Some sort of power system so I could run a
laptop and/or TV would be great.

If I can get around the congestion charge, that'd be great. So maybe
something I could register as an ambulance?! 😉

Any suggestions? Oh, and cheap as well.

Tandem + trailer for the tent and [censored].

If you must go motorised, cheap, economical and cheap to run aren't exactly
compatible with being big and camper van shaped. Depending how big you are,
you can do a diy van conversion from various sized vans (I know somebody
who's done a Peugeot Expert-sized one, but he's tiny.) But it'll still cost
you.

Boiling kettle = cooking facilities - you'll not get an electric kettle
unless you're plugged into the mains, so you'll need a stove.

Or you could keep your existing car and use a tent. If you're somewhere nice
for the weekend you don't need a TV.

cheers,
clive

Clive George wrote on 21/10/2006 14:13 +0100:

Quoted message said:

"elyob" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi,

I was just walking back from tennis and saw someone driving a camping
van, and I thought to myself "You know, I think I'd like to have one
of those to make the most of the weekends". So, am about to
investigate them. I was thinking I'd need something that sleeps two,
reliable, economical, cheap to insure and cheap to run. I wouldn't use
it for weeks on end, and would just use it to go away on weekend with
my mountain or race bike (there's the tenuous cycle link). I'd like to
be able to put out some sort of awning to cook under, therefore
cooking facilities not really required except for boiling a kettle.
Some sort of power system so I could run a laptop and/or TV would be
great.

If I can get around the congestion charge, that'd be great. So maybe
something I could register as an ambulance?! 😉

Any suggestions? Oh, and cheap as well.

Tandem + trailer for the tent and [censored].

If you must go motorised, cheap, economical and cheap to run aren't
exactly compatible with being big and camper van shaped. Depending how
big you are, you can do a diy van conversion from various sized vans (I
know somebody who's done a Peugeot Expert-sized one, but he's tiny.) But
it'll still cost you.

Boiling kettle = cooking facilities - you'll not get an electric kettle
unless you're plugged into the mains, so you'll need a stove.

Or you could keep your existing car and use a tent. If you're somewhere
nice for the weekend you don't need a TV.

cheers,
clive

I think he was thinking of something more like this:
http://www.asktog.com/misc/countryCoach.html

--
Tony

"Anyone who conducts an argument by appealing to authority is not using
his intelligence; he is just using his memory."
- Leonardo da Vinci

elyob said:

Hi,

I was just walking back from tennis and saw someone driving a camping van,
and I thought to myself "You know, I think I'd like to have one of those to
make the most of the weekends". So, am about to investigate them. I was
thinking I'd need something that sleeps two, reliable, economical, cheap to
insure and cheap to run. I wouldn't use it for weeks on end, and would just
use it to go away on weekend with my mountain or race bike (there's the
tenuous cycle link). I'd like to be able to put out some sort of awning to
cook under, therefore cooking facilities not really required except for
boiling a kettle. Some sort of power system so I could run a laptop and/or
TV would be great.

My sister has (had) a Daihatsu Hijet set up as a mini-camper van. It
would be very snug for 2! Apart from that, it might fit the bill pretty
well.

James

"Clive George" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"elyob" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi,

I was just walking back from tennis and saw someone driving a camping
van, and I thought to myself "You know, I think I'd like to have one of
those to make the most of the weekends". So, am about to investigate
them. I was thinking I'd need something that sleeps two, reliable,
economical, cheap to insure and cheap to run. I wouldn't use it for weeks
on end, and would just use it to go away on weekend with my mountain or
race bike (there's the tenuous cycle link). I'd like to be able to put
out some sort of awning to cook under, therefore cooking facilities not
really required except for boiling a kettle. Some sort of power system so
I could run a laptop and/or TV would be great.

If I can get around the congestion charge, that'd be great. So maybe
something I could register as an ambulance?! 😉

Any suggestions? Oh, and cheap as well.

Tandem + trailer for the tent and [censored].

If you must go motorised, cheap, economical and cheap to run aren't
exactly compatible with being big and camper van shaped. Depending how big
you are, you can do a diy van conversion from various sized vans (I know
somebody who's done a Peugeot Expert-sized one, but he's tiny.) But it'll
still cost you.

Boiling kettle = cooking facilities - you'll not get an electric kettle
unless you're plugged into the mains, so you'll need a stove.

Or you could keep your existing car and use a tent. If you're somewhere
nice for the weekend you don't need a TV.

I was thinking "do a conversion", but I'm not exactly known for my diy
skills and I have next to know tools to help me. I haven't had a car for
three years through choice, but I do want to visit other parts of the
country and I'm finding the trains etc a pain and expensive. So thought, if
I was going to get motorised again, what'd I want?

I've just seen one for about £2k that could be just the ticket, a Ford
Transit Hitop conversion. Could be cool, but would need to think how much
serious use would it get?

As I'm working full time, it's be long weekends and just general use. But I
could drive to work on a Thursday and just head straight off 🙂

I like the idealic plan .. mmm .. mountain biking and camping ..

Oh, and TV/laptop .. something to do in the dark evenings, or maybe if I
have to do some work.

elyob said:

Any suggestions? Oh, and cheap as well.

Dunno about camper vans, but we found the Peugeot Partner pretty practical
camping in France this year. Loads of room inside, a BIG tailgate which can
act as a canopy and a useful perch. ISTR a few conversions
Berlingo/Partner/Kangoo-type-things whilst there. Cheap too.

elyob said:

Hi,

I was just walking back from tennis and saw someone driving a camping van,
and I thought to myself "You know, I think I'd like to have one of those to
make the most of the weekends". So, am about to investigate them. I was
thinking I'd need something that sleeps two, reliable, economical, cheap to
insure and cheap to run. I wouldn't use it for weeks on end, and would just
use it to go away on weekend with my mountain or race bike (there's the
tenuous cycle link). I'd like to be able to put out some sort of awning to
cook under, therefore cooking facilities not really required except for
boiling a kettle. Some sort of power system so I could run a laptop and/or
TV would be great.

If I can get around the congestion charge, that'd be great. So maybe
something I could register as an ambulance?! 😉

Any suggestions? Oh, and cheap as well.

I had a Mitsubishi Delica for a while for weekend trips and mountain
biking. As it's a 4x4 I could get it into remote parts of the country
and not be afraid of getting stuck in mud.

The rear seat used to fold flat for a double bed and I carried a stove
for cooking.

http://www.fish4.co.uk/iad/cars/advert?adId=9869065&sid=806637FE505F052951&pos=10&src=search

I ended up taking out the back seat and fitting a bike rack inside and
sleeping in the captain chairs which could lay out flat.

Laters,

Marz

Quoted message said:

Thanks!

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

elyob said:

Hi,

I was just walking back from tennis and saw someone driving a camping
van,
and I thought to myself "You know, I think I'd like to have one of those
to
make the most of the weekends". So, am about to investigate them. I was
thinking I'd need something that sleeps two, reliable, economical, cheap
to
insure and cheap to run. I wouldn't use it for weeks on end, and would
just
use it to go away on weekend with my mountain or race bike (there's the
tenuous cycle link). I'd like to be able to put out some sort of awning
to
cook under, therefore cooking facilities not really required except for
boiling a kettle. Some sort of power system so I could run a laptop
and/or
TV would be great.

My sister has (had) a Daihatsu Hijet set up as a mini-camper van. It
would be very snug for 2! Apart from that, it might fit the bill pretty
well.

Hmm .. that'd be something worth looking at ... no frills .. but it's not as
if I'd be going all around Europe .. well, not quite yet!

Just dump a matress in the back and hack around the country 🙂 Hmm, maybe a
little more comfort is required? Just wondering what I'd have to learn to
fit it out properly. e.g. I would like to run a small fridge (for beer
obviously), and I guess some sort of washing facilities would be useful too
.... not really thought about it properly yet. It'd also be generally useful
to have a van for moving stuff about.

Hmm .. so much to think about ...

On Sat, 21 Oct 2006 13:49:16 +0100, "elyob" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Any suggestions? Oh, and cheap as well.

I went with a friend to North Wales last Friday night, to walk on the
Moelwyns, wild camp Saturday night and do a bit of night navigation.
On Friday night we were planning to pitch our tents at a cheap
campsite in Capel Curig, however, getting tired, we instead pulled
into a car park at SH 845 403, flatened the back seats, laid out our
carrymats and slept in the back of the car. Very snug and
comfortable.

The car was a V reg Peugeot 406 HDI, and manages at least 50mpg.

"Marz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I had a Mitsubishi Delica for a while for weekend trips and mountain
biking. As it's a 4x4 I could get it into remote parts of the country
and not be afraid of getting stuck in mud.

The rear seat used to fold flat for a double bed and I carried a stove
for cooking.

http://www.fish4.co.uk/iad/cars/advert?adId=9869065&sid=806637FE505F052951&pos=10&src=search

I ended up taking out the back seat and fitting a bike rack inside and
sleeping in the captain chairs which could lay out flat.

Now, that's nice.

Oh no, there's even an owners club ... 🙂

What's the deal with heating these things? Say I want to go away for a
weekend in December ... is there an easy way to get heating sorted? I'm
thinking maybe a small, quiet generator would be a possibility?

Oh, bugger, there's so many options ... looks like I'll be reading that site
for sometime!

"elyob" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

What's the deal with heating these things? Say I want to go away for a
weekend in December ... is there an easy way to get heating sorted? I'm
thinking maybe a small, quiet generator would be a possibility?

Generator for heating? No way...
Webasto is one option, though not necessarily cheap.

The problem with any van/conversion is heat and condensation. You'll want to
try quite hard to insulate the tin walls. One I know has used sheepswool
insulation of some kind.

Decent sleeping bags are the other half of the solution.

cheers,
clive

Clive George said:

"elyob" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

What's the deal with heating these things? Say I want to go away for a
weekend in December ... is there an easy way to get heating sorted? I'm
thinking maybe a small, quiet generator would be a possibility?

Generator for heating? No way...
Webasto is one option, though not necessarily cheap.

The problem with any van/conversion is heat and condensation. You'll want to
try quite hard to insulate the tin walls. One I know has used sheepswool
insulation of some kind.

Decent sleeping bags are the other half of the solution.

cheers,
clive

A good sleeping bag and a nip of whiskey used to work for me.

Laters,

Marz

Simon Bennett said:

elyob said:

Any suggestions? Oh, and cheap as well.

Dunno about camper vans, but we found the Peugeot Partner pretty practical
camping in France this year. Loads of room inside, a BIG tailgate which can
act as a canopy and a useful perch. ISTR a few conversions
Berlingo/Partner/Kangoo-type-things whilst there. Cheap too.

You can get a tent extension thing for Berlingo sized vans. Why not hire
a van when you go away and put up the tent extension /awning thing.
Keep all your camping gear etc in boxes which could easily transfer to
the van when you hire it. There is an old calor gas type cooker 2 rings
grill and oven which is about a 2 foot cube , you could put it on one of
the boxes in the awning , another box for a kitchen work top and away
you go.

Steve the grease

In article said:

Quoted message said:

Or you could keep your existing car and use a tent. If you're somewhere
nice for the weekend you don't need a TV.

I think he was thinking of something more like this:
http://www.asktog.com/misc/countryCoach.html

Unless I've misintepreted a comment elsewhere on his website, that's not
a campervan, that's a mobile home. In the sense that Tog lives in it,
he doesn't just use it for holidays away from a home elsewhere.
(Not that that would make it any more practical on many UK roads.)

elyob said:

and I guess some sort of washing facilities would be useful too

Two stainless steel bowls; one for washing dishes and other crockery and one
larger one for everything else.

--
Regards
Alex
The From address above is a spam-trap.
The Reply-To address is valid

"Tony Raven" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Clive George wrote on 21/10/2006 14:13 +0100:

Quoted message said:

"elyob" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi,

I was just walking back from tennis and saw someone driving a camping
van, and I thought to myself "You know, I think I'd like to have one of
those to make the most of the weekends". So, am about to investigate
them. I was thinking I'd need something that sleeps two, reliable,
economical, cheap to insure and cheap to run. I wouldn't use it for
weeks on end, and would just use it to go away on weekend with my
mountain or race bike (there's the tenuous cycle link). I'd like to be
able to put out some sort of awning to cook under, therefore cooking
facilities not really required except for boiling a kettle. Some sort of
power system so I could run a laptop and/or TV would be great.

If I can get around the congestion charge, that'd be great. So maybe
something I could register as an ambulance?! 😉

Any suggestions? Oh, and cheap as well.

Tandem + trailer for the tent and [censored].

If you must go motorised, cheap, economical and cheap to run aren't
exactly compatible with being big and camper van shaped. Depending how
big you are, you can do a diy van conversion from various sized vans (I
know somebody who's done a Peugeot Expert-sized one, but he's tiny.) But
it'll still cost you.

Boiling kettle = cooking facilities - you'll not get an electric kettle
unless you're plugged into the mains, so you'll need a stove.

Or you could keep your existing car and use a tent. If you're somewhere
nice for the weekend you don't need a TV.

cheers,
clive

I think he was thinking of something more like this:
http://www.asktog.com/misc/countryCoach.html

--
Tony

....don't think much of the kitchen, although if the sofa is also a pull-out
double bed, you could keep your bike on that.
peter

elyob said:

Hi,

I was just walking back from tennis and saw someone driving a camping van,
and I thought to myself "You know, I think I'd like to have one of those to
make the most of the weekends". So, am about to investigate them. I was
thinking I'd need something that sleeps two, reliable, economical, cheap to
insure and cheap to run. I wouldn't use it for weeks on end, and would just
use it to go away on weekend with my mountain or race bike (there's the
tenuous cycle link). I'd like to be able to put out some sort of awning to
cook under, therefore cooking facilities not really required except for
boiling a kettle. Some sort of power system so I could run a laptop and/or
TV would be great.

If I can get around the congestion charge, that'd be great. So maybe
something I could register as an ambulance?! 😉

Any suggestions? Oh, and cheap as well.

Dare I say it here? But my 1972 VW K*mp*rv*n got me round 18 stages of
the Tour this year. 28mpg, super handling in the Pyrenees & the Alps,
and fast enough to mean that anybody passing me would have to break the
speed limits. As it an "Historic vehicle" it's free to take on the roads
and insurance is only £160 for 5000 miles a year. Reliable if looked after.
All the best
Dan Gregory

Peter wrote on 21/10/2006 17:11 +0100:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I think he was thinking of something more like this:
http://www.asktog.com/misc/countryCoach.html

--
Tony

....don't think much of the kitchen, although if the sofa is also a pull-out
double bed, you could keep your bike on that.
peter

You keep your bikes in the back of the Jeep Cherokee being towed behind ;-)

--
Tony

"Anyone who conducts an argument by appealing to authority is not using
his intelligence; he is just using his memory."
- Leonardo da Vinci

Peter said:

Quoted message said:

I think he was thinking of something more like this:
http://www.asktog.com/misc/countryCoach.html

--
Tony

...don't think much of the kitchen, although if the sofa is also a pull-out
double bed, you could keep your bike on that.
peter

Or even:
http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.apevintage.com/ape-125-bacchetta-blu.jpg&imgrefurl=http://apepiaggio.altervista.org/galleria1_ape_a.htm&h=561&w=613&sz=125&tbnid=fd4NuATeL9NYaM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=136&hl=en&start=13&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpiaggio%2Bape%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DG

John B

Dan Gregory wrote on 21/10/2006 18:19 +0100:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Any suggestions? Oh, and cheap as well.

Dare I say it here? But my 1972 VW K*mp*rv*n got me round 18 stages of
the Tour this year. 28mpg, super handling in the Pyrenees & the Alps,
and fast enough to mean that anybody passing me would have to break the
speed limits. As it an "Historic vehicle" it's free to take on the roads
and insurance is only £160 for 5000 miles a year. Reliable if looked after.

And you can even get brand new ones - they are still made in Brazil and
available in the UK
http://www.beetles-uk.com/camper.html

--
Tony

"Anyone who conducts an argument by appealing to authority is not using
his intelligence; he is just using his memory."
- Leonardo da Vinci