Seeing as you're in the UK right now, I'd say try to get an ex-AA or RAC van. Cheapest option is through the auctions, I know there are some in Bristol not sure about S Wales, prob around Cardiff though. That's if you know anything about cars or can take someone who does. Ex-AA vans are solid and have a perfect service history, they might also have a security cage which is nice if you're going to be sleeping in there…
They are also a bit more expensive, but if you're going to build your own interior, hey…and it's worth it to be sure you've got a good one. 5-6 grand if you can afford it.
Mine was off eBay, one TV-delivering owner (so I got a cage!) and I spent £1,800 then another few hundred sorting it out. Me and my dad built a foldout double bed in the back. It was already ply-lined and wooden floored (ideal, so easy to clean out). I built a unit on the sliding door side's wall with a cooker and sink (water pumped up from a barrel underneath) - got sink from a mate's wrecked van and cooker £10 from a car boot but any camping shop cool. I also got (£25ish from Lidl) a coolbox which can plug into the cig lighter while you're driving, plus a 'power cube' which is like having a leisure battery but easier. Have a convertor for the laptop. Got two cheapo self inflating mattress things, very comfy, and the Porn Star blanket (check the photos…) and apart from stacker boxes filled with surf gear, food and assorted crap, that's about it. Oh and a bookshelf, essential for me!
VW are pretty reliable and easy fixed/spares. Other than that, I've had a Mitsubishi (in Oz) which was excellent, Jap engineering. I did have a much-missed 73 bay VW - don't get one, you won't move out of Wales, flippin things are way too expensive!! My current one is 10 years old and that's enough hassle for me! Also common are Ford Transits.
I love camper vans, you won't regret it…oh try to get an autogas or biofuel one if you can though! Anyway you're likely bored of me now…check the couple of photos I've posted of mates in the van at various outings…
Check out http://sbmcc.co.uk/, http://www.stillstoked.co.uk/travel/, http://surfcore.co.uk/article/surf+van - three really, really good resources.
Jeez, I might tidy this up and post a Guide or something!
Wow! Thank you so much for all the info! I think you absolutely should write a guide to locating and converting a van for travel. You have so much knowledge... share it with us rookies!
Being new to the UK, I'm not familiar with several of the terms you've used. If you could follow up on any of the following that would be great:
What are AA and RAC vans?
Is a coolbox like a mini fridge?
I don't know what a "power cube" or leisure batter is.
What is autogas and why do you recommend it? Cheaper to fuel up or better for the environment?
How do I specifically look for one that runs on autogas or biofuel?
Thanks again for all your insight!
-MOJO
"Live simply, so that others may simply live."
Ooh, I know two of the follow-ups!
AA = Automobile Association, like CAA or AAA without the "Canadian" or "American" in front.
RAC = http://www.rac.co.uk/web/
Ohh! Another question:
Should I be looking for a van with the steering wheel on the left? Because this van is going to be for when I leave the UK and go through Europe. Is it possible to find vans in the UK with steering wheels on the left?
-MOJO
"Live simply, so that others may simply live."
It's a great way to travel! We've done two stints in Europe in a campervan. I'm lucky, my wife is German so we bought it in Germany both times...both were Ford Transits...they are great vans. Of course, they came already camperized...
I would suggest you get a van with a high roof as it's quite uncomfortable always stooping when you're standing. Go to camper dealerships and/or camper shows for ideas...scour the Internet - others have done what you want to do and have blogged it all.
We're thinking of doing the same in Oz when we finally travel around...
Good luck!
Oh...and if you're going to Italy, be careful driving around!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=2257914162 just found this!
A coolbox is an insulated box basically, mine plugs into the cigarette lighter and has a cooling fan in the top. People's faces light up when they see cold beer at the end of a three-day festival ;-)
Caravans and motor homes have leisure batteries to run things like fridges so that the battery for the engine doesn't run down. My powercube is just an easier way of doing it; though not as integrated obviously, it's cheaper. Charges off mains or the engine when you're running.
AA and RAC are our roadside recovery services. I love these guys! And their vans are sweet.
Autogas and biodiesel are cheaper. Apparently you can run any diesel engine off filtered used cooking fat/veg oil, but I've never dared with mine. It's in the shop now, I might ask the guy tomorrow…he already thinks I'm quite mad though…
Ford Transits are also great workhorses. LDVs are pretty solid too, not very pretty but they work. Just spend as much as you can!!
As for LHD, you probably should but I have no experience with.
>>>AA and RAC are our roadside recovery services. I love these guys! And their vans are sweet.
Are you saying you can buy their vans?
-MOJO
"Live simply, so that others may simply live."
This thread is awesome. Very inspiring. There should be a Matador Across Europe, or US, or Australia Crew. I'll go!
Joined: 09-27-08
Hello all!
A month ago I moved to the UK to save up for a multi-year trip and hopefully in about 8-12 months I'll be hitting the road for the first leg of this trip. A few weeks ago I was in Oslo and I saw this wicked van in the parking lot of the Viking Ship Museum. It was a big, boxy van and it looked like the owner had custom built a bed into the back. There was also a sink (not sure how they pulled off running water). The van had German license plates.
This was clearly the van of a traveler. And I want one! I think it would be a really fun project to spend a couple of months on before taking off. Does have any recommendations for the kind of van I should be looking for? Please help! Especially if you're in the UK, because I'm not familiar at all with the van makes/manufacturers/names etc.
Also, any tips or directions on other good ideas for customizing would be appreciated.
Cheers!!
-MOJO