[chaley]

Morning campers;

I'm after ideas and photos of car/light truck based camper conversions, it can't be too big, VW bay is about as big as will fit in the drive.
We can't afford a VW so I'm thinking for doing a conversion myself, we don't want anything modern looking.
Any ideas pic's welcome, I'm bouncing between a '60's ford falcon truck, as they still seem pretty reasonable on price at the moment and a black cab.

I can't post any photos myself at the moment because my phone is throwing another fit

Cheers

Chaley

 

[English Impala]

Back in the 60's & 70's various estate cars were converted, Marinas and Escorts are ones I remember so anything is do-able but obviously interior space is going to be cramped! EBay is full of scrap/damp caravans for a few hundred quid which will give you all the interior fittings you'll need and you can get free-standing awnings for camper vans to increase living space while on-site.

 

[kapri]

Beware of total curbside weight . VOSAs latest hobbyhorse with campers

 

[chevy]

There's an arse end of a PT cruiser on the bay inthe HotRods section........could form the sleeping pod for a tented day area that could be attached to it......worth a looky see.

 

[English Impala]

Beware of total curbside weight . VOSAs latest hobbyhorse with campers

Very hot on this on the M5 with newer (post 1997) licence holders who are restricted to amximum vehicle weight of 3500kgs, a lot of motorhomes weigh over this and a few are being caught out. Kev raises a very valid point regarding weights as by the time you've added all the necessary camping conversion gear there isn't going to be a lot of allowable payload left for passengers! Using an older vehicle that won't have the weight info on the VIN plate will help to "confuse things" should you get stopped but won't solve it.

More info here: Driving motorhomes and the law - The Camping and Caravanning Club

 

[chaley]

I've got my eye on a neighbours old caravan to borrow bits/ideas from.
There's that bloody VOSA name again
One of Liz's mate got pulled it their Hi-Ace camper a while ago, it was way under weight, but has been lowered so looked very heavy
I'll have a look at the PT Looser back, surely they are good for something

Liz keeps pointing at transit connects as a base, but boring!!!!! and too new for my tastes, although it would be the easy option.
Aghhhh! My head hurty....

Chaley

 

[chaley]

Very hot on this on the M5 with newer (post 1997) licence holders who are restricted to amximum vehicle weight of 3500kgs, a lot of motorhomes weigh over this and a few are being caught out. Kev raises a very valid point regarding weights as by the time you've added all the necessary camping conversion gear there isn't going to be a lot of allowable payload left for passengers! Using an older vehicle that won't have the weight info on the VIN plate will help to "confuse things" should you get stopped but won't solve it.

More info here: Driving motorhomes and the law - The Camping and Caravanning Club

I'll admit I hadn't really thought the camping fittings would weigh too much, but there are a lot of them, so.....
We don't want tellys and stuff, but even the sink and cooker are going to add up. That's it we're all going on a diet!!!

Chaley

 

[English Impala]

The other thing to consider is do you really want a camper for use on holiday? I know a few who have bought one then regretted it as the shear inconvenience of arriving on site and unpacking/setting up, only to have to re-pack etc when you want to go out in it, along with the other problem of not being able to park in the usual car-type car parks. It's also another vehicle to tax, insure, maintain etc, etc. Trailer tents can be picked up cheaply, are easy to store, well equipped and light enough to be pulled by pretty much anything.

 

[English Impala]

I'll admit I hadn't really thought the camping fittings would weigh too much, but there are a lot of them, so.....
We don't want tellys and stuff, but even the sink and cooker are going to add up. That's it we're all going on a diet!!!

Chaley

People tend to think that a caravan is a lightweight object, ours is a new-ish 4 berth and tips the scales at 1,250kgs empty with a maximum weight of 1,425kgs. It's surprising how much the essentials such as water heater, fire, fridge etc really weigh.

 

[chaley]

The other thing to consider is do you really want a camper for use on holiday? I know a few who have bought one then regretted it as the shear inconvenience of arriving on site and unpacking/setting up, only to have to re-pack etc when you want to go out in it, along with the other problem of not being able to park in the usual car-type car parks. It's also another vehicle to tax, insure, maintain etc, etc. Trailer tents can be picked up cheaply, are easy to store, well equipped and light enough to be pulled by pretty much anything.

Hmmmmm.....

 

[Crusty]

Chaley have a look at VW T4's, the swb version is the same size as an average car and if you buy a van (which are cheaper than a kitted out camper) you could fit it out yourself. There are a multitude of after market companys where you can buy storage cupboards, rock and roll beds, captains seats, lining material etc etc.
There are a choose of 3 size engines with various hp outputs, the 2.5 tdi 102 hp seems to be the one to have and returns good mpg.
We are on the look out for one at the mo.
5 grand will get you a really decent low mileage well looked after van.
Hope thats of some use, oh and the T4/T5 scene is huge, so lots of forums out there if you get stuck.

 

[smurf]

still sat here if any good .

http://www.rodsnsods.co.uk/forum/vehicles-sale/mk1-transit-1969-pop-top-182674

 

[Ezy ryder]

The other thing to consider is do you really want a camper for use on holiday? I know a few who have bought one then regretted it as the shear inconvenience of arriving on site and unpacking/setting up, only to have to re-pack etc when you want to go out in it, along with the other problem of not being able to park in the usual car-type car parks. It's also another vehicle to tax, insure, maintain etc, etc. Trailer tents can be picked up cheaply, are easy to store, well equipped and light enough to be pulled by pretty much anything.

Exploring this myself. Got a motorhome that has just cost £600 to get through MOT. Selling it and getting a trailer tent which will be able to be towed by any of our cars.

 

[Gasolinescream]

How about a 70's Econoline van or an earlier panel van? Throw on some Cragers, get the stance sorted and job done, way cool. Make up some fold down beds to save space, attach an awning for shows and cooking/kids tents.

There's a great thread on the HAMB covering these, definatly worth a look if your like them.

 

[tug]

How about a Hearse, you have the length, serious suggestion, add a pop top?

 

[Mark Bull]

Just popped in to see an old boy near me that has stuff in his yard dating back to 1932 from when his dad farmed the land,always worth a visit to see what he has unearthed(literally)since my last visit.Anyways,he has an old Bedford CF ambulance there now that one of his daughters boyfriends was going to banger race but never did.The way he was talking he would like it gone.Its being used as a shed right now and how rough it is underneath i`d hate to guess,but even if this one in no good a better old retired Ambulance may do the trick?Or a local authotity mini bus sort of thing.Many based on Transits and such like with custom bodies.Lots about i reckon.

As an aside,i will go back and get pics of the stuff on his land,but its amazing how quickly it is all dissolving back into the ground,and being taken over by the undergrowth,which makes it hard to get to most of it.He has cars that have completely disappeared,with just mabe a piece of glass left on the site where it was.When we went there for the first time a few years ago,my pal found a mint pair of 36 Ford headlamp bowls and lenses.When ask what happened to the car we were told it was there but had rusted away!!Bizarre that the headlights survived.He has a MK1 Zephyr there that i hoped to get a pic of today but just couldnt get throught the undergrowth,that you just have to see!