Too much choice
I have been reading with interest the various discussions and am taking the plunge to make my first post.
I have enjoyed camping very much, and now find it a bit of a drag sleeping on the ground, and no loo.
I wanted a caravan, however otherhalf is not to be persuaded - I spent 12 years trying - but a motorhome/campervan is a possibility.
I fancied a VW van, but it seems that these don't have a loo? Or am I looking at the wrong vehicles. Small is best, 2 adults and 2 small dogs.
We would like to be able to be self-contained, to take advantage of the amazing CL sites we have seen.
Thoughts/observations/suggestions - Thank you. 
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You have to think how long you re likely to be away. IMHO a VW camper is fine for a weekend where the site has facilities and its warm weather but with no facilities and middle of winter you would need more. There are some PVC conversions that have water and heating etc.
To be self contained you are likely to need solar panel, refillable gas and maybe 2 batteries, there is a thread how to survive on non EHU which covers most of that.
Think of the type of use you are likely to want and the layout, go round lots of dealers or a show and have a good look round then narrow down to what you think you will need such as cooker, fixed bed, fridge, loo, garage etc. etc.
Are yo likely to tour a lot for long periods or maybe a week or 2 or just weekends?
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BF, both the VW & Ford based campers do have a toilet but it's no different to the 'portapotty' that Tenters have, some have it fitted in but it's no great shakes(
sorry, no pun intended) but they will go everywhere a car will go. Personally I think they're great0 -
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See if you can get to one of the big vw meets. Busfest, CamperJam etc. There will be loads to look at and lots of traders there. They all do day visiter tickets but camping there is great fun.
I have seen conversions with small toilet compartments but they were in T31 or LWB transporters. Most people use portable loos and a toilet tent. There's a nifty shower for a T5 but it's external - not very private even with a curtain.
Our friends do weeks on end in their old T2. Pop up awning, al fresco dining etc. Family of four and occasional friends
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To be fully self contained I would advise on a motorhome. There are various models just under 6m that have clever layouts allowing full showers, fixed beds etc.
Only you know the layout that suits your needs so visit plenty of dealers and try them out.
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My sister and husband managed to enjoy camping with small VW type vans, taking two boys and a labrador too! They used to take a good awning, the portaloo went in a compartment in the awning and they used site facilities. Later with a Bongo van and just the two of them they toured France each summer. They had previously been campers, taking an assortment of tents. Unless you want all your creature comforts and possibly all year round travel small vans are fine. Some of the new VWs etc are very well kitted out, but not all have good heating or insulation. Check out all your options and have fun looking at vans at shows and dealerships.
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Have a look at some AutoSleeper panel van conversions, especially older ones like the Symbol. There's quite a choice out there and Caravanfinder might give you some ideas.
http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/motorhomes.html
I think Hillside Leisure might do what you want and Bilbos. Both have been making them for years.
http://www.hillsideleisure.co.uk
http://www.bilbos.com/new-used-stock/
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yes, a bit will depend on budget, because getting a proper loo (and even a shower) in a van is likely to be in a more modern van....
as TW says, the Symbol has facilities, but its down to you how 'posh' you want them to be.
personally, i wouldnt be squatting on a 'loo' in a tiny tent in the middle of a field....nor would OH.
we do a bit of off grid camping (and isnt this what a go anywhere campervan/MH is about) so we need a shower and loo.
we are now in a 6.4m van (quite small....) but 5.40m panel vans now have full facilities but inwouldnt to be in it with a family of four.
your right with the title......too much choice?.....
eveything is a compromise......more space, harder to drive and park...
small and easy to park....less facilities, less space to fit in people and their kit (something else to think about)......
good luck.
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A five seater van conversion with a pop top roof is a very adaptable unit. The loo in the tent is usually for night time. Some people love the freedom that small vans bring. Some are very expensive units others can be bought for much less. I've seen some beautiful Mercedes conversions alongside little run around vans.
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Hi Beth please can I add some input as a small camper van owner I have a 51 plate Citreon Romahome Hylo ,I use it as my everyday vehicle as well as going away ,the roof comes up to give added height but it's not a pop top one as all of it goes up ,it has 2 long bench seats which can be made into a double bed I don't make the bed up as one side is for my 2 dogs and the other is for me ,it has a 2 ring hob and a grill ,small fridge and sink with cupboard space underneath ,I keep my portable loo under the seats all the time and when I go to a site without toilet facilities put it between the seats to use it you can get drive away awnings but I've never bothered ,I have a small oven which I use for my meals as a ready meal can be cooked in it or meat and roast veg I have an oil filled radiator when I'm away in the Winter months ,you can get more up to date versions made by Citreon but the biggest factor in this game is your budget I would love a big one with all mod cons but alas can't afford it as I'm single and on a low income
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What can I say MT. . . .Im an exhibitionist
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if youve got it......(portaloo) flaunt it
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for giving advice, budget needs to be understood.....older van, older (or no) facilities..
newer van, latest designs, modern equipment......quart in pint pot...
one thing i dont li,e about many modern small campwrs is the assumption that you will useit as a daily driver and will need additional seatbelts......
yes, id like that choice, but i also would like a good selection of small vans fo just two vanners, no additional seat belts, rather a nice side sofa, for a bit more relaxing space....
brands like Murvi arw to the fore with this type of design, but i just dont see these (or similar) as four berths/travellers......just too cramped IMHO.
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I know it's a small picture, but my avatar is of my Romahome R30 'Dimension' . It's based on a Citroen Relay and this uses Ford Transit mechanics. It's nippy and economical (35+ mpg). It's only 5 mtrs long, sleeps 2 and has 4 proper seats, so it can act as a big car. It's fully equipped and has a loo / shower. Every bit of space is utilised so there is very good storage for the size. Add a solar panel and another battery and you're sorted.
Down side - they're rare as hen's teeth. I've only seen two others, and they were much older models.
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1st persuade the OH that this is the way forward for you both & dogs. Together set a budget & search dealers local to you & the internet eg Sleeps 2 & Price etc. You could then maybe plan your camping trips together to check out some that you both are interested in remembering that you have to accommodate the dogs during wet weather as well as dry & all their necessary bits. Agree that there is a lot of choice out there. Maybe hiring 1st would help with the decision. Good Luck with the persuading part.
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Hello Beth, and welcome to CT. You are coming to a camper van/motorhome from a camping background, so I am guessing that you are practical, outdoorsy types, still nimble and up to making do with whatever life throws at you!
I suspect that you would get on very well with a relatively smallish camper/MH which will not hinder the ease of setting up and packing away, but give you somewhere a tad warmer and more comfortable than a tent!
I would make a list of things that are essential to you, then others that may be desirables, but not as important, and start your search round. There is a huge variety of camper vans, some with a bathroom, some without. Some campervans are very expensive due to their iconic history, others less so. Both TW and JayEss have made good suggestions, and for what it is worth, we have a small MH, monocoque build on a VW chassis, that has a small, but very usable bathroom, comfy big bed, good heating, decent kitchen, tons of storage space and room for too tall adults and two Labradors. Check out the VW Autosleeper monocoque range, there might be something to suit there, with a lot less risk of damp incursion. There is also the Autosleeper forum to ask questions and get help.
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