Too much choice

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?

Like this-

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 

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.

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.

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 

if  youve got it......(portaloo) flaunt it

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.

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.