The ideal holiday changes drastically from person to person. Some prefer 5 star hotels, others prefer camping and some even prefer staycations. But what if you could visit your favourite remote location at the same time as being surrounded by all your comforts of home? Well, that’s kind of what happens when you travel in a campervan. More luxurious than camping, more flexible than meeting your flight schedule and everything tailored to all your personal customised needs!
We wanted to know the true benefits of owning a camper van and having the ability to travel on a whim, as well as how to go about choosing the right van for your needs. So we’ve asked Helen & Stew, a couple who have recently purchased their very own van and, for the last year, have been holidaying as and when they choose!
1. What kind of things did you consider before purchasing your van? I.e. were there any particular make or break items or accessories you wanted?
Price, storage
space, layout, warmth…. Probably the most important factors we considered
when buying the van. We originally thought, like most, that we wanted a VW T6
campervan. We went to lots of camping shows at the NEC and narrowed it down to a couple of companies.
We knew it was cheaper to buy a VW from a campervan conversion company than direct from VW. We met a fantastic salesman who suggested we hired a pop top VW… which we did. He wasn’t wrong in saying that the majority of the heat is lost once the top is popped… all thermal insulation gone as you essentially have a tent at the top of your van.
We then looked at a high top van… no loss of heat and added bonus of storage cupboards over the cab and around each side. We had struggled to store our clothes, food and belongings in the VW we hired. Finally settled on a Ford Transit Custom high-line, converted by Autocampers. Much cheaper than a VW, their classic has a fantastic layout and even a larger bed! The van also has solar panels as well as a gas hob so we can be completely off grid if needed.
Accessories is
another story. We are about to sell out first awning, a Shelta pod, as we
didn’t get on with it this year. Going for a blow up awning with no poles! Lots
of other things have been bought or swapped after having the van a year.
2. How easy is it to get about in a van? Are there any weight/height restrictions that are a pain to consider when on the go?
It is very easy
to get in and out of the van. Another bonus of having a high line transit is
that I can stand up inside (5ft10) so no back ache from stooping. We have a
small step which we put outside to make it a little easier on the van. We could
have bought an electric step provided by Autocampers when they converted it but
our little step is fine.
The height can
be an issue in carparks. Some carparks in cities and towns have 2.4m height
restrictions… and we are taller than that. It just means we have to plan
where we park, as do most motorhomes.
3. What’s your favourite thing about owning a van?
Favourite
thing? The escapism. Being able to get in and drive away from stresses. The van
is always fully loaded with dry/tinned food etc. so all we need to do is load
up the fridge and put some clean clothes in and we are off. Holidays away can
be spur of the moment or planned… and you always have your own creature
comforts with you.
4. What would your advice be to someone looking into purchasing their own van?
Advice would be
to hire something that you think you would like to buy. Spend a week in it and
see if you like it. Go around the camping and caravan shows and get to know the
companies. Biggest advice… just do it. Don’t spend years regretting that you
didn’t go for it. You won’t regret getting a van!
5. Are there any challenges faced when travelling?
No major
challenges yet. The fridge is quite small… so you have to pop to a shop
fairly regularly.
6. Is it easy to find places to park and set up camp?
There are so
many campsites, in the UK and overseas it hasn’t been a problem finding one. We
haven’t done any wild camping yet.
7. Name your 3 favourite places that you’ve visited in your van.
Only had the
van for a year so far… but I’d say Dorset, Peak District and Cirencester
(Cotswolds).
8. Have you ever taken your van abroad?
Not yet… But
this is only year 1!
9. Would you make any changes to the setup of your van?
Don’t think
we’d make any changes. We spent a long time researching layouts etc. Tonnes of
storage, can stand up inside, sink, fridge, double hob, rock and roll easy
bed… even a little toilet. What’s not to like?
10. Would you recommend van travels to someone else?
YES! Do it.
Wild camping is the way forward for me!