Camper vans

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There are a lot of things to consider when buying, building your own, equipping or using a camper van. The articles below should help.

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Here are some related pages that should be useful...

Bicycles

Bicycles are a great addition to a camper van or motorhome. Bikes make exploring towns, cities, parks and lots of other areas much easier. They are particularly useful for popping down to the shops when your vehicle is parked. The downside to bicycles is storage. Bikes are difficult to store inside a vehicle, and a bike rack on the back is normally the best option. Read more »

Camper van entertainment

You may wish to include some media entertainment in your vehicle, to help with the dark evening or raining days. Most vans will include a radio/CD player in the cab, which provides music for the living area also. The advances and falling prices of media technology make it easier and more affordable to add other entertainment to a camper van or motorhome.  Read more »

Equipping your camper van or motorhome

Only take what you need in your vehicle, carrying unnecessary items will only slow you down and use up valuable storage space. There are a number of items I would recommend that will make your travelling life easier: Read more »

Camper vans and motorhomes for sports

Camper vans and motorhomes are great vehicles for sports. They offer space to carry sporting equipment, somewhere to sleep if staying overnight and somewhere to make hot drinks and food. Below are some tips about carrying and storing sporting equipment. Read more »

Gas bottles in Campervans and Motorhomes

Choosing the best supplier of gas bottle for you can save you headaches when you do run out or need to refill. Read more »

Parking

When you own a large vehicle like a camper van or motorhome you soon become aware that it is more difficult to park than a car. Read more »

Stealth camper vans

Stealth camper vans are home made camper vans that do not look like a camper van from the outside. This generally means they do not have any windows. People do not add windows to their camper vans to avoid the attention of thieves. Read more »

peppercat45's picture

Can I run a m/w oven off electric hook-up or a leisure battery, does anyone know please. Also is there a best buy for a leisure battery or are they all good, help needed for beginner please

Van's picture

The more you pay for your leisure better, the more likely it will be a high quality battery that lasts well

bart 's picture

merc 1990 for sale . cheap good condition.4000 ono.

Abi's picture

Hi I'm a student at the University of Westminster in Harrow, studying TV Production and we're in desperate need of a Campervan to borrow to be part of our in studio set. We don't have much money and were wondering if anyone knew a way we could make this happen? Any ideas much appreciated!

Abi

seanfergal o'keeffe's picture

Hi I have just got a lovely Campervan, a Peugeot expert where the roof lifts up and down, has anyone got any good tips ie where to park up and sleep at night etc anyone interested in having a weekend away to try it out etc

Jon's picture

Had any luck yet?
Would be interested to see the conversion...

Jon

Darren's picture

Are you looking for places to wild camp?
There is a great forum here: http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/ with places to stay

See also my tips on wild camping: http://www.campervanlife.com/camping/free-camping

If you're looking to stop in residential areas you need to be discrete. You raising roof will give the game away if you put it up, but you could keep it down when in towns.

Anonymous's picture

is an oven a useful item in a camper-van.

leebean's picture

My answer is no. i fitted an oven when i converted my camper 3 years ago, and in truth we have used it about five times. it doubles up as a spare cupboard which seems to be its main purpose, If you dont plan on using it i would save the effort and spend money on something more usefull.

Leebean.

stoneyuk's picture

Our Brazilian T2 (Danbury) came with oven fitted - would not be without it now.

Darren's picture

If you are a keen cook, and spend a reasonable amount of time camping then it can be a good idea.
If you only spend small amount of time in your camper if might not be worth it.
Ovens use a far amount of gas, take a bit of room, and weight a bit. So careful consideration is needed.

Darren's picture

Hi Tim

Have visited your site many times. It was a source of inspiration for my own conversion.

Thanks for the great resource. I shall link to it on other relevant pages on this site soon.

Tim Aldiss's picture

I've written up a post on the current options for choice when thinking about the new continental style range of fixed rear bed high tops there are on the market as a useful resource for people like myself in the market for one. As there doesn't seem to be a central resource for this kind of thing I thought I would try and become one!

I'm an ex-converter myself and appreciate the effort you have out into this site. I would also happily welcome any constructive criticism of the resource that I have put together here: http://www.loftsites.co.uk/fixed-bed-high-top-campervan.html

racheldori's picture

Hello, I don't have a camper van yet and really want to borrow one just for 4 days (July 29th to Aug 2nd). I can't seem to find a single site where you can borrow one - except a site which does 'retro' camper vans at enormous prices. Are there any 'camper-van-sharing' sites - or places where you can just hire one from an individual rather than from a huge company?
If anyone out there has one we could hire we'd be really grateful. We're very responsible and would take good care of it. Thanks,
Rachel

nick's picture

This comment has been moved here.

Nicky's picture

I'm looking to hire a camper-van for a short break in August, even better if it could be a VW. A trial before we buy test-run. Can anyone advise on hire companies near London?

Anonymous's picture

Have you tried Camperking? (www.camperking.co.uk) based in Stratford-Upon-Avon

Darren's picture

I've not owned a Leyland DAF, but I had thought about buying one. I do know that they are much more basic inside than other vehicles, such as Mercedes, but they are therefore much easier to fix should a problem arise. I see a lot of old ones on the road in the UK, and have seen many people recommending them on the internet. The Royal Mail and the Army use them in the UK. That is surely a good recommendation. I would test drive a few, and if you like the way they are I would go for it. Parts should not be too big a problem, but you may not find quite as many Leyland parts in Croatia as you would Mercedes.

jessicaspedding's picture

Darren, do you know much about Leyland Daf Convoy campers - am looking to buy a van, was going to go with safe and easy to replace parts of a mercedes but there is a nice looking one on gumtree that i'm going to check out tomorrow. our plans are to travel europe so want a reliable van and one that can be fixed, parts replaced etc if necessary whilst away anywhere from croatia to poland to spain. any thoughts?!!

Anonymous's picture

buy a transit mate

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