Getting an upgraded van...help

REC

REC

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We are just starting to look around seriously for a replacement van. We looked in the summer and dave was going to do a conversion himself as we seem to be very fussy! However circumstances have changed and we plan to buy a newish van. We want
Fixed bed or rear lounge which can be left as made up bed .not overcab or drop down bed
Two extra seat belts,
A dinette at front so that we can have visitors and if one goes to bed there is still somehere for the other to sit.
Shower room or washroom
No more than 6m
euro6 engine?
Think a pvc as they seem less rattly build, but not written in stone.
Like the look of globetrotter globescout ,autotrail v620, rapidly v43 but ......any other suggestions?
And what are the pitfalls of different makes...what do we need to look for...been reading on the forum about problems with swift leaks/seepage. Not so worried about the engine as can get that checked by better qualified friend but it's the habitation.
Would appreciate opinions of others and recommendations, it is a lot of money to pay and the salesmen all seem to push their own brands as best and rubbish the others.
Everyone has their own favourite makes but floundering a bit at the moment! I have this feeling that paying more won't necessarily get a better vehicle.

Read this back.....:scared: I did say we were fussy!
 
If you are going for a panel van, have you thought about getting a van and having it converted to your own spec. Kind of half way DIY, you do the plan and someone else does the hard bits.
 
Have looked at this route and found a couple of sites who do the conversion for you but, again, without recommenation, the workmanship could be great or awful and it's a risk. Think it might work out dearer than buying one already done but definitely worth considering. Now we have found a few which fit our criteria, really want opinions on different makes / options and what to check. Budget, unfortunately , is a consideration.
 
REC said:
We are just starting to look around seriously for a replacement van. We looked in the summer and dave was going to do a conversion himself as we seem to be very fussy! However circumstances have changed and we plan to buy a newish van. We want
Fixed bed or rear lounge which can be left as made up bed .not overcab or drop down bed
Two extra seat belts,
A dinette at front so that we can have visitors and if one goes to bed there is still somehere for the other to sit.
Shower room or washroom
No more than 6m
euro6 engine?
Think a pvc as they seem less rattly build, but not written in stone.
Like the look of globetrotter globescout ,autotrail v620, rapidly v43 but ......any other suggestions?
And what are the pitfalls of different makes...what do we need to look for...been reading on the forum about problems with swift leaks/seepage. Not so worried about the engine as can get that checked by better qualified friend but it's the habitation.
Would appreciate opinions of others and recommendations, it is a lot of money to pay and the salesmen all seem to push their own brands as best and rubbish the others.
Everyone has their own favourite makes but floundering a bit at the moment! I have this feeling that paying more won't necessarily get a better vehicle.

Read this back.....:scared: I did say we were fussy!
Click to expand...

Check RP motorhomes in Harrogate . Saw their vans at NEC great use of space . Think I saw Sunlight model that would suit also
 
REC said:
Have looked at this route and found a couple of sites who do the conversion for you but, again, without recommenation, the workmanship could be great or awful and it's a risk. Think it might work out dearer than buying one already done but definitely worth considering. Now we have found a few which fit our criteria, really want opinions on different makes / options and what to check. Budget, unfortunately , is a consideration.
Click to expand...


Yes, it is a risk, and going "bespoke" does involve a fair bit of input regarding layout, and also products, you get to choose everything, cupboard hinges, latches, etc. I used Coastline campers in Kent. I went for the flight case "expedition" style, not cheap, but very strong and very light. Errol is a one man band, and a pleasure to do business with, his attention to detail is second to none. Opposite Errols workshop is a fabricator, All Things Metal - Metalwork in Kent. Welding & Fabrication who made the pull out bed, the rear tyre mount and a single rock n roll bed, again, a pleasure to do business with.

Virtually everything in my van is one off, takes a bit of organising but I was most impressed with very company I used, Errol, the fabricators, autogas 2000, and Patriot roof racks. Can't wait to do another one :)
 
Last edited:
mark61 said:
Yes, it is a risk, and going "bespoke" does involve a fair bit of input regarding layout, and also products, you get to choose everything, cupboard hinges, latches, etc. I used Coastline campers in Kent. I went for the flight case "expedition" style, not cheap, but very strong and very light. Errol is a one man band, and a pleasure to do business with, his attention to detail is second to none. Opposite Errols workshop is a fabricator, All Things Metal - Metalwork in Kent. Welding & Fabrication who made the pull out bed, the rear tyre mount and a single rock n roll bed, again, a pleasure to do business with.

Virtually everything in my van is one off, takes a bit of organising but I was most impressed with very company I used, Errol, the fabricators, autogas 2000, and Patriot roof racks. Can't wait to do another one :)
Click to expand...

:eek:fftopic:
I've been looking at different products to fit out my interior (VW LT aka Sprinter Mk 1) and was considering using extruded alumininum like this - Valuframe - Aluminium Extrusions > Aluminium Profile > Aluminium Extrusion > Aluminium Profiles >Aluminium Profile Systems.
Not seen that flight case style conversion - looks excellent. How are you finding it?
 
wildebus said:
:eek:fftopic:
I've been looking at different products to fit out my interior (VW LT aka Sprinter Mk 1) and was considering using extruded alumininum like this - Valuframe - Aluminium Extrusions > Aluminium Profile > Aluminium Extrusion > Aluminium Profiles >Aluminium Profile Systems.
Not seen that flight case style conversion - looks excellent. How are you finding it?
Click to expand...


I love it, really strong and light. The stark appearance is not everyones cup of tea though. The flight case style is used a lot on the German expedition conversions. The bloke who bought my last van used those extrusions in your link, or very similar. They work very well too.
 

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mark61 said:
I love it, really strong and light. The stark appearance is not everyones cup of tea though. The flight case style is used a lot on the German expedition conversions. The bloke who bought my last van used those extrusions in your link, or very similar. They work very well too.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. "The stark appearance is not everyones cup of tea though" - I am sure that is right, but I think it looks great and I am after that kind of 'overland' style as well. (either that or some kind of "reclaimed wood" look - not sure which yet :sleep-040:
 
My only recommendation would be to buy a German built van.
I am now on my third and have had been very pleased with them all.
Westfalia, Carthago, Dethleffs.
 
Has anyone had experience of weinburg or knaus vans? Seem to be the same manufacturers found an ex-rental 2016 whuch seems to fit our criteria
2016 Weinsberg Carabus 541 MQ - For Sale - New & Used Motorhome & Campervan Reviews - Out and About Live
Have asked for mileage.
There are loads of makes which fit so just searching now! The difference in price between them is vast, want to get good quality build but obviously budget is a consideration!!
Are German builds better than French or UK??? Everyone has a different opinion.. :help:
 
REC said:
Has anyone had experience of weinburg or knaus vans? Seem to be the same manufacturers found an ex-rental 2016 whuch seems to fit our criteria
2016 Weinsberg Carabus 541 MQ - For Sale - New & Used Motorhome & Campervan Reviews - Out and About Live
Have asked for mileage.
There are loads of makes which fit so just searching now! The difference in price between them is vast, want to get good quality build but obviously budget is a consideration!!
Are German builds better than French or UK??? Everyone has a different opinion.. :help:
Click to expand...

We're about to buy something similar from the same people, will try to post up a 'buying review' after we're done. :)

We hired the same model van from the company for a long weekend first, to try it out, and they're re-imbursing the hire cost as part of the purchase, which I thought was a nice touch.
 
Build your own on an L3H2 Sevel base Ducato, Relay or Boxer, (what most PVC converters use). You'll get a brand new, well insulated, good spec and as you want van for less than £30K.
 
Don't know about under £30000, most new 3500KG van with a few options and VAT are around the £30000 mark.
 
Another problem is ware to buy from ,you Will probably have to take back for warranty work, sometimes leaving it for days . much easier if they are close to home , you can call in and not have to wait for return calls that never happen . you can travel many miles and spend days traveling to distant dealer's.
 
REC said:
Has anyone had experience of weinburg or knaus vans? Seem to be the same manufacturers found an ex-rental 2016 whuch seems to fit our criteria
2016 Weinsberg Carabus 541 MQ - For Sale - New & Used Motorhome & Campervan Reviews - Out and About Live
Have asked for mileage.
There are loads of makes which fit so just searching now! The difference in price between them is vast, want to get good quality build but obviously budget is a consideration!!
Are German builds better than French or UK??? Everyone has a different opinion.. :help:
Click to expand...

Whilst the MWB of these vans is very handy, they are a bit too tight inside for us even if we ignore gf's claustrophobia in the transverse bed.
 
REC said:
Has anyone had experience of weinburg or knaus vans? Seem to be the same manufacturers found an ex-rental 2016 whuch seems to fit our criteria
Click to expand...

Whilst the MWB of this van is very handy, it's just a bit to tight for us even ignoring gf's claustrophobia in the transverse bed.
 
Maybe worth a trip to Germany, they have a larger range of panel conversions. They pretty much all seem to be a very similar layout, with a few different touches here and there. Also they have loads more available second hand, rather than just the one or two that pop up over here.
 
mark61 said:
Maybe worth a trip to Germany, they have a larger range of panel conversions. They pretty much all seem to be a very similar layout, with a few different touches here and there. Also they have loads more available second hand, rather than just the one or two that pop up over here.
Click to expand...

Won't they all be LHD though? Contacted Bundesvan Bob who was really helpful but couldn't get RHD which is what we need.
 
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