Need your recommendations

[kmsbmw]

Hi all.

I put a intro on the newbie forum but not much feedback.

I'm a newbie who has 2 wheels but need advice to buy the other 4 !!

I have a limited budget of about £3 - £4 k to start, as I need to try this lifestyle out.

I'm looking at a large panel van, probably, big enough to put a medium size motorcycle in, as well as living accom. It might be an ex m/cycle race vehicle.

What would you go for?

Merc 814 series come recommended. Would you go for old technology on the grounds of reliability and serviceability?

I'm looking at using it here and abroad.

There you have it - what would be your choice. Regards Bob KMSBMW

 

[NicknClair]

Take a look at Renault Master/Vauxhall Movano. Built a camper out of one of these in 2008, loved the chassis!!

 

[Byronic]

If you obtained your car driving license after 1997 you'll need to take a test to drive an 814d.
If you go over 3.5 tonnes you'll be saddled with certain restrictions, but under 3.5 tonnes and you may have to leave somethimg out like the motorbike!!
The 814d has turbo plus intercooler you'll pay for it at the pump. The massive payload means that when you don't load it up tends to ride hard.
The lighter payload version such as the old 609d 709d 711d 3972cc and the newer 614d 4250cc vario might be a better bet'the 612d versions have sprinter engines (not so long lived, hauling all that weight.) There are other newer variations but your budget would'nt cover them.
The mechanicals are bullet proof but at your budget you'll be looking at high miles,some compete with Starship Enterprise. Nearly forgot, the ladder chassis are robust but the bodywork especially the lower you go suffers badly from rust.
There's plenty of info on pros and cons re HGV versus LGV if you rifle through the threads.

 

[Deleted member 207]

I'd be inclined to look for a T1 Merc (207D to 309D) for that sort of money and add a very light bike trailer. They are the same length as an average station wagon, have a gross weight under 3500kgs, easy to drive, parts available almost everywhere, low tech and very reliable diesel engines in 3litre and 2.5litre. (They were built from about 1975 until the mid 90s and replaced by the Sprinters).

You can probably get a fitted out campervan for that money from the mid 80s. Which is a good start if you get beds, fridge, stove, shower, toilet, etc.

The Germans are getting out of older diesels at present as their anti pollution laws are biting. Try mobile.de and select the English option to see what you get for your Euros.

 

[Firefox]

I would go for a bike trailer unless you want to build a fairly large garage a panel van. I've built a garage in my Movano/Master Panel van but I think it would only take a pushbike or moped. However. If I had sacrificed 8 inches of headroom in the bedroom I could probably fit a large motorcycle upright.

I'd go with nickjvanbitz, the Master/Movano is a great unsung chassis. Drives superb, turbo and 6 gears on later models, mine will do 90 plus mph and 35 mpg (not at the same time though!)

The thing is about VeeDubs and Mercs is they are hyped out of all proportion in cult fashion by enthusiastic owners. I like the Mercedes Sprinter and have driven one quite a bit, though it's probably too new for your budget. Trouble is the older Sprinters are too narrow and the VW T5 doesn't have headroom. The Masters and the Fiats are the one's that really bring home the goods when it comes to motorhome conversions.

I would question your budget slightly. You can only buy a fairly ancient van for that. Do you really want to be spending a lot of time and cash fitting out a very high mileage van? But, on the plus side, if you make a good job of the conversion you should make a profit on the end vehicle if you want to upgrade.

 

[al n sal]

bulding a camper conversion on a budget is doable, but yu do sometimes need a little luck in fnding yer base vehicle.

all my convesions have been on ambulances, previous front line ones, this van a transport ambulance. some can be found with reasonable mileage.

might be worth while looking up SBMCC ~ Self Build Motor Caravanners Club lots of selfbuilds there in the gallery to look at, and a few bike racers.

as far as the bike is concerned I'd personally get a bike trailer, all that loast space in yer van can make all teh difference

al

 

[Kontiki]

Saw a nice conversion on an Iveco, it had been built so the garage space (big enough for a good sized bike) was along one side of the van with the bed on top (not a double but it looked a bit bigger than a single. It also had a toilet compartment at the back on the other side of the van.