2003 Ex AA Assist VW T5 Transporter.

[GRW]

Opinions taken onboard and welcomed guys, however, I’ve done the lowered T5 and Caddy and I’m fed up with uncompromising crashy suspension and our road network is terrible and unmaintained, so I thought I’d give this a shot. So far I’m happy.

It's a cracking van & a credit to you.... & it doesn't need to make anyone else happy !

I see campervan build stuff on FB Groups, where most seem either spending huge sums on "on-trend" stuff so they can post to gain kudos from strangers....or encouraging others to dig deep & buy the same stuff (IMO to validate their choices to themselves more than any real desire to assist others seeking advice).

I'm a firm advocate of doing it for you - it's your van, & your money

 

[Exuptoy]

Yeah, I’ve done the campervan thing too and never used it. My daughter slept in it twice but we never did and we have the old Brazilian Bay T2C camper (which again is a compromise to size even with the pop top) but we’ve slept in that one a few times now. So in my opinion I doubt I’d do another camper on a small vehicle base so I’m happy with the Kombi seats in the rear. I’d probably do a Crafter or similar as you’re not restricted by a small space. As you say, for me it’s about doing what I want.

 

[GRW]

Yeah, I’ve done the campervan thing too and never used it. My daughter slept in it twice but we never did and we have the old Brazilian Bay T2C camper (which again is a compromise to size even with the pop top) but we’ve slept in that one a few times now. So in my opinion I doubt I’d do another camper on a small vehicle base so I’m happy with the Kombi seats in the rear. I’d probably do a Crafter or similar as you’re not restricted by a small space. As you say, for me it’s about doing what I want.

View attachment 513340View attachment 513341View attachment 513342View attachment 513343View attachment 513344View attachment 513345

I agree that small vans are just too small for comfort & convenience, & the faff gets old quickly.
Friends run a transporter & it's a major undertaking to change from driving to using it - as they have to carry a huge packed awning to put up & decant into so they can get at anything.
My Hitop LWB Renault Master has the space to keep bikes, services & kit in the under bed garage, while you're able to use the galley kitchen, loo & seating etc without any major drama.
Much bigger though, & you enter into problems - it's about the best compromise.

 

[roofman]

I agree that small vans are just too small for comfort & convenience, & the faff gets old quickly.
Friends run a transporter & it's a major undertaking to change from driving to using it - as they have to carry a huge packed awning to put up & decant into so they can get at anything.
My Hitop LWB Renault Master has the space to keep bikes, services & kit in the under bed garage, while you're able to use the galley kitchen, loo & seating etc without any major drama.
Much bigger though, & you enter into problems - it's about the best compromise.

A lot of stealth camping places has height restriction barriers up and high and semi high tops cant get in, also something as simple as drive through food or coffee outlets have the same which unless you have a SWB van can be a pain.

 

[indy4x]

@Exuptoy dang, those wheels definitely do it for me

@GRW Benefit of staying with higher profile tyres on Alloys is the chances of kerb rash are massively reduced compared to low profiles and they dont make the ride worse


@roofman we were in Scotland and walking the Old Man of Storr, car park at the bottom had a sign saying no campers and a 1.9m IIRC height barrier

There were loads of small vans that could fit under it and when I got back down they all had a parking ticket

 

[GRW]

A lot of stealth camping places has height restriction barriers up and high and semi high tops cant get in, also something as simple as drive through food or coffee outlets have the same which unless you have a SWB van can be a pain.

True - but for me the advantages seriously outweigh those disadvantages

 

[GRW]

@GRW Benefit of staying with higher profile tyres on Alloys is the chances of kerb rash are massively reduced compared to low profiles and they dont make the ride worse

I can avoid kerb rash & have stronger wheels for zero outlay by just using the steel ones it came with

 

[Exuptoy]

These are rated at 1500kg per corner so they’re strong enough but I get your point.
I’ve used car rims on a van and had to put up with cracks propagating and needing to weld them up.