Hi,
I am looking for my first camper, and after having been at Vanfest I am very eager to pick one up!
I have a maximum budget of 10k (Would rather not hit this high if possible!) and was thinking in the T25/T4 range. I am not mechanically minded at all so therefore buying a panel van and fitting it out etc is not going to be an option.
So I decided to start looking at models/engine sizes etc... I have read that the 1.6TD engine is the one to have...
Model wise, I of course ran into Westfalia models, however I am not interested in a LHD model at all. So the obvious choices are Holdsworth and Autohomes. I would like a hightop, something like this looks good:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-VOLKSWAGEN-AUT ... 286.c0.m14
My questions are, what do people think of this kind of vehicle (I.e. the Autohomes range, and what kind of prices do they go for?!), any immediate issues/problems... Also I notice that there always seems to be a bubbling/rust issue behind the refridgerator, how is this fixed (Costly???)..
Also is engine work/replacement expensive (Looking at maintenance costs etc/worst possible scenarios!)...
Help needed!
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Red Westie
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Westfalia conversions are generally excepted as being the best so it is unfortunate that you have ruled out these straight away. Power steering/double glazing/air con/waste and fresh water/captains seats/3way fridge/LPG gas tank/Eberspacher heater systems/built in charger as well as all power options are just some of the features that the Westy camper can have and others maybe don't.
L/H/D is POWERED on most and is an absolute bonus, sitting on the left side is a small price to pay considering all the other benefits.
They are the best place to sink your hard earned cash if you definately want to go the T25 route this is because of all the conversions they hold their re-sale value (I'm not saying that they aren't a money pit, they all are! but when you come to re-sell, it will get the most interest and command the highest price) compared to other conversions.
My opinion but I'm guessing others will agree.
Martin
L/H/D is POWERED on most and is an absolute bonus, sitting on the left side is a small price to pay considering all the other benefits.
They are the best place to sink your hard earned cash if you definately want to go the T25 route this is because of all the conversions they hold their re-sale value (I'm not saying that they aren't a money pit, they all are! but when you come to re-sell, it will get the most interest and command the highest price) compared to other conversions.
My opinion but I'm guessing others will agree.
Martin
On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar now sleep xxHayleyxx
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar now sleep xxHayleyxx
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ermie571
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ok - red westie has put the case for the westie.
I have 2 campers......both home brew, although one was originally a professional conversion. I changed it coz it was very awkward to change the seat to bed; it needed to be in bed format to work on the engine, and some of the cupboards were naff!
Also, I haven't got a drive. They are parked on the road. I want it to be there in the morning!!
My vans are my vehicles. They are not weekend transport only.....they get me to work and back every day. (well, ok they take it in turns). The second van is a caravelle that through the club has been converted to a pop-top with a super viking roof. I have put a small camping unit in it to cook on if necessary. Just got to work out some more storage. This will not be the usual cupbaord arrangement, as it has got to remain a seven seater.
Autohomes is a nice conversion. I have a second hand autohomes interior in my camper, and I like it. The back seat sits further back than the traditional rock and roll, so you have smaller boot space, but greater living space in the van. (don't know about westfalia, sorry).
Enigne replacements - petrol allow a grand at least for a recon. Can get second hand cheaper. Diesel....no idea as all mine are petrol running on LPG.
Good luck in your hunt. I looked at NO vans before I got mine....in fact, like stray cats they found me!!!
Good place to start looking for prices condition etc would be the for sale section on this site.
Em
x
I have 2 campers......both home brew, although one was originally a professional conversion. I changed it coz it was very awkward to change the seat to bed; it needed to be in bed format to work on the engine, and some of the cupboards were naff!
Also, I haven't got a drive. They are parked on the road. I want it to be there in the morning!!
My vans are my vehicles. They are not weekend transport only.....they get me to work and back every day. (well, ok they take it in turns). The second van is a caravelle that through the club has been converted to a pop-top with a super viking roof. I have put a small camping unit in it to cook on if necessary. Just got to work out some more storage. This will not be the usual cupbaord arrangement, as it has got to remain a seven seater.
Autohomes is a nice conversion. I have a second hand autohomes interior in my camper, and I like it. The back seat sits further back than the traditional rock and roll, so you have smaller boot space, but greater living space in the van. (don't know about westfalia, sorry).
Enigne replacements - petrol allow a grand at least for a recon. Can get second hand cheaper. Diesel....no idea as all mine are petrol running on LPG.
Good luck in your hunt. I looked at NO vans before I got mine....in fact, like stray cats they found me!!!
Good place to start looking for prices condition etc would be the for sale section on this site.
Em
x
2.1 DJ 1990 Caravelle (died and gone to heaven)
2.0 AGG (1997 ish) 1984 transporter LPG
2.0 AGG (1997 ish) 1984 transporter LPG
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mikey9
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You failed to mention the most common (and perhaps the best!!) British conversion. Autosleeper.
You will find more of these than the Autohomes and Holdsworth put together I reckon so appraise your self of the spec. The Trident (with Optional Heater etc) is the one to go for.
As for Diesel or LPG (I won't even suggest running on Petrol) - 35MPG seems a good figure for a !.6TD Hightop - most LPG users (1.9 or 2.1) will get 20-22 MPG whatever you do with em - at todays prioces that is anything from 45 - 50mpg equivalent (with Diesel at 1.28 and gas at 61ppl).
You spooted a weak point - the fridge vent - the panel at he bottom does rot - I reckon it seems worse on the Autohomes (where it is going) but the Autosleepers can be bad too - don't know about the hodlsworths - and the re are plenty Westfalias with the same panelfalia.
There are replacement panels available, you will need to take the kitchen side out as you don't know what other probs you will find when you get the panel off. I reckon anything from £300 - 500 should cover (cut out, repaired/replaced and painted to match......happy to be corrected though)
There are other bits to look at though - wings (look behind the front and rear arches and poke with something and look out for the bit around the rims where the underseal/chipcoat shrinks back and water gets in from behind)
Round the bottom corners fo the windscreen (look inside the van in front of your knees both sides for rust streaks - this IS a leaking windscreen - although you won't necessarlily see it from THE outside or round the rubbers!
If I had a budget of 10k - I would buy the best bodied - best historied (and this is important - see thread to follow) LHD - westfalia (with Power Steering).
It comes down to whether you want to work on your van in your spare time (or pay someone else to) or go and use it for what it was intended (I do the former and wanted to do the latter!
)
You will find more of these than the Autohomes and Holdsworth put together I reckon so appraise your self of the spec. The Trident (with Optional Heater etc) is the one to go for.
As for Diesel or LPG (I won't even suggest running on Petrol) - 35MPG seems a good figure for a !.6TD Hightop - most LPG users (1.9 or 2.1) will get 20-22 MPG whatever you do with em - at todays prioces that is anything from 45 - 50mpg equivalent (with Diesel at 1.28 and gas at 61ppl).
You spooted a weak point - the fridge vent - the panel at he bottom does rot - I reckon it seems worse on the Autohomes (where it is going) but the Autosleepers can be bad too - don't know about the hodlsworths - and the re are plenty Westfalias with the same panelfalia.
There are replacement panels available, you will need to take the kitchen side out as you don't know what other probs you will find when you get the panel off. I reckon anything from £300 - 500 should cover (cut out, repaired/replaced and painted to match......happy to be corrected though)
There are other bits to look at though - wings (look behind the front and rear arches and poke with something and look out for the bit around the rims where the underseal/chipcoat shrinks back and water gets in from behind)
Round the bottom corners fo the windscreen (look inside the van in front of your knees both sides for rust streaks - this IS a leaking windscreen - although you won't necessarlily see it from THE outside or round the rubbers!
If I had a budget of 10k - I would buy the best bodied - best historied (and this is important - see thread to follow) LHD - westfalia (with Power Steering).
It comes down to whether you want to work on your van in your spare time (or pay someone else to) or go and use it for what it was intended (I do the former and wanted to do the latter!
)Mikey
Van for sale - see my For Sale Post
Member 3885
Van for sale - see my For Sale Post
Member 3885
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mikey9
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....as I said - see the following about the importance of good servicing (including correct coolant changes and regular use).
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... highlight=
Also about engine life expectancy!
GOod luck
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... highlight=
Also about engine life expectancy!
GOod luck
Mikey
Van for sale - see my For Sale Post
Member 3885
Van for sale - see my For Sale Post
Member 3885
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matt-the-sign
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Mick & Tracey
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For that budget, I'd plan on buying a good van for around £5-6K, and saving the rest for contingency.
With current market state, you should get a very nice T25 for that kind of money.
We've had several vans including a bay & split. We progressed to a T25 because of the extra space, pace and durability for use as a family camper. Our main camper is a RHD Devon 1.9 petrol. We love the Devon convesrion and prefer it to the Westy - in our opinion it gives more storage space (no big water tanks to get in the way) and has a better table arrangement, but it's really a question of what you like.
We also run a LHD multivan for daily use which is a briiliant multipurpose vehicle, and great as a 2 berth camper (has R&R bed, wipe down surfaces and fridge but no cooker or pop-top). We always find it better to cook outside anyway.
Our 1.9 petrol is a tad faster than our 1.6 TD, but heavy on juice, about 22mpg vs 30 something, but you can gas petrol for about a grand.
LHD can become a pain if you use van daily around town. Otherwise for holidays it isn't a problem for us.
Cheers
With current market state, you should get a very nice T25 for that kind of money.
We've had several vans including a bay & split. We progressed to a T25 because of the extra space, pace and durability for use as a family camper. Our main camper is a RHD Devon 1.9 petrol. We love the Devon convesrion and prefer it to the Westy - in our opinion it gives more storage space (no big water tanks to get in the way) and has a better table arrangement, but it's really a question of what you like.
We also run a LHD multivan for daily use which is a briiliant multipurpose vehicle, and great as a 2 berth camper (has R&R bed, wipe down surfaces and fridge but no cooker or pop-top). We always find it better to cook outside anyway.
Our 1.9 petrol is a tad faster than our 1.6 TD, but heavy on juice, about 22mpg vs 30 something, but you can gas petrol for about a grand.
LHD can become a pain if you use van daily around town. Otherwise for holidays it isn't a problem for us.
Cheers
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AngeloEvs
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You might want to consider the overall height which can range from 7'10" to 8'7" on hightops. I have the Autohomes Karisma and looked at quite a few before purchasing mine. All had corrosion issues on the panel where the lower vent is situated. Some were severe and the adjoining floor areas required attention . Once corrected, the fitting of vent covers should be a priority as the vents are extremely large and allow damp air and rain to enter. For me, the Westy is is without doubt the best conversion. Autohomes have the best designed high top being double skinned and some consideration for aerodynamics and low noise. I previously owned a Autosleeper Trident and (for me anyway) has a better build quality than the Autohomes (which is reasonably good). You say you are not mechanically minded so check that you can get a T25 serviced/repaired locally. I would think that a good T4 would be a better proposition in terms of maintenance and repair but I know very little about them.
