LEFT HAND DRIVE CAMPERS

Post by **skodastan** » 22 May 2008, 10:15

Greeting to everyone from a new member. After taking early retirement through ill health I find that I have lots of time on my hands and have decided to visit all those places that I wanted to in my distant youth. A camper van could be just what I need. Most of the places will be in the UK but after gaining more confidence with the vehicle, I intend to venture into the Continent. With the help of the interwebby thing I have done a bit of research and decided that a VW camper is just what I need.
I note that there are some importers of Jap vehicles who have left hand drive VW campers for sale - has any member any experience of these Jap imports?
Although I drove right hand drive vehicles in Germany when I was in the army and cannot remember any great problems, can anyone enlighten me of the everyday problems of driving a LH drive vehicle today on our very crowded roads?
There seems to be fairly strong opinions either for or against Dehler models. To me they seems to be luxurious and ideal for daily use and weeks away as well. Your comments would be appreciated.
Finally, is it cost effective to convert to lpg and how does this effect the performance of the engine?

Post by **ermie571** » 22 May 2008, 11:17

Welcome!!!!!

Lots of questions......dunno about LHD as our 3 (yes 3) are all RHD, but can give a huge thumbs up to LPG - All ours run it.

Read the alternative fuels forum for more on LPG!

There will be plenty of folks who say diesel is better - economy and replacement engine wise.

Think it mainly depends on what comes along. Have fun looking! have you driven one yet?!

Em
x

Post by **skodastan** » 22 May 2008, 14:11

Thanks for that Em.
Yes I do ask a lot of questions but having read a lot of postings on here, there are a lot of people on here with lots of good info and ideas to pass on.
I think with the way that petrol and diesel prices are going, LPG is the way to go plus it is much more greener and you pay less road tax. I have just read an ad on eBay for for a "small" American motor home Rialta by Winnebago based on a VW T4 Automatic 2.5 litre petrol. I imagine that the mpg on petrol is low but would be better on LPG - do any readers have any experience of these vehicles?

Post by **Swampy** » 22 May 2008, 14:58

Mine's a Left-Hooker, driven daily. I find knowing EXACTLY how close I am to the kerb a benefit.

Overtaking can be an issue, as I have to pull right out to see the road. However, I rarely get much chance to overtake..

Your passengers may have difficulty in shaking the nagging feeling that, being on the right, they should be the ones doing the driving.

The good thing about driving a VW on crowded roads is that you're a huge great brick in the road & Nissan Micras should be gracious enough to let you pass, especially when not driven aggressively.

An alternative fuel looks necessary, the way fuel prices are going. My Pa-In-Law loves his LPG setup. His engine runs smoother, cleaner, with no appreciable loss of power.

MPG same as petrol, I believe, regardless of vehicle, but with prices much lower than petrol it feels much better on the pocket. Pa-In-Law reckons he gets slightly better MPG on LPG because the fuel burns cleaner than petrol.

Post by **1664** » 22 May 2008, 15:04

skodastan wrote: There seems to be fairly strong opinions either for or against Dehler models. To me they seems to be luxurious and ideal for daily use and weeks away as well. Your comments would be appreciated.

Dehler's are stricktly speaking not campervans. I think these conversions were meant to be used more as a mobile hospitality unit for business men/women at sites/exhibitions/shows etc as opposed to a 'camper'.

Post by **BigTam** » 22 May 2008, 15:45

1664 wrote:
skodastan wrote: There seems to be fairly strong opinions either for or against Dehler models. To me they seems to be luxurious and ideal for daily use and weeks away as well. Your comments would be appreciated.

I had a Dehler 2+2, in a word it was S**T, naff plastic fittings, very dark interior, not a patch on my westy, and driving a left hooker, no problem at all, get a 1.6 diesel and you will never have to worry about overtaking and fuel consumption is decent,

Post by **AngeloEvs** » 22 May 2008, 17:09

Owned LHD and if you intend to travel europe regularly I would recommend one. I had no problems driving a LHD 3.5ton class A Hymer in UK. If the majority of your driving will be in UK then a RHD may suit you better. Check your insurance company for extra charges, mine didn't charge any extra premium.

Post by **Red Westie** » 22 May 2008, 23:21

No problems at all in driving my LHD Westy.
I would also point out that 'factory' conversions ie: Westfalia's have the added benefit of power steering, a big bonus when you are 'of a certain age'

Martin

Post by **rugchucker** » 23 May 2008, 10:17

Hi,
My 1980 Aircooled (cab n all) left hooker is a joy to drive, doesnt need power steering and as my licence says "tear along dotted line" thats what i do. Its so much easier for stopping to ask for directions or chatting up pedestrians over here and in France much easier at the toll booths.

Overtaking is no problem, I've only done it once in 5 years!!

Best bit ispunching the window to change gear

Post by **RichardU8** » 30 May 2008, 19:08

Have a 1987 LHD Westy 2.1 petrol - now runs on LPG mostly thanks to Gasure Pete. Performance same as petrol, mileage v. similar. About half my mileage has been in UK, rest in France, a bit in Spain.

LHD driving in UK is rarely a problem - but a few replacement bits can be harder to find. Anyone got a RH side sliding door in good nick they'd like to sell?

Post by **Grantourer** » 01 Jun 2008, 22:17

We have had 2 left hand drive Westies, no problem at all, great in Europe. Only problem with LPG power is you can't use the Channel Tunnel and a lot of long tunnels in France do not allow LPG powered vehicles through, it's the sign with a car and fire coming from the bonnet.

Regards, Graham

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