ant 7045 Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 Hello everybody, I am a new member and am looking to buy a single / double berth second hand Romahome for travel in the U.K. and Europe in the £3,000 - £5,000 price range.I will be travelling on my own for extended periods. Can anyone recommend any models in this price range that have all the basic necessities for extended travel. I have no knowledge or experience of this subject so would be grateful for any pointers or advice from the more experienced forum members . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BGD Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 Others with more exact knowledge will be along, no doubt, but I'd say for that sort of money honestly you are only going to get a real dog of a vehicle. It'll either need a shedload of maintenance/repairs before you set off, or a shedload of maintenance/repairs in a succession of foreign countries; or most likely both. How good is your ability as a mechanic, and how good is your knowledge of technical terms in foreign languages when dealing with breakdown companies/garages in France/Germany/Spain etc? Do you have any knowledge at all about thetford toilet systems, 12 volt water systems, water heaters, space heaters, gas/12 volt fridges; quite apart from the engine, drive train, suspension brakes steering and chassis/bodywork/windows/rooflights of the base vehicle? If not, you're going to find an almost vertical learning curve in the weeks after you buy the old dog, as bits fall off, bits refuse to operate, the leaking roof/smokey exhaust etc etc etc make themselves known to you. Just an idea, but if you could stretch to maybe 6 to 8 grand you could get yourself a vehicle in MUCH better condition ( age and mileage don't really matter, as Motorhomes have such an easy life compared to the white van base that most of them are built on); and also a BIGGER motorhome....if you're living in it long term, then a " 4 berth" motorhome would in my mind be just about big enough for one person....and would cost no more to buy I suspect. Some possibles to whet your appetite maybe...........there are dozens and dozens on ebay; but bear in mind that all will probably need a lot of work (and money) to keep on the road, regardless of what the seller says... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Campervan-motorhome-13-months-MOT-taxed-only-34k-miles-diesel-Iveco-2-8tdi-/251293590444?pt=UK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes&hash=item3a8243e3ac http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peugeot-Boxer-Camper-Van-/190861249771?pt=UK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes&hash=item2c70378ceb http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1992-Elddis-Autoquest-4-Berth-Diesel-Motorhome-/121133135778?pt=UK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes&hash=item1c3418f7a2 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motor-Home-/271228765326?pt=UK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes&hash=item3f267e848e http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Auto-Sleeper-Talisman-II-Motorhome-/271228536281?pt=UK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes&hash=item3f267b05d9 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Transit-Legend-Autosleeper-2-5TD-Motorhome-Campervan-/200937451858?pt=UK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes&hash=item2ec8ce3152 Whatever you buy, enjoy it's indeed a brilliant way to see the world! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josie gibblebucket Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 Don't reckon that the Elddis Autoquest is on its original base vehicle? Did they use Leyland chassis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 Hi Ant & welcome to the forum. A selection of Romahome vans on this site, will give you an idea of what is available for what £'s. http://www.motorhomesforsale.co.uk/motorhomes-for-sale/romahome-for-sale.aspx IMHO they can be quite restrictive for long sorties, but ideal for weekends or a few days away, but it all depends on your lifestyle. Not much storage space in the Citroen C15 / Berlingo size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Check out my Bargain buy thread for whats available for that sort of money ;-) http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Bargain-Bangers/30581/ There's lots of low mileage well maintained campers out there, that'll take you all the way around Europe and back for little money B-)........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant 7045 Posted June 28, 2013 Author Share Posted June 28, 2013 Hi everybody, thanks for your replies.You have given me much food for thought ! This forum is a good introduction to the world of camper vans and I value all your advice. I was thinking in terms of a dual purpose camper / and or van, giving me both options ; Camping on the Continent and using it as a work van on my return to the U.K. Something like the Citroen C15 Champ 1.9D 765D . Is this being over optimistic on my part ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BGD Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Ant - If you really want to do it on a back-to-basics basis, you could just buy any type of panel van to use for work, then bung some kit into it if/when you're going to tour around Europe in it:- Mattress and blankets. Some sort of curtains/blinds for the windows. Camping stove. a couple of 20 litre water jerrycans. A porta-potti Some bowls/cooking pans and utensils. Some basic 12 volt lights (LEDs ideally) rigged up to your engine battery. You can all that sort of camping kit really cheap on ebay etc........ Very basic, you'll boil in summer (unless the van has cab air-con that you can use by running then engine for a while if parked up camping) and freeze in winter (unless you run the engine when parked up for a while to get the vehicle heater to warm the interior up a bit. You'dl have to make do with strip-washing or maybe booking in to a camp site every few days to use their showers/washing facilities/toilet dump; but it is an uber-cheap way of touring. There's a lot of younger travellers who trundle all round Europe that way. Not the comfiest way to do it, but possible if your budget is really tight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 ant 7045 - 2013-06-28 11:57 AM Hi everybody, thanks for your replies.You have given me much food for thought ! This forum is a good introduction to the world of camper vans and I value all your advice. I was thinking in terms of a dual purpose camper / and or van, giving me both options ; Camping on the Continent and using it as a work van on my return to the U.K. Something like the Citroen C15 Champ 1.9D 765D . Is this being over optimistic on my part ? Hi Ant IMHO the Citroen C15 fitted out as a motorhome would not be very practical as a "Work Van" as most of the internal space will be taken up with fixtures & fittings. Maybe a Fiat Scudo, Peugeot Expert or Citroen Despatch, would give you better options (size is between the C15 & Relay.) They are also available with side windows in the MPV format. Then do as BGD suggests (they would accommodate a mattress, where as you would struggle in the C15) & be more accepted on Campsites. see below for size & examples http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/used-vans/peugeot/expert/2001-peugeot-expert-2-0-hdi-95-van-5-seater-kombi-penzance-vfpa-8aa124c83ecb31c8013eeaff67d07d06/bodytype/combi-van/makemodel/make/peugeot/model/expert http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/used-vans/fiat/scudo http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/used-vans/citroen/dispatch/2006-citroen-dispatch-815kg-d-crew-van-diesel-bridgend-vfpa-8aa146043f7a0fb6013f8b37303e3657/makemodel/make/citroen/model/dispatch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant 7045 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 Hello everybody, and thanks for all your replies. Much appreciated. I like the idea of purchasing a panel van like a Fiat Scudo and fitting it out with basic kit for living etc. I am now looking at all the options to do this. One question for all you experienced travellers out there. How dangerous is it driving a right-hand drive in Europe.I have no experience of this and wonder if there are any blindspots when other cars are overtaking or cornering.? i would appreciate any input and advice on this subject from anyone with experience of drving in Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 ant 7045 - 2013-07-10 10:56 AM Hello everybody, and thanks for all your replies. Much appreciated. I like the idea of purchasing a panel van like a Fiat Scudo and fitting it out with basic kit for living etc. I am now looking at all the options to do this. One question for all you experienced travellers out there. How dangerous is it driving a right-hand drive in Europe.I have no experience of this and wonder if there are any blindspots when other cars are overtaking or cornering.? i would appreciate any input and advice on this subject from anyone with experience of drving in Europe. We have RHD and mostly drive on continent. We reasoned that aRHD is safer on UK roads, which are congested,. The roads in France/Spain are ALMOST empty, can't comment on other countries.As i assume you will be working in UK this should be considered You could always add an extension mirror, if you travel alone, to help with overtaking/pulling out into traffic Good luck in your quest PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BGD Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 UK roads are just so congested in comparison to almost all others across Europe, that I don't think they are really in the same ball-park. RHD on the continent isn't really a problem, as mostly you're chugging about, not trying to race everywhere and overtake at every opportunity. Travel across the resat of Europe on holiday/tour is sedate, enjoyable, and scenic, rather than driving/commuting for work in the UK which is frenetic and stressful. On the very rare occasion you might get caught behind an even slower moving vehicle, just chill; slow down, leave plenty of room behind him, and enjoy the views. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 ant 7045 - 2013-07-10 10:56 AM How dangerous is it driving a right-hand drive in Europe.I have no experience of this and wonder if there are any blindspots when other cars are overtaking or cornering.? i would appreciate any input and advice on this subject from anyone with experience of drving in Europe. Not really dangerous at all. First time, just take your time and you will soon get used to it. Driving on the right will soon be the natural thing to do - after all everyone else will be ! The one time you need to be careful, in my experience, is when you pull out onto the road after a break / rest stop, and there is no traffic about. That's when it's very easy to pull out onto the wrong side of the road. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 ant 7045 - 2013-06-28 11:57 AM Hi everybody, thanks for your replies.You have given me much food for thought ! This forum is a good introduction to the world of camper vans and I value all your advice. I was thinking in terms of a dual purpose camper / and or van, giving me both options ; Camping on the Continent and using it as a work van on my return to the U.K. Something like the Citroen C15 Champ 1.9D 765D . Is this being over optimistic on my part ? Hi Ant.... So when you say "using it as a work van", if you don't mind me asking, in what way would it be "used"?..to just travel to and from work?...or to lug stuff about in?... (..coz you aren't going to cart much about in something like a C15! ;-) ) Do you envisage a versatile but basic "camping" vehicle,(possibly based on a tidy panel/crew-van?)..something to just strap a tarp or drive-away awning to and utilising ordinary camping equipment ( ie camping stove, porta loo etc)..? Or... ..a "fully equipped" motorhome, which would be great for when you're away(when/if it all works!)..but probably far from ideal as far as "work" is concerned...?)...? We've started to use an old Toyota Hiace van as a "camping" van(..just ply lined & insulated,couple of small roof vents, removable pull out bed), admittedly at the moment it's only for long weekends at festivals etc .. ...but more importantly, what it has shown us is that,for us, the vast majority of "stuff" that we always feel we "need" in a MH, can very easily be done away with or replaced with simple, cheap, stand-alone camping stuff... Okay,as it stands,would we tour the Continent in it at length...? Probably not..but it wouldn't take a great deal to make such a vehicle feasible( sorting a second battery/charging/ehu facility, along with some form of small fridge unit would be all I'd think we'd "need" ). Having said all of that,I do tend to use the van as a van (lugging loads of fire wood, taking stuff to the tip etc)and if you don't need to use yours as such, then a proper kitted out MH would probably suit you better... ...... decisions, decisions eh? ... ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 ant 7045 - 2013-07-10 10:56 AM Hello everybody, and thanks for all your replies. Much appreciated. I like the idea of purchasing a panel van like a Fiat Scudo and fitting it out with basic kit for living etc. I am now looking at all the options to do this.[ One question for all you experienced travellers out there. How dangerous is it driving a right-hand drive in Europe.I have no experience of this and wonder if there are any blindspots when other cars are overtaking or cornering.? i would appreciate any input and advice on this subject from anyone with experience of drving in Europe. Hi Ant If you could locate a van with side windows, i.e. MPV or Crew-bus versions, being able to view through (i.e. behind the passenger seat) would eliminate most of your concerns regarding blindspots. IMO you will be surprised how easy it is to adjust to driving on the right. Much of what you want to fit for the Motorhome purposes will depend on your other use for the van. I think your worst scenario will be the heat generated in an un-insulated van, (they can soon become an oven in high temperatures or an icebox in cold temperatures) So, another reason to favour a MPV conversion. (but this could also be a negative when in "works" mode.) When converting for Motorhome mode, the main concerns are adequate ventilation for Leisure battery & Gas Bottles. Also, unless familiar with requirements of Gas Bottle storage DO get any system checked by a qualified professional. The "Self build" forum would be a good source of information & equipment sources, if you don't have any previous experience. http://sbmcc.co.uk/forum/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant 7045 Posted August 1, 2013 Author Share Posted August 1, 2013 Hi everybody, I have been researching the different options vis a viz buying a dual purpose van / camper to travel around Europe etc and all your advice has been most welcome. I have looked at many different options and come across a panel van that looks most appealing. This is a SWB 2.4 Toyota Hiace .These seem to run and run and unlike some of the other options there is a very healthy 2nd hand market and they are priced accordingly' I would be very interested to hear any opinions from you about these vans and if you think they are fit for purpose, bearing in mind my previous posts and the advice which has been proffered This may be the solution .I have researched the market throughly and nothing else appeals. As always i appreciate your comments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayjsj Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 This is a good site for 'Older' vans, spares and advice, I found it a Gold mine when I ran a 1988 Talbot Autosleeper. http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/list/3532/camper-vans.html?keyword=Campervans http://community.preloved.co.uk/forums/category/1/camper-vans.html The second one is good for asking 'older van' questions etc., Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retread24800 Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 In his expected price range and quite a stunner is this from Mobile.de Mercedes 309D hi-top 'James Cook' @6000€ or just over £5.000.00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayjsj Posted August 4, 2013 Share Posted August 4, 2013 ant 7045 - 2013-06-26 12:16 PM Hello everybody, I am a new member and am looking to buy a single / double berth second hand Romahome for travel in the U.K. and Europe in the £3,000 - £5,000 price range.I will be travelling on my own for extended periods. Can anyone recommend any models in this price range that have all the basic necessities for extended travel. I have no knowledge or experience of this subject so would be grateful for any pointers or advice from the more experienced forum members . Do you mean like this ? 'Stimson' is a well respected Fibreglass designer and engineer, and was behind a lot of the original Romahome designs. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAMPER-VAN-STIMSON-TIROL-POP-TOP-ELEVATING-ROOF-PEUGEOT-EXPERT-DIESEL-SURF-BUS-/161065471488?pt=UK_Commercial_Trucks&hash=item2580400e00 happy 'Vanning'. Ray 39,000 means that it's only just 'Run in'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted August 4, 2013 Share Posted August 4, 2013 Hi again ant'.. As previously posted, we've also got ourselves a SWB Hiace van (2.4d) It's a 2001 model and I suppose if I was to be "critical" then I'd say that after the other vans we've owned('03 Transit, '07 X250 Boxer, and our current '08 Renault), it does feel as if it's from another era, being quite sluggish and noisier in comparison..and generally..more...well, "van-like"... :-D BUT it is what it is ;-) Ours had been "well used" as a work van by it's previous owners, so lightly used, well looked after examples may well be a different prospect all together. ..and as you say, all reports suggest that, being simple, they are pretty bullet proof! We did look a few VW T4s but they were asking silly money for some real dogs(..or tat that had been "fettled with" and covered in "surf dude" decals! (lol) ) Ours is used as much as a general run around, lugging stuff to the tip, fetching logs for the wood burner etc, as much as it is a "festival camping van"... Although more than happy with it for our usage, if we had planned it to be our "main" camper', then I would probably have looked at the LWB...as those extra few inches would make a lot of difference when planning to fit out a van... One thing I have noticed...If you're looking to convert it, then model specific accessories like single swivel seat mounts, seem more difficult (although not impossible) to source. If I hadn't have wanted the van to be quite so "dual purpose", then I would've probably jumped at something like the van in Ray's link...especially at that price... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 ant 7045 A near-neighbout has a Toyota Hiace-based camper-van. It has a 2.8litre diesel motor with automatic gearbox and is 1997/1998 vintage (I think) with mileage well over 100,000. I've not seen it, but understand that it's a high-roof model, built in Japan as a genuine camper-van (not a UK conversion of a Hiace utility van). I know he bought it via e-bay and I'm certain he did not pay much for it! He told me that fuel consumption was around 30mpg. Other than commenting that it was a bit dated inside styling-wise (inevitable with a 15-year old vehicle) he's very pleased with it. In fact, he's off to the Pyrenees at the end of the month on a walking holiday, so he must be confident in the vehicle's reliability. As there's not a lot of room inside for two people, he has an awning enclosure that attaches to the rear of the vehicle and, when the weather is hot, sleeps in that. Shortage of interior space shouldn't be a problem for you as you plan to travel alone. A Hiace should be a good choice for a dual-purpose, relatively inexpensive small camper. Other than ensuring that it's mechanically sound and not rust-damaged, you might want to check whether the speedometer is km/h-only (the Japanese norm) and what sort of 'leisure' electrical system is fitted. Japanese motorhome electrics can differ significantly from the UK standard, as mentioned here: http://www.motorhomefacts.com/ftopic-109624-days0-orderasc-0.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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