Advice to a newbie

[NickD39]

Hi all,

I’m hoping to be come the owner of a new campervan very shortly, but before doing so wanted to ask the thoughts of the very knowledgable people on this forum.

The van in the below ad is the one I’m hoping to buy. Could I ask what the forum members think in terms of the specification and whether the listed price is good value.

Campers4Sale

campers4sale.co.uk

I’m hoping to use the van across the UK and Europe, so would also be interested in thoughts on the size of the wheels and whether these are likely to lead to a rough ride.

I have done a lot of reading of the VW vans but as it’s such a large purchase price I’m feeling jittery

Thanks

Nick

 

[T6Paul]

Looks to be a well spec'd van!

 

[Jimmmmy]

Similar spec to mine and I have no complaints, go for it.

 

[NickD39]

Looks to be a well spec'd van!

Thanks

 

[NickD39]

Similar spec to mine and I have no complaints, go for it.

Thanks

 

[VanDamMan]

Hi ..just checked your new reg….and it shows as N1 category ( so you can’t legally travel at car speeds ) so as long as the conversion to campervan is done to DVLA rules …get it changed to M1…ask your dealer…..
As far as ride comfort… you’re not far from Cannock ..go to @CRS Performance …I’m sure they will make ride and comfort better
But drive it first and enjoy the journey

 

[Jimmmmy]

Just looking at the spec of your van again and the only thing it dosen`t seem to have which I find essential is a wind out awning or at least an awning rail, no big deal breaker as they might even do it for you, or you can do it yourself.

 

[NickD39]

Hi ..just checked your new reg….and it shows as N1 category ( so you can’t legally travel at car speeds ) so as long as the conversion to campervan is done to DVLA rules …get it changed to M1…ask your dealer…..
As far as ride comfort… you’re not far from Cannock ..go to @CRS Performance …I’m sure they will make ride and comfort better
But drive it first and enjoy the journey

Thanks for your reply. we are going to ask him to fit a multi rail for us as we want to be able to attach a driveaway tent to the side.

I had no idea about the classification issue, I’ll ask him about it.

Nick

 

[Jimmmmy]

N1 is still 70mph on a motorway so shouldnt be a problem

 

[Bav]

Don't waste your time trying to reclassify your van - the classification shown on the V5C is irrelevant provided your van meets the definition of a Motor Caravan, as specified by Type Approval Regs.

Read this thread...

Speed limits/ DVLA / Motor Caravan / Dual Purpose / N1 and all that malarkey.

Much discussion has taken place over the years regarding the status of vans & conversions with regard to speed limits/tax/insurance etc. There's a wealth of info on the forum - particularly this thread - but it's scattered and fragmented around the forum. So I thought I'd bring it all together...

www.t6forum.com

 

[Salty Spuds]

Hi ..just checked your new reg….and it shows as N1 category ( so you can’t legally travel at car speeds ) so as long as the conversion to campervan is done to DVLA rules …get it changed to M1…ask your dealer…..

No no no !!!!!!

 

[NickD39]

Don't waste your time trying to reclassify your van - the classification shown on the V5C is irrelevant provided your van meets the definition of a Motor Caravan, as specified by Type Approval Regs.

Read this thread...

Speed limits/ DVLA / Motor Caravan / Dual Purpose / N1 and all that malarkey.

Much discussion has taken place over the years regarding the status of vans & conversions with regard to speed limits/tax/insurance etc. There's a wealth of info on the forum - particularly this thread - but it's scattered and fragmented around the forum. So I thought I'd bring it all together...

www.t6forum.com

Thanks Bav, great post

 

[VanDamMan]

Yes agree that speeds are the same for cars on motorways ….but dual carriageways for Van type vehicle it’s 60mph but car derived vehicles it’s 70mph when allowed….if you buy a camper van you’d expect to to classed as that from the start…..so thing like Mot’s and insurance are standard….if you convert a van like we do …we nearly all have to get modified insurance cover ..
and I’ve just found out that some ferry companies still use Dvla data to assess your vehicle regardless of conversion and May apply different rates for commercial vehicles as opposed to a true campervan…
it’s all very grey…….but if paying that much money I’d expect it to classed correctly
We are only trying to help new members to Be aware that the vehicle they buy could be a van conversion rather than a true Campervan
if however they are fully aware of the facts and want to buy …then that’s fine..
not everyone is as an expert on Vw Vans and I learnt a lot over the years ….but if I was buying from a dealer I’d expect complete transparency…lots of stories like wrong load rated tyres being put on vehicles by so called dealers/specialists to fit the fancy wheels and make the vehicle more appealing…which are overlooked buy the buyer…
if you like it and it all checks out …buy it…but do your homework

 

[Salty Spuds]

Yes agree that speeds are the same for cars on motorways ….but dual carriageways for Van type vehicle it’s 60mph but car derived vehicles it’s 70mph when allowed….if you buy a camper van you’d expect to to classed as that from the start…..so thing like Mot’s and insurance are standard….if you convert a van like we do …we nearly all have to get modified insurance cover ..
and I’ve just found out that some ferry companies still use Dvla data to assess your vehicle regardless of conversion and May apply different rates for commercial vehicles as opposed to a true campervan…
it’s all very grey…….but if paying that much money I’d expect it to classed correctly
We are only trying to help new members to Be aware that the vehicle they buy could be a van conversion rather than a true Campervan
if however they are fully aware of the facts and want to buy …then that’s fine..
not everyone is as an expert on Vw Vans and I learnt a lot over the years ….but if I was buying from a dealer I’d expect complete transparency…lots of stories like wrong load rated tyres being put on vehicles by so called dealers/specialists to fit the fancy wheels and make the vehicle more appealing…which are overlooked buy the buyer…
if you like it and it all checks out …buy it…but do your homework

Have you actually read this?

Speed limits/ DVLA / Motor Caravan / Dual Purpose / N1 and all that malarkey.

Much discussion has taken place over the years regarding the status of vans & conversions with regard to speed limits/tax/insurance etc. There's a wealth of info on the forum - particularly this thread - but it's scattered and fragmented around the forum. So I thought I'd bring it all together...

www.t6forum.com

 

[NickD39]

Yes agree that speeds are the same for cars on motorways ….but dual carriageways for Van type vehicle it’s 60mph but car derived vehicles it’s 70mph when allowed….if you buy a camper van you’d expect to to classed as that from the start…..so thing like Mot’s and insurance are standard….if you convert a van like we do …we nearly all have to get modified insurance cover ..
and I’ve just found out that some ferry companies still use Dvla data to assess your vehicle regardless of conversion and May apply different rates for commercial vehicles as opposed to a true campervan…
it’s all very grey…….but if paying that much money I’d expect it to classed correctly
We are only trying to help new members to Be aware that the vehicle they buy could be a van conversion rather than a true Campervan
if however they are fully aware of the facts and want to buy …then that’s fine..
not everyone is as an expert on Vw Vans and I learnt a lot over the years ….but if I was buying from a dealer I’d expect complete transparency…lots of stories like wrong load rated tyres being put on vehicles by so called dealers/specialists to fit the fancy wheels and make the vehicle more appealing…which are overlooked buy the buyer…
if you like it and it all checks out …buy it…but do your homework

Thanks for your comments.

The van we are thinking of buying is a new VW transporter, that has then undergone conversion to a campervan. It was my understanding that the majority of vans on the road will have been through this process rather than the California that VW offer (please correct me if I’m wrong).

I am new to both VW and also to the world of owning a campervan, and although I have tried to do as much research and reading as I can this will always be a steep learning curve as I do not have the knowledge and experience a lot of you guys have. This is together with the price of the van has led me to this site to ask people’s opinions in order to try not to make an expensive mistake.

Thanks

Nick

 

[NickD39]

Have you actually read this?

Speed limits/ DVLA / Motor Caravan / Dual Purpose / N1 and all that malarkey.

Much discussion has taken place over the years regarding the status of vans & conversions with regard to speed limits/tax/insurance etc. There's a wealth of info on the forum - particularly this thread - but it's scattered and fragmented around the forum. So I thought I'd bring it all together...

www.t6forum.com

I have read the thread, and understand the contents. I suppose with many things like this, people have a different interpretation as to what this in reality means. I shall take the advice in the thread unless anyone can prove that it’s wrong

Nick

 

[Salty Spuds]

I have read the thread, and understand the contents. I suppose with many things like this, people have a different interpretation as to what this in reality means. I shall take the advice in the thread unless anyone can prove that it’s wrong

Nick

As already said. Unless you buy a factory built California, most, if not all of the vans/campers/conversions will have gone down the PV-camper conversion route as explained in the article. There may be the odd converter out there who can obtain unregistered vans, convert them & register them as Motor Caravans at 1st registration. Personally I don’t know of any. As explained in the article, there’s no advantage in having a van registered as a motor caravan at 1st reg. It would attract a much higher rate of road tax based on the value of the vehicle. The DVLA started all this around 4 years ago when they changed their policy of re-classifying conversions as MCs. There was a big panic in the industry & some of the big players kicked off. But it soon became apparent that it was all fuss over nothing as previously explained. Despite this, there’s still loads of confusion from the un/mis-informed, that some folk still persist in perpetuating.

 

[VanDamMan]

this might be an interesting read….

How to Re-register as a "Motor Caravan" with the DVLA - Base Campers ®

We often convert campervans from everyday panel vans. Re-registering as a motor caravan has lots of benefits. Find out how to change classification here.

www.basecampers.com

but if your not interested in changing vehicle status …that’s find as long as the new owner is aware

 

[Salty Spuds]

this might be an interesting read….

How to Re-register as a "Motor Caravan" with the DVLA - Base Campers ®

We often convert campervans from everyday panel vans. Re-registering as a motor caravan has lots of benefits. Find out how to change classification here.

www.basecampers.com

but if your not interested in changing vehicle status …that’s find as long as the new owner is aware

 

[Bricky206]

Hi all,

I’m hoping to be come the owner of a new campervan very shortly, but before doing so wanted to ask the thoughts of the very knowledgable people on this forum.

The van in the below ad is the one I’m hoping to buy. Could I ask what the forum members think in terms of the specification and whether the listed price is good value.

Campers4Sale

campers4sale.co.uk

I’m hoping to use the van across the UK and Europe, so would also be interested in thoughts on the size of the wheels and whether these are likely to lead to a rough ride.

I have done a lot of reading of the VW vans but as it’s such a large purchase price I’m feeling jittery

Thanks

Nick

Hi I have a very similar camper with same size wheels 72 plate , high line the ride is excellent