Best places to view T6s before buying?

A

AdventureT6

New Member
(First post so apologies if I’m not doing it the correct way)

Hi. I’m looking to view some used T6s in person to get a feel for the options before buying. I would like to see some T6s and maybe 6.1s, in both converted camper and unconverted forms. I’m based in Cornwall, but will be travelling up to Bristol, Yorkshire and the Lakes soon so can visit dealers etc. that way too.

Does anyone have any recommendations for the best places to do this?

Many thanks for your help.
 
T6 & T6.1 are out of production now. So the main dealers are out.

It will be the aftermarket garages that you need to visit.

Maybe some of the well know converters are worth a visit?

@BognorMotors
Leighton vans
Camper king
Three Bridges
Vision tech
Etc etc

But to be honest YouTube might be your best bet to get a visual idea on features.

Just go in YouTube and search for - vw campervan


.



Screenshot_20260518_071808_YouTube.webpScreenshot_20260518_071821_YouTube.webp
 
Have a look at the conversion companies online, be aware that the photos appear to show the inside of a Crafter not a Transporter, they are much smaller in real life.
There are some big players who churn out a mediocre product, don’t be swayed by the size of the company, none are cheap but some are better value than others.
Decide if you want to convert to your spec’ or buy a converted van.
Make a short list of conversions companies, phone a few and see how good they are at answering the phone and dealing with people.
Plan your route, I’d advise some unannounced visits and you’ll get to see how they operate in real life and not when somebody is visiting with ££K to spend.
Many will have some standard vans available to view.
 
Thanks @Dellmassive. That’s a good idea - I’ll look up those converters. Haha you should see my YouTube history - I think I’ve watched every available T6 video ever made in recent weeks!! I think I know what specs and features I’m looking for, but I’m hoping to see some in person just to be sure. I know in theory the reasons to get a SWB v LWB for example, but I don’t think I’ll properly appreciate the dimensions until I see them with my own eyes! Many thanks once again.
 
If it's a camper you want, id say deffo get a LWB for the extra space... We struggle with a two plus dog combo in our swb.

.


Dellmassive

Thread 'Dellmassive`s Camper Van Adventure'

Dellmassive`s Camper Van Adventure​

+++++++++++

After 8 camping trips away during this season (2022) its plainly evident that camping with a Tent and Panel van is hard work.
to date, we have always camped out in Tents and used the van to transport all the kit to the site.

1663668217282.png

Running out of space is a real problem . . . . and as we bring along the whole disco-tent and T6F communal setup, so space is a premium. . .

1663668414401.png

In fact this year we added the 500L roof box . . . . . to be able to get all the kit we needed to site.

1663668476219.png

no problem there . ...
  • Like
  • Love
 
A Dell says, if there are many of you and animals, or if you want to lug cycles, motorbikes, pianos, dead bodies rolled up in rugs, etc, inside the van then a LWB is worth considering.

If, like me, you only camp alone with the dog for company then a SWB is absolute manna from heaven, so think about your needs and don't get saddled with either a flavour you'll regret, or pay extra for something you might not need. A written list of essential and desirable criteria, and stick to it, will stop you going off piste.

If you're not especially clued up then stick to IVA and MCC approved converters if buying a converted van. This gives the best chance of a quality vehicle conversion, that they won't yank your chain if there's a problem, and that they won't fold the company and set up under a different name to avoid their obligations. The downside is they're likely to be spendy, but if like me you aren't super hot on campers it gives you the best chance of avoiding a shafting and getting something decent. It's one of those things where you do tend to get what you pay for.

And finally, be prepared to travel. It'd be daft to pass up a quality van at John O'Groats in favour of a less than stellar one on your doorstep. You'll be doing a lot of travelling in the van, so may as well get practicing!

Best of luck.
 
One thing we did before deciding to buy, was to hire a converted SWB van for a few nights away with the kids (one with a recently broken arm) and the dog to see how we all got on. We'd been long-time tent campers but became soft about sleeping on the floor so decided to upgrade.

I think we went away for four nights staying in two different campsites in the Lake District to get a feel for things. I think after day one we had already decided this was the way forward for us but it was good to have the initial experience.

One thing that did come out of it was the decision to go for a LWB van as the extra 400mm makes a massive difference for space and storage - especially as kids begin growing and filling out and taking up more room!
 
AdventureT6 said:
...will be travelling up to Bristol, Yorkshire and the Lakes soon so can visit dealers etc. that way too.

Does anyone have any recommendations for the best places to do this?
Click to expand...
Definitely a good idea to go see some vans to start getting a feel for what works for you. (We started off thinking a rear kitchen with toilet layout was what we wanted, until we saw one in the flesh/metal so to speak, and immediately ruled it out - but everyone has their own individual priorities / preferences)
I haven't personally been to either of these: Bodans (Shrewsbury) I believe have a solid reputation, Camperversions (Blackburn) no idea, but neither are too much of a diversion from your route north, and from their websites both appear to have a fairly good current selection to view, both SWB & LWB, T6 & 6.1

Good luck, have fun, and take your time! ;)
 
DXX said:
Have a look at the conversion companies online, be aware that the photos appear to show the inside of a Crafter not a Transporter, they are much smaller in real life.
There are some big players who churn out a mediocre product, don’t be swayed by the size of the company, none are cheap but some are better value than others.
Decide if you want to convert to your spec’ or buy a converted van.
Make a short list of conversions companies, phone a few and see how good they are at answering the phone and dealing with people.
Plan your route, I’d advise some unannounced visits and you’ll get to see how they operate in real life and not when somebody is visiting with ££K to spend.
Many will have some standard vans available to view.
Click to expand...
Thanks @DXX. I think we would prefer to get a van and build it to our spec, using converters for some of the work (eg the pop top) and do other bits ourselves (eg sound deadening, insulation). Thanks for the heads up regarding converters. We will choose carefully!
 
Dellmassive said:
If it's a camper you want, id say deffo get a LWB for the extra space... We struggle with a two plus dog combo in our swb.

.


Dellmassive

Thread 'Dellmassive`s Camper Van Adventure'

Dellmassive`s Camper Van Adventure​

+++++++++++

After 8 camping trips away during this season (2022) its plainly evident that camping with a Tent and Panel van is hard work.
to date, we have always camped out in Tents and used the van to transport all the kit to the site.

1663668217282.png

Running out of space is a real problem . . . . and as we bring along the whole disco-tent and T6F communal setup, so space is a premium. . .

1663668414401.png

In fact this year we added the 500L roof box . . . . . to be able to get all the kit we needed to site.

1663668476219.png

no problem there . ...
  • Like
  • Love
Click to expand...
@Dellmassive I’m almost certain we want a LWB as like you, we have a lot to transport. We have lots of adventure sports kit to shift, plus our family of 3. Only hesitation is parking in beach car parks, as we head to the beach at least once a week. Multi-storey car parks etc. aren’t an issue as we don’t intend to go anywhere other than nature spots in the van. I get the impression everything with vans comes down to priorities and compromises, so we’ll see once we have seen some in person.
 
Sasquatch said:
A Dell says, if there are many of you and animals, or if you want to lug cycles, motorbikes, pianos, dead bodies rolled up in rugs, etc, inside the van then a LWB is worth considering.

If, like me, you only camp alone with the dog for company then a SWB is absolute manna from heaven, so think about your needs and don't get saddled with either a flavour you'll regret, or pay extra for something you might not need. A written list of essential and desirable criteria, and stick to it, will stop you going off piste.

If you're not especially clued up then stick to IVA and MCC approved converters if buying a converted van. This gives the best chance of a quality vehicle conversion, that they won't yank your chain if there's a problem, and that they won't fold the company and set up under a different name to avoid their obligations. The downside is they're likely to be spendy, but if like me you aren't super hot on campers it gives you the best chance of avoiding a shafting and getting something decent. It's one of those things where you do tend to get what you pay for.

And finally, be prepared to travel. It'd be daft to pass up a quality van at John O'Groats in favour of a less than stellar one on your doorstep. You'll be doing a lot of travelling in the van, so may as well get practicing!

Best of luck.
Click to expand...
Good tips, thanks @Sasquatch. I didn’t know about IVA or MCC. Good point about travelling for the right van. We won’t be buying new, so our ideal spec, condition and price will likely require travelling to find. Thanks!
 
AdventureT6 said:
Thanks @Skyliner33 I checked Camper Jam out, but unfortunately I don't think we can travel that far outside of the school holidays. Will look out for something similar in the West Country though 🙂
Click to expand...
Don't you have some big VAG dealer nearby? They should have plenty of used/ex-lease T6.1s and they may attach to it 2-3 years full warranty...
 
ksm1701 said:
One thing we did before deciding to buy, was to hire a converted SWB van for a few nights away with the kids (one with a recently broken arm) and the dog to see how we all got on. We'd been long-time tent campers but became soft about sleeping on the floor so decided to upgrade.

I think we went away for four nights staying in two different campsites in the Lake District to get a feel for things. I think after day one we had already decided this was the way forward for us but it was good to have the initial experience.

One thing that did come out of it was the decision to go for a LWB van as the extra 400mm makes a massive difference for space and storage - especially as kids begin growing and filling out and taking up more room!
Click to expand...
This is a really good idea. Thanks @ksm1701. I think we might do this in our local area. Try the camping element, plus try some single lane tracks and beach car parks. Like you, we have done a tonne of tent camping, but have no experience or campervans.
 
FWhite said:
Don't you have some big VAG dealer nearby? They should have plenty of used/ex-lease T6.1s and they may attach to it 2-3 years full warranty...
Click to expand...
Haha I’m a serious newbie to Transporters as I had to Google ‘VAG dealer’ to know what you meant! Found one to go and have a look around on Friday. My gut says I may need to go for an older T6 due to budget constraints, but I’ll check out all our options. Thanks @FWhite!
 
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