Moving on from a T6

[John A]

I just don't know if the perfect van exists.
I think a LWB T6 or 6.1, with a rear seat on sliding rails that can be in the regular rear seat position in normal use and slid as far back when being used as a bed, combined with swivel front seats would be the best use of space. But then there's no onboard shower and, without a pop-top or a high roof, I can't stand up inside and that's what takes me to the coach built options. But I just don't want another vehicle that only comes out three or four times a year.

 

[kipperman]

I have written this before on the forum ( therefore apologies), but we went the MAN way and bespoke conversion. Primarily because there will only ever be two of us, but also because all the off shelf versions had bog/shower which largely removed all the extra space that you got from upsizing from a T6. So fits two of your categories - no pop top ( oh the joy of unrestricted headroom) and the bed permanently down. I have to confess this was largely a pink job, but keeping the memsahib happy is a priority.

We did in fact wild camp in the parking field in Arc et Senans last night after seeing Sting in concert ( bit of discretion behind a hedge sorted out no 1's in the morning) but beyond that have no intention to camp other than in camp sites.

No regrets, but yes it was a pricey option and we love the fact that it is different to the majority of Fiat Ducato based clones.

 

[Stay Frosty]

We had a chance to look at the Crafter California at Busfest last year and at the local Vindis when we were having the water changed in our washer bottle.
Not sure what the preoccupation with a fixed bed is with the SWB in particular as the actual remaining seating area looks to be no larger than a SWB Transporter and it's probably just me but they look like they were designed by the guy who came up with the original Nissan Juke.
Ironically I've just posted this picture on another thread but...

Compared to...

Or...

 

[cgtmiles]

Those of you who have managed to move on from a transporter can we see those vans?

 

[JumpShip]

Not moved on but have this aswell , much prefer the vdub .
Gonna swap it for a crafter/MAN at some stage .

 

[Sasquatch]

I went the other way. My Elddis was getting so little use I decided to consolidate vehicles and get something smaller, somthe Elddis and my XC90 went and I replaced both with the 6.1.

The 6.1 is not as practical for camping - although I now only canp solo with my dog, so even that is no longer a concern - but can be effectively used as a car when required. Couldn't really let the missus taken the Elddis to work while her car was in for a service, or use it for one of my regular hospital appointments.

This isnt my particular vehicle , but is otherwise near identical.

 

[JumpShip]

Our motorhome is 7.4m and our bus is 5m long , something in between i reckon is the sweet spot and something I can stand up in without a poptop.
Also having had the fiat I prefer something else .

 

[Sackmycook]

Just over 6m, low(ish) profile and our second attempt at a suitable MH....

Looking forward when I get it to being to pass each other without difficulty inside

 

[kipperman]

Needs a bit of a clean

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

Needs a bit of a clean
View attachment 333405

Pics of inside?

 

[kipperman]

Pics of inside?

Somewhat lived in as you might expect

 

[Sackmycook]

How do you find that aircon unit?

 

[kipperman]

Pics of inside?

View attachment 333416View attachment 333417

How do you find that aircon unit?

Couldn't live without it now - especially at night. Does hum a bit, but not intrusively so.

 

[Pete C]

We went this route:

Thread 'Life after a T6 camper'

10 Aug 2024

Life after a T6 camper, or “how we chose a bigger van”.

I got Pauly’s agreement to post this thread. It has virtually no VW content, but it might help others thinking about going up a size.

We built our T6 camper from a Trendline 2016 panel van, during 2017/2018. It was always designed just for 2 (kids have left home).

Build thread here: T6 SWB camper build

We then used it a lot travelling around the UK, and a decent amount of Europe. However we started to hanker after something bigger. In particular we wanted more space generally, something more comfortable in the colder...

• Pete C
• Replies: 42
• Forum: The Pub

• 
• 

There is a useful FB forum, and as it is Ducato based, there is loads of info around.

But I suspect it is too long for you.

Pete

 

[SlightlyDisturbed]

We pretty much realised that, certainly for our use case (read: old farts away year-round for several weeks at a time), there isn't a one-size-fits-all.

We spent many summer weeks away in the Caravelle in the configuration below, but as we wanted to spend more time on the continent in the winter/spring months, living and working in a T6 was never going to be practical.

We have ended up with what I think is the perfect compromise for us: we have the Caravelle in day/summer-overnight configuration year-round; 7 seats, as we do a lot of grandparent duties, VanEssa pods in the rear windows for some clothes, a SteeFree and sliding shelf in the boot with debus awning, lightweight camping table & chairs, cooker, Jackery and fridge.

For longer trips, we bought this earlier this year to allow us to get away more in the winter/spring months for a working break. Fixed rear bed, a double over-cab and "downstairs" single, bathroom facilities, and Starlink mounted in the top window for the all-important working from home.


Aug 25 Dordogne


Feb 26 just south of Valencia

 

[cgtmiles]

View attachment 333388
Not moved on but have this aswell , much prefer the vdub .
Gonna swap it for a crafter/MAN at some stage .

The luxury of getting the bigger van AND keeping the t6
Very jealous!

 

[cgtmiles]

Thanks everyone for sharing some great vans either but if I’m honest @kipperman van is really the only one the captures my interest. So that van has no bog/shower etc? So what does it have? The garage space looks limited too but it does look like it has loads of storage!

 

[JumpShip]

The luxury of getting the bigger van AND keeping the t6
Very jealous!

Don't be too jealous , we havent got a t6 only an old t5.1 but yes still feel lucky to have both.