Someone Else Thinking About A Crafter

Pete C

T30 102bhp camper
Moderator
VIP Member
T6 Legend
We were at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome show at the NEC today. At the back of our minds was the idea that we would like something a little bigger than our T6 at some point.
The show gave us loads of ideas about potential layouts, but the best for us was the VW Grand California on display there, a LWB model. Sadly it starts at £70k+ which is way out of our league, but it did make us realise that a LWB high roof Crafter was about the size we wanted.
There seem to be plenty available at a reasonable price at around 7-8 years old, so we are going to do some more digging, and possibly look at doing a DIY conversion on a Crafter, whilst keeping our T6, and then deciding to keep one or both when complete.
I have joined the FB forum, so will be doing a lot of research over the next few months.
Pete
 
For me, it’s the width of motorhomes that prevents us doing the things we like... such as exploring country lanes, driving through tiny villages etc. The crafter is narrow enough to get away with it.

Checkout RHALES
Richard specialises in crafter conversions. I know that you want to DIY but you’ll get some great ideas from his site.

Also put ‘campervan interiors’ I town app called pinterest.
It throws up lots of ideas and once you start clicking on pictures it leads you down rabbit holes with lots of similar stuff.

EDIT oh it’s you :rofl::rofl:
Sorry to repeat myself Pete. :thumbsup:
 
Sure are. He doesn’t set himself up as an expert unless of course it’s about stuff he knows, and he explains all in such detail.


BTW - re your self build, seriously consider installing a vapour barrier, I know some on here say no need. But Greg and I were messaging each other about it and he was most emphatic that it was vital and designing air con and ventilations systems is (was) his day job
 
Yes, vapour barrier is being looked at - seems straightforward to do.

Pete
 
all comments are great folks - starting to think Crafter after this year.
All pics very welcome etc
Cheers
 
For me, it’s the width of motorhomes that prevents us doing the things we like... such as exploring country lanes, driving through tiny villages etc. The crafter is narrow enough to get away with it.

That made me chuckle.

7.8m long, 2.8m high and 2.3m wide and we've taken this thing all over Europe, including some very tight roads.

Excuse the steel rear wheel, we had a blow out in Austria last week.

20200217_134357.jpg
 
I bet that you had a lot of fun in that TS :thumbsup:

When I did my first crafter test drive, I started from the VW showroom car park, and within 40 yards had to take it through a 6’6”width restriction. Easy peasy.

Restrictions are common in the smoke and several near me- and Sprinters and Crafters are to be found all over the place here too.
 
Last edited:
Still working my way through the YouTube videos

I reckon the biggest challenge is going to be the furniture units/shelves etc. Whilst I am sure I could find someone to supply them ready made, we want to go full DIY if we can. Also, there just isn’t the range of ready made units like you get for a Transporter.

Pete
 
Depending on budgets and other factors, if you can get the new shape crafters! They are leaps and bounds over the old one, we’ve had one of them for almost two years (18 Reg) and they are faultless. Driven the old crafters and had a (63 Reg) Mwb sprinter for a month before we got the crafter, night and day difference!
 
Still working on this. Obviously the pandemic has slowed things down, but we are starting to think about this again.
Spent a few hours looking back at various Greg Virgoe videos to get some detail stuff sorted in my mind.
Time to start looking at suitable vans again I think !

Pete
 
I’ve only just got a T6 but I’ve already decided that I want a Crafter next.
Love this guys work.

 
Couple of nice looking Crafters turned up on the Bay today.
Love the red one but doesn’t look like it’s got a shower.


 
They both have a sideways bed but haven’t got side pods, so will only sleep short ar5es. By the time noise/ cold insulation and wall coverings are taken into account they’ll be little leg room for anyone over 5’8”
 
There’s a nice Crafter on Dream Car Give Aways at the moment.

 
Back
Top