Posted my "hello" thread last week and thought I would start a new thread on “Operation Connie”, (It will be named after the wife's Nan)
So the weekend was upon me and we have started the long road of ascertaining which camper would be right for our needs, no kids but 2 dogs will be our travelling companions.
A swift trip was on the cards to Tewkesbury to see the guys at The Camper Van Factory to get some ideas, advice and take a look around their stock and what they currently have under conversion. I must admit, they were excellent in answering what must have appeared to be some daft questions but as we are both new the whole camper thing I couldn’t fault them for their knowledge, patience and friendliness.
After an hour of interrogation, wandering around, snooping in all the little cubby holes, we have decided to go down the SWB route, the wife felt more comfortable in the SWB than the LWB.
Within an hour of leaving, they had supplied me with a list of their current stock and price lists which included the basic conversion, they’re shifting around 4 vans per week and their stock doesn’t hang around for long, it would have been very easy to become too impulsive, pick a van and handover some of the queens English and leave grinning like an idiot. However, we did refrain.
Next was a trip down to Big V Kampers & Kustoms in Swindon who specialise in all things conversion, met with the owner, Karl. He is like the oracle of the transporter world, very impressive set up, has over 20 staff working for him and an order book which is full until October, he gave us loads of sound advice on the conversion process and what to look for when sourcing a van, for either conversion or one that’s already been done.
I'm waiting for him to send me a spec list, we then pick what we want for the conversion, he will then tell us if it's doable on the budget that we're looking at. He is totally honest and upfront, no hidden agenda or last minute add-ons.
What’s next on the agenda I hear you ask?
Well, it will be to test drive a few different variants, preferably already converted to give an idea on power, drive comfort etc. I’m hoping to get down to Reading this weekend to do just this, as I said earlier, it’s very easy to be impulsive but I don’t want to buy the 1st thing that I see and regret, head over heart needs to be the way forward.
Once I know which engine type, size, power etc I want, the search will then start in earnest.
I do like the idea of sourcing a van and having the bespoke conversion, but as many on here would probably testify, the budget can run away from you very quickly when you start looking at all the Gucci kit that is on the market. Must remember head over heart.
Definitely not ruling out an oven ready van as patience is not my strongest point and having to wait for a conversion would send me bananas.
I shall keep this post updated of my findings and errant ramblings and hopefully in the not too distant future I will be posting in “Show us your T6”
All advice gratefully received.
Peace out.
Cuffy.
