Think we gonna need a bigger boat

[Macp]

So just a few trips in and I realised I screwed up. Spent way too much money finding and buying my perfect van and then spent way too much making it into a posh estate (thanks to Bognor) that you can actually only sleep in. I didn’t want a pop top or kitchen and cabinets

The upshot is we need more space. Swmbo wants to keep the van a bit longer and bin the Ovano switch for something like Cymru Campers do. But for me im worried that we will continue to be frustrated, and we cant throw even more money at the van. And still have the same space. My other concern is knowing its value now given that it will start to really lose more with more miles.

Its a great van, twin door with tailgate. Serviced to the hilt cambelt & waterpump, glow plugs all done recently. 1 previous owner currently at 104k - 2021 150bhp Highline manual. Flatdog rack with ARB awning and Ovano Switch narrow system. LED (THQ) front & rear headlamps. Recent suspension upgrade by CRS. With TT towbar and 13pin electrics. Navis wheels & Falken tyres etc, etc.

Is it worth mid twenties, more or less

 

[TJH1985]

I know a few folk who have been through this and got a small caravan for the longer trips

Best of both then, you can get set up on site and day trip out in the van still fitting under car park barriers etc.

I had a caravan before a Van though so biased

 

[Paynewright]

What about some sides for the awning or a utility tent / shed tent?

We’re just starting our first long week away with a full width DIY bed, swivel seats and a Farros poled drive away awning tent so I’ll report back if we’re still married.

Currently on day 3 and SWMBO says we need a ‘tidy up’ as constantly rearranging clutter / kit.

The (sportscraft) swivel seats make a massive difference and really open up the space inside and give somewhere to lounge if the weather inclement.


We’re sticking with this arrangement for a few years and see how we get on, tweaking the kit as we go (solar & batteries next). The one thing we find appealing with a bigger van, like a MWB crafter / MAN is minimal set up / pack down time as we’re hoping to do multi location European tours.

Good luck with your choices.

 

[Paynewright]

Spot the @Grim Reaper Cadac wind shields in use ;-)

 

[Macp]

What about some sides for the awning or a utility tent / shed tent?

We’re just starting our first long week away with a full width DIY bed, swivel seats and a Farros poled drive away awning tent so I’ll report back if we’re still married.

Currently on day 3 and SWMBO says we need a ‘tidy up’ as constantly rearranging clutter / kit.

The (sportscraft) swivel seats make a massive difference and really open up the space inside and give somewhere to lounge if the weather inclement.


We’re sticking with this arrangement for a few years and see how we get on, tweaking the kit as we go (solar & batteries next). The one thing we find appealing with a bigger van, like a MWB crafter / MAN is minimal set up / pack down time as we’re hoping to do multi location European tours.

Good luck with your choices.

View attachment 330300

Thanks yes we have an awning room. But its interesting you point out the same as us. Clothes everywhere and clutter. And constantly trying to remember where you put something.

If we go bigger its doubtful we would be able to afford a MAN. Maybe just maybe a Crafter or merc. But most probably a Ducato/Boxer. Hence why im trying to find out what mine is worth.

 

[PKJ59]

We got our van last year & now use it for shorter stays especially where we couldn’t get to in our caravan or like last weekend when it was just me & a friend in his van. SWMBO hated the lack of space at first & wanted to get rid, but after listening to what other people had to say (not me of course) has come round a little. I rather think a very wet weekend would kill it off for her though especially with 2 soggy dogs returning after the essential morning walk. That said for me you can just up sticks when you know the weather is good & use non bookable sites or stopovers. We’re not spring chickens anymore & it’s definitely more comfortable than tent camping, but because we’ve been using the caravan for about 20 years I get where she’s coming from. Next trip mid July to Betwsycoed for a week will be towing the caravan & I’ve often thought we could use the van too if we’d traveled some distance away from the site for the odd night. Obviously that would incur more site fees unless it’s a pub stopover or something similar. What we did find last time we both went away just for one night was we stopped on the way twice, had a lovely lunch and got to the destination mid afternoon and had a walk, tea in the van then pub for a few in the evening. Then stopped off for a nice woodland dog walk on the way back. The thing we both commented on was it seemed much longer than a one night stay. Generally using the caravan we just get to where we’re going & same on returning. I love the van but I think the Jury’s still out with the Mrs

 

[DXX]

The bigger the van the more stuff you will take and much of that stuff won’t have a dual use or maybe even be used at all.
Less is more.
Two of us live off grid for 3 months at a time and it’s relatively easy.

 

[Macp]

Thanks folks, I need convincing that swmbo is right and we should keep the van.

Any thoughts on the value ?

 

[64 SPLIT]

Do you have another vehicle to use instead of the van as a daily? Worth considering if it's your only mode of transport - parking and navigating in something the size of a Sprinter soon gets tiring if you're using it as a daily and will SWMBO want/need to drive the bigger van if you get one? You won't get in the majority of multi-storey carparks and even many 'outdoor' ones have height limits.
It's a pretty big jump from a SWB Transporter to anything LWB. Even a LWB Transporter only just fits in a normal supermarket carpark space.

As for value - check eBay and the usual 2nd hand places to get an idea of prices. If you do decide to sell - stick it at the highest and see if you get any interest. Much easier to drop the price than be inundated with tyre-kickers and realise you've advertised it too cheap.

 

[Macp]

Do you have another vehicle to use instead of the van as a daily? Worth considering if it's your only mode of transport - parking and navigating in something the size of a Sprinter soon gets tiring if you're using it as a daily and will SWMBO want/need to drive the bigger van if you get one? You won't get in the majority of multi-storey carparks and even many 'outdoor' ones have height limits.
It's a pretty big jump from a SWB Transporter to anything LWB. Even a LWB Transporter only just fits in a normal supermarket carpark space.

As for value - check eBay and the usual 2nd hand places to get an idea of prices. If you do decide to sell - stick it at the highest and see if you get any interest. Much easier to drop the price than be inundated with tyre-kickers and realise you've advertised it too cheap.

Cheers buddy
Fortunately we also have a Skoda Citigo which is a damn good little car. She always tells me our van doesnt feel like hers as like a tw*t I made all the decisions. Lovely van and it looks the nuts, but for what we personally wanted it for its currently missing the mark.

 

[Paynewright]

Don’t be so harsh on yourself unless you try something you’ll never know. Just evolve it!!

We’ve always camped on air mattresses on the floor - our DIY full width bed and blackout curtains gives us the best sleep ever while camping - its bliss! Hence we’ll put up with other shortfalls.

 

[PKJ59]

The bigger the van the more stuff you will take and much of that stuff won’t have a dual use or maybe even be used at all.
Less is more.
Two of us live off grid for 3 months at a time and it’s relatively easy.

3 months without a shower

 

[DXX]

3 months without a shower

We shower every day?

 

[PKJ59]

We shower every day?

Obviously your off grid just means no EHU I was thinking a field with nowt

 

[DXX]

Obviously your off grid just means no EHU I was thinking a field with nowt

You were correct, generally a beach carpark with no ‘facilities’. A couple of hours in the Atlantic most days and a shower afterwards, the van has water tanks and a shower setup.

 

[Macp]

Don’t be so harsh on yourself unless you try something you’ll never know. Just evolve it!!

We’ve always camped on air mattresses on the floor - our DIY full width bed and blackout curtains gives us the best sleep ever while camping - its bliss! Hence we’ll put up with other shortfalls.

Thankyou for the empathy buddy.

 

[Macp]

So just to round this up, the wife looked at me sternly in bed last night and said "we are not selling this van. Not yet". She went on, we will change up the back and make do for a bit. And then when we are ready a bigger van will be next.

 

[Dellmassive]

We've been

So just to round this up, the wife looked at me sternly in bed last night and said "we are not selling this van. Not yet". She went on, we will change up the back and make do for a bit. And then when we are ready a bigger van will be next.

We've Having the same conversation.

 

[DXX]

So just to round this up, the wife looked at me sternly in bed last night and said "we are not selling this van. Not yet". She went on, we will change up the back and make do for a bit. And then when we are ready a bigger van will be next.

Just put one of those U shaped fluffy rugs around the pisspot, that should keep her quiet for a few weeks.

 

[z1ts]

a small caravan for the longer trips

Is this not a decent option? Or would it be a PITA for you to store?