Friendee Bongo Delica Noah Elgrand Stpwgn ?

[Matthew P]

Gladys's friend, Vera Volvo, is getting a little cranky and Mrs Peacock would like something with facilities to make cups of tea while I rig Gladys or even perhaps "camp" without actually lying on the ground.  John, Tom and other  Swallowyott owners have enthused about what a great combination a campervan makes with a Bayraider.

We don't want anything too big - so not a motorised caravan. A 4WD VW would be nice, especially with those smoo-ooth electric doors, awnings, pop-up bedrooms and stuff but pricey. I think Tim has the right idea with a commercial van, a mattress and a bucket but Mrs P says I'm on my own if I do that.

Now we're looking at Japanese imports.  They look good value. Mostly about 10 years old but have steering wheels on the right side, are clean, immaculately maintained (allegedly), less than 80K miles.  Apparently,  if the bigger engined variety are converted to LPG, running costs almost become acceptable.   So - has anybody got useful experience or opinions to share?

Matthew
BR20 Gladys       

[Steve Joyce]

you do see a lot of these around but you may find them a little compact. we love our van which we had part converted and a kit to finish off (sounds familiar)... so ended up with a 4yr old trannie van with a new interior for about 13K.

[Matthew P]

you do see a lot of these around but you may find them a little compact. we love our van which we had part converted and a kit to finish off (sounds familiar)... so ended up with a 4yr old trannie van with a new interior for about 13K.

Looks very nice Steve.  Did you do much work on it yourself and how long did it take?

Matthew

[garethrow]

Hi Matthew
Senior management and I reached this decision about 4 years ago. We had a look around at various ready-made options but thought they all looked incredibly expensive. We then got lucky and visited Poppit Campers, a family owned Cardigan based company, not unlike Swallow Boats, who specialise on conversion to your own spec. They will give you ideas and options, but basically you can have what you want. The overall cost depends on how much you pay for a second hand van to begin with, how smart you want the finished product, and how many ‘luxuries’ you have. Generally though much better value for money result.

Our thinking was that we just wanted 2 berths as the kids have long since lost interest in camping – unless it at a festival awash with beer and …….  Our next decision was to go for a fixed bed as we didn’t want to be putting one up and down each day. This effectively meant we were looking for a Citroen Relay, Fiat Ducato or Peugeot Boxer – which are wide enough to take a 6’ bed cross ways across the back end. (Note that these 3 vans are effectively the same vehicle out of the same factory but with different trims / finishes to each make). We had the bed fairly well raised up to create a ‘garage space’ underneath it accessed through the rear doors. This is a wet gear space into which goes all wet oileys / wellies / outboard motor etc.

The length of van you get (SWB / MWB / LWB) dictates how much more stuff you can cram in. We went for a MWB – as it is parkable in town in a conventional parking slot, is just short enough to be covered by RAC standard cover, and we didn’t want to be looking too big anyway. A high roof version is critical when buying to give headroom when standing. With our MWB we fitted in a small loo, a passenger seat for two, with removable table, a sink, 2 burner stove, various storage cupboards, water tank, central heating. No shower – a LWB version would be needed for that.
So – we have been the proud owners of a red MWB Peugeot Boxer – “Henry” for 4 years and vary much enjoy getting out and about – both with and without boat in tow. Happy to talk on phone if required.

Regards

Gareth
Gwennol Teifi S17

[garethrow]

With a bit of prompting from Matthew I attach a couple of photos of  'Our Henry', one being at the campsite in Bala with beach for launching free, and the other in the Cotswolds showing the wet gear 'garage' arrangement.

Regards

Gareth Rowlands
Gwennol Teifi S17

[jonno]

Suggestions for a campervan to tow Gladys, Matthew?

Get yourself some middle-of-the-road sort of camper.  Make some subtle go-faster modifications.  Occasionally, recruit a world-class racing driver.  Oh, and get a co-driver the size of Belgium.

And all the rest of us will see of you is your tail lights disappearing in the distance.

Have we been here before?

[Matthew P]

Thanks Jonno. And I'll try to keep it upright too. 
Matthew

[Matthew P]

I was getting interested in a Japanese import Mitsubishi Delica but:

a) Delica is a silly name
b) They look a bit too butch
and
c)  Mrs Peacock says a Garden Room is a higher priority than a new Friendee, Bongo, Delica or whatever for Gladys.

I can get over a) and b) but not c), so it looks like Vera Volvo's retirement is postponed. I'd still like to know if anyone has Delica or Bongo experience.

What Mrs Peacock has not yet realised is that a "Garden Room" would be perfect for building a Trooper or similar.  But don't tell her.

Matthew 
BR20 Gladys

[Tim Riley]

Matthew,
The obvious choice is to upgrade your boat to a BRe and tow your sleeping accommodation behind you. I dont know what is wrong with a mattress in the back of a van although I have noticed a certain turn over in my crew members (nothing to do with turn over of bayraiders I am sure - but we wont go there just now)

I am now well on the way to my upgrade, mind you I am still not entering the competitive world of Campervan and BRe!

Recently we made a trip to West Wales, Its not everyday you can visit your boat at the builders being finished so recently made a pilgrimage to Cardigan with Mrs R. She made encouraging comments about the BRe cabin so maybe the plush cushions will entice her away more than the van did.
 
Of course such purchases usually have to have equivalent financial mitigation measures to be taken, however these now seem to be being taken to the extreme. Started off with some new windows that turned into a re-build of the front of the house, then it was a new floor in kitchen, upgrade of insulation and yesterday I found a carpet fitter in residence. Best not mention a garden room I think.

Tim

[Matthew P]

Good point Tim and if I was buying a new boat I might be tempted by a BR Expedition. However, the open cockpit BR20 version suits my needs well and now I'm quite fond of Gladys, even if she does surprise me at times. I like the gaff rig, cockpit space, visibility and when occasion requires, being able to row with decent length oars.

My son asks why not avoid the trouble of a campervan and use the money saved to stay in hotels - obviously something went seriously wrong with his education. I stay in enough hotels in my work life so I like camping but could do without the bother of erecting a tent.  And once the garden-room "equivalent financial mitigation measure" project is underway Mrs P will eventually agree provided that she can make cups of tea in style and comfort while I rig the boat.  Unfortunately a van with a mattress doesn't meet her exacting standards for style and comfort, although I find this hard to understand. 

So, encouraging reports of campervan joy that I can pass onto Mrs P are very welcome. 

Matthew
BR20 (without a lid) Gladys

[garethrow]

Matthew

Mrs R and I spent a very pleasent 10 days touring NW Scotland in our Henry at the end of October, spying out potentail launch and retrieve sites amongst other things. We had a really great time, despite some mixed weather, which would not have been possible in a tent. Eat well, slept well, drank well etc etc. The van does tend to rack around a bit overnight when wind speeds exceed 60mph, but not enough to spill the wine.

We did the maths re B&Bs  vs capital investment. If you take a long term view and go for a conversion (which saves heaps of dosh) there really isn't much in it, and having it parked on the drive is a good incentive to get out there into the great outdoors - with or without boat in tow.

Regards

Gareth
Gwennol Teifi S17

[Matthew P]

Thanks Gareth, just what I want to hear!

Matthew