woolybanana Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 The curse of the Bananas is beginning to course in my veins again and I will have to go a'roaming awhile I fear. But this time, instead of doing a Walter Starkie, we might be a bit more sensible and get a camping car. So, has anybody out there got one, has anyone advice on the purchase of a modest two birth-ish vehicle, not new, perhaps on a Volkswagen base.What of importing from, say, Belgium; is this practical, do-able or do the DRIRE make it a real pain?Me, two dogs and a duck called Emily will be most grateful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 Being a middle aged hippie myself, the only camper van I'd be seen in is a split screen VW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerdesal Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 Who is Walter Starkie ????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted April 20, 2009 Author Share Posted April 20, 2009 Irish prof of Lit. of the pre-Spanish Civil War era who had gypsy blood and who used to don old clothes every summer and just go off walking in Spain with his fiddle. Spent a lot of time with gypsies, best known for 'Spanish Raggle Taggle' but there is also some good poetry I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunday Driver Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 I have a Hymer A-Class (that means a gin palace in motorhomespeak) which I originally imported from Germany to the UK then brought it across to France. A few hoops to jump through over here, but no big deal.In your case, the secret is to buy a pukka conversion from a Euro company such as Westfalia - they are the specialists in Volkswagen conversions (they are now owned by Volkswagen). They also offer a top of the range 'James Cook' model based on the Mercedes Sprinter and a very nice 'Nuggett' model based on the Ford Transit. Check out their website for details. You can pick up recent second hand vehicles but be aware that campers do tend to be expensive.Whilst commercial vehicles don't yet fall within the Euro type approval system, the continental camper manufacturers will have organised EU-wide approval for their latest conversions as 'specialist vehicles', so that they can issue the magic EU certificates of conformity which makes the import process a cinch - even coming from Belgium.....[;-)]You can find lots more information about Westies from the [url=http://www.dmiuk.com]UK importer[/url]. Whilst I have no business connection with them, the German owners are old friends of mine.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted April 20, 2009 Author Share Posted April 20, 2009 Thank you SD, I shall follow up your pointers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 Oh, SD, please re-post that picture you posted once with the his and hers toilets and the cat flap?It made me laugh so much...........[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sid Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Hey, I've seen SD's camping car and it is definitely the dogs whatsits! By the time you've walked from one end to another you could alomost be in another country, that's how big it is! [:D]SidEdit: Just noticed a post 3 or 4 below this thread about someone selling a campervan. Just like a dating agency, linking buyers and sellers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted April 21, 2009 Author Share Posted April 21, 2009 Yes Sid, I did see the post but wanted a bit more guidance really from people who have experience of the things. Clearly SD's is far too posh for us poor mortals!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre ZFP Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Wooly - have sent you an email regarding a VW Campervan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Here's a bargain ensemble just to get you startedhttp://www.leboncoin.fr/vi/47319347.htm?ca=18_s Hope that helps. [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted April 21, 2009 Author Share Posted April 21, 2009 Trouble with portapotties is the overhang!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted April 21, 2009 Author Share Posted April 21, 2009 Thanks Pierre, nothing come through so far. Maybe a pm might work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre ZFP Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 OK have resent it as a PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f1steveuk Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 There is a Ford equivelent of the Mazda Bongo (honestly!) which comes in various forms, lift up roofs, sinks, cookers etc etc, all factory fitted, there's usually several (in many of the forms) on Ebay if you want to have a look Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weedon Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 [quote user="Christine Animal"]Here's a bargain ensemble just to get you startedhttp://www.leboncoin.fr/vi/47319347.htm?ca=18_sHope that helps. [:)][/quote]Blimey Mrs A! What's wooly going to do with a bidet, toilet AND a German helmet? And he will surely need a ladder user certificate from HSE won't he?I looked for months on Leboncoin, but they all seemed to have been to the moon and back and were going for massive money, seems that CC owners haven't heard of the credit crunch.Have a look on Autotrader UK as well wooly. If you specify LHD it will save you trawling through loads.I found mine in the other place...you know nudge nudge[;-)]And big thanks to SD for his great advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave21478 Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 The problem with older VW`s is that they have become more than just a camper - its a Lifestyle scene, a fashion and a way of life for some, hence prices are kept artificially high by demand. It used to only be split-window and bay-window campers that this applied to, but it is spreading through the T4 and other newer ranges now as they become more and more popular in the "scene". For the same money, you ar elikely to get newer, better specced camper from most of the non VW marques. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted April 22, 2009 Author Share Posted April 22, 2009 Thanks for the help guys, I'll keep gathering information and looking I think, prior to a swoop in the autumn. But if you hear of anything worth looking at, please let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemer1150 Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 B series Hymers are worth a look - they're 4-5 berth, which means they sleep two in reasonable comfort, are very well built (and warm in winter and cool in summer), aren't too big to park at the supermarket and are reasonably economical to run. Not too expensive in Germany, where we picked up a low-kilometrage Fiat-based '92 one, with one previous owner and FSH. They have a solid following, but don't seem to have the inflated VW scene prices.Thanks to SD's help we re-registered ours here without much of a problem, and nearly two years later it should still fetch more than we paid for it.Camping Cars are definately not cheap, but they do seem to hold their value! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Wooly, I thought you were interested in attracting women?Somehow I don't think a camper van filled with two dogs and Emily would have much pulling power?[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted April 22, 2009 Author Share Posted April 22, 2009 No Sweets, I give up on women Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted April 22, 2009 Author Share Posted April 22, 2009 Thanks Beemer, I am beginning to think that a trip to Germany or Belgium is in order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 [quote user="woolybanana"], I give up on women[/quote]What, all of us? That's a bit drastic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clair Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Has WoolyBanana has found a woman to keep him on the straight and narrow? [:P] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share Posted April 23, 2009 One keeps trying but one is not the beautiful young thing one once was, alas!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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