That’s very true. It was a bad example to give 🤦🏼‍♂️

@@rod_at_adelaide5766 Absolutely want an awning. An external BBQ point is also an option from the underslung tank, making it an easy click in 👍🏼

@@StaycationLifestyle The BBQ gas point is definitely a great idea!

Agreed. I’d much prefer to look at the van than me 😀 criticism has been taken on board 👍🏼

More options the better 🤣 I’m contemplating swamper myself 😄

I have the Bilsten b6 comfort suspension with eibach 60mm lift kit springs on my van with fuel colverts on BF goodridge k02s and the ride is amazing. I have just covered 13 000 miles in my van yesterday on the way back from caffeine and machine, I have driven my van to john o'groats this year ,had 4 weekend's away since Christmas and I have even had my van around the nurburgring ring .I have the 204 dsg and it still surprises me just how well its picks up its skirt and gets down the road . I've had more than 70 vehicle's since I past my driving test including a bmw m3 and a sierra cosworth to name but a few ,but my van has transformed my life .I couldn't see me without one again

It does make a big internal size difference, despite not sounding like a lot. Square space increase is pretty big

They look cooler aswell 😂

The argument that most camper conversion specialists make is that the SWB is more like a car or people carrier when driving.

​@@SteveFletcherGuitar Converters that push a certain configuration most likely have an agenda that suits either their conversion or the vans they have in stock. Drive or, better still, camp in each back-to-back and make you're own mind up.

Yeah, I didn’t exactly explain that very well 🤣

I would too and one would deffo be a VW California straight from the shop. 😁

There are orders in the pipeline which are due for delivery to the end of this year at least. Hopefully all orders will still be fulfilled.

There is an increase in leisure retailers having tanks installed to counteract this and it’s still going to be available at fuel depots. I like the 907, however if the rumours are true, that will be disappearing from the UK. Maybe, just maybe there is an alternative coming in a new conversion 🤔😃🤷🏻‍♂️

Everyone is different. Try a Duvalay, I’ve used those on rock n roll beds and make a big difference

@@StaycationLifestyle yup. That’s what I’ve got. 👍

@@clfehr08 Mmm, maybe you could try a thicker mattress topper and carry it on your pop top

Never mind, princess

@@robertcook2572😘

I will confirm why the conversion doesn’t have shades in a future video. However I do also prefer the look of them

I tend to disagree, one of the bigger changes in speed limits is the 20 mph through towns, I found that Google map has all those posted as it is constantly updated unlike satnav's where you have to pay for updates which most people don't. What I do find amazing is that secondary roads in the UK have a blanket limit of 60 mph even if driving on a virtually single lane that can barely fit one car down.

Had a look and it’s a no (from me). When you say better finish, can you explain? This appears from photos to have knock on edging? It’s not NCC Approved, it appears from the photos it wouldn’t be compliant. Where are the smoke and carbon dioxide alarms? Certainly one of the better priced campers though and I do like some of the features. Far better than a lot of the conversions out there.

@@StaycationLifestyle the smoke and co2 alarms are behind the drivers seat. The pop top and rock and roll bed are crash tested . All the appliances are domestic. Seats are Bentley stitched. Carpeted throughout. Table in the door. That’s all I’m addition to cool wheels of your choice, custom body kit, blinds, reverse camera and sensors. But if you like the big stock one go for it.

Just couldn’t see them 👍 What height are those units above the hob? Are they tested in vehicle? What chassis strengthening has been carried out? I know what you mean, but your not comparing apples with apples. These vans are Brand New and NCC Approved. I could get all those items you mentioned included, but only after registration as it wouldn’t meet approval otherwise, hence they are sold in this manner.

better finish cupboards are very flimsy and cheap.. the microwave cut out is awful very ill fitting you can see the ply board where they dont even use any edjing strip around the cut out..proper bob the builder finish. plus if you buy the camper with the runners for the rock and roll bed thats another big lazy bodge..the floor runners come past the fridge but the bed stops before the fridge so you end up with 18 inches of runners on the floor that do nothing all because they cant bother to cut them to size..

@@vanagon1966 I don’t know who you rented the van from because as far as I know Needingworth Campers don’t rent their vans only sell them, so perhaps it would be a good idea to clarify your comments .

Open the tailgate and it’s on the right next to the strut 👍

Absolutely, let’s get the important bits out the way first 🤣 Coffee is top of the priority list. Too be honest I’ve had that one for years. It was just a cheap one from Amazon, like this one amzn.to/40AhXr6 It’s been brilliant

@@StaycationLifestyle Perfect, I’ve just ordered one. Thank you.

@@janehirst2923 It’s fascinating to watch it make it. It’s theatre in itself and nice tasting coffee 😀

I have lots of tips, too many in this reply 😂 Send me an email and can share more. Have a few videos coming soon that may help. Take your time if your doing gradually, research and take inspiration from others.

Thanks for the reply. What is your email address?

Staycationlifestyle@icloud.com 👍

Yes they aren’t the widest of vehicles

They have some, or did I know they sell quick. They have a few more on order of varying specs. www.tamarcaravancentre.co.uk/new+used/motorhomes/filters/body/campervan/

Yes they are doors backwards like most. If I had one I would add the thermo liner in front doors, along with speaker upgrade. More on this will follow soon

Hi Paul, it is indeed a “motor caravan” on the V5. This is a “type approved” vehicle and has never previously been registered as a panel van. The vehicle is subject to various tests and must meet certain criteria for this approval. Regulations must be met in regards to gas, electrics etc along with upgrades to the structure of the base vehicle. There aren’t many conversion companies that can provide registered “motor caravan” vehicles. The process is very complex and costly.

@@StaycationLifestyleno mention on the dvla website of it being a camper

@@jackmason4374 I have just run a check and it shows motor caravan 🤷🏻‍♂️

@@StaycationLifestyle oh well I must be wrong

It’s Type Approved, so is never registered as a panel van. It has to be built to a certain specification with several enhancements a lot of other conversions don’t have. This is a link to the NCC, you can read regarding the approval aspect www.thencc.org.uk/Our_Schemes/cert_scheme.aspx

@@StaycationLifestyle thanks so much for replying, and the info 🙏🙏🏁🏁🏁

@@StaycationLifestyle hey buddy, one more question sorry, I forgot to ask about the black out blinds in the cab? I’ve been trying to find a company to fit some curtains around my window and windscreen like in a lorry/truck, but can’t find anyone. These in your vid look quite good? Any idea what they are please? Or brand? Thanks very much

I’m not sure of the brand. Just a quick search and these look like they could be the ones www.kiravans.co.uk/products/vw-t5-t6-curtain-kit-cab?variant=30858444439605&currency=GBP&+shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6cKiBhD5ARIsAKXUdyYu9UCwW57qhdXH2Pri8wJ7VNA3cQQHJMICCKfwaOgLouN_ti3dieEaAllfEALw_wcB

@@StaycationLifestyle thanks so much, massively appreciated. Have a great week

Yes, I did a video on this when the announcement was made. Converters still have orders that are being fulfilled and therefore Brand New vehicles can be ordered from them. I know several Type approved converters still have vehicles available to order

The new one is interesting, we will have to see when the details are released, what is shared with the Ford. In the meantime, has the 60 year story come to an end or is is lived on through the ID Buzz like the original “microbus”?

RIP VW heritage.

Multivan

This is a registered Motor Caravan from first registration because it’s type approved (like the California). It’s passed all the strict safety tests for this to happen.

Yes they did 👍

@@StaycationLifestyle is it bespoke in ballymena, Northern Ireland? I’ve been looking at one of their vans.

@@finnps8795 Yes that’s right. Great vans, with the works carried out properly.

I agree £50k is a lot of money, but it is a brand new type approved vehicle. VW’s just hold their value so well for many years. But obviously you can do the same in other vans, like your Vivaro, each to their own. A Ford does the same as a Ferrari too 🤷🏻‍♂️

@@StaycationLifestyle Just watched the end and hear you don't have the money either. I am becoming biased against new stuff, it never lasts and something always goes wrong and VW and Mercedes are among the main culprits....and when they do it costs big time. I am an engineer, very very old school (I.K.Brunel was my younger brother) and we say KISS (Keep it simple stupid) Thanks for the review.

@@allanb52 Modern stuff is very complicated, certainly not what it was. Faults harder to find as computers can mask the problem. Had a turbo go on a car a few years ago, instantly I thought it had gone. Limped to garage and explained what happened. They “plugged it in” and computer said it’s fine. I insisted it was the turbo, but they insisted it wasn’t. It was only when they removed the turbo they finally agreed I was right. New age “mechanics” reliant on a computer diagnosing faults

@@StaycationLifestyle There used to be a thing called MTBF (Mean time between failure) and it was calculated on the complexity of a device. When I was in Australia in the 80s and was quoting on a simple control system on a massive building in Sydney (the largest in the southern hemisphere), another company who won the job had a system with an MTBF rate I calculated as "minutes". They installed the system and it never worked, was taken out, at massive expense, which delayed the opening of the building by 5 months. Quality improved by reliability has fallen through complexity. My van has no second battery, no SC system and no solar and it works fine.

Actually we can’t all be perfect 🤷🏻‍♂️

@@StaycationLifestyle 😁

😊🙂🙂😊

Their telephone number is 01752 341133

Depends how wide the people are 😊 I agree it’s not the widest of beds, but it is a van

@@StaycationLifestyle Some, but not many, of these vans have a three seater bench which gives a wider bed; the cupboard units have to be correspondingly narrower, but still adequate for storage, plus more storage space under the wider bench.

Yes RIB have a 130cm bed which is wider and has the benefit of being able to carry 3 people in the rear

🫣

It’s personal preference, some like it, some don’t. Bigger vans have bigger beds but it’s harder to daily drive a motorhome sized van

I do understand your point, however as this can be used as a daily driver and I need a vehicle it makes sense. The cost is high at circa £62k in this spec, however the depreciation is nothing like buying a £62k car, they hold values extremely well. Buying a Campervan is buying into a lifestyle and in that regard, it doesn’t matter whether your van is worth £5k or £50k. If you think this is expensive, there are far more expensive conversions of transporters, which have none of the boxes ticked like this brand

No I wouldn’t rather spend it on a hotel, idiot

🤣 Point noted. Will bear in mind for the future 👍🏼

@StaycationLifestyle 🤣 I enjoyed it thank you, I have a t4 I converted a few years ago and looking at a revamp, looking for ideas for must haves, great info👍

I agree they are not the most spacious, however depreciation is a positive for them. They do not depreciate as quickly as comparable vehicles. The prices in the 2nd hand market shows that

@@StaycationLifestyle yes but their not selling like they were and when you look at the prices for a small space, an uncomfortable that 2 can barely sleep on it does make you wonder why people dont spend the same if not less or a proper motorhome camper

@@pauldavies7251 considering ive had 2 before the scene tax went on and been a vw tech for 20 years so i work on plenty sadly, yeah people buy them to follow a trend, sleep on a 3/4 width small uncomfortable bed and think they look cool all while spending an absolute fortune to mainly sit at vw festivals with other like minded mid life crisis people :)

@@mandismith89you win 😂

I haven't read so much rubbish expressed in so few words for a long time. Well done!

Something for me to be aware of for future videos 👍

Why don’t you start your own YT channel if you think you can do better 🤡

What would you choose instead?

@@StaycationLifestyle After thinking about the camper van, motorhome,caravan choice issue, we went for a 4 birth fixed bed caravan, it was the best option for us, we went for more space, more comfort, and an island bed all for 20 grand. we were at the Campervan and motorhome show at Newbury last year V dubs were priced at up to 80 grand , with the best will in the world, no VW is worth that!

Some are really expensive, some are over £100k, which is crazy. A caravan is definitely a good option (I have one myself at the moment), however they are different as I can’t drive my caravan to the beach front and eat tea from it, or easily park up for an off grid overnight stay. You can’t daily drive a caravan to have the facilities. Each vehicle car, Campervan, motorhome and caravan are all for differing purposes. None is better than the other, they just suit different needs.

Not if you want it to be a daily driver/regular use vehicle also. Have the leisure lifestyle without having a vehicle to big to use regular. And if you look at residual values, the ownership over the lifetime can be lower than other manufacturers

Sorry, You miss the point, I was talking about testing this specific van as it’s on paper excellent, being type approved, high safety standards and premium components. This is cheaper than most VW conversions, So it shouldn’t be as good as it is. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Yes VW’s are expensive, but residuals are higher. Old vehicles still have value. With campers, some buy them because of the huge availability of aftermarket parts, accessories, clubs, festivals, help and support. But VW’s aren’t for everyone

@@StaycationLifestyle look, I know my campervans. The VW attracts the open wallet cult. One channel I used to watch on BooTube, were a couple, they had a band new two tone Cali.. They purchased brand news seat covers for their van. Around 3/400 quid. Of course, just for channel views, becauae vehicle seat covers are pretty resilient, but they were appealing to the bottomless pockets of the VW cult. And it is a cult. If I were in the market for this size of van, I'd go for the Ford. What a great looking van, and you can seriously pimp them up. Me, I'm in a Citroen Relay self converted. 3L2H. I can stand up, it's double bed is fixed. I've a 90lt fridge freeze, masses of solar, and a 250ah carbon battery. Used to have 4x 110 amp hours. 4 belted seats & loads of solar. I've done 10 days in cloudy rainy Northern Highland off grid. I did 2 months in France, September and October without one hookup, and that's running my 90lt fridge freezer and my power hungry CPAP machine. I can remember being at Shegra campsite in August one year. Well, it was wild. There was a VW there, with an awning that was bigger than his van, and some. He was with his partner and two lambs. What is the point? The big VWs are 'ugly', with a terrible design flaw. Fridge opens by the open side door.... Try loading your fridge after shopping, with the Sun beating down. The fridge will take 6 hours to recover. And then there's the central isle, you'd need to be size 0. Anyway, I'm ranting. I've held these views for a very long time, so don't take this as a personal dig. At least the VW sect is around 20 places behind the Apple sect... don't start me off! These were objective, and constructive comments.

@@StaycationLifestyle looks like you blocked me.

@@CarlJones14 😀 No offence taken. VW stuff can be expensive, your right. The Ford does drive very well. It’s going the be interesting to see what the new Ford/VW partnership for the Transit/Transporter brings. Your van sounds great and that is what the lifestyle is about. It doesn’t matter what van people have, it’s about using it, enjoying the lifestyle it brings. Different vans suit different people, as do cars and houses. Everyone has different needs and budgets

@@StaycationLifestyle tried to reply, but blocked.