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Welshmike

Hi Guys,

Im new to the forum and new to motorhoming/campervans. My best friend Jamie and I are in the middle of planning our biggest and most ambitious adventure ever and i would like some advice and help to guide me through what im sure will be a fun but complex trip....

We are looking to buy and modify a van to travel around Europe next summer before we enter our final year at university. We are both doing a placement year this year and plan to buy the van soon and slowly modify it to our needs.

We don't have a huge budget and we are aware that there are alot of different products on the markets so any advice and wisdom would be much appreciated.

I have lots of question but the main ones are:
- What would be a good van to buy for our needs?
- Would it be best to buy a fixer uper or just a van and start from scratch?
- What are the common mistakes made?
- And really any other advice you can give me on any asspect of it and things i will need to know and be aware of.

hilldweller

>> - Would it be best to buy a fixer upper

If you want it something "right" and soon that gets my vote. If you just do a rush job on a bare van you spend a load on parts and it may be valueless afterwards unless you are very skilled.

>> - What are the common mistakes made?

I guess getting it finished on time or at all.

You have a good plan, start tomorrow.

peejay · Campsite DB Admin

Hi;

If it was me - then with a bit of hindsight and experience from my youth - i'd buy a cheapish reliable van (VW?), maybe put a few windows in if budget allows, do a bit of basic insulation to keep the heat out more than in if you're heading for hot climes, chuck a mattress and basic cooking facilities and a potapotti in the back, then go and enjoy yourself........

pete

Motorhomersimpson · Moderator

Hi Mike,

Thing is you may well buy a cheap van and have no end of problems - mechanical wise - as most cheap vans would/may have been used as work vehicles, hence high mileage and some, not all, will have been abused.

Far better IMHO you and your mate look for a cheap camper already converted. The home converted ones will/may be cheaper than the provisional converted vans, but a manufactures converted camper/motorhome will easier to move on when you come to sell it, presuming you decide to that is. Lots of people like yourself get hooked on the camping life style Very Happy

Also, buying a manufucatures converted vehicle, owners tend to treat them with great care and spend money on it when needed.

Take a look on eBay regular, not sure what your budget is but there are often campers, even Motorhomes cheap on there.

MHS…Rob Very Happy