Practically Classics Forum

Hello

I'm looking for a bit of advice with regards to commercial van based campervans/ motorhomes. I have recently become a father and my beloved 1984 freightrover Sherpa campervan is looking distinctly small
I am slowly and painfully realising that i need a van that can accommodate a small family and above all has a separate toilet compartment, (late night runs across camp sites is no longer a novelty)
specifically a van that can grow with the family, but not so big i can't drive it daily.

Obviously i have looked at the modern alternatives, LWB Mercedes Sprinter, Transits etc however i really want something with a bit of character, that i can tinker with and improve over the years. (Not to mention somewher to hide

So far i am considering a coach built Commer, a Mk2 Transit, a coach built Sherpa or a Bedford.
I am fairly happy tinkering with the O series in the sherpa as im quite familiar with it, however i really do not know much about the durability of the mechanics in the other vans. Im leaning towards a Commer with the Rootes 1795cc engine linked to a borg warner auto box and would be grateful of any advice on these engines, are they fairly robust and reliable?

I would be equally grateful of any advice on any of the other van derivatives or of any makes i haven't included that may be appropriate.

Many thanks
James

Trouble is most of those you have listed dont sound any bigger than the van you have and dont sound as if they will "grow" with your family but I guess if they come with an awning that might help but that could be fitted to the existing van and could be someware to place the toilet compartment in, good luck with tour quest.

Have you considered a classic Caravan instead? Cheaper to buy, fix up and maintain. Plus you only tow the weight when you need it so you tow car can double as a weekend or daily car.

Thanks for input, I would love a classic caravan but unfortunatly i have a fairly recent driving licence and would need to pass an additional test. Costing around £400 to be able to tow

Im more intrerested in peoples experiances with the base vans than anything, as i would be buying a coach built version rather than a van conversion .

Thanks
James/

what about a lwb sprinter or transit & modify it to suit your needs

Ex ambulance? Next door have a converted one, LDV too so basically a Sherpa. Mind it is diesel. And auto...

Forward control FC101 Landrover? Quite popular with the getting away from it all via the Gobi desert sorts. If you go this route, and its still fitted with the original Rover V8, LPG is a very useful investment.

Or failing that maybe add an awning type tent to the side of what you've got. Gives you extra enclosed space that folds up into very little when you pack up and proceed off

Whats the licence say about driving a short coach these days (Half length one) Older licences don't have an issue, (and IIRC even a full size coach used to be acceptable on a car licence provided you pulled all the seats and weren't taking paying passengers to the seaside), but IANAL and a lot of stuff has been taken off the licence these days

I like this, but probably not much bigger than what you have now, and it's on the wrong continent.

http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from ... Categories

Cheers,

Why can't you drive a caravan? I understood the law to be 3.5T combined train weight. So as long as you dont get one of those American ones that need a lorry tractor unit to tow I'd have thought you would have been fine. The towing car isn't going to be over 2T so that leaves 1.5T on the caravan.

Mr DVLA Says:

Category B - With this category on your driving licence you can drive vehicles with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of up to 3500 kilograms, with eight passenger seats, and with a trailer no heavier than 750 kilograms.
I have no idea of caravan weights but 750kg sounds quite small to me.

Would it not be worth a few quid for some lessons and the test to tow upto a train weight of 8.25 tonnes? Then you can have a "sensible car" and a caravan for when it is needed.