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The great debate: Campervan or Ambulance?

Ultimately, I think a campervan is for life, and an crusty-wagon for a couple of seasons. There are of course some lovely exceptions.. I've always wanted a wood-burning stove, but that's never going to happen in a camper.. but now I've got propex heating.
 
I love VWs but that doesn't answer your question.

If you are looking for a daily driver I'd say camper as will be easier to park day to day without it sticking out miles into the road.

Probabaly easier to get serviced.

Just looking for something to take to the odd festival whilst you drive day to day in your car then get the ambulance if crustiness is your bag.
 
The problem as I see it is, manufactured campervans even when seriously old still cost a shed load of money.
A second-hand ambulance in very good condition can be purchased for a reasonable price (specialist auctions are the best place), and do not need much in the way of conversion.
 
plan is to use it for a few odd festivals (the odder the better) here and in europe.. rest of the time it will just be for weekly trip to shops.

eta:
would like to do a couple of months round europe at some point too
 
citydreams said:
But mine's a one-off.
Click to expand...
yours is ace.. you really should get it finished :p

and i think that puts me off getting a regular vw because it won't be as good and there's no way timmy would do another conversion :D
 
I have a Mazda Bongo, fully converted, and it's very small inside, but the missus and I are small people so that's not a problem

Usually we live in the awning, and are even going to get another gas burner for cooking outside as it's nicer

All the issues on the thread are fair points, and what you want to use it for should be your first priority

I use mine for all sorts, had it since March and have been away seven times so far, from weekends away to last weeks adventures in the Lake District

Now I have the experience of owning one, I would have a better idea of what I would want next - can't beat just doing it and finding out for yourself

Outside living is great!

:)
 
We have an unconverted Bongo and it's plenty big inside for 5 of us, three lads in the roof and me and the mrs downstairs. Advantages of an unconverted one are that it seats 8 as opposed to 4 or 5 and can be used as a proper van for carrying wardrobes, sofas, etc. Disadvantages are that you can't just stop, pop the roof and cook & washup but we wouldn't really want to cook in it anyway. Also storage isn't quite so neat.

1192692952_2b8ee1e4ea.jpg


We also have a SunCruiser awning, which is huge and is the sort of thing Zenie was on about. It can open up in three directions, is tall enough to stand in all round and has a 2 person inner tent for spare bedroom.

1124958544_e45331f367.jpg


We've found that kipping in a two man tent while the kids are in the roof is good for short stop offs when travelling to a destination and wanting to avoid unpacking everything.

Three way fridges are much cheaper than compressor fridges and cool very efficienty when running on gas or mains, just don't run it on gas in the van without an external vent or you'll die of CO poisoning. :eek:
 
Unless you're a real Volkswagen anorak :o I'd get something else and do a conversion to suit you.

T2 VWs are horrendously expensive now, with decent ones going for upwards of £8k and great ones going for £20k. This is purely fuelled by fashion. Someone came up to me at a festival and asked could they look inside our van because they were 'seriously looking to buy into this lifestyle'. :rolleyes:

T25s are far cheaper and better value for money, and LTs are ugly and cheap but more spacious.

But your best bet financially is to do what Dub'n'Pie did and something else entirely.

Edit: If you're wanting to stay on campsites that's another consideration - many won't let you on with anything which looks a bit 'alternative'.
 
Sorry, didn't read your OP properly - campervan or ambulance.

I reckon campervan if you're going to use it for a few festivals/camping/a few months round Europe.

As Moose says - there are quite a few campsites which won't let in vehicles unless they're a motorhome or campervan. Which is ridiculous, but 'tis the way it is.
 
moose said:
T2 VWs are horrendously expensive now, with decent ones going for upwards of £8k and great ones going for £20k.
Click to expand...

:eek:

I remember the days when you could get a clean as a whistle Samba for £6k and a westfalia for £2.5k.

Wish I'd bought one then.
 
well if the ambulance passes it's vehicle inspection on monday and i get it for the right price then i'm going home in a former ambulance :)
 
People have died in the back of your ambulance.



If that doesn't bother you, and there are many reasons why it shouldn't, then carry on - i'm just a bit funny about that kinda thing
 
Chorlton said:
People have died in the back of your ambulance.



If that doesn't bother you, and there are many reasons why it shouldn't, then carry on - i'm just a bit funny about that kinda thing
Click to expand...

People have probably died in your house as well :confused:
 
gah, just read the whole thread, then I see this post....

onemonkey said:
well if the ambulance passes it's vehicle inspection on monday and i get it for the right price then i'm going home in a former ambulance :)
Click to expand...

I'd say ambulance too. a bit bigger than your regular VW but still 3.5 tonne size so easy to park up and not look too consipicuous as opposed to a big ole merc etc. nippy enough to go to the shops. spacious enough to not feel to claustrophobic.

Transits are good. LDVs are shit. I also wouldn't buy a petrol transit and I think £3k is a bit much for a 16 year old transit ambulance ( I sold mine for £1k two years ago...) Lastly, as it's fibreglass the body may look in good nick, but make sure you thoroughly check the underneath as the bottom may be rotting out of it.

Good luck though - happy camping! And make sure one of your first outings is out oxford way though yeah?! :cool:
 
han said:
I'm guessing you didn't buy that veg oil LDV in the end?
Click to expand...

hehehehe - nope, I reacquainted myself with reality :(

still looking for other options. I saw the best mercedes conversion I have ever seen last weekend - it had me drooling... but I just don't have the time for something like that atm.... am considering a VW transporter myself.... just need to find one cheap enough!
 
Nee-naw nee-naw

it's been inspected.. and inevitably there's a fair bit of work that needs doing to it but nothing major... overall the mechanic thinks it is mechanically and structurally very sound and in good condition for a vehicle of that age. so we agreed a final price of just over 2k and i expect to spend 400-600 getting everything fixed (including a few new tyres)

and then i'm a fully paid up ambulance driver and member of the urban convoy :D
 
Chorlton said:
People have died in the back of your ambulance.
Click to expand...
that's an added bonus.. :)

i'm more grossed out by the fact that this summer it toured round Europe for 6 weeks carrying four kiwi blokes... :(
 
I have nothing to add except:

whatever it is you get, you're taking me on an adventure in it when I'm over there.

:D:cool:
 
We are now looking to join in the great ambulance/campervan community. Mrs Wife's in charge tho, so God knows what we'll end up getting.

She is very fond of this, which is too expensive & belongs in the hands of someone who will actually look after it!
 
Grasshopper who used to post here and hopefully will again had an old ambulance which he converted to a camper van. It was great although it was very juicy (petrol).
 
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