The campervan life is alluring with the promise of so much outdoor fun. Being unshackled from the boring schedule of suburban life and conventional communities is romantic, but you need to contend with certain realities. One of them is your choice of a campervan vehicle. At camper_versions, we offer VW campervans which are a great choice, but it’s important to know what you’re looking for.
In this blog, we highlight some important considerations you should keep in mind when you’re buying a VW Campervan.
Before you buy
When looking for a campervan to buy, you need to focus on two main factors: your budget and how well the campervan meets your needs. At camper_versions, we offer readymade campervans that you can buy, and you’re off on your adventures. These can be an investment but it’s worth considering this in the long run. In contrast, you can find a used and affordable campervan that needs some renovations. However, you may not save much if it requires a lot of repairs.
Another factor people overlook is the level of comfort and convenience they expect from the vehicle. More technical aspects include the engine size. Ideally, you need a campervan with enough grunt under the bonnet to get you where you need to go without costing too much in fuelling and servicing. Therefore, be clear on what you expect from the purchase to help you make the right one.
Factors to consider
The basic amenities
You’ll find a diverse set of options just as much as your needs vary. A VW campervan setup can have you living like a king or be the most minimalist dwelling, depending on your tastes. That said, ensure whatever you buy covers the essentials, such as:
- Bed
- Table
- Running water
- Hob
- Heating
- Fridge
- Travel seats
- Sleeping area
- Standard power outlets
- Battery backups
- Storage space
The base vehicle
The VW Transporter campervan first began production in the 1950s, and over the years surpassed its previous model with a newer, more modern, sophisticated vehicle. But choices that have always been needed to make are:
- The wheelbase: A long wheelbase gives you more room to fit more amenities and thus improves your living conditions. In contrast, a short wheelbase limits the room but makes for better manoeuvrability, especially on our UK road network.
- Trim levels: VW Transporter campervans come in various trim levels. The base trims offer sparse options at a lower price, with incremental amenity and creature comfort additions increasing the price, upto the premium offerings.
- Power: The majority of VW campervans are 110 PS, which is more than enough power to haul your family and luggage up steep hills of the beautiful english countryside.
Conversion
There are many methods to convert a campervan into a sufficient living space, with different styles to suit different families and their needs. Therefore, be keen on the conversion work in your prospective campervan. Look beyond a shiny paint job to the quality and layout of the amenities. For example, you need a functional and accessible kitchen layout with ample storage space, as you’ll soon discover these factors are critical while on the road.
You should also consider the driving seat position. In a camper_versions campervan, we have created our own furniture that is designed to give the driver full use of the seat range, meaning that if you are tall, you are not restricted whilst driving like with other conversions.
The Roof
If you’re tall or need more space in the back, you may want to consider a higher than normal roof. There are three options here:
- Fixed roof: This is ideal for those who don’t need a higher roof, where the back area is mostly for sleeping. It works best for a solo traveller or a couple.
- Height adjustable (Poptop) roof: This roof sits at the normal height in transit but extends upwards while camping to provide extra room in the campervan. It is suitable if you need a 4 berth camper, but allows for easier manoeuvrability in height-restricted areas such as underground parking lots.
- Fixed high roof: This permanent height extended roof saves you extension time and work and provides better protection against the elements. However, it does considerably restrict your ability to use it as a daily driver, and accessibility into car parks with a height barrier will not be possible.
Seat and bed options
Ideally, go for seats that can easily unfold into comfortable sleeping areas. Alternatively, choose a campervan with separate but more comfortable beds if you have the space. However, these tend to cost more, and are much larger vehicles, impractical for daily driving use.
Let us make your next adventure extra special
When you buy a VW Campervan, consider what you need from the vehicle and how much you’re willing to spend. At camper_versions, we pride ourselves on providing the best camper conversion services in the UK, with ready-to-drive models available right now. Get in touch with us today and let us help you pick the most suitable campervan for your needs.
