31 replies to this topic

[blacktulip]

i have seen a vw camper and very tempted to get it which will mean doing away with the mini. a camper is about the only thing that would prise the mini away from me. has anyone else got a camper and what are they like to drive and how different are they insurance wise?

[mini-man-dan]

Which one...? Splitty, early bay, late bay, T25, T4 or T5

[timmy850]

has anyone else got a camper and what are they like to drive

Two of my mates have them (late bay). They aren't very good to drive in my opinion. They are heavy, under powered and roll around on corners. You really have to try it first...

 

But they are really good as campers!

[mini 4o]

hi
go for a test drive,

I had three bay window all 1600cc which is enough for 55.60 on the motorway,
all had very different characters.

in 2004 spent a year living and travelling around Europe great if there's only two of you...lol

the T2 club hold a weekend meet in Malvern show ground around 2000 van a great place to meet.
good luck
john

[wolfie]

I have had one 66 splitty 10 bays and a t25 loved them all, all this talk of underpowered roll in corners............ well who cares there not a race car they are for pottering around in

[Andy_]

I would love one but funds wont allow it! :/

[miniman267]

I'd love a splitty

[Tamworthbay]

They are fun to drive in a weird way. The best thing is the fact you never seem to be in queue of traffic, the road is always clear in front of you (but don't look in your mirrors). It is fair to say that the driving experience is about as far away from a mini as you could imagine.

[gwladys97s]

I have a early bay van.it is a 73 and £98 for the year (3000 miles).easy to work on but second hand spares can be daft money.crap on juice but hey what the hell.

[surfblue]

Always fancied a VW type 2, But to use as a camper with wife and 2 kids would be a bit cramped, and a bit basic compared to the caravan!

Making serious money these days too.

[Tamworthbay]

Mot convinced they are that easy to work on. You have to have our head up their ar*e to do most jobs, even topping up oil is a ball ache. Cylinder head off is an engine out job. Valve clearances are done flat on ypur back. Whoever put the top right stud in for engine removal should be shot. They aren't hard to work on but they aren't pleasant either.

[Bungle]

1976 bay owner here , what do you want to know ?

[Tamworthbay]

Just sold mine (about two hours ago!) and part of me will be sad to see it go, but they aren't that great for camping really. We owned it for 5 years and went over to France and around the uk and it was fun. Would I do it again- No, would I do it if I could go back 5 years, hmmmm not sure. Take your time and check loads out before you decide. May even be worth hiring one for a weekend before you bite the bullet.

[gwladys97s]

The best thing i ever have done to my van is put a removable rear panel. Engine out is 8 bolts.1 cable.good trolley jack from what i can remember.

[mininuts]

We've had our 89 T25 for 7 years and have loved every minute of owning it. Ours is the water cooled 1.9 engine which is great, will do 65/70 all day on the motorway and keeps up with traffic on the A roads no probs. Can get up to 30 mpg if driven carefully. It handles ok for a van, dropped ours 30mm by using Caravelle springs which made things a whole lot better.

It ain't quite got the 'coolness' of an aircooled but, the engines at the proper end for a VW camper and at least the heater gets warm

Insured through Flux with a camper specific policy for £180ish a year, agreed value, protected NCB, 6000 miles/year.