Suzuki V-Strom (VStrom) Owners Club DL250, DL650, DL1000 & DL1050
Camping - Sponsored by bikerscampsite.co.uk => Camping Equipment & Suppliers => Alternative Camping (sponsored by Vanping.uk) => Topic started by: Gassoon on September 18, 2014, 15:04:15
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Hmm, mad idea or what?
Can sleep in them (some evn have an 'upstairs')
Cook in them
Go to shops in them
Cart elderly relatives and kids in them
With a ramp, and seats out, get a bike in one, go places with tracks, have fun on bike, drive home.
Anybody got one? Had one? :shrug:
Is the above mere fantasy, or could it work?
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Can you really get a bike into them? Also, the rear seems quite high from the ground, even if you had a ramp, how difficult would it be to get a bike in and, more importantly, out on your own? You'll also have to think about how you'll tie it down inside, but seat mounts can be the answer there.
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We've got a bongo and had it converted to a campervan.
You can have a choice of side conversion (cooker, fridge, cupboards etc) along the length of the van behind the drivers side) or a rear conversion (across the back but this means cooker facing out and having to cook with rear door open). Latter obviously stops you putting a bike inside!
Main difference between the two is size of bed. Side conversion is narrower (width of a single bed) but about 7ft+ long. Rear conversion is wider bed (full width) but obviously not as long.
Beds are normally made from using existing 2 rows of rear seats which fold flat (ours were shortened but we still can carry six people) or by a specific 'rock n roll' bed which is not so safe for carrying passengers but does give you more space.
Our roof lifts up to give (a) more headroom and also (b) an extra bed space if required. We haven't tried the roof bed but it is supposed to hold a grown up couple and is much bigger at full size of the bongo (almost a double bed). If you just used the roof, you could do away with the downstairs bed and get a bike in easily I guess.
Our roof was not factory fitted (these add about £2.5 / £3k to the value of a decent solid top bongo) but rather fitted ourselves by a local specialist.
Any photos please ask.
Best place to get more info is the bongo forum - http://www.bongofury.co.uk (http://www.bongofury.co.uk)
We love ours - having taken it all over Europe (Croatia, Italy, Switzerland, France to name a few) on different occasions.
Having said that, we haven't used it this year due to a young baby so are thinking of selling it. Any interest?
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Earthcore has one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-LDV-Maxu ... 41873d7378 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-LDV-Maxus-6-Seat-Crew-van-Turbo-Diesel-78-000miles-Full-service-history-/281441825656?pt=UK_Commercial_Trucks&hash=item41873d7378)
It's ace.
He managed to load a Daytona 955 and an EXUP 1000 into it. And he slept in it.
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:grin:
Ta for that link, djo...I'll have to have a proper look at one sometime. The pics all make em look very high to get into (especially for my dad) and maybe high at the back as Juv suggests - too high for a ramp?
Maybe I'm looking for too much multi-functionality!
That LDV looks excellent, but its a male+bike-only van - I'd never get away with it, it's not 'family' oriented enough. :)
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How about this bad boy?
Nothing says family like a fireplace. There is probably space to fit in a piano as well. :)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LDV-CAMPER-MO ... 4626a0042b (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LDV-CAMPER-MOTORHOME-/301295731755?pt=UK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes&hash=item4626a0042b)
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I've had a few Vauxhall Vivaro's/Renault Trafic (they are the same Van, along with the Nissan Primastar).
Vans don't conform to any standard convention when it comes to long or short wheelbase or high or low roof. For example, a LWB Trafic might be the same length as a SWB Citroen, likewise a mid roof (height) Citroen could be the same as a high roof Vivaro.
Anyhoo.
I like the Vivaro/Trafic, they are well fitted out and you can easily get a DL1000 in the back of the short wheel base (the difference between a SWB and LWB Trafic is approx 1 foot).
My latest Trafic has the high roof, I find it much easier loading and unloading being able to stand up :)
Loading a bike is particularly easy with these Vans espescially with a £45 Wheelchair Ramp :grin:
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2902/14256400410_53bc52f8b0.jpg)
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3862/14268124968_d56eae8cf8_o.jpg)
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3857/14474887763_fccd6fec7a_o.jpg)