Should I buy a van?

[FishKid Wales]

Hi im thinking of buying a fan to sleep/carry gear/change in. My question is thus how many of you peeps have a van and how useful do you find it in regards to surfing?
I know everybody's goin to say get a splitty or any VW, but insurance wise and style I dont think the Merc Vito can be beaten + they do some mean body kits for them. Anyone drive or have driven a Vito?
Last question, how hard are they to fit out as a sort of camper/van hybred?
Cheers for your help!

[CheeZee]

Ahh spot on ..yep we hired a Vito for a snowboarding trip and as long as you've got a little carpentry skill then fitting out isnt a problem depending on how far you want to go . We obviously had to take the thing back so we made a framework that slid in and back out again so as not to damage the van, it was all pretty basic but did the job for us .. nice drive and a usefull shape for getting the most kit in ..i dont know what the consumption etc was like as we didnt have it long enough to worry about it (and i wasnt driving ) ..so i guess doing a little research wouldnt hurt before making your mind up
PapaW has got a nice shiny red van but im not sure what make it is but hes in the proccess of outfitting so would be usefull to bounce ideas off of him

personally i'd have a van over a car any day ..im waiting for the old Saab Turbo to die and then van shopping i go

[bluesnowcone]

the best surf van you can get is a big panel van, doesnt matter what make, i know a man who has an old delivery truck (just a small one), but im gunu get a t 25 pannel van water cooled, their good

[GowerCharger]

i used to have an astra van, been saving up for a new van ever since she died but just seem to go through a succession of rubbish cheapo cars.
I want a panel van to convert into a camper, but would take another astra/escort type van over a car anyday, great for just bunging your stuff in the back and your away. who needs rear seats anyway.

[PapaW]

If you get one you will wonder why you never did before...!

Custome fit it yourself to your own needs and your away. Chuck a matriss in the back as a tempory bed (strap it on its side when not in use) untill you fit it out yourself and deffo insulate it behind the panneling (what ever size you get)

theres some pointers.!

[CheeZee]

hehe we could run a " Surf-pimp my ride " thread for those outfitting vans

[Laguna]

I would love to have a van or camper van, I plan on getting one when im older for sure!

[kitesurfer]

Yes, yes, yes and ermm definately yes!

[FishKid Wales]

You peeps have just confirmed what I was thinking, done all the research. vitos seem to be fairly cost freindly- insurance is cheaper than say a VW t4 + they are more economical on the juice.
Would any of you van drivers recomend going for the full works i.e some form of fixed sofa-come-bed with storage underneath + table and cooker or opt for a temperoy option with some sort of frame that could be pulled down fron the side panel with mattress affixed, leaving the van as a van?

[drowningbitbybit]

If you're gonna spend a lot of time in it, then a more permanent fixture is the way to go. If its for short trips, then a mattress slung in the back will do you fine.

I'd go for the middle ground - fit a rock n' roll bed (they can easily be removed again) and a gas cooker. Fridges are a pain unless you wire them in properly etc but it can be done.

Take a look at
www.justkampers.com
That's got all the kit you could want - its a VW site, but the camper stuff will be fine for any van.

Go for it - makes a world of difference to a surf trip.

[pat42]

Just tie a caravan onto the back of a flatbed.

That way, when you get to where you need to be, you can offload the caravan and go around collecting old washing machines.

[FishKid Wales]

DBB sorry to keep on, but where do you sleep when out in your van as most laybys/carparks have big no overnight signs?

[PapaW]

As long as your discrete you can park up anywhere :)

[drowningbitbybit]

As long as your discrete you can park up anywhere

Yup. Thats about right.
Dont park up in national trust - they check.
Dont park where you might get smacked by traffic - the police will move you on.
Otherwise its fine.

Stay sober in case you are asked to move, and park out the way - usually works out fine.

[kcskimkid]

so true. ive done many trips to places on beaches where i just slept in my suv. saves hotel money and as long as you park smart, you really can park anywhere. don't be too picky though, take what you can get. that van idea sounds really cool.