Bigger vans

[soulstyledevon]

The RV hitch rack has a lot of board above the roofline. Not sure how good it will be for the boards, be buffeted by winds constantly…

 

[Ch1pbutty]

I am considering using these instead though as I could then lock the boards without a strap:

The 25 or 35mm base size is ideal:

Lockrack Europe - get your ultimative Watercraft Carrier here

Lockrack is the ultimative Watercraft Carrier for your Kayak ✓ Canoe ✓ Stand up Paddle Board ✓ Surf Board ✓ and more ✓ Get your Lockrack ➜ Lockrack Europe

lockrack.eu

- We use one of these for 1 stack:

SupDawg | Yakima

A stand up paddleboard mount which can hold up to two SUP Boards up to 92 cm wide. The SupDawg is fully assembled out-of-the-box, features integrated rollers for easy loading and includes SKS locks.

www.yakima.co.uk

- For a big trip with multiple SUP/ surfboards we just use a vertical canoe upright, boards still sitting flat, as find it easier to get boards on/off quickly. You just push board rail(s) against the upright & throw the straps over:

RUK Uprights with Aero Bar Fittings 40cm

+ - Click to collapse RUK Uprights with Aero Bar Fittings 40cm The RUK Uprights are pair of upright bars to secure multiple kayaks and sit on tops to your car aero bar roof racks. Made from powder coated...

www.escape-watersports.co.uk

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

The RV hitch rack has a lot of board above the roofline. Not sure how good it will be for the boards, be buffeted by winds constantly…

Yeah, I have a 2.8-2.95 meter van though depending on what height I set the air suspension to. This thread is for bigger vans and most of those have a higher roof, but certainly in some countries it wouldn't be legal to have the boards extend above the roofline. Fortunately I mostly use my short boards.

 

[Corradobrit]

Amongst other reasons that was the biggest reason we sold the Hymer…..

CaliCamperFamily installed an electrical extractor/ventilator fan in their hitop Ford Nugget. Seems like a good way to go to freshen up the interior space. I think it was also clear so had a skylight effect too.

 

[The Merle]

The RV hitch rack has a lot of board above the roofline. Not sure how good it will be for the boards, be buffeted by winds constantly…

I’m guessing you also need a van that you can send your kid off to bed and still have a lounge area for you to chill in.
Import a lhd Ford nugget plus, or GC600.
I did like the hymer crossover until I heard the price!

 

[Chainline]

They do actually do one but I think it’s a special build??? in matt green.
and yep the van works one is nice but 95k is way too much money

Worries me when everyone says way too much money, I try to look at base + base fit out + options.
I do have a grand Cali 680 Purchased as a combination test/maybe keep depending on other factors incl how much I can use now I am moving to less work and the fact I couldn’t get both what I was looking at (incl 4x4 and I Wedtfalia don’t do a Sven Hedin 4x4 as takes 100mm off internal height I asked why) for 18months, in fact anything new! and wasn’t sure if I’d have the money. I knew the challenges with GC.

So far the size isn’t bothering me, in fact I like it internally. That was test 1. Second is how much we use it.
I’ve gone with a refundable deposit on my original target with Dec 23 delivery date pending a viewing and price confirmation. It seems we are all staring at 12-15% price increases on base vehicles and materials.

But I’ve said it before when I look at equivalents with build and options, some mentioned here like MSH the price quickly gets closer or above.

I specced a La Stada Regent S to get a feel, 6m, before realising Brexit meant impossible to get unless I imported it, and it was €147k when optioned.

 

[The Merle]

CaliCamperFamily installed an electrical extractor/ventilator fan in their hitop Ford Nugget. Seems like a good way to go to freshen up the interior space. I think it was also clear so had a skylight effect too.

You can’t do that with pop top hymer van as they don’t have skylights

 

[Chainline]

Worries me when everyone says way too much money, I try to look at base + base fit out + options.
I do have a grand Cali 680 Purchased as a combination test/maybe keep depending on other factors incl how much I can use now I am moving to less work and the fact I couldn’t get both what I was looking at (incl 4x4 and I Wedtfalia don’t do a Sven Hedin 4x4 as takes 100mm off internal height I asked why) for 18months, in fact anything new! and wasn’t sure if I’d have the money. I knew the challenges with GC.

So far the size isn’t bothering me, in fact I like it internally. That was test 1. Second is how much we use it.
I’ve gone with a refundable deposit on my original target with Dec 23 delivery date pending a viewing and price confirmation. It seems we are all staring at 2-15% price increases on base vehicles and materials.

But I’ve said it before when I look at equivalents with build and options, some mentioned here like MSH the price quickly gets closer or above.

I specced a La Stada Regent S to get a feel, 6m, before realising Brexit meant impossible to get unless I imported it, and it was €147k when optioned.

Ha, I’ve Replied to such an old thread! Apologies if this one is done to death

 

[The Merle]

Worries me when everyone says way too much money, I try to look at base + base fit out + options.
I do have a grand Cali 680 Purchased as a combination test/maybe keep depending on other factors incl how much I can use now I am moving to less work and the fact I couldn’t get both what I was looking at (incl 4x4 and I Wedtfalia don’t do a Sven Hedin 4x4 as takes 100mm off internal height I asked why) for 18months, in fact anything new! and wasn’t sure if I’d have the money. I knew the challenges with GC.

So far the size isn’t bothering me, in fact I like it internally. That was test 1. Second is how much we use it.
I’ve gone with a refundable deposit on my original target with Dec 23 delivery date pending a viewing and price confirmation. It seems we are all staring at 2-15% price increases on base vehicles and materials.

But I’ve said it before when I look at equivalents with build and options, some mentioned here like MSH the price quickly gets closer or above.

I specced a La Stada Regent S to get a feel, 6m, before realising Brexit meant impossible to get unless I imported it, and it was €147k when optioned.

It’s a shame about the Sven, there are a few VW Sven 4motions but even rarer than my joker.
I thought it was discontinued over the payload weight.

 

[Corradobrit]

You can’t do that with pop top hymer van as they don’t have skylights

Can't a skylight be installed? The Crafter converters are doing this all the time.

 

[Chainline]

It’s a shame about the Sven, there are a few VW Sven 4motions but even rarer than my joker.
I thought it was discontinued over the payload weight.

Weight was another issue, I chatted to campervansales about it, plating ro 4.1t wasn’t an issue but the factory reason he said was internal height. I presume as it has the underfloor heating whereas GC doesn’t. But they don’t do 4motion on GC600 do they, did I read that?

 

[Corradobrit]

Weight was another issue, I chatted to campervansales about it, plating ro 4.1t wasn’t an issue but the factory reason he said was internal height. I presume as it has the underfloor heating whereas GC doesn’t. But they don’t do 4motion on GC600 do they, did I read that?

Correct. Available option in the EU but not UK. AWD is only available on the GC680 in the UK.

 

[Chainline]

A few Frustrations for us Brits like that. I would be perfectly happy with a left-hand drive van but getting or ordering that now in the UK is a nightmare

 

[chockswahay]

Can't a skylight be installed? The Crafter converters are doing this all the time.

No, the whole roof IS the pop top

 

[The Merle]

A few Frustrations for us Brits like that. I would be perfectly happy with a left-hand drive van but getting or ordering that now in the UK is a nightmare

There was a GC600 4motion for sale recently on autotrader your have to look at my old posts to find it as I was surprised to see one.
Whether it originally came from Ireland don’t know as it sold asap.

 

[Hannick]

A vote for a 5.4m Hymercar Ayres Rock (or Free). As we mentioned in 2020, we moved from a 2010 California and liked the fact that the van is only 0.4m longer - so we still can park anywhere. After seven or so years in the Cali we decided we wanted a loo and have not looked back. We carry us two adults and two dogs and it all works fine. No regrets except for me the driving experience in the Cali is better as it is more like driving a car. I had to adjust to driving a van, but that will be the case for anything you move on to. 18,000 miles in the last two years and we are impressed with the quality of the Hymercar. We wanted to like the Grand California when it came out but couldn’t, so started looking for the alternatives and we are glad we did. We have the pop top and most times sleep upstairs.

 

[larrylamb]

It’s probably why I’m looking at the Ducato platform. There’s more windows than the Sprinter equivalent. Plus Hymer do a fairly light/bright interior on the Evo blue and 600 free.
We’ve ruled out an older van as we would rather buy into the latest Fiat engine, with Auto transmission and some toys such as cruise, Lane assist etc, which should bring it nearer to my current T6 comfort levels. I believe the latest changes took effect from 2022.

I’m definitely changing, because we have the Buzz on order for daily tasks and makes sense to get something better adapted for our travels, especially with a 6 years old in the house. We probably have another 10 years of adventures with him before he wants to dump us for his friends…

@soulstyledevon Sprinter based S600 just come in at Highbridge Caravans.

 

[soulstyledevon]

@soulstyledevon Sprinter based S600 just come in at Highbridge Caravans.

I’m going for the Westfalia Columbus 540D. Just ringing for prices and expected delivery dates…

 

[The Merle]

I’m going for the Westfalia Columbus 540D. Just ringing for prices and expected delivery dates…

Give Rob + campersales a bell, great service and family run business

 

[sidepod]

I’m going for the Westfalia Columbus 540D. Just ringing for prices and expected delivery dates…

SITREP on the grenade in France? Repaired?

 

[soulstyledevon]

Alive and well…

 

[chockswahay]

I’m going for the Westfalia Columbus 540D. Just ringing for prices and expected delivery dates…

That is a nice looking van! I think that in real terms these vans are all generically much the same although I prefer the fact that the Columbus does not have the side windows in the rear (you only ever close the sliding once when they are open, but once is one too often!)….. still ventilation issues with the pop top tho’

Also, what form of heating? I note that the gas is limited to 2.5kg so stuck with stupid 907’s

 

[Billylou]

I’m going for the Westfalia Columbus 540D. Just ringing for prices and expected delivery dates…

Hi @soulstyledevon, we’ve had a Columbus 540 on order for over a year, latest delivery date is Q2 next year and we’ve no idea what the final cost is going to be.
We very fortunately picked up a Burstner Eliseo from Southdowns in Portsmouth to use until the Columbus arrives. It’s not a Columbus but it’s really grown on us, just loading it up as we head to Europe for 3 months tomorrow. The Ducato is not as bad as you might think, in fact it’s quite enjoyable to drive even with just 140HP. The Columbus with the Winter package, underfloor heating, tin top, maxair fan, diesel heating and solar will be a great all year round van. Campersales are great to deal with and recommended.

 

[Wondering Star]

I purchases our Hymer Grand Canyon from Rob at Campersales and would recommend.
Not that impressed with solar panels fitted by Campsales subcontractor in future would take to a specialist company like Roadpro.
Presently in Europe found by chance solar wires hanging down precariously close to poptop scissor hinge, wires only held in place by sticky pads which I suspect overtime had become effected by heat and become detached.
Not terribly impressed, will permanently fix once home.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Hi @soulstyledevon, we’ve had a Columbus 540 on order for over a year, latest delivery date is Q2 next year and we’ve no idea what the final cost is going to be.
We very fortunately picked up a Burstner Eliseo from Southdowns in Portsmouth to use until the Columbus arrives. It’s not a Columbus but it’s really grown on us, just loading it up as we head to Europe for 3 months tomorrow. The Ducato is not as bad as you might think, in fact it’s quite enjoyable to drive even with just 140HP. The Columbus with the Winter package, underfloor heating, tin top, maxair fan, diesel heating and solar will be a great all year round van. Campersales are great to deal with and recommended.

We’re currently stuck between a rock and a hard place. About 80% certain the 540 would work perfect for us. But wondering wether to jump right in and move upto a 6m chassis instead…?
The other consideration is the wait and again the final price. Expected delivery, approximately July 23 and price cannot be guaranteed.

What made you go for the 540, just out of interest?