Beach or Ocean (SE)

[Amarillo]

Retirement gives so much more scope to travel and investigate the world than when one is still stuck in the rat race, Amarillo is an exception who is making the most of the preschool age of his children and an enviable income stream.

Our finances are very complex. I think that the cost of our year away is likely to be in the region of £36,000, excluding vehicle depreciation, but including many normal living expenses such as new clothing. However, there are other sacrifices such as renting out our family home and as a consequence being unable to go through the usual school selection process.


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[soulstyledevon]

A little Ageist.
I have an SE and covered a lot more miles and visited a lot more countries than some on here who are a lot younger than we are.

Wasn’t meant to be Ageist.
But generally that’s how it is. Being older you have more time and less commitments. I can see why the Ocean is appealing. For one or two people the Ocean perhaps ticks the right boxes.
For families the Beach is perhaps better suited.

As for wild camping, I can’t see how either van restricts this.
Try 6 weeks in the back of a Peugeot 309. One of the best trips I ever had and I never had to leave the Great British Isles either.
However that was back in my very youthful/adventurous days, getting on a bit now (39) that’s why I have a Beach

 

[sidepod]

Can I propose a debate, let’s say TV verses fridge. Which is better.

Equally pointless.

 

[flying banana]

Can I propose a debate, let’s say TV verses fridge. Which is better.
fridge. fridge is always on cooling beers. tv is shite. so good debate really. you need to pick something better like which is best? cutting the grass or hoovering the carpet?
Equally pointless.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Can I propose a debate, let’s say TV verses fridge. Which is better.

Equally pointless.

You need two very pointless items.
TV or Microwave.

 

[sidepod]

You need two very pointless items.
TV or Microwave.

I was meaning to things used for completely different thin.......oh never mind.

 

[WelshGas]

It would be interesting to know what the cost is to equip a Beach for All Year round camping. Those items that the Ocean has and the Beach does not. So excluding things like bedding, common to both as are cutlery/crockery/Toppers/Windscreen covers/Bike Racks/ etc: Also ignoring Barbacues etc: which can be used by both in fine weather.
So basically what is absolutely required for 2 or 4 people to use the Beach 365 days of the year with an element of Non-Campsite Camping, in all weather conditions.

So to start:-

Diesel Parking Heater £1,300 + as per Factory fitting
Compressor Fridge £ 400 Volume equivalent to Ocean Fridge
Twin Burner Gas Cooker + Gas Cylinder/Cartridges £50 +
Storage Equivalent in Volume to Rear Cupboard and Wardrobe as found in the Ocean
Water Storage - anything upto 30 L fresh water. Grey water we will skip.
Now, I'm not sure if the storage locker on the Beach ( 2 seater bench seat ) is equivalent in volume to the Kitchen Cupboards on the Ocean.

Anyone got anything else to add.

Demountable Pod?
Is it possible to cook in the Beach with 2 burners? or do you need an additional Awning with sides?

 

[Amarillo]

Anyone got anything else to add.

How much to convert an Ocean to a 7 seat MPV or large capacity van.

The Ocean has two main uses:
- a four berth camper, which it does very well
- a four/five seat car, which it does very inefficiently

The Beach has three main uses:
- a four/five berth camper, which it does well
- a seven seat MPV, which it does very well
- a medium sized van, which it does well


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[soulstyledevon]

Good question Welshgas.
Although, getting a definitive answer will be difficult.
IMO
You don’t need pods or running water or chemical wee wee pots.
You do need a compressor fridge, heating and a jet boil as minimum. But again, some may argue they are luxury’s too.

Personally I cook very little and tend to eat simple foods whilst camping. I don’t go away to cook 3 course dinners. I also try and eat local, that’s part one the travelling experience for me.
If I need to cook something, I can do some rice and tinned curry or baked beans.

 

[Amarillo]

So basically what is absolutely required for 2 or 4 people to use the Beach 365 days of the year with an element of Non-Campsite Camping, in all weather conditions.

We have spent a small fortune on camping gear - our Muji kitchen drawers are worth every penny. The VanEssa window clothes storage bags are vastly overpriced, but we are glad to have them. Not only do we have the factory diesel heater, but we've recently had to buy a 500 watt fan heater for the awning (€15.90). Double hob is cheap - gas bottles expensive. We make do with a 10 litre water carrier plus bottled water for drinking.

The nice thing is that we can take it all out and have a very nice MPV or van.


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[WelshGas]

How much to convert an Ocean to a 7 seat MPV or large capacity van.

The Ocean has two main uses:
- a four berth camper, which it does very well
- a four/five seat car, which it does very inefficiently

The Beach has three main uses:
- a four/five berth camper, which it does well
- a seven seat MPV, which it does very well
- a medium sized van, which it does well


Follow my blog: www.au-revoir.eu

Obviously didn't read my Post. I know what the Beach can do. It can carry 7 if you wish. That wasn't the question?
The Question was, and I'll say it slowly. What additional items are required to enable 2 to 4 people, ( NOTICE 2 to 4 people ) to camp ALL YEAR ROUND in a Beach?

I am not concerned about any other capability of either vehicle.

 

[WelshGas]

We have spent a small fortune on camping gear - our Muji kitchen drawers are worth every penny. The VanEssa window clothes storage bags are vastly overpriced, but we are glad to have them. Not only do we have the factory diesel heater, but we've recently had to buy a 500 watt fan heater for the awning (€15.90). Double hob is cheap - gas bottles expensive. We make do with a 10 litre water carrier plus bottled water for drinking.

The nice thing is that we can take it all out and have a very nice MPV or van.


Follow my blog: www.au-revoir.eu

So do you cook in your Beach, and if so how do you manage it?

 

[soulstyledevon]

So do you cook in your Beach, and if so how do you manage it?

I can cook in mine on a jet boil.
No specialists side pod or kitchen unit required.

But to answer your original question.
I’ve spent around 3k on the right camping gear for my Beach. However some of that, I would have purchased if I had an ocean ...

 

[WelshGas]

I can cook in mine on a jet boil.
No specialists side pod or kitchen unit required.

But to answer your original question.
I’ve spent around 3k on the right camping gear for my Beach. However some of that, I would have purchased if I had an ocean ...

THANK YOU. At last a n answer to my question.
I know what the Beach can do and what the Ocean can do. What I want to know, as I like ALL the facilities the Ocean has - What would I need and approximate cost, to replicate those facilities in a Beach to be able to use it all year round for 2 - 4 people.
For example - the Fridge - if I did not want to compromise on its capacity can it be left in place, and easily accessible, with the downstairs bed in use?

 

[Hotel California]

Now hold on here , weather it's a Beach - Coast or Ocean .
It all requires cups&plates , pots&pans , bedding or sleepingbags , tv&microwaves , and more stuff that adapt each thiere own needs .

But i do think the Coast/Ocean/SE is more a campervan and a Beach more the kind of people carrier that easy can be used as a campervan after adding a portable coocker and a good 12v fridge.

To be honest i also needed a lot of campinggear to buy for my SE , it does not comes with every needs....

It's all about personal needs .....i keep repeting this so it seems

....it's not what you got , it's how you use it ....

 

[WelshGas]

Now hold on here , weather it's a Beach - Coast or Ocean .
It all requires cups&plates , pots&pans , bedding or sleepingbags , tv&microwaves , and more stuff that adapt each thiere own needs .

But i do think the Coast/Ocean/SE is more a campervan and a Beach more the kind of people carrier that easy can be used as a campervan after adding a portable coocker and a good 12v fridge.

To be honest i also needed a lot of campinggear to buy for my SE , it does not comes with every needs....

It's all about personal needs .....i keep repeting this so it seems

....it's not what you got , it's how you use it ....

That is why I was very specific in my question to exclude those things both vehicles require, but there are certain things that the Beach needs that the Ocean already has. So what and how much approximately to give it the same or similar facilities that can be removed if required.

 

[Amarillo]

So do you cook in your Beach, and if so how do you manage it?

No - we've never cooked in the van, and only eaten in it on a handful of occasions. When it has been too cold to cook outside in the evening we have had a cooked lunch and cold dinner. We now have an electric hob ~€15 from Carrefour Pompei so on hookup could easily heat soup for hot evening meal.


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[soulstyledevon]

That is why I was very specific in my question to exclude those things both vehicles require, but there are certain things that the Beach needs that the Ocean already has. So what and how much approximately to give it the same or similar facilities that can be removed if required.

Agree, both Ocean & Beach need additional stuff for camping.
But exactly what you need is person dependent.

With regards to the fridge, I’ve tried every location possible and come to the conclusion it’s best in the boot. Will only work on a sliding rack though.

 

[Amarillo]

For example - the Fridge - if I did not want to compromise on its capacity can it be left in place, and easily accessible, with the downstairs bed in use?

I don't know what the capacity of the Ocean fridge is. We have a 28L Waeco that holds food for 4 nights for a family of four. It is strapped behind the front passenger seat and can be accessed with the bed made up.



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[Borris]

It would be interesting to know what the cost is to equip a Beach for All Year round camping. Those items that the Ocean has and the Beach does not. So excluding things like bedding, common to both as are cutlery/crockery/Toppers/Windscreen covers/Bike Racks/ etc: Also ignoring Barbacues etc: which can be used by both in fine weather.
So basically what is absolutely required for 2 or 4 people to use the Beach 365 days of the year with an element of Non-Campsite Camping, in all weather conditions.

So to start:-

Diesel Parking Heater £1,300 + as per Factory fitting
Compressor Fridge £ 400 Volume equivalent to Ocean Fridge
Twin Burner Gas Cooker + Gas Cylinder/Cartridges £50 +
Storage Equivalent in Volume to Rear Cupboard and Wardrobe as found in the Ocean
Water Storage - anything upto 30 L fresh water. Grey water we will skip.
Now, I'm not sure if the storage locker on the Beach ( 2 seater bench seat ) is equivalent in volume to the Kitchen Cupboards on the Ocean.

Anyone got anything else to add.

Demountable Pod?
Is it possible to cook in the Beach with 2 burners? or do you need an additional Awning with sides?

You either need a Beach or an SE/Ocean so I don't really see why this matters. However here is a break down of the costs:

MY18 Factory fitted Parking heater with remote control £1860


Waeco/Dometic CFX40 Fridge/Freezer £739.99 (secured using the floor rails behind the front passenger seat).


Campingaz double burner and grill £54.99


Campingaz 907 cylinder incl gas £37.00


Collapsible washing up bowl £ 5.00


Water container £9.66


Very Useful Boxes x 4 + £ 12.25 = £49

Grand Total £2755.64
(These are just examples and other makes are available).

 

[Borris]

The collapsible drainer was added in error. Not required.

 

[WelshGas]

Some of the items mentioned by Borris are common to both vehicles, but thank you.
Do you need an extra outside table for cooking and do you need a Drive away Awning Room for all round year use?

According to Boris we are upto about £2,800 so far.
What about the Window storage bags, any use, ? Cost.

 

[owen_h]

It would be interesting to know what the cost is to equip a Beach for All Year round camping. Those items that the Ocean has and the Beach does not. So excluding things like bedding, common to both as are cutlery/crockery/Toppers/Windscreen covers/Bike Racks/ etc: Also ignoring Barbacues etc: which can be used by both in fine weather.
So basically what is absolutely required for 2 or 4 people to use the Beach 365 days of the year with an element of Non-Campsite Camping, in all weather conditions.

So to start:-

Diesel Parking Heater £1,300 + as per Factory fitting
Compressor Fridge £ 400 Volume equivalent to Ocean Fridge
Twin Burner Gas Cooker + Gas Cylinder/Cartridges £50 +
Storage Equivalent in Volume to Rear Cupboard and Wardrobe as found in the Ocean
Water Storage - anything upto 30 L fresh water. Grey water we will skip.
Now, I'm not sure if the storage locker on the Beach ( 2 seater bench seat ) is equivalent in volume to the Kitchen Cupboards on the Ocean.

Anyone got anything else to add.

Demountable Pod?
Is it possible to cook in the Beach with 2 burners? or do you need an additional Awning with sides?

Started with a 2 seater bench Beach and added a kitchen pod :


Compressor fridge on the left hand side (fully accessible when bed made up)
Pod consists of cartridge stove and pumped fresh water supply to a modified shower hose.:



I have another cartridge hotplate/burner (Camping Gas Partygrill) that can either be used on the table inside or more likely outside. 'Sink' is a washing up bowl.
Extra storage at rear:


Costings are from 4 years ago but in the following ballpark.
Pod was < £1000 inc materials, fittings, etc and getting the edges of the boards edge banded. Also 12v electrics to pod & 240V hookup (my Beach was pre it coming as std)
Fridge was en eBay purchase at £300.
Also had a Webasto diesel heater fitted at £1100
Not included my time to build the pod or purchase of some tools.

 

[Borris]

Some of the items mentioned by Borris are common to both vehicles, but thank you.
Do you need an extra outside table for cooking and do you need a Drive away Awning Room for all round year use?

According to Boris we are upto about £2,800 so far.
What about the Window storage bags, any use, ? Cost.

You don't need an extra table to cook outside but I agree that extra table space is always useful. We just keep it simple and use the Really Usefull Boxes.

You don't need a Drive away awning any more with the Beach than you would do with an SE/Ocean. It could be argued that the need is less with the Beach as there is more room available inside. We do have a drive away awning that we have used with both our SE and Beach. The advantages and disadvantages of having one are the same with both versions. We also have the Comfortz awning sides and same same comment applies.

We don't want or need window bags. I like the all round visibility in the Beach so even if we required extra storage we would probably look elsewhere for a different solution.

Regarding the use of pods, there are many excellent imaginative designs available that suit the Beach very well but they aren't essential. We have no plans to buy one as we prefer the simplicity of the Beach with out adding anything that reduces its flexibility. IMO, for us at least, all you need is a fridge/freezer, stove and the table, anything else is just bulky wrapping that takes up room in the van and will need storing when not in the vehicle. However that's purely my view and I can fully appreciate why some people will want them.

Which items are common (standard fitting) on both vehicles?

 

[sidepod]

How much to convert an Ocean to a 7 seat MPV or large capacity van.

The Ocean has two main uses:
- a four berth camper, which it does very well
- a four/five seat car, which it does very inefficiently

The Beach has three main uses:
- a four/five berth camper, which it does well
- a seven seat MPV, which it does very well
- a medium sized van, which it does well


Follow my blog: www.au-revoir.eu

Why the **ck would you do such a thing?