We’ve owned a VW Campervan for the last 5 years. An expensive dream of mine since childhood - we set aside a considerable amount of money from a house sale for it. Since then we’ve had lots of fun and adventures and a few mishaps. Wherever we go, she brings a smile to people’s faces and we get asked lots of questions about owning her. So I thought I’d pull together a blog article with everything I wish I’d known before purchasing a VW camper.

Before you buy

Budget is the main factor here. We knew that with two very young children we simply didn’t have the time to do up a van. We needed something that was ready to go and suitable for a family of 4. VW camper vans have particular quirks that require more specialist parts and fittings than your average camper van conversion, especially if you want the classic look. But if you have the time and skills to covert, this can save you a fair bit of money. Some inspiration for you below

Campervan conversions:

Two wandering soles

Zach Both - The Vanual

Initially we wanted a VW split screen (the front window is split) but these cost much more than the bay window we eventually went for. The other factor we considered here was engine size. We initially fell in love with a classic white bay camper van but with a 1.4L engine, we knew it would never survive pulling us up and over the Lecht or the Bealach na Bà (both high road passes in Scotland). Think about how you will use your camper and make sure that you don’t let heart win over head. If we had opted for the 1.4L it would have stopped us doing so many of the journeys we have loved.

Things to look for when buying

I could cover so much here. This is absolutely not a comprehensive list. What I’d actually recommend is taking along a mechanic friend to help you, especially if you are going to be putting down lots of money. But if that isn’t possible, then here are some things to look for to make sure you don’t end up with a very costly purchase:

Standing and leaning into the van, try turning the steering wheel half a turn back and forth each way and make sure the wheels move accordingly. If you can move the steering wheel more than 1/4 of a turn without the wheels moving then that could indicate an issue with the steering box. This is very expensive to replace.
If the van is in a drivable condition, then make sure and take it for at least a 30 min test drive. Ensure that the engine is stone cold for test driving. You want to get a sense of how the van will start for you every day. A 30 min test drive should be enough for you to get the engine hot and give you the chance to see how it idles. Check for smooth acceleration without misfiring. Do an emergency stop to check the van brakes in a straight line (the van shouldn’t pull to one side).
Check the side panels of the van and make sure they are straight without any bumps or ripples in the paintwork. If there is it’s likely that the van has lots of filler which isn’t good.
Oil leakage is par for the course with such an old vehicle but check for excessive oil leaks as this can be another costly repair.
Check underneath the battery in the engine bay for rust. What you need to be wary of here is hidden rust.
Try and get underneath the van and rub away at dirt to get a good look at the chassis. The cost of welding can be high so you want to ensure that the chassis is fully intact and doesn’t have any rust.
Don’t rush it. Take your time and get advice if and when you can.

What you need to know before investing in a VW campervan

Maintenance

These old vehicles aren’t necessarily best suited to the Scottish climate. When not in use keep it under cover to stop rust starting or worsening. Ours is permanently stored in a garage.

The van always needs a bit of TLC when we take it out of storage and works best when we drive it with due care and attention. Our van can reach speeds of 70mph+ but the engine will overheat if you maintain this speed. It’s best to maintain a level speed and not go over 55-60mph. Always check your oil level before long trips. We keep a bottle with us at all times. Not enough oil and your engine can seize up potentially leading to complete engine replacement.

Always keep a basic collection of spares. This should include an accelerator and clutch cable - both of which the VW camper van are known to have issues with as we found on our very first trip away when our accelerator cable snapped at the top of the Lecht and roadside assistance did not have the parts required. We were stranded for 8 hrs until a pick up truck could be arranged to transport us and the van home.

Note that having a camper van will lead to an increase in your mechanical knowledge.

Camping Etiquette (Scotland)

Taking off for the hills and camping wherever you fancy isn’t going to happen. We used to have a lot more freedom and goodwill shown to us when we first got the van but there has been an explosion of camper vehicles on the road in Scotland in the last few years and some places are feeling the negative effects. In summer, peak season, we only use the van on pre-booked sites. Off-season we do have a bit more leeway but please note that the right to roam in Scotland does not apply to motorised vehicles. Check out the Scottish Outdoor Access Code for advice on your rights and responsibilities. Wherever we go, we always make sure to buy our food locally and eat out at least once a day (whether it be for breakfast/ lunch/ dinner or a scone and tea). We also make a point of seeking out local arts and crafts and support as much as we can. We have been so privileged to see so much of Scotland from our van but it has also opened our eyes to some unfavourable things with littering and dangerous driving being at the top of that list. We always travel with gloves, a litter grabber and spare rubbish bags. Every single trip we have been on we have unfortunately come across swathes of litter from alcoholic beverages to discarded BBQ’s and marine litter to human faeces and used toilet paper. It’s disheartening but rather than dwell on it we just get on with clearing up what we can. As a result we have produced a couple of litter warriors who will hopefully be strong advocates for the environment.

General

Owning and travelling in the van has been one of our greatest family adventures. It is every bit the dream I though it would be BUT it’s not perfect. It can be difficult living in such a small space with three other people, it’s not the most comfortable drive and if things go wrong you are not only out of transport but also your accommodation. Also let’s nip this myth in the bud - it doesn’t save you any money on holidays. By the time you factor in petrol costs, campsite fees and ongoing maintenance (this year alone we have spent £600 getting the van resprayed) the van might actually cost you rather than save you money. However, in the van we have had the opportunity to stay in some of the most beautiful locations in the world and we do tend to take off on trips a lot more than we would without it.

I would recommend the van life to anyone!

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