Vw Camper

numpy

I would (or will be) buying a VW camper but know nothing about them,my prefered camper is the older versions like the type 2 etc,what i need to know is what to look for when buying one,ie common faults or problems they may have etc,any info or recommendations appreciated.

BungleGirl

Hi,

We have a Bay Window (Type 2) Camper and it is great fun!! It is now well and truly part of the family.

I can't give you any great technical advice but I can recommend a great website www.volkszone.co.uk . I think that it may have a buyers guide on the main site but if you go to the forums there is unbeleivable amounts of information - ask a question and you will get loads of replies - it is full of really helpful people who are passionate about their VW's.

In general the main thing to look at is the chassis - they are old and they can be in a terrible state. The engines can be easily replaced, you can do up the inside and the outside but if the chassis is rotten then you are in trouble.

One bit of advice is to fit an Empi gearshift - I think about £55? It makes driving it soooooo much easier - I made my other half drive ours for two years because I could never find the gears and then he fitted the Empi thingy and it's great now!

Parts are generally easy to get with many after market parts and specialist companies.

Splitties are amazingly expensive nowadays and VERY small - I would go for a Bay.

Oh - buy now because the closer it gets to the summer the more xpensive they get!

Insurance is very cheap (having said that I don't know how old you are) if you get a classic car policy - let me know if you want any we links for this - you will need to ring them for a quote though as it is a specialist policy. Make sure that you go for an agreed value policy - we didn't, then had an engine fire and had to argue for months about the value of it. It doesn't cost any more and you just have to fill in a form and send some photos in - well worth it!

Can't think of much more to say - beware of anything with a shiny new paint job, often it is done in order to sell it and can hide a multitude of sins! Don't buy at any of the shows - in general the prices are inflated as people pay more when they get carried away with the excitement of the show.

Having said that shows are good places to find out more - I think VolksWorld show is some time in March just outside London. Or see if you have a local VW club - go down to the pub they meet at and have a chat - you may even find someone that will come with you to have a look at a camper with you if you want an opinion on it. Most people who have VW's will talk to anyone about them for hours!

Ask away if there is anything else you think I might be able to help you with.

Sophie (If I think of anything more I'll post later)

PS Make sure that if you get one you go to Vanfest in September in Malvern - it's great!

PPS Get one! Get one! Get one!