I might have expected to see this topic raised by Randa if we were suffering under a scorching hot tropical sunny sky but it's winter!

We owned this in the early 2000's - 1994 Renault Clio base vehicle professionally converted on a new chassis by Stimpson in Southampton - in theory 4 berths! but we were only 2. Included a two burner hob, wash basin onboard water tank, 240v hook-up and even a shower! but we didn't try that. It was essential to have a drive-away awning. But the whole thing worked very well - and when not camping it was a normal vehicle (almost).

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Dave

That's clever Sportique

John,
yeah, Barry Stimson converted quite a few Clios, but there are very few left now. He also adapted/designed a number of other vehicles - the Mini is one I recall. Try googling him - I think he is still in the business - try googling for Stimson Mini Bug ..

Dave

We had this left hand drive VW Westfalia California Exclusive until 2018 - It had turned into a money pit and we traded it in for a Troll 540 - No regrets yet!
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We had this lovely van for a while. We started with a standard Tranny van and had it part converted and supplied with a kit to build the inside which took about 2 weeks to complete. We let it go when we got a part fitted narrowboat which took about a year to complete (you can probably see a trend here)!
Although we still have the boat we want to be able to go to places other than on the canal so decided on trying an Eriba, going for a 420 which in many ways is similar to the camper in layout and facilities.

I think overall I preferred the camper but keeping ahead of the rust was a big issue and would have to spend an awul lot more money on something decent so the triton will do us nicely.

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As you can see from our photo we have owned a VW T5.1 California for the last 7 years but found the lack of a loo an ongoing issue as we get older.
We currently use it to tow our Troll 530 which we bought in July last year. So far have used both, us in the Eriba and the grandchildren and their parents in the Cali.

The aim is to change the Cali for a tow car but keep putting it off as I like driving the van.

Alan

I agree Roger.It took me two years to find and purchase the Eriba I wanted.On our first trip with it in Norfolk I was chatting to a guy who had a new double axle van pulled by a V6 VW Toureg.He asked me where our van was pitched and when I told him and he saw it he said "Everyone has to start somewhere!" Being quite proud of my little Eriba I was a bit miffed.Over many years of cycle camping, motorcycle camping and later using a car as transport I never came across that attitude.It's not happened a lot but it does happen - human nature?

On a CL near Penrith a family in a large white box saw us getting ready to hitch up, You've not got a motor mover on that little thing! rang across the campsite, it idoes weigh a tonne was my reply. Silence from the white box