White Van Man

Well, a compromise was reached. I wanted something humungous, but was prepared to slum it in something around £5k if it was to be a smaller campervan. Hay wanted something more conservative in size, but well appointed and reassuringly expensive in the £30k to £40k area, which I saw as a waste of money for a depreciating asset.

In the end, we went for something at £12.5k that was adequate for all intended purposes, except getting the Triumph Daytona into it; however, a towbar and a small trailer would solve that. The kayaks and wind surfer can be loaded through a window and there's a bike rack for 2 bikes.

The huge job we saw in Wales was appealing, but the bloke selling it was obviously a keen enthusiast who had changed everything from the original spec into something more adapted to his style, resulting in the instructions for every item of equipment being inside his head and not written down anywhere in a manual. Added to that, when he started it there were plumes of smoke emanating from the exhaust for several minutes. His explanation was that it hadn't been started since March, but if you're selling something and have someone to view it, you at least ensure it's all in working order. Alarm bells were ringing.

The one we eventually chose was a more modest 2001 affair with 39k on the clock, needing nothing more than 3 new wheel bearings (advisory and non-urgent) and a new cam belt (due to the age, not the mileage). Everything else was in full working order. Asking price was £13k through a broker. I offered £12, fully expecting to settle for £12.5, which was the price we eventually agreed on. It is worth that to us.

The oven hadn't ever been used and was like new.

One thing I want to investigate is a gas bottle that can be refilled at petrol stations serving Autogas for cars, as exchanging gas bottles - new for old - is a licence to print money. They're not cheap, but worth it. I also want a 300W solar panel. I might rip out the cassette toilet and replace it with an organic, sawdust version (see the image below) in the interests of eco-friendliness, greater range and phenomenal water saving (we have a lot of experience with composting toilets).

The model above is manufactured by a company revelling in the name of Strumpet and Trollop, with this particular device going under the appellation of The Angel.

A diesel powered space heater wouldn't go amiss either. They're readily available for under £100.