Advice please for a newbie

[AJB77]

Hi everyone,

Im new to this forum and what a great forum it is. I just thought I'd pick your brains as I need some advice. My family and I have made the decision to sell off the sensible family car and buy ourselves a nice Earlybay as our family bus, life's too short and all that. The problem we have is there are 6 of us, so the layout of the bus is important. We managed a holiday in the Isle of Wight in one which basically won us over. I'm after some advice as to what type to get, any suggestions? We have a budget of around 10k, after we've sold our car, I've already sold my motorbike! We will be using it on a regular basis in all weathers, but mainly sunshine hopefully :lol: . I've looked at so many on here I'm getting confused as to whats decent and whats a lemon. I live in Brentwood, Essex. Any advice you could give me would be great. Thanks

 

[AGC]

Hello and welcome

The standard mico bus layout would be ideal for you. If you got yourself a nice big drive away awning you could use it for camping too.

 

[mattd1984]

as above really a microbus would be good. I would personally recommend buying a LHD from the US as would be in a lot better condition and driving a LHD vehicle really isn't a problem.

Are you looking to camp in the van?

 

[Calker71]

Weve recently purchased our first bus, similar overall budget, we took loads of advice before making the jump, we finally bought a US import westy that has turned out to be an absolute peach, she's currently being stripped down to get her ready for next year and the interior. We've had the locals experts take a look and there's barely any rust on her, happy to share what we learnt so far...PM us if you want

 

[Araon]

With 6 you really for comfort only have the microbus and driveaway awning as an option, but thats the option I personally prefer, it will be less costly to purchase that way/a better base for your cash.

Just be very particular about your awning and shop about.

You could get Z hinges for the rear bench so it folds out to form a bed and if you have really little ones a cab bunk.

What bus did you holiday in and how did you get by with that?

 

[AJB77]

Thanks for your help, looks like I'll be searching for a microbus, I've seen a few already but we do like the idea of camping. I haven't seen many 6 seaters with a full camping interior, is there many about? Our stay in the IoW was in a Danbury import from Brazil, it had a pop top so four of us slept in that plus we had a nice big tent which the boys slept in. There was plenty of room for the 6 of us when driving around the Island though, which we loved!

 

[madjack]

I am running an Early bay with bench seat in the front devon flip seat behind the bulkhead an a 3/4 RNB and units down one side not a purpose built by a main manufacturer but does work well as a day bus

 

[Nugsy]

An original danbury interior would seat 6 driving also sleep the same if you use a cab bunk and the rear engine cover, no need for a heater either with that much bodyheat in there :lol:

Maybe a pop top Danbury is a good option (original not modern Danbury)

Failing that as above microbus, z-hinges and an awning would cover everything

 

[Araon]

Or you could try an amescador, if you can find one....

theres a couple of companies doing the rear sleeping tent attachment thingymajig.....

I kinda like the idea of sleeping out under the stars....

 

[Trikky2]

Have a look at buses fitted with the Viking - Holdsworth spacemaker roof. They will easily cope with six sleeping in the bus.

 

[LittlestHobo]

I found this helpful...

http://www.vwcamperguide.com/html/bay_window_buyers_guide.html

good luck!

 

[Danbury Doug]

I was going to suggest the original Danbury too. There are plenty of them still out there as well

Like others have mentioned, the Microbus also gets my vote.

 

[AJB77]

Decision made meet 'Lolaah' our 1970 Westy. http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j350/Lolaah70/68d0dd5c.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Bought from Tim C (timmo24), thanks for your help and advice. She is a blank canvas inside, as she as no interior which is great for us, we can fit her out to suit us. We are new to this so will be regularly on here for tips and advice no doubt. I have a few names and numbers of recommended vdub specialists but none local to me (Essex), if anyone can recommend any that would be great. Thanks.

 

[simo]

Hi m8 nice looking west you got there! Welcome to the fold whereabouts in sx are you based?

 

[AJB77]

I'm Brentwood based

 

[mister]

Thats a really nice westy you have got yourself mate. Always thought it was lovely. Have fun, will be interesting to see what you do with the inside.

 

[simo]

I'm Brentwood based

Cool - I'm sure we will bump into each other ( not literally :shock: ) at one show or another :mrgreen:

 

[AJB77]

Had some work done on the van over last few weeks, only minor jobs but enough to get me started. Thanks to Gadgetboy for doing the work, very very helpful.

 

[Gadget Boy]

Great to meet You Alex and of course anytime mate 8)