Thanks for this interesting video which raises some excellent points to consider. . Bought mine at 150,000 miles. It was an ex airport shuttle vehicle with a brand new conversion. I wasn’t in the least worried about the high mileage as at the time we had a bus company and expected our diesel buses to do at least 600k miles - but of course they do get excellent maintenance and as you say, that’s the key. My VW had an excellent service history, the conversion was done by a professional, the engine compartment was pristine, and it passed a fairly intensive check pre purchase (and I knew at the time I did pay over the odds as this was in the crazy period post Covid). After purchase I subsequently took it to a main commercial VW dealer and had them go through it carefully and give it a full service. Took it then to a camper specialist and had the habitation checked. It’s passed everything brilliantly - but I did keep a substantial amount of cash back to allow for this. I love it. It’s long wheel based but I’ve never had any problems parking it (and I live in Devon on the coast so you can imagine what’s it’s like in summer on our narrow roads and trying to park in town). Since then, as the converter had lowered the suspension, which I didn’t like and don’t think is very good for the vehicle, had new suspension fitted to revert it back to its original specs. I am an elderly lady in my 70s, who travels alone, but did struggle with the pop top. It turned out the gas struts were higher rated than needed so got the pop top manufacturers to send new ones, and got them fitted locally - no more problems with closing the pop top (except I need a set of steps as I’m short!) . I also put better new wheels and tyres on it - something important to our buses - which was just as well as a few months later I had a blow out at 70 mph on the M4 and it never even missed a beat. I didn’t even know I’d had a blow out for a few seconds. It’s automatic so easy to drive. However when I was looking for my camper I would have preferred barn doors - easier to access if parked close to something. Couldn’t find one, so mine has a tailgate and have got used to it. As you say it’s good in the rain but think I’d still prefer the flexibility of barn doors. I’m lucky though - the converter put on a sliding bed from a California in it, so I can move it back and forth and still have a good ‘boot’ space. However as I’m getting older I’m now considering a crafter - I really want a high top, but one the same length as my current very beautiful VW! Thank you again.
@@StaycationLifestyle here in Ireland when I ordered the van back in Sep22, the price of a 2-3 yr old van was the same as the price for a new one.. it’s mental!
Spot On Had A 66Plate For Work 190bhp Four Motion Ran It Till The Belt Snapped Just Over 86K Never Mind Running It On Green Fuel Rant Coming On Need To Stop L.O.L.
Took a huge gamble on mine… 2010 t5, 290k on the clock, twin slider, 9 seater with rear bench removed, tailgate, air con, LWB, 2.5 tdi-BPC engine so gear driven cam, so far as a daily and using it on a 500 mile trip over Easter with the fam it’s going good!! Soon as I got it tho I fully serviced it, checked everything and chucked it in a month early for its MOT, absolutely flew through it! Like you rightly said if they are looked after they will go on for a few miles! This one was a motorway mile muncher and did 30k miles consistently between MOT’s, (bought it for £2k and spent £1.5k on bits and bobs inc service items)!
I bought a new t6.1 2022 204 highline dsg Lwb kombi camper last year ,twin sliders and glass tailgate with soft closing doors. I have since removed my rear seats and have a nice cabinet that now sits in place of the rear seats ,this house's my fridge on one side and my camping stove on the other .this unit also acts as a temporary seating area and a work space. It's strong enough room climb over to access the Queen size 40 winks bed I have in the rear .the LWB was the best size van for me as its still enables me to have 3 rear seats fitted and still have a full size bed made and available for use at anytime. Place the captain swivel seats finish the interior of the van .
Yes I feel the same wouldn't hesitate buying with 100000 miles on My pal has rebuilt so many engines with 400000 on city cars it can't be good for engines sat in traffic on tickover .
AA and RAC now outsource fleet-van servicing and anecdotal evidence suggests that such servicing is done on the cheap (why else outsource?). I've spoken to a number of patrol drivers and they would balk at recommending an ex-recovery vehicle due to the service outsourcing and because their vehicles have a very hard life and carry a lot of heavy equipment. (There's also the issue of having to sort out all the electrics that have been added/ modified). I'd suggest looking for a van being moved on by a self-employed sparky, plumber or other light-use owner (but not builders).
Had a SWB T5 for 13 years and have now just replaced it with a LWB Tailgate. Being a builder I thought the barn doors would be an absolute must but I’m liking the tailgate better. Had no choice as the model I bought only came with a Tailgate.
once a rock and roll bed is in, the rear doors are kinda moot point.. you are not going to be using it that often as there is nowhere to put your shopping.... and you can access the under bed and cabinet storage(mostly) from in the van...
What is best for me, might not be best for you. Everyone has different needs
Thanks for this interesting video which raises some excellent points to consider. . Bought mine at 150,000 miles. It was an ex airport shuttle vehicle with a brand new conversion. I wasn’t in the least worried about the high mileage as at the time we had a bus company and expected our diesel buses to do at least 600k miles - but of course they do get excellent maintenance and as you say, that’s the key. My VW had an excellent service history, the conversion was done by a professional, the engine compartment was pristine, and it passed a fairly intensive check pre purchase (and I knew at the time I did pay over the odds as this was in the crazy period post Covid). After purchase I subsequently took it to a main commercial VW dealer and had them go through it carefully and give it a full service. Took it then to a camper specialist and had the habitation checked. It’s passed everything brilliantly - but I did keep a substantial amount of cash back to allow for this. I love it. It’s long wheel based but I’ve never had any problems parking it (and I live in Devon on the coast so you can imagine what’s it’s like in summer on our narrow roads and trying to park in town). Since then, as the converter had lowered the suspension, which I didn’t like and don’t think is very good for the vehicle, had new suspension fitted to revert it back to its original specs. I am an elderly lady in my 70s, who travels alone, but did struggle with the pop top. It turned out the gas struts were higher rated than needed so got the pop top manufacturers to send new ones, and got them fitted locally - no more problems with closing the pop top (except I need a set of steps as I’m short!) . I also put better new wheels and tyres on it - something important to our buses - which was just as well as a few months later I had a blow out at 70 mph on the M4 and it never even missed a beat. I didn’t even know I’d had a blow out for a few seconds. It’s automatic so easy to drive. However when I was looking for my camper I would have preferred barn doors - easier to access if parked close to something. Couldn’t find one, so mine has a tailgate and have got used to it. As you say it’s good in the rain but think I’d still prefer the flexibility of barn doors. I’m lucky though - the converter put on a sliding bed from a California in it, so I can move it back and forth and still have a good ‘boot’ space. However as I’m getting older I’m now considering a crafter - I really want a high top, but one the same length as my current very beautiful VW! Thank you again.
Great advice!! In my case it made more sense to go for a new one so I didn’t have to worry about the history of the van
If you can afford it, that’s the best way 😄
@@StaycationLifestyle here in Ireland when I ordered the van back in Sep22, the price of a 2-3 yr old van was the same as the price for a new one.. it’s mental!
Just managed to pick up a 2015 T5.1 high line 264k but well looked after and frequently serviced, all for the princely sum of 6k 👌
Bargain. Seen them with big mileage still going 👍🏼
Spot On Had A 66Plate For Work 190bhp Four Motion Ran It Till The Belt Snapped Just Over 86K Never Mind Running It On Green Fuel Rant Coming On Need To Stop L.O.L.
First time viewer here. Subbed loving the content keep it up
Thank you, much appreciated 👍
Took a huge gamble on mine… 2010 t5, 290k on the clock, twin slider, 9 seater with rear bench removed, tailgate, air con, LWB, 2.5 tdi-BPC engine so gear driven cam,
so far as a daily and using it on a 500 mile trip over Easter with the fam it’s going good!! Soon as I got it tho I fully serviced it, checked everything and chucked it in a month early for its MOT, absolutely flew through it!
Like you rightly said if they are looked after they will go on for a few miles! This one was a motorway mile muncher and did 30k miles consistently between MOT’s, (bought it for £2k and spent £1.5k on bits and bobs inc service items)!
I bought a new t6.1 2022 204 highline dsg Lwb kombi camper last year ,twin sliders and glass tailgate with soft closing doors. I have since removed my rear seats and have a nice cabinet that now sits in place of the rear seats ,this house's my fridge on one side and my camping stove on the other .this unit also acts as a temporary seating area and a work space. It's strong enough room climb over to access the Queen size 40 winks bed I have in the rear .the LWB was the best size van for me as its still enables me to have 3 rear seats fitted and still have a full size bed made and available for use at anytime. Place the captain swivel seats finish the interior of the van .
Another good one mate.
Yes I feel the same wouldn't hesitate buying with 100000 miles on My pal has rebuilt so many engines with 400000 on city cars it can't be good for engines sat in traffic on tickover .
As a camper, the tailgate door is preferable for me as I like it acts as an awning for me.
I like that aspect too 👍
At 6ft 2 I banged my head off tailgate when raised. on my old T5..now have barn doors on new T6 which results in fewer stitches in the head!!
They don't say every 4 years on the cambelt anymore do they?
AA and RAC now outsource fleet-van servicing and anecdotal evidence suggests that such servicing is done on the cheap (why else outsource?). I've spoken to a number of patrol drivers and they would balk at recommending an ex-recovery vehicle due to the service outsourcing and because their vehicles have a very hard life and carry a lot of heavy equipment. (There's also the issue of having to sort out all the electrics that have been added/ modified).
I'd suggest looking for a van being moved on by a self-employed sparky, plumber or other light-use owner (but not builders).
Very interesting regarding the servicing of Aa and RAC. Definitely better with a vehicle subject to lighter loads. 👍
l.W.B. Easy To Spot The Distance On The Bodywork Forwards Of The Rear Wheels The Width Can Be Observed
Yes easy to spot. Makes a big difference inside
Had a SWB T5 for 13 years and have now just replaced it with a LWB Tailgate. Being a builder I thought the barn doors would be an absolute must but I’m liking the tailgate better. Had no choice as the model I bought only came with a Tailgate.
once a rock and roll bed is in, the rear doors are kinda moot point.. you are not going to be using it that often as there is nowhere to put your shopping.... and you can access the under bed and cabinet storage(mostly) from in the van...
True, one of the many reasons I would not get a rock n roll bed
I'm interested in what alternative seating you would have to provide sleeping as well as seating?
Just about to buy my fitst ever VW T.
Hi, can you point me in the right direction for the strut upgrade please?
I got mine from Transporter HQ transporterhq.co.uk/vw-transporter-parts-styling-accessories/gas-struts/vw-t6-upgraded-tailgate-struts-1250n/
😎👍