New Years Resolution

[ray]

Happy xmas everyone

I have been looking for a decent camper for sometime. No success!

Its going to be my new years resolution. I hope to use it for frequent kayaking trips around the UK.

I have never owned a dormobile before, so I am at a loss about the pros and cons of different models. Any advice would be welcomed.

I have however owned several classic cars and still have the scars from previous restorations. While i don’t mind a bit of maintenance, I am very reluctant to start a major project. I would like to buy an A1 model – ready to go. Is there a vehicle that stands out from the rest?
How much would it cost? where is the best place to look? etc

Thanks

Ray

[Jonny]

Hi Ray seasons greetings and welcome to the forum. If you are to use a Dormobile for kayaking trips around the UK then there will be some questions, which you will need to ask yourself!

How many miles will you be doing?
Are you towing, carrying a heavy weight?
Will you need to go off road to get to your destination?
Do you have a lot of equipment to carry?

This will very much determine the type of vehicle your after.

If you’re going to be going off road then it’ll need to be a Landrover

If not then are you travelling many miles…..the older the vehicle then the technology or era it was built for will determine how well it will cope with today’s modern traffic. Assuming your are travelling many mile then you’ll need to aim for a later Dormobile (70’s 80’s) based on a Bedford CF or Sherpa or Transit chassis all of which can be sourced with O/d gearboxes making 60-70mph possible and comfortable.

If you need to carry a lot of weight or equipment then again the Bedford, Transit and Sherpa are ideal.

Have a look at the Dormobile models page https://www.dormobile.org.uk/Dormobile_Models.htm and see what takes your fancy, it then just a case of finding that type of vehicle. The most common of the three I’ve listed is the Bedford CF Landcruiser

This time of year is poor for all motorhome sales, and it will pick up again from March on-wards.

Good luck, drop me an e-mail of your still interested and I’ll add you to my list, when a club vehicle comes for sale I can then let you know.

Regards
John
jalexa100@btinternet.com

[grumpy]

Of course if you are looking for a bit of class and an interesting driving experience then there’s the Dormobile conversion of the VW Type 2. 😆

[ray]

Thanks

Your help is very helpful and much appreciated. To answer a few questions. I guess that i cover around 5000 miles travelling to kayak destinations. All of this is on the road, except for camping sites. I do not need to tow a trailer. I normally attach two kayaks to the roof rack on my car. I was hoping to do the same with a dormobile. Each kayak only weighs 20kg. I not think excessive weight is an issue.

You recommend a 70/80’s model of the Bedford, Sherpa or transit. Out of the three I prefer the looks of the CF. (Sorry I must be the only person around who does not like the VW camper). Are interior fittings standard on the CF?

Thanks again for your help and yes – I would very much like to be added to the club list.

Best wishes and have a happy new year

Ray

[Jonny]

Hi Ray, if your looking to attach the kayak to the roof then you will have to consider the following:

A lifting roof model will need to have the roof rack removed before the roof can be lifted.

A fixed roof model like a CF Landcruiser, has a fible glass body and will provide you with a challenge in fixing a roof mounting…nothing is impossible, but it will add to the complexity, also these vehicle are already quite tall (around 7ft) so with a Kayak attached will be difficult to attach to from the ground, and you may have problems with heigh restrictions.

I’m not sure how long your kayaks are but the Landcruiser may fit them inside?

Have a good one.

John

[Author]

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