Our Amazon Shop https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/yorkshirepoptopadventures – Most of the stuff we have ever bought for our van and things that feature in our videos
Hello you epic camping people….
This weeks video is here and despite the “thinking face” in this weeks thumbnail 🤪 I discuss (and invite your questions) why a lot of people are chosing to buy larger vans lately, and dive in to why smaller vans are also still awesome!
There is also a campsite tour of a “remote feel” campsite with epic views in the Peak District… You will not want to miss this one…
Also hash tag – NOT SPONSORED ❤😂
Stay awesome
The campsite I stayed at (not sponsored)
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/peak-district-derbyshire/upper-booth-farm-campsite
source
Hey you lovely lot. I read every single comment you guys type. But also have a life beyond YouTube 🤣! Im slowly getting through them and will respond to questions and comments when i can
Stay awesome, i love all of the comments, even the bad ones 🤣❤
Ive had loads, Renault Master custom built, Mazda Bongo, Merc Vito, Autotrail Mohawk (4.25 tonnes) and now looking for a Merc Marco Polo. Fast and light just suits better. A pop top is luxury after 2x 3 month trips with 2 of us and a Jack Russell in a Vito. Give me a Cobb cooker to expand my cooking options and Im gone!
Yes but there not small when put up a 3 sided Awning , simple .
Loads room then ❤😊😊
Hi Colin I like all your videos and don’t mind about the content you choose to show. We have a small camper, a Autosleeper Topaz it’s a bit longer than your van and suits us fine. Looking forward to next weeks walk 👋👋
We have a van the same size as yours, a T5 California. It's our third one and we have been everywhere in it, as far south as Gibraltar, north to the top of Norway, East to Salzburg and West to the Outer Hebrides. and I keep on about to 'er in doors' is I want a fixed bed. In a way the pop top is a fixed bed. But The T5 fits in multi story car parks, height limit car parks and a normal parking spaces. At the end of the day it is a car with a bed and a kitchen, we have no toilet, just a pot to p1ss in and we use campsites.and is perfect for our travels. A big one would be great when camped. If some one drove it to a site for us and we made our own way there, that would be fine. Where do you put your toilet when the bed is down, or do you sleep upstairs?
I understand, I had a t5 and wanted bigger without going bigger, I did a self build last time and I’m doing it again, instead of a large small van I got a small large van, a fiat Ducati H1L1, wider slightly higher but still fits in a parking space, but it’s really about head place and head space, get out and enjoy whatever you have, great video
I’ve just sold my T6 and bought a Caddy Maxi mk5. I’ve got the same layout inside with a slightly shorter bed. I’m loving my Caddy with all the modern technology in the cab and I have no worries about any height restrictions.
Watching you make coffee notice you use ground coffee which is what I did, just got a KINGrinder K2 from amazon £56, Its been the best thing I,ve brought for the aeropress the coffee is just so much better, the beans last a lot longer and the smell well, Would highly recommend it just get one.
I had a T6 which was great as a camper and a daily driver. I'm looking at getting more space and more convenience (i.e. a fixed bed!) but that can only happen if I have a separate daily driver which adds more cost.
It's hardly rocket science is it?.if I was going to live full-time, I'd want the biggest van I could afford, especially with our wet crap British winters. If buying a van for weekend trips largely in the summer, I'd get a minivan or even consider a large car to be honest!
I consider sleeping in virtually any car or van to be superior to sleeping in a tent.
For VW not van life, stated with a vw bug and tent, grew up, T2, them T5, now 50 need to pee at night and can’t bend as old!
T6.1- Fred Flintstone Special conversion, ideal for one man and his dog.
Colin, it’s cost that’s off putting. The price of a T5 or T6 professionally converted camper van is way too expensive so many that can’t afford that maybe are going down the larger (cheaper) base van and either converting it themselves or getting it converted. On size on country roads, it’s not an issue. I live in rural Perthshire and drive a Day Centre 7.3m Sprinter minibus. We are in and out streets and lanes all day long and most times easier than a car or smaller van because of the better visibility and ability to cope with terrain better. I’d love a nice late T5 or equivalent but just too pricey to buy, insure and Tax. Converting a Transit or medium Sprinter would be cheaper. This is also hyping up Caddy prices as well. Best if I could get a battery electric van. New upcoming Chinese and South Korean e- vans are the way forward
Barriers are a problem everywhere now and can’t park large vans anywhere but I do understand why people want the bigger ones
The cost of a VW camper is way way not worth the money, reality check for the average person !!!!
£26 a night wow that's extortionate, afraid I won't be visiting this site at anytime soon 😎🏍️😁
Im a Dubber had a T4 got a T5, I want to upgrade but the cost of a newer T6, let's say 45k, I can get a nice van where I can shower and shit and eat and its not in the same room lol. 😅😅
Great vlog. Campervan choice as with anything else in life is down to personal choice and of course money. Keep up the great vlogs 👍
Really good video Col, looks like you have your mojo back with a vengeance. I’m liking this format too, lots of useful info and a good question re the small camper. I think, as a VW camper owner, the bit I’m missing is the drive away awnings…more space but still portability. What do you think from your experiences ?
The difference is tourist or lifestyle 🤔
I’ve lived in an old ambulance, a caravan and lastly a bus in Spain. I’ve never had a toilet or shower in any of them as I think it’s a disgusting setup. Also they take up space.
Love our VW California. Great to see you back and you’re on good form. The shorter walk and talk format should definitely continue.
NICE vid Col. Would love a larger van but then it becomes a motorhome that gets used a few times a year and becomes impractical to drive around the places you really want to visit. Love the T6, it's a replacement for my car which I do miss (the sports mode around the country roads lol), but when you get old you have to accept going slower!
After 5 years of owning a T6 we went MWB 6m Crafter sized van mainly because we are now both retired. Being of a certain age having a toilet on board is an essential 😅
I have had all manner of Volkswagen vans from split screens to type twos and more and there is one thing wrong with them. Space I now have a Decato medium wheelbase high top with a fixed double bed and kitchen plus composting toilet it’s perfect. I can stand up, lie down, walk around and store loads of stuff. I would never go back to a Volkswagen or a Volkswagen sized vehicle.
Vans looking great mate love the new wheels !! I would never trade my small van for a larger one
I’ve owned the larger vans before, but they just weren’t practical…hard to park and a lot of wasted space. I’ve had a Renault Kangoo for the past four years now, and I absolutely love it! Best van for what I want. Great video again 👍🏻
I must say I do love my T6.1 SWB Kombi called Dory she a work in progress & yes if I had space I would love a larger vehicle but that's very much a nice to have. Like you say you have to pack tactically when space is a premium but you make it work 👍
I was pondering this sat behind a high top sprinter that must have cost 100k. I dont think that small vans are falling out of favour. I think the people that can afford to spend house money on a camper van dont have to make any compromises as it is a sole use vehicle and therefore want comfort. My next van is likely going to be another caddy lwb again
One absolutely delighted 9 year old!! She just saw her sticker on your fridge!!
If you’re a full time van lifer then definitely get the bigger vehicle, but if you’re a recreational weekend van lifer then medium to micro camper is best.
Another fabulous video, personally I LOVE my little Micro Camper Callie the Caddy but the points you made like standing up were very valid point…..I really do miss standing 😂
Loved our T6.1 for short trips – sooo flexible, BUT we now do a lot of 4+ week trips every year so moved up to a MWB Crafter at the start of last year and never looked back! Total game changer on lonv trips. Sat in it now on the beach in Scotland….
Started with a £150 Kango
Then
Caddy
T5
Crafter
7.5t Horse lorry
Bought some land in Sicily and parked the Horsebox/ tiny home out there permanent.
Sold the Crafter because the horsebox made us realise how much more value for money they are over the 3.5t vans and didn’t like seeing it parked on our driveway.
Now we have a Tentbox on top of a Tesla and the campsites in west Wales are the highest cost of the trip as they should be.
Don’t think we’d build another van, we think it’s more about the freedom to get up and escape to the country.
Traded in our nearly 8m motorhome for a Ford Transit Custom Camper. The best decision we ever did, touring the country has become so much easier, no more trips to Devon and Cornwall fretting about the narrow roads to the beaches, and having toured France in our motorhome yes they are better equipped for the larger vehicles but the small historic city’s can become stressful and a full on military operation in planning. Small vans all the way for us.
The main issue with the small vans is the cost £75k for starters on a new ford.
For two of us we wanted a VW California for our first van and are awaiting build/delivery. I get the appeal of a larger van but feel it would be quite stressful to drive, park etc. Of course compromises needed with a small van but we travel light and neither of us is tall (me 5’ 9 and wife 5’6) so reckon it will suit us. The other major factor for us is home driveway space. Would need to move home to have anything bigger than a California!
Excellent video.
I acquired a T6.1. Right now, I'm adapting it. Until it's ready, I'll plan my next trip.
The yellow backpack you're using looks excellent. Where did you buy it and what model?
Congrats.
I have a Transit custom with a high top it’s small but I love it, I met a lady in cornwall with a larger van & she said she’d rather have mine so there you go 😊