I purchased a VW camper van in the US and picked it up in Europe. This was a few years ago but my family, four of us had no problem with living in it. The whole family was with me for 3 weeks and I was alone for a couple of months, sabbatical leave. Great vehicle, at the time and excellent value. We used it for years in the US. VERY convenient, easy to drive and park plus outstanding quality. Ready to go again.
Great video and full of great information. One criticism would be that we did not see sleeping areas laid out in most of them - which is so important when it comes to practical camper van life.
These vans are great if your a child or hobbit, Far to cramped for a holiday, I had one and very soon got rid for a proper camper. If they didn't have VW on the badge I'm sure people wouldn't want them .
American VW dealers USED to carry those camper vans but for some reason, our local dealers don't. They told me VW doesn't MAKE camper vans anymore. So much for them being up on their products. I had a VW camper 40 years ago. It was GREAT even though it was no where near what they apparently are NOW!
no market for them, americans tend to buy much larger more comfortable less economic motorhomes... im also pretty sure its not vw that makes these. but many separate companies
Your dealer is somewhat correct.. VW doesn't make a camper *for the US Market*. The last campers we got were the Winnebago-converted (not Westfalia) T4's (EuroVan) in 2007, or the Class B Winnebago Rialta on the T4 chassis.
If your going to make a camper van, here's my suggestion: Make a camper van with the high stationary roofs, but put a front-hinged lifting roof on top of that! Then have the fold down bed, like in the second camper in the video. Make a sliding door only on the left, because it's on the driver's side. Then make the common lounging area, with the front 2 chairs turning around, and 2 tables, one on the wall, one on a swivel crank, which will also fold down into the side of the door. the back 2 seats have hight-adjusting headrests, and both back chairs have dual armrests. Behind the seats would be like the danbury double back, the whole back sliding out. But in the sliding area would be the full bathroom with shower and toilet, like in the autosleeper topaz(with the dual sliding doors), not just a bench. This way, when your parked, the whole van won't smell as bad as it would in the others. Behind the left rear seat would be a sink/stove with 3 burners, a small and 2 medium. Under the stove would be a small speedy oven. Behind that would be a tall cabinet, going from floor hight to the roof. Behind the left seat, would be the fridge, raised so you could get your stuff without bending over. A slide-out drawer would be under that, for other stuff. Behind that would be a step ladder facing the fridge, mounted against the corner off the cabinet with the fridge and the wall. In the stand up cabinet behind the sink would be a mattress, folded into fourths and stored vertically. When parked, You lay down the back 2 seats, Turn the front chairs forward, fold down the tables, and lay the mattress across the seats. That is my idea of a camper van. Any other suggestions or ideas?
Why aren't any of them being sold in the USA? The old used VW eurovan camper prices are sky high so there's a clear demand for smaller camper van in the market. Bring them over and profit!!
Its because they suck! ..lol You dont shit where you prepare food..lol If they would profit they would be in the US. If you want a VW camper van get one of the old vintage ones, your money will be better spent.
Just a heads up. They don't tell you which one won at the end of the vid. It's a 20 minute ad for the their magazine nothing more. Show your love by thumbs down and unsubbing. Ridiculous.
You guys saying they're too small clearly just don't get it..and have certainly never tried one!!! I have a VW California and is f'ing fantastic! I can actually park the thing in my garage..not like bigger motorhomes, and I can fit 2 folding bikes, and kid seat and the kids car seat and us 2 adults and STILL have space to cook and relax! Yes the spaces are small, but beautifully thought out and work beautifully! Lift the roof and you can stand and move around to cook. Open the back up and fit the tailgate awning and THERE is your shower...and shitbox....you guys are clearly a very culture bunch...speak to your Grandmother like that do you?? Fucking amazing van, but none of you could ever afford it anyway, so I think maybe a matress and a transit IS better for your type!
I personally prefer a caravan for European touring, that way there is a clear distinction between accomadation and transport and no toilets in the galley area. You decry others language and yet your own is deplorable and FYI my car at over a £100,000 is far more than your camper...please get real and no I am not bragging. I have friends who have boats that cost millions, my boat is less than 200k and over 15 yrs old.. go figure. PS The California is pretty good for such a small RV, very neat indeed.
Matters mighty little how much disputable value luxuries they build into them since we live in an age when only those can afford anything who do not really need it. In 1965 a university student could get a Vw camper after a summer work stint.
Hey Thanks This Video Made My Motorhome! I Love VW And I Was Looking For One And The 8. One Really Got Me Im Gonna Upgrade The Engine And Do Some Intorior Stuff Thankszzz
I lived in my vw T25 for 10 years. Bed and gas hobs. removable storage boxes. Stuck a boat hatch in the roof. 99% of this stuff in these vans are designed by people that have NEVER stayed a night let alone a week in a van/camper. I don't want to have a loo any where near me inside a van. Pee in a bottle and poo in a public loo.VW need a re think BADLY
I agree, my father lived in his Traffic campervan for a few years, it was all about social, sleeping & eating space. If you stop in the wilds, carry a shovel & dump in the wilds. An organised campsite, use the facilities (you pay for them) & they are usually clean.
But its not VW - these are conversions by other companies. And presumably reflect a public demand... personally can't think why you'd want a WC within a small van, but there you go...or rather, they go. The VW California doesn't carry any kind of loo
right on I have been driving since the mid 1960s have done everything you can do to a van, and afford to run a v8 at 35 cents for 4.5 liters of gas.and they say they is a better place, plus our music better too.
I preferred the Auto-Sleeper Topaz (8:14) out of all the above, but didn't like the grey plastic exterior vents on the bodywork. Couldn't Autosleeper have made them body-coloured? But I still prefer the Westafia Club Joker (not shown here), preferably with AWD, to all of these...
If you are going to review something then please show the beds made up and give dimensions and finally give the prices for these conversions although if people are seriously interested a little online work will suffice in which case your review becomes superfluous as it gives far too little information about each product. Maybe the same length video but featuring only three vans would have been a lot better.
Hi love your work, just wondering how much extra weight using the timber for internal walls adds compared to just adding insulation lining ? i love t thou :)
Jeez enough with the warp stabilizer during the non moving shots, it's making me sick and sure I'm not the only one. I'd rather have shaky video than this unnatural distortion. Otherwise cool video and great vans. Thank you.
My T4 camper is aging rapidly and I would soon like to update to T5 or newer but alas, here in the U.S. we are totally deprived of the new generation VW campers. Oh, the injustice of it all!
you can keep it. it's like the a modern house, sterile and boring. i'll stick with the original camper. warm colours, comfortable and you just can't beat the nostalgic look and feel of the original. the toilet just puts me off straight away. whats wrong with the bushes??!!!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the old 1960s and 70s VW camper vans have a tent that attached to the side off the side doors to make a nice sized, actually usable living space? With the modern fabrics and technology of today, they could even make one that was insulated so you could have it heated/cooled! Just make one off the side door that wrapped around to the back. Carry a family of 4 in normal seats inside, and make all the seats removable to be used in the tent! Make that tiny little VW a huge tent! Much more spacious and comfortable! Or, just move to America and buy an actual RV... those trump these lil toys any day of the week!
***** not really - we can't get the T5 here. We do get larger Sprinter-based camper vans though. Not sure what you call the Sprinter over there though.. the shared Mercedes/Audi/VW platform thing..
***** "easily"?? If you call thousands of dollars in changing over DOT approved equipment, private EPA and emissions testing and conversion, and private safety testing "easy".
Don't Vw already make their own camper called the California? I'm sorry but all these are just a bodge up with lashings of chipboard and silicone sealant and will depreciate rapidly. Keeping a toilet in a kitchen cupboard is INSANE! Use the loo provided at the campsite or simply poo in a hedge or even ask a pleasant caravan owner (???!) to use their facilities.
Considering this is supposed to be a review of campervans, barely a word was said about the beds?! Ì mean that's their main purpose! Where are the rock n roll bed equipped vans? A far more practical layout than these crap 4 seat arrangements!
With a rock and roll layout there is no shower. A van withoout a shower is like a bald headed female/ extremly odd and virtually useless for off grid parkiing.
@@roadwarrior607 I have a long wheel base T4. My wife and I sleep on the RIB bed, kids sleep in the pop top. When they get too big they will have to leave home and sleep in the awning! ;-)
That is a very small camper, tbh. Then again in Europe, small, economically vehicles etc like this tend to be the norm. I'm experiencing claustrophobia just watching this.
They all had beds. Most of them had single beds. The rear seats fold down and join up with the swivel front seats. You get a fully flat section for upper body and legs but your lower legs go onto the swivel front seats.
Welcome to >2015! You can have a relatively cheap LED-projector, size of a cigarette box, connected to your SmartPhone with 4G and have everything from the internet, including TV, and project it as big as you like in your van. Why have a TV when you can have a portable HD home theater in your van. If your stereo system understands bluetooth, you can use your integrated sound system too. Sorry, but idea of integrated old world TV is now as clever idea than installing c-casette player to be able to play old Elvis casettes.
I purchased a VW camper van in the US and picked it up in Europe. This was a few years ago but my family, four of us had no problem with living in it. The whole family was with me for 3 weeks and I was alone for a couple of months, sabbatical leave. Great vehicle, at the time and excellent value. We used it for years in the US. VERY convenient, easy to drive and park plus outstanding quality. Ready to go again.
Great video and full of great information. One criticism would be that we did not see sleeping areas laid out in most of them - which is so important when it comes to practical camper van life.
auto sleepers topaz - that one is the best, the nice bath is always a must, no need for big kitchen for a camper van
Walla do you know the length of the Topaz?
These vans are great if your a child or hobbit, Far to cramped for a holiday, I had one and very soon got rid for a proper camper. If they didn't have VW on the badge I'm sure people wouldn't want them .
So you can sit on the toilet and cook at the same time. Amazing.
hahahaha
............thinking of both ends LOL
American VW dealers USED to carry those camper vans but for some reason, our local dealers don't. They told me VW doesn't MAKE camper vans anymore. So much for them being up on their products. I had a VW camper 40 years ago. It was GREAT even though it was no where near what they apparently are NOW!
no market for them, americans tend to buy much larger more comfortable less economic motorhomes... im also pretty sure its not vw that makes these. but many separate companies
Your dealer is somewhat correct.. VW doesn't make a camper *for the US Market*. The last campers we got were the Winnebago-converted (not Westfalia) T4's (EuroVan) in 2007, or the Class B Winnebago Rialta on the T4 chassis.
The funny thing is I'm not into Motorhomes at all . But was totally engrossed and watched the whole video 👍😀 it's a shame I don't have 💰💰 to buy one !
sadly I don't have sacks of money either.
those vans are amazing
Next time you do one of these comparison videos please can you say the price of the model, thanks.
The bed on that Hymer was just shocking.
Great Presentation Sir! Great Collections of Vans!
thx a lot for showing us the ultimate showdown
If your going to make a camper van, here's my suggestion:
Make a camper van with the high stationary roofs, but put a front-hinged lifting roof on top of that! Then have the fold down bed, like in the second camper in the video. Make a sliding door only on the left, because it's on the driver's side.
Then make the common lounging area, with the front 2 chairs turning around, and 2 tables, one on the wall, one on a swivel crank, which will also fold down into the side of the door. the back 2 seats have hight-adjusting headrests, and both back chairs have dual armrests.
Behind the seats would be like the danbury double back, the whole back sliding out. But in the sliding area would be the full bathroom with shower and toilet, like in the autosleeper topaz(with the dual sliding doors), not just a bench. This way, when your parked, the whole van won't smell as bad as it would in the others.
Behind the left rear seat would be a sink/stove with 3 burners, a small and 2 medium. Under the stove would be a small speedy oven. Behind that would be a tall cabinet, going from floor hight to the roof.
Behind the left seat, would be the fridge, raised so you could get your stuff without bending over. A slide-out drawer would be under that, for other stuff. Behind that would be a step ladder facing the fridge, mounted against the corner off the cabinet with the fridge and the wall.
In the stand up cabinet behind the sink would be a mattress, folded into fourths and stored vertically. When parked, You lay down the back 2 seats, Turn the front chairs forward, fold down the tables, and lay the mattress across the seats.
That is my idea of a camper van. Any other suggestions or ideas?
Love the back seats in those first 3, better for bigger kids and teens.
Good job on the comparisons on all the different models
Why aren't any of them being sold in the USA? The old used VW eurovan camper prices are sky high so there's a clear demand for smaller camper van in the market. Bring them over and profit!!
VW doesn't import the T5 chassis - they just re-badge a shitty Dodge minivan. Closest thing you'll find here are Sprinter-based conversions.
Its because they suck! ..lol You dont shit where you prepare food..lol If they would profit they would be in the US. If you want a VW camper van get one of the old vintage ones, your money will be better spent.
Time you did an update on the new VW campers now on the market ;)
I thought he farted at 17:11 😂😂😂
Very entertaining/interesting.
I think this fellow did a wonderful job.
The Bed in the VW HYMER Looks a bit cheap and loose. Wouldn't take a nap on that.
All of them are awesome love it
Gorgeous job thank you soooo much! So informative!
Why not available in Aus..ripoffs here $$$
I wish they sold these here in the U.S.
Why is it that I found my old vanagon westy more efficient than many of this new ones ?
very slick presentation but never shows with the beds made down
Just a heads up. They don't tell you which one won at the end of the vid. It's a 20 minute ad for the their magazine nothing more. Show your love by thumbs down and unsubbing. Ridiculous.
thanks for the comparisons
Nice presentation
You guys saying they're too small clearly just don't get it..and have certainly never tried one!!! I have a VW California and is f'ing fantastic! I can actually park the thing in my garage..not like bigger motorhomes, and I can fit 2 folding bikes, and kid seat and the kids car seat and us 2 adults and STILL have space to cook and relax! Yes the spaces are small, but beautifully thought out and work beautifully! Lift the roof and you can stand and move around to cook. Open the back up and fit the tailgate awning and THERE is your shower...and shitbox....you guys are clearly a very culture bunch...speak to your Grandmother like that do you?? Fucking amazing van, but none of you could ever afford it anyway, so I think maybe a matress and a transit IS better for your type!
I personally prefer a caravan for European touring, that way there is a clear distinction between accomadation and transport and no toilets in the galley area.
You decry others language and yet your own is deplorable and FYI my car at over a £100,000 is far more than your camper...please get real and no I am not bragging. I have friends who have boats that cost millions, my boat is less than 200k and over 15 yrs old.. go figure.
PS The California is pretty good for such a small RV, very neat indeed.
They are probably too obese to fit in a van.
Matters mighty little how much disputable value luxuries they build into them since we live in an age when only those can afford anything who do not really need it. In 1965 a university student could get a Vw camper after a summer work stint.
Number 5 is my favourite
Hey Thanks This Video Made My Motorhome! I Love VW And I Was Looking For One And The 8. One Really Got Me Im Gonna Upgrade The Engine And Do Some Intorior Stuff Thankszzz
Topaz, the best of those.
I lived in my vw T25 for 10 years. Bed and gas hobs. removable storage boxes. Stuck a boat hatch in the roof. 99% of this stuff in these vans are designed by people that have NEVER stayed a night let alone a week in a van/camper. I don't want to have a loo any where near me inside a van. Pee in a bottle and poo in a public loo.VW need a re think BADLY
Thought the same. And I've nerver had a campervan.
I agree, my father lived in his Traffic campervan for a few years, it was all about social, sleeping & eating space. If you stop in the wilds, carry a shovel & dump in the wilds. An organised campsite, use the facilities (you pay for them) & they are usually clean.
But its not VW - these are conversions by other companies. And presumably reflect a public demand... personally can't think why you'd want a WC within a small van, but there you go...or rather, they go. The VW California doesn't carry any kind of loo
GuildF40
right on I have been driving since the mid 1960s have done everything you can do to a van, and afford to run a v8 at 35 cents for 4.5 liters of gas.and they say they is a better place, plus our music better too.
good video with good information. One question.... What happened at 17:12? Was that a man made sound or what?
R Maynard P
Dart??
Nice interior on the RoHo Livingston :]
Great video - thank you for sharing!
I preferred the Auto-Sleeper Topaz (8:14) out of all the above, but didn't like the grey plastic exterior vents on the bodywork. Couldn't Autosleeper have made them body-coloured?
But I still prefer the Westafia Club Joker (not shown here), preferably with AWD, to all of these...
I am looking to buy on of these later on
wonderful the toilets ! how about the indoor shower ? can you use it to show us how taking the shower please ?
You just have to check out the old toyota townace by am craft its grp so no rot but it's got the lot
If you are going to review something then please show the beds made up and give dimensions and finally give the prices for these conversions although if people are seriously interested a little online work will suffice in which case your review becomes superfluous as it gives far too little information about each product.
Maybe the same length video but featuring only three vans would have been a lot better.
I hate campervans but these looked so cooooool
You hate campervans then why search this video or watch it.
why did they remove the beds on the newer ones? the old ones got 2 decent beds. strange
what am i doing with my life?
When will these be available in the U.S.??? What are the prices for each van????
Auto sleeper topaz is my favorite also
Hi love your work, just wondering how much extra weight using the timber for internal walls adds compared to just adding insulation lining ? i love t thou :)
After all that and he doesn't tell us which one won D'oh !!!
Topaz, by far the best here...
Yeah, but where do you sleep? :/
8:05 double bed...hmmm, no...
My thoughts exactly. I'd be up all night waiting for that leg to give out.
Where can I buy one of those sink/stove combos? That was brilliant. I have a Winnebago View and that combo would free up huge counter in my coach.
Kim Horton their made by smev.. I got my 2-ring & sink combo for £100 from E-bay
Why do they never tell the price of these campers?
Because they are overpriced!!
They are available online
Because there like 35,000 isn't that a joke !!!!! 😊. For that much you could buy a really nice used R.V.
Why no California?
Great for holidays..can save on hotel bills
Wiss Boss. 30000 ¥ is less than £200
Jeez enough with the warp stabilizer during the non moving shots, it's making me sick and sure I'm not the only one. I'd rather have shaky video than this unnatural distortion. Otherwise cool video and great vans. Thank you.
New subscriber! ;)
All said and done it's an expensive way to take a crap.
My T4 camper is aging rapidly and I would soon like to update to T5 or newer but alas, here in the U.S. we are totally deprived of the new generation VW campers. Oh, the injustice of it all!
you can keep it. it's like the a modern house, sterile and boring. i'll stick with the original camper. warm colours, comfortable and you just can't beat the nostalgic look and feel of the original. the toilet just puts me off straight away. whats wrong with the bushes??!!!
good
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the old 1960s and 70s VW camper vans have a tent that attached to the side off the side doors to make a nice sized, actually usable living space? With the modern fabrics and technology of today, they could even make one that was insulated so you could have it heated/cooled! Just make one off the side door that wrapped around to the back. Carry a family of 4 in normal seats inside, and make all the seats removable to be used in the tent! Make that tiny little VW a huge tent! Much more spacious and comfortable! Or, just move to America and buy an actual RV... those trump these lil toys any day of the week!
Sure wish we could get some of those model in the States. :(
***** not really - we can't get the T5 here. We do get larger Sprinter-based camper vans though. Not sure what you call the Sprinter over there though.. the shared Mercedes/Audi/VW platform thing..
***** "easily"?? If you call thousands of dollars in changing over DOT approved equipment, private EPA and emissions testing and conversion, and private safety testing "easy".
where are you located in uk for the show
I think it’s a shame VW can’t solve the toilet problem in an Ocean. These converters show simple effective solutions.
Any one of these would be great for family beach weekends...but I don't know if that would be worth the price...whatever the price is...
damn i long for ore information. this felt like such a tease.
They are all great as you will be living at road side garage waiting for your over priced part to be flown in because they are not reliable....
i dont think the call from Top gear will come.....
is there a way to get one of these to hawaii????
What is the length of these cars?
I do wish you'd talk to the camera!
I had a 67 split screen
Who is RIB?
How much does #1 cost?
Don't Vw already make their own camper called the California? I'm sorry but all these are just a bodge up with lashings of chipboard and silicone sealant and will depreciate rapidly. Keeping a toilet in a kitchen cupboard is INSANE! Use the loo provided at the campsite or simply poo in a hedge or even ask a pleasant caravan owner (???!) to use their facilities.
+Dan Bartlett
Or just buy the topaz(n5).
The best by far(real toilet included)...
I like number 3 camper plus I got the lego volkswagen bus
Wow. I have never seen a (slightly) full bathroom in a VW camper.
GANDALF GAMING j
Does he blow off at 17.05
what i don't like about these vans they are just vans with a kitchen and a toilet.
Prefer the standard California.
Bring to Canada
8:45 está a melhor !
Considering this is supposed to be a review of campervans, barely a word was said about the beds?! Ì mean that's their main purpose! Where are the rock n roll bed equipped vans? A far more practical layout than these crap 4 seat arrangements!
Yeah like when are you ever gonna have 4 people in a mini camper...
alex humphries
With a rock and roll layout there is no shower. A van withoout a shower is like a bald headed female/ extremly odd and virtually useless for off grid parkiing.
@@roadwarrior607 I have a long wheel base T4. My wife and I sleep on the RIB bed, kids sleep in the pop top. When they get too big they will have to leave home and sleep in the awning! ;-)
The shit smell adds a homey flavor to the meatballs you cook later for dinner
You don't want to be around when I go
Lindo
...just discovered that Autosleeper Topaz costs 55,250 GBP (US$88,400)...!!!!!!!!!
Oh God no. I can get a used normal sized motorhome for that price. These are all terrible!!
so if I could get a campavan
tapoz is the best
that's a motorhome? lol in the us our motorhomes are literally anywhere up to an actual bus.
Michael Bradbury I was just saying lol cuz our motorhomes can be legit homes and this is like a normal van to us. Fuck off if you think im rude.
Michael Bradbury How is a big bus ugly? My father in-law's RV is bigger than the 3br I lived in in Ely.
That is a very small camper, tbh. Then again in Europe, small, economically vehicles etc like this tend to be the norm. I'm experiencing claustrophobia just watching this.
trekguy31 lol glad i dont live in europe. i couldnt stand a small car or expensive gas among other things. i prefer my thirsty v8 and cheaper gas.
Camper Van Conversions, not motorhomes . Learn to read
Vanagon westfalia more space better lay out.
Few cars back to bed or how did they introduce no design
Poor bed for the HYMER ............
The livingston from rolling homes came 1st
Some of them don’t have beds
They all had beds. Most of them had single beds. The rear seats fold down and join up with the swivel front seats. You get a fully flat section for upper body and legs but your lower legs go onto the swivel front seats.
Interesting, there's no TV as standard in all of them
Sorin Marian Bodea Who goes camping to watch TV? Stay home if you want to watch TV, it's a lot cheaper than spending $70k on a camper van.
yep you're right
Welcome to >2015! You can have a relatively cheap LED-projector, size of a cigarette box, connected to your SmartPhone with 4G and have everything from the internet, including TV, and project it as big as you like in your van. Why have a TV when you can have a portable HD home theater in your van. If your stereo system understands bluetooth, you can use your integrated sound system too. Sorry, but idea of integrated old world TV is now as clever idea than installing c-casette player to be able to play old Elvis casettes.
You should never have to shit where you eat !!! 😊
nice eyebrows
omg whhhyy? it's so cramped.