Morning campers.

I am interested in buying a camper around £10,000 or less. I think I
would prefer a Ford based diesel camper for reliability and servicing
costs etc. 2 to 4 berth and preferably a camper and not just a van
type (Duetto)

Touring UK/Europe

Not too worried about LHD/RHD will this affect insurance etc much?
What is the maximum weight I should be looking for so that it is still
treated as a PLG?

I presume this will get me something 1992 onwards. What should I be
looking out for, and more important what should IU avoid?
What's the cheapest running costs/servicing van?
Thank you all in anticipation. Happy 2008.

"Jerry"  wrote in message 
news:vbr3o3lfuikp0v9h5afg2inuf5sjquv529@4ax.com...
> Morning campers.
>
> I am interested in buying a camper around £10,000 or less. I think I
> would prefer a Ford based diesel camper for reliability and servicing
> costs etc. 2 to 4 berth and preferably a camper and not just a van
> type (Duetto)
>
> Touring UK/Europe
>
> Not too worried about LHD/RHD will this affect insurance etc much?
> What is the maximum weight I should be looking for so that it is still
> treated as a PLG?
>
> I presume this will get me something 1992 onwards. What should I be
> looking out for, and more important what should IU avoid?
> What's the cheapest running costs/servicing van?
> Thank you all in anticipation. Happy 2008.

Most 'normal' size campers are under 3.5t which is where various different 
regs come in.

To get something worth having that doesn't leak like a sieve for £10K you 
need to go German.  Take a look at www.mobile.de

Rgds

Andy R

On Mon, 7 Jan 2008 09:39:50 -0000, "Andy R" 
wrote:

>
>"Jerry"  wrote in message 
>news:vbr3o3lfuikp0v9h5afg2inuf5sjquv529@4ax.com...
>> Morning campers.
>>
>> I am interested in buying a camper around £10,000 or less. I think I
>> would prefer a Ford based diesel camper for reliability and servicing
>> costs etc. 2 to 4 berth and preferably a camper and not just a van
>> type (Duetto)
>>
>> Touring UK/Europe
>>
>> Not too worried about LHD/RHD will this affect insurance etc much?
>> What is the maximum weight I should be looking for so that it is still
>> treated as a PLG?
>>
>> I presume this will get me something 1992 onwards. What should I be
>> looking out for, and more important what should IU avoid?
>> What's the cheapest running costs/servicing van?
>> Thank you all in anticipation. Happy 2008.
>
>Most 'normal' size campers are under 3.5t which is where various different 
>regs come in.

Should the log book state PLG?

>To get something worth having that doesn't leak like a sieve for £10K you 
>need to go German.  Take a look at www.mobile.de

Damn, you mean the campers are as bad as the caravans for leaking?

If I bought one for say £8k in Germany and drove it home, what would
it cost to get it UK legal?

www.mobile.de all looks double Dutch to me :-(

On Mon, 07 Jan 2008 09:53:32 +0000, Jerry 
wrote:

>On Mon, 7 Jan 2008 09:39:50 -0000, "Andy R" 
>wrote:
>
>>
>>"Jerry"  wrote in message 
>>news:vbr3o3lfuikp0v9h5afg2inuf5sjquv529@4ax.com...
>>> Morning campers.
>>>
>>> I am interested in buying a camper around £10,000 or less. I think I
>>> would prefer a Ford based diesel camper for reliability and servicing
>>> costs etc. 2 to 4 berth and preferably a camper and not just a van
>>> type (Duetto)
>>>
>>> Touring UK/Europe
>>>
>>> Not too worried about LHD/RHD will this affect insurance etc much?
>>> What is the maximum weight I should be looking for so that it is still
>>> treated as a PLG?
>>>
>>> I presume this will get me something 1992 onwards. What should I be
>>> looking out for, and more important what should IU avoid?
>>> What's the cheapest running costs/servicing van?
>>> Thank you all in anticipation. Happy 2008.
>>
>>Most 'normal' size campers are under 3.5t which is where various different 
>>regs come in.
>
>Should the log book state PLG?
>
>>To get something worth having that doesn't leak like a sieve for £10K you 
>>need to go German.  Take a look at www.mobile.de
>
>Damn, you mean the campers are as bad as the caravans for leaking?
>
>If I bought one for say £8k in Germany and drove it home, what would
>it cost to get it UK legal?
>
>www.mobile.de all looks double Dutch to me :-(

I see it now. Lots of choice and some funnly looking buggers too :)))

Jerry  wrote in
news:oct3o3ds13e0ul6b92iqe5uc9s6i33l2if@4ax.com: 

>>Most 'normal' size campers are under 3.5t which is where various
>>different regs come in.
> 
> Should the log book state PLG?

Just a thought, but unless you passed your driving test after 1996 or are 
over 70 years old and haven't renewed your C1 etc. "grandfather's 
rights" categories, you might be better off with something larger. You 
want to tour Europe, so I suspect the bigger living space of something 
over the 3.5 tonne PLG limit might be welcome. Also, the VED is lower for 
a "private goods vehicle" (£165 vs £180 for a 2000 or earlier PLG).

> 
>>To get something worth having that doesn't leak like a sieve for œ10K
>>you need to go German.  Take a look at www.mobile.de
> 
> Damn, you mean the campers are as bad as the caravans for leaking?
> 
> If I bought one for say œ8k in Germany and drove it home, what would
> it cost to get it UK legal?

Very little. Motorhomes don't need to undergo SVA, so I suspect you'd 
just need to change the headlights and foglights and get it through MOT.

However, you need to get the procedure for buying a motorhome and legally 
exporting it  from Germany very clear before you go ahead. You'll need to 
buy German insurance and obtain export plates to get the vehicle to a 
channel port. That insurance will be minimal. 
http://www.ukmotorhomes.net/germany.shtml is one account of someone who 
imported from Germany that can give you some insight. However, 
http://www.motorhome-list.org.uk/importing.htm goes into this in a little 
more depth.

> 
> www.mobile.de all looks double Dutch to me :-(

At the top right of the page is a drop-down list with "Sprache" in it. 
From that, select English and most of the site is translated for you.

HTH,

-- 
Geoff

On Mon, 07 Jan 2008 10:17:27 -0000, Geoff Lane <geoff@nospam.invalid>
wrote:

>Jerry  wrote in
>news:oct3o3ds13e0ul6b92iqe5uc9s6i33l2if@4ax.com: 
>
>>>Most 'normal' size campers are under 3.5t which is where various
>>>different regs come in.
>> 
>> Should the log book state PLG?
>
>Just a thought, but unless you passed your driving test after 1996 or are 
>over 70 years old and haven't renewed your C1 etc. "grandfather's 
>rights" categories, you might be better off with something larger. You 
>want to tour Europe, so I suspect the bigger living space of something 
>over the 3.5 tonne PLG limit might be welcome. Also, the VED is lower for 
>a "private goods vehicle" (£165 vs £180 for a 2000 or earlier PLG).

Good point but I think I'd prefer something that drove more like a car
than a bus. Then there are the parking problems when out and about,
and also the parking problems on the street at home.

>>>To get something worth having that doesn't leak like a sieve for ½10K
>>>you need to go German.  Take a look at www.mobile.de
>> 
>> Damn, you mean the campers are as bad as the caravans for leaking?
>> 
>> If I bought one for say ½8k in Germany and drove it home, what would
>> it cost to get it UK legal?
>
>Very little. Motorhomes don't need to undergo SVA, 

What would you class as little. I'm looking for something of the
Autosleeper style with the over cab bunk.

>so I suspect you'd 
>just need to change the headlights and foglights and get it through MOT.
>
>However, you need to get the procedure for buying a motorhome and legally 
>exporting it  from Germany very clear before you go ahead. You'll need to 
>buy German insurance and obtain export plates to get the vehicle to a 
>channel port. That insurance will be minimal. 
>http://www.ukmotorhomes.net/germany.shtml is one account of someone who 
>imported from Germany that can give you some insight. However, 
>http://www.motorhome-list.org.uk/importing.htm goes into this in a little 
>more depth.

Thank you.

>> 
>> www.mobile.de all looks double Dutch to me :-(
>
>At the top right of the page is a drop-down list with "Sprache" in it. 
>From that, select English and most of the site is translated for you.

Found it thanks.

"Jerry"  wrote in message 
news:edv3o3pfmlr9rlc2gr7dknflgj3g7fsv9s@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 07 Jan 2008 10:17:27 -0000, Geoff Lane <geoff@nospam.invalid>
> wrote:
>
>>Jerry  wrote in
>>news:oct3o3ds13e0ul6b92iqe5uc9s6i33l2if@4ax.com:
>>
>>>>Most 'normal' size campers are under 3.5t which is where various
>>>>different regs come in.
>>>
>>> Should the log book state PLG?
>>
>>Just a thought, but unless you passed your driving test after 1996 or are
>>over 70 years old and haven't renewed your C1 etc. "grandfather's
>>rights" categories, you might be better off with something larger. You
>>want to tour Europe, so I suspect the bigger living space of something
>>over the 3.5 tonne PLG limit might be welcome. Also, the VED is lower for
>>a "private goods vehicle" (£165 vs £180 for a 2000 or earlier PLG).
>
> Good point but I think I'd prefer something that drove more like a car
> than a bus.
None of them drive like a car, particularly older ones.  Even before you put 
any personal effects inside most are already only a few hundred kilos off 
max weight, the centre of gravity is higher than a car, the performance is 
snail like, body roll spectacular, roadholding relatively poor and there's 
no lateral support for passengers in the back.  You have to drive them like 
a bus or it'll get messy.

>Then there are the parking problems when out and about,
The height will cause you the probs, rarely the width, length or weight.

> and also the parking problems on the street at home.
If it's over 1525kg unladen weight (which it almost certainly will be) you 
could have big probs leaving it on the street.  The concession to park at 
night without lights in a 30mph limit only applies to vehicles below this 
weight.  If plod or the neighbours get stroppy you need to find a way of 
powering the lights every night, day in day out.  Otherwise find somewhere 
else to park it.

Rgds

Andy R

Jerry  wrote in 
news:edv3o3pfmlr9rlc2gr7dknflgj3g7fsv9s@4ax.com:

>>> If I bought one for say «8k in Germany and drove it home, what would
>>> it cost to get it UK legal?
>>
>>Very little. Motorhomes don't need to undergo SVA, 
> 
> What would you class as little. I'm looking for something of the
> Autosleeper style with the over cab bunk.

Whatever it costs you to get it back to UK then:

- £25 registration fee plus whatever it costs for a pair of
  numberplates.
- £50 or so MOT fee
- About a tenner for a bumper-mounted rear foglight (only necessary if
  the 'van only has one foglight and that's mounted on the left). If you
  feel flush, you might want to buy a UK offside rear light cluster to
  meet with the foglamp requirement.
- Whatever you have to pay to buy a pair of headlights that dip the
  correct way for UK (but you might want to keep the old units to fit
  for use on the continent). These can be expensive, so you might 
  want to try a scrappie or two!

HTH,

-- 
Geoff

On Mon, 7 Jan 2008 12:19:24 -0000, "Andy R" 
wrote:

>
>"Jerry"  wrote in message 
>news:edv3o3pfmlr9rlc2gr7dknflgj3g7fsv9s@4ax.com...
>> On Mon, 07 Jan 2008 10:17:27 -0000, Geoff Lane <geoff@nospam.invalid>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>Jerry  wrote in
>>>news:oct3o3ds13e0ul6b92iqe5uc9s6i33l2if@4ax.com:
>>>
>>>>>Most 'normal' size campers are under 3.5t which is where various
>>>>>different regs come in.
>>>>
>>>> Should the log book state PLG?
>>>
>>>Just a thought, but unless you passed your driving test after 1996 or are
>>>over 70 years old and haven't renewed your C1 etc. "grandfather's
>>>rights" categories, you might be better off with something larger. You
>>>want to tour Europe, so I suspect the bigger living space of something
>>>over the 3.5 tonne PLG limit might be welcome. Also, the VED is lower for
>>>a "private goods vehicle" (£165 vs £180 for a 2000 or earlier PLG).
>>
>> Good point but I think I'd prefer something that drove more like a car
>> than a bus.

>None of them drive like a car, particularly older ones.  Even before you put 
>any personal effects inside most are already only a few hundred kilos off 
>max weight, the centre of gravity is higher than a car, the performance is 
>snail like, body roll spectacular, roadholding relatively poor and there's 
>no lateral support for passengers in the back.  You have to drive them like 
>a bus or it'll get messy.

Must be better than towing and moving a caravan around?

>>Then there are the parking problems when out and about,
>The height will cause you the probs, rarely the width, length or weight.
>
>> and also the parking problems on the street at home.
>If it's over 1525kg unladen weight (which it almost certainly will be) you 
>could have big probs leaving it on the street.  The concession to park at 
>night without lights in a 30mph limit only applies to vehicles below this 
>weight.  If plod or the neighbours get stroppy you need to find a way of 
>powering the lights every night, day in day out.  

I wonder if it would be that difficult say with LED technology. I am
thinking of getting rid of the car anyway (hardly used) so the camper
would be used every few days at least I imagine, so battery charging
etc would be OK.

On Mon, 7 Jan 2008 09:39:50 -0000, "Andy R" 
wrote:

>
>"Jerry"  wrote in message 
>news:vbr3o3lfuikp0v9h5afg2inuf5sjquv529@4ax.com...
>> Morning campers.
>>
>> I am interested in buying a camper around £10,000 or less. I think I
>> would prefer a Ford based diesel camper for reliability and servicing
>> costs etc. 2 to 4 berth and preferably a camper and not just a van
>> type (Duetto)
>>
>> Touring UK/Europe
>>
>> Not too worried about LHD/RHD will this affect insurance etc much?
>> What is the maximum weight I should be looking for so that it is still
>> treated as a PLG?
>>
>> I presume this will get me something 1992 onwards. What should I be
>> looking out for, and more important what should IU avoid?
>> What's the cheapest running costs/servicing van?
>> Thank you all in anticipation. Happy 2008.
>
>Most 'normal' size campers are under 3.5t which is where various different 
>regs come in.
>
>To get something worth having that doesn't leak like a sieve for £10K you 
>need to go German.  Take a look at www.mobile.de

Would this also apply to the one piece bodies like the Autosleeper
Ravenna/Polensa etc?

On Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:46:48 -0000, Geoff Lane <geoff@nospam.invalid>
wrote:

>Jerry  wrote in 
>news:edv3o3pfmlr9rlc2gr7dknflgj3g7fsv9s@4ax.com:
>
>>>> If I bought one for say «8k in Germany and drove it home, what would
>>>> it cost to get it UK legal?
>>>
>>>Very little. Motorhomes don't need to undergo SVA, 
>> 
>> What would you class as little. I'm looking for something of the
>> Autosleeper style with the over cab bunk.
>
>Whatever it costs you to get it back to UK then:
>
>- £25 registration fee plus whatever it costs for a pair of
>  numberplates.
>- £50 or so MOT fee
>- About a tenner for a bumper-mounted rear foglight (only necessary if
>  the 'van only has one foglight and that's mounted on the left). If you
>  feel flush, you might want to buy a UK offside rear light cluster to
>  meet with the foglamp requirement.
>- Whatever you have to pay to buy a pair of headlights that dip the
>  correct way for UK (but you might want to keep the old units to fit
>  for use on the continent). These can be expensive, so you might 
>  want to try a scrappie or two!

Not too drastic then, but still a couple of hundred pounds to the
budget.

"Jerry"  wrote in message 
news:pjp4o3piq3d58n1g6edte6iehdc9rodv4q@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 7 Jan 2008 09:39:50 -0000, "Andy R" 
> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Jerry"  wrote in message
>>news:vbr3o3lfuikp0v9h5afg2inuf5sjquv529@4ax.com...
>>> Morning campers.
>>>
>>> I am interested in buying a camper around £10,000 or less. I think I
>>> would prefer a Ford based diesel camper for reliability and servicing
>>> costs etc. 2 to 4 berth and preferably a camper and not just a van
>>> type (Duetto)
>>>
>>> Touring UK/Europe
>>>
>>> Not too worried about LHD/RHD will this affect insurance etc much?
>>> What is the maximum weight I should be looking for so that it is still
>>> treated as a PLG?
>>>
>>> I presume this will get me something 1992 onwards. What should I be
>>> looking out for, and more important what should IU avoid?
>>> What's the cheapest running costs/servicing van?
>>> Thank you all in anticipation. Happy 2008.
>>
>>Most 'normal' size campers are under 3.5t which is where various different
>>regs come in.
>>
>>To get something worth having that doesn't leak like a sieve for £10K you
>>need to go German.  Take a look at www.mobile.de
>
> Would this also apply to the one piece bodies like the Autosleeper
> Ravenna/Polensa etc?

No idea, but if you look at the lower end of the market, ie under £10K, you 
get next to nothing in the UK but some quite decent motors in Germany.

Rgds

Andy R

"Jerry"  wrote in message 
news:cbp4o3d4onp4dmpm1sjrmmv4btg6mafbv8@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 7 Jan 2008 12:19:24 -0000, "Andy R" 
> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Jerry"  wrote in message
>>news:edv3o3pfmlr9rlc2gr7dknflgj3g7fsv9s@4ax.com...
>>> On Mon, 07 Jan 2008 10:17:27 -0000, Geoff Lane <geoff@nospam.invalid>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>Jerry  wrote in
>>>>news:oct3o3ds13e0ul6b92iqe5uc9s6i33l2if@4ax.com:
>>>>
>>>>>>Most 'normal' size campers are under 3.5t which is where various
>>>>>>different regs come in.
>>>>>
>>>>> Should the log book state PLG?
>>>>
>>>>Just a thought, but unless you passed your driving test after 1996 or 
>>>>are
>>>>over 70 years old and haven't renewed your C1 etc. "grandfather's
>>>>rights" categories, you might be better off with something larger. You
>>>>want to tour Europe, so I suspect the bigger living space of something
>>>>over the 3.5 tonne PLG limit might be welcome. Also, the VED is lower 
>>>>for
>>>>a "private goods vehicle" (£165 vs £180 for a 2000 or earlier PLG).
>>>
>>> Good point but I think I'd prefer something that drove more like a car
>>> than a bus.
>
>>None of them drive like a car, particularly older ones.  Even before you 
>>put
>>any personal effects inside most are already only a few hundred kilos off
>>max weight, the centre of gravity is higher than a car, the performance is
>>snail like, body roll spectacular, roadholding relatively poor and there's
>>no lateral support for passengers in the back.  You have to drive them 
>>like
>>a bus or it'll get messy.
>
> Must be better than towing and moving a caravan around?
Undoubtedly, but it's a different type of touring.

With the caravan you rush to where you're going, get the van off the back at 
the first available opportunity then tour around at your leisure with a 
vehicle that's small enough to be no hassle in small places.

With a camper, instead of having a base and visiting outlying places daily, 
you drive once to where you want to be, do your sight seeing, stay there the 
night and move on.  It does mean though you are always driving something 
fairly big, there's no respite like there is with a caravan.

Outside the UK a camper is, IMHO, a much better way of touring.  Within the 
UK, because of petty bureaucracy and umpteen parking restrictions, touring 
with a caravan is easier.

>
>>>Then there are the parking problems when out and about,
>>The height will cause you the probs, rarely the width, length or weight.
>>
>>> and also the parking problems on the street at home.
>>If it's over 1525kg unladen weight (which it almost certainly will be) you
>>could have big probs leaving it on the street.  The concession to park at
>>night without lights in a 30mph limit only applies to vehicles below this
>>weight.  If plod or the neighbours get stroppy you need to find a way of
>>powering the lights every night, day in day out.
>
> I wonder if it would be that difficult say with LED technology. I am
> thinking of getting rid of the car anyway (hardly used) so the camper
> would be used every few days at least I imagine, so battery charging
> etc would be OK.
I know it sounds pedantic but take a look at the regs.  The last time I 
looked it specified incandescent bulbs of a particular brightness/wattage. 
I don't know if this is different now but it may be worth looking.

Rgds

Andy R

"Jerry"  wrote in message 
news:pjp4o3piq3d58n1g6edte6iehdc9rodv4q@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 7 Jan 2008 09:39:50 -0000, "Andy R" 
> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Jerry"  wrote in message
>>news:vbr3o3lfuikp0v9h5afg2inuf5sjquv529@4ax.com...
>>> Morning campers.
>>>
>>> I am interested in buying a camper around £10,000 or less. I think I
>>> would prefer a Ford based diesel camper for reliability and servicing
>>> costs etc. 2 to 4 berth and preferably a camper and not just a van
>>> type (Duetto)
>>>
>>> Touring UK/Europe
>>>
>>> Not too worried about LHD/RHD will this affect insurance etc much?
>>> What is the maximum weight I should be looking for so that it is still
>>> treated as a PLG?
>>>
>>> I presume this will get me something 1992 onwards. What should I be
>>> looking out for, and more important what should IU avoid?
>>> What's the cheapest running costs/servicing van?
>>> Thank you all in anticipation. Happy 2008.
>>
>>Most 'normal' size campers are under 3.5t which is where various different
>>regs come in.
>>
>>To get something worth having that doesn't leak like a sieve for £10K you
>>need to go German.  Take a look at www.mobile.de
>
> Would this also apply to the one piece bodies like the Autosleeper
> Ravenna/Polensa etc?




The Ravenna/Polensa, etc are not the same as the monocoque fibreglass bodies 
used on models like the Amethyst

I've owned all three - the Ravenna was reasonably made, but its cheaper 
construction could be seen in the use of a bonded floor - unlike the thick 
solid sheet 0f marine ply used for the 'fibreglass' models.

On Mon, 07 Jan 2008 09:53:32 +0000, Jerry 
wrote:
>On Mon, 7 Jan 2008 09:39:50 -0000, "Andy R" 
>wrote:
>>"Jerry"  wrote in message 
>>news:vbr3o3lfuikp0v9h5afg2inuf5sjquv529@4ax.com...

>
>If I bought one for say £8k in Germany and drove it home, what would
>it cost to get it UK legal?

Change the headlights, change or re-mark the speedometer, move the
rear fog light to the 'other' side (if it's a pair, no problem).

If you're buying an older vehicle which was available in the UK,
check the Web for vehicle dismantlers / breakers.

And here's what you need to do (DVLA)
http://tinyurl.com/ypawpj

Get a hold of their 'Import information pack'
>
>www.mobile.de all looks double Dutch to me :-(

On left, click tab that says, 'Wohnmobile und -wagen'
If you click on the drop down boxes on the next
page you'll quickly figure out what's what.

-- jjj

On Mon, 07 Jan 2008 10:17:27 -0000, Geoff Lane <geoff@nospam.invalid>
wrote:
>
>> 
>> www.mobile.de all looks double Dutch to me :-(
>
>At the top right of the page is a drop-down list with "Sprache" in it. 
>From that, select English and most of the site is translated for you.

Duh ! All the times I've used that site and never noticed that !
>
>HTH

Indeed it does.

-- jjj

On Mon, 07 Jan 2008 10:17:27 -0000, Geoff Lane <geoff@nospam.invalid>
wrote:

>Jerry  wrote in
>news:oct3o3ds13e0ul6b92iqe5uc9s6i33l2if@4ax.com: 
>
>>>Most 'normal' size campers are under 3.5t which is where various
>>>different regs come in.
>> 
>> Should the log book state PLG?
>
>Just a thought, but unless you passed your driving test after 1996 or are 
>over 70 years old and haven't renewed your C1 etc. "grandfather's 
>rights" categories, you might be better off with something larger. You 
>want to tour Europe, so I suspect the bigger living space of something 
>over the 3.5 tonne PLG limit might be welcome. Also, the VED is lower for 
>a "private goods vehicle" (£165 vs £180 for a 2000 or earlier PLG).
>
>> 
>>>To get something worth having that doesn't leak like a sieve for ½10K
>>>you need to go German.  Take a look at www.mobile.de
>> 
>> Damn, you mean the campers are as bad as the caravans for leaking?
>> 
>> If I bought one for say ½8k in Germany and drove it home, what would
>> it cost to get it UK legal?

>Very little. Motorhomes don't need to undergo SVA, so I suspect you'd 
>just need to change the headlights and foglights and get it through MOT.

No import taxes or stuff like that?

>However, you need to get the procedure for buying a motorhome and legally 
>exporting it  from Germany very clear before you go ahead. You'll need to 
>buy German insurance and obtain export plates to get the vehicle to a 
>channel port. That insurance will be minimal. 
>http://www.ukmotorhomes.net/germany.shtml is one account of someone who 
>imported from Germany that can give you some insight. However, 
>http://www.motorhome-list.org.uk/importing.htm goes into this in a little 
>more depth.

Yes I shall be careful and read up on it properly.

On Mon, 7 Jan 2008 22:28:03 -0000, "Brute Force"
 wrote:

>
>"Jerry"  wrote in message 
>news:pjp4o3piq3d58n1g6edte6iehdc9rodv4q@4ax.com...
>> On Mon, 7 Jan 2008 09:39:50 -0000, "Andy R" 
>> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>"Jerry"  wrote in message
>>>news:vbr3o3lfuikp0v9h5afg2inuf5sjquv529@4ax.com...
>>>> Morning campers.
>>>>
>>>> I am interested in buying a camper around £10,000 or less. I think I
>>>> would prefer a Ford based diesel camper for reliability and servicing
>>>> costs etc. 2 to 4 berth and preferably a camper and not just a van
>>>> type (Duetto)
>>>>
>>>> Touring UK/Europe
>>>>
>>>> Not too worried about LHD/RHD will this affect insurance etc much?
>>>> What is the maximum weight I should be looking for so that it is still
>>>> treated as a PLG?
>>>>
>>>> I presume this will get me something 1992 onwards. What should I be
>>>> looking out for, and more important what should IU avoid?
>>>> What's the cheapest running costs/servicing van?
>>>> Thank you all in anticipation. Happy 2008.
>>>
>>>Most 'normal' size campers are under 3.5t which is where various different
>>>regs come in.
>>>
>>>To get something worth having that doesn't leak like a sieve for £10K you
>>>need to go German.  Take a look at www.mobile.de
>>
>> Would this also apply to the one piece bodies like the Autosleeper
>> Ravenna/Polensa etc?
>
>
>
>
>The Ravenna/Polensa, etc are not the same as the monocoque fibreglass bodies 
>used on models like the Amethyst
>
>I've owned all three - the Ravenna was reasonably made, but its cheaper 
>construction could be seen in the use of a bonded floor - unlike the thick 
>solid sheet 0f marine ply used for the 'fibreglass' models. 
>

They don't appear to use Autosleeper abroad so importing one is
probably not on the cards anyway :(

What about the MOT for a camper, is it a *normal* mot or a truck one?

On Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:20:33 +0000, Jerry 
wrote:
>They don't appear to use Autosleeper abroad so importing one is
>probably not on the cards anyway :(
>
>What about the MOT for a camper, is it a *normal* mot or a truck one?
>
Normal MOT but you have to search around to find an MOT station that
has a high enough roof if you have a hightop

On Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:16:24 +0000, Jerry 
wrote:
>On Mon, 07 Jan 2008 10:17:27 -0000, Geoff Lane <geoff@nospam.invalid>
>wrote:
<snip>
>>> 
>>> If I bought one for say œ8k in Germany and drove it home, what would
>>> it cost to get it UK legal?
>
>>Very little. Motorhomes don't need to undergo SVA, so I suspect you'd 
>>just need to change the headlights and foglights and get it through MOT.
>
>No import taxes or stuff like that?

No import tax if it comes from another EU country.
You do pay import tax if it's from North America or Japan.

Depending on age and mileage there may be VAT to pay.

Sorry, I can't find the info on this but from memory it's something
like 6 months AND 6,000 miles. It used to be months OR miles but
I think that was changed. Phone the local Customs and Excise people,
they'll tell you what the current regulations are.
>
>>However, you need to get the procedure for buying a motorhome and legally 
>>exporting it  from Germany very clear before you go ahead. You'll need to 
>>buy German insurance and obtain export plates to get the vehicle to a 
>>channel port. That insurance will be minimal. 
>>http://www.ukmotorhomes.net/germany.shtml is one account of someone
>>who imported from Germany that can give you some insight.
>>However, http://www.motorhome-list.org.uk/importing.htm
>>goes into this in a little more depth.

The problem is that both of those sites relate to an import which was
done several years back and regulations change.
>
>Yes I shall be careful and read up on it properly.

It's really fairly straightforward once you get your head around what
you need to do. Rule 1 - Keep the VAT man and the DVLA off your back.

-- jjj

On Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:59:57 +0000, Josiah Jenkins
 wrote:

>On Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:16:24 +0000, Jerry 
>wrote:
>>On Mon, 07 Jan 2008 10:17:27 -0000, Geoff Lane <geoff@nospam.invalid>
>>wrote:
><snip>
>>>> 
>>>> If I bought one for say ½8k in Germany and drove it home, what would
>>>> it cost to get it UK legal?
>>
>>>Very little. Motorhomes don't need to undergo SVA, so I suspect you'd 
>>>just need to change the headlights and foglights and get it through MOT.
>>
>>No import taxes or stuff like that?
>
>No import tax if it comes from another EU country.
>You do pay import tax if it's from North America or Japan.
>
>Depending on age and mileage there may be VAT to pay.
>
>Sorry, I can't find the info on this but from memory it's something
>like 6 months AND 6,000 miles. It used to be months OR miles but
>I think that was changed. Phone the local Customs and Excise people,
>they'll tell you what the current regulations are.

I'm looking at around 1995 in age.

>>>However, you need to get the procedure for buying a motorhome and legally 
>>>exporting it  from Germany very clear before you go ahead. You'll need to 
>>>buy German insurance and obtain export plates to get the vehicle to a 
>>>channel port. That insurance will be minimal. 
>>>http://www.ukmotorhomes.net/germany.shtml is one account of someone
>>>who imported from Germany that can give you some insight.
>>>However, http://www.motorhome-list.org.uk/importing.htm
>>>goes into this in a little more depth.
>
>The problem is that both of those sites relate to an import which was
>done several years back and regulations change.
>>
>>Yes I shall be careful and read up on it properly.
>
>It's really fairly straightforward once you get your head around what
>you need to do. Rule 1 - Keep the VAT man and the DVLA off your back.

Yes I know. Thanks

"Jerry"  wrote in message 
news:vlp4o3d7ged5n76dom8qtldi0fdftotuct@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:46:48 -0000, Geoff Lane <geoff@nospam.invalid>
> wrote:
>
>>Jerry  wrote in
>>news:edv3o3pfmlr9rlc2gr7dknflgj3g7fsv9s@4ax.com:
>>
>>>>> If I bought one for say «8k in Germany and drove it home, what would
>>>>> it cost to get it UK legal?
>>>>
>>>>Very little. Motorhomes don't need to undergo SVA,
>>>
>>> What would you class as little. I'm looking for something of the
>>> Autosleeper style with the over cab bunk.
>>
>>Whatever it costs you to get it back to UK then:
>>
>>- £25 registration fee plus whatever it costs for a pair of
>>  numberplates.
>>- £50 or so MOT fee
>>- About a tenner for a bumper-mounted rear foglight (only necessary if
>>  the 'van only has one foglight and that's mounted on the left). If you
>>  feel flush, you might want to buy a UK offside rear light cluster to
>>  meet with the foglamp requirement.
>>- Whatever you have to pay to buy a pair of headlights that dip the
>>  correct way for UK (but you might want to keep the old units to fit
>>  for use on the continent). These can be expensive, so you might
>>  want to try a scrappie or two!
>
> Not too drastic then, but still a couple of hundred pounds to the
> budget.
>

Plus officially the speedo would need changing, not for MOT but for C & U 
regs

"Campa-Man"  wrote in
news:d56dnYyvMNRWKxnanZ2dnUVZ8uudnZ2d@bt.com: 

> Plus officially the speedo would need changing, not for MOT but for C
> & U regs 
> 

You're right, although I know of Japanese imports that have speedos still 
in kph only so I assume that MOT stations don't check.

That said, if you can get access to the speedo face, all you need do is use 
a suitable marker (craft shops sell white ones) to add "30" at the 50 kph 
mark, "50" at the 80 kph mark, "70" just over the 110 kph mark, and "mph" 
to show that the new marks show miles per hour. You might want to add extra 
marks (just dots will do) for 40 and 60 mph and you might want to extend 
the range beyond the 70 mph UK maximum speed limit. So the cost of 
converting the speedo might only be a few quid for a marker pen!

-- 
Geoff

"Geoff Lane" <geoff@nospam.invalid> wrote in message 
news:Xns9A208A59F9863gjctcswxnsrt@138.199.67.64...
> "Campa-Man"  wrote in
> news:d56dnYyvMNRWKxnanZ2dnUVZ8uudnZ2d@bt.com:
>
>> Plus officially the speedo would need changing, not for MOT but for C
>> & U regs
>>
>
> You're right, although I know of Japanese imports that have speedos still
> in kph only so I assume that MOT stations don't check.
>
> That said, if you can get access to the speedo face, all you need do is 
> use
> a suitable marker (craft shops sell white ones) to add "30" at the 50 kph
> mark, "50" at the 80 kph mark, "70" just over the 110 kph mark, and "mph"
> to show that the new marks show miles per hour. You might want to add 
> extra
> marks (just dots will do) for 40 and 60 mph and you might want to extend
> the range beyond the 70 mph UK maximum speed limit. So the cost of
> converting the speedo might only be a few quid for a marker pen!

Search google for 'lockwood dials' and you'll find ready made kits.

Rgds

Andy R

On Wed, 9 Jan 2008 14:04:02 -0000, "Andy R" 
wrote:

>
>"Geoff Lane" <geoff@nospam.invalid> wrote in message 
>news:Xns9A208A59F9863gjctcswxnsrt@138.199.67.64...
>> "Campa-Man"  wrote in
>> news:d56dnYyvMNRWKxnanZ2dnUVZ8uudnZ2d@bt.com:
>>
>>> Plus officially the speedo would need changing, not for MOT but for C
>>> & U regs
>>
>> You're right, although I know of Japanese imports that have speedos still
>> in kph only so I assume that MOT stations don't check.

The speedo markings don't come under MOT regulations.
As Geoff says, it's under Construction and Use regulations and
failing to comply with these is a Road Traffic (police) offence.
>>
>> That said, if you can get access to the speedo face, all you need do is 
>> use a suitable marker (craft shops sell white ones) to add "30" at the 50 kph
>> mark, "50" at the 80 kph mark, "70" just over the 110 kph mark, and "mph"
>> to show that the new marks show miles per hour. You might want to add 
>> extra marks (just dots will do) for 40 and 60 mph and you might want to extend
>> the range beyond the 70 mph UK maximum speed limit. So the cost of
>> converting the speedo might only be a few quid for a marker pen!

Having previously checked this out by 'phone with the DVLC folks . . .
If the speedo has additional markings, these must be at 20 mph
increments and it's your choice whether you start at '0' or '10'.
They must be readable via the panel lights in the dark.

On both my motorhomes, I've gone for 10, 30, 50, 70 and 90.
Presumably extra markings at the "even" numbers is OK but
it'll tend to get very cluttered if you try it.
>
>Search google for 'lockwood dials' and you'll find ready made kits.

Unfortunately I couldn't find an overlay for either of mine hence
having to go the marking route. I used pinstripe waterslide transfer
intended for model railroad stock and adhesive numbers.

For anyone considering re-marking, the following will avoid
your having to work out all the conversions . . .
MPH	KPH
0	0
5	8
10	16
15	25
20	32
25	40
30	48
35	55
40	64
45	72
50	80
55	88
60	96
65	105
70	113
75	120
80	129
85	137
90	145
95	153
100	160
105	169
110	177
115	185
120	193

-- jjj

On Wed, 9 Jan 2008 11:58:02 -0000, "Campa-Man"
 wrote:

>
>"Jerry"  wrote in message 
>news:vlp4o3d7ged5n76dom8qtldi0fdftotuct@4ax.com...
>> On Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:46:48 -0000, Geoff Lane <geoff@nospam.invalid>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>Jerry  wrote in
>>>news:edv3o3pfmlr9rlc2gr7dknflgj3g7fsv9s@4ax.com:
>>>
>>>>>> If I bought one for say «8k in Germany and drove it home, what would
>>>>>> it cost to get it UK legal?
>>>>>
>>>>>Very little. Motorhomes don't need to undergo SVA,
>>>>
>>>> What would you class as little. I'm looking for something of the
>>>> Autosleeper style with the over cab bunk.
>>>
>>>Whatever it costs you to get it back to UK then:
>>>
>>>- £25 registration fee plus whatever it costs for a pair of
>>>  numberplates.
>>>- £50 or so MOT fee
>>>- About a tenner for a bumper-mounted rear foglight (only necessary if
>>>  the 'van only has one foglight and that's mounted on the left). If you
>>>  feel flush, you might want to buy a UK offside rear light cluster to
>>>  meet with the foglamp requirement.
>>>- Whatever you have to pay to buy a pair of headlights that dip the
>>>  correct way for UK (but you might want to keep the old units to fit
>>>  for use on the continent). These can be expensive, so you might
>>>  want to try a scrappie or two!
>>
>> Not too drastic then, but still a couple of hundred pounds to the
>> budget.
>>
>
>Plus officially the speedo would need changing, not for MOT but for C & U 
>regs 
>

Can you just buy a UK Speedo for the same vehicle?

"Jerry"  wrote in message 
news:4b5co3h8oai9lk63j68tgqd42tlfr8ep6t@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 9 Jan 2008 11:58:02 -0000, "Campa-Man"
>  wrote:
>
>>
>>"Jerry"  wrote in message
>>news:vlp4o3d7ged5n76dom8qtldi0fdftotuct@4ax.com...
>>> On Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:46:48 -0000, Geoff Lane <geoff@nospam.invalid>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>Jerry  wrote in
>>>>news:edv3o3pfmlr9rlc2gr7dknflgj3g7fsv9s@4ax.com:
>>>>
>>>>>>> If I bought one for say «8k in Germany and drove it home, what would
>>>>>>> it cost to get it UK legal?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Very little. Motorhomes don't need to undergo SVA,
>>>>>
>>>>> What would you class as little. I'm looking for something of the
>>>>> Autosleeper style with the over cab bunk.
>>>>
>>>>Whatever it costs you to get it back to UK then:
>>>>
>>>>- £25 registration fee plus whatever it costs for a pair of
>>>>  numberplates.
>>>>- £50 or so MOT fee
>>>>- About a tenner for a bumper-mounted rear foglight (only necessary if
>>>>  the 'van only has one foglight and that's mounted on the left). If you
>>>>  feel flush, you might want to buy a UK offside rear light cluster to
>>>>  meet with the foglamp requirement.
>>>>- Whatever you have to pay to buy a pair of headlights that dip the
>>>>  correct way for UK (but you might want to keep the old units to fit
>>>>  for use on the continent). These can be expensive, so you might
>>>>  want to try a scrappie or two!
>>>
>>> Not too drastic then, but still a couple of hundred pounds to the
>>> budget.
>>>
>>
>>Plus officially the speedo would need changing, not for MOT but for C & U
>>regs
>>
>
> Can you just buy a UK Speedo for the same vehicle?

Yep, or buy a converter that changes the reading from KPH to MPH, cross out 
the KPH on the dial and away you go.

Rgds

Andy R