I love the idea of the Bedford van, I've always liked the look of them just like the little Daihatsu vans I've seen.

Unfortunately I don't have a bike license, only a full UK car license. I think I would feel safer and much more secure (although more costly) travelling in a small van.

I've never really been the greatest of campers but that was from when I was in scouts haha. I would probably bring a tent just in case, but as you've all said it could get a bit too hot in a car in southern countries. Saying that, I would probably try to visit Greece (probably the hottest) in winter, I've been there in summer a few times and our air con was on the fritz....it was like burning in HELL!

I know that most people leave the sunroof or a window open which could combat the hot weather?

Thanks for all of your help guys!
Ross.

Bedford, Daihatsu, Suzuki, Piaggio, they are all basically the same thing. Ages ago I looked into getting a Piaggio Porter 4x4 chassis-cab and using it as a base for a tiny off-road camper. Sadly French bureaucracy defeated me at every turn, it seemed impossible to do it yourself and paying someone was out of the question. Somewhere here therms a thread about it.

The idea would have been something like this with clip on canvas sides to give a huge amount of living space from a tiny vehicle.



The perk to a van is that it's anonymous, as long as you don't paint it wildly. You've got privacy and space to create something inside. You can line it to keep the temperature reasonable and you could easily add one or two of those rotating roof vents to give some fresh air.

If you're starting from scratch, with no vehicle at all, I'd be tempted by a van.

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Just bolt one of these onto the back of the van for an instant camper -





I'm sure I saw something similar being used as a sidecar at this years Elephant rally

Then again, you could always go even smaller (and slower).

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Ha ha, perfect - that's Badgeman's transport query solved. I particularly like the cab-over version that's pictured in the end credits. Just got to get the trip in before they ban two strokes all over Europe.

I seem to remember a version of the Bedford Rascal et al with a dismountable camper section - you unfolded legs (like in the film) when you stopped in a campsite and the living section became free standing. You could then use the front part as transport. When we had a big camper about 10yrs ago that was one of the annoyances - you stopped in a campsite and had to take the bus if you wanted to go into town. If you took the van you couldn't park anywhere and then when you came back to the campsite someone else was in your pitch.

Yep. There's a Honda Acty just like that in my town (same thing as the Rascal). Brilliant setup.

/M

I traveled (and slept)in a car around europe.
It's not legal, but if you stop at some "logical" place ("you were to tired to drive") no one will bother you.
At petrol prices it's not a cheap way to travel.

travelling by car has lots of postives but I agree with francs that it won't be as cheap (petrol in the UK isn't that expensive once you start looking around europe)
I would definitely take a small tent & camping gear for those nights you'd rather not sleep in the car - if it's hot at night a tent would be far better to keep cool in & it'll be mosquito free (unlike sleeping with a car window open)

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Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way

Here's a French couple currently in SAmerica with an OLD (but lovely) Citroen!

“If you have a dream, you can make it happen” – Meet Julie, Jean Baptiste and their 1977 Citroën 2CV Fourgonette

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Rallying for A Wild Life — THE FILM!
http://igg.me/at/AWildLife

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www.facebook.com/lorraine.chittock

I have been travelling arond France, italy and the Balkans with my old giant Volvo for the last 2 months.
I prefer to stay in a campsite when it is affordable cos I am a girl travelling alone and dont want to offer an easy target.

When its not affordable ie Italy, France with no camping communal in the vicinity..
I find a spot with not too much foot traffic, ie not outside a bar and other parked vehicles. Service station parking, residential area whatever where there are other vehicles parked.
Noone has ever bothered me, but I aim to be low key, leave again in the morning, car looks clean no weird paint job etc
A van or factory tint windows is great, I had this on all my road trip vehicles in north america and NZ
in a rural isolated area I feel I stand out as the only parked vehicle, foreign plates and the news is all over the district in 10 min!!

France camping communal only a few euros
Serbia camping or cobe (room) only a few euros and they sometimes throw in breakfast, look on the site for mini campings
Montenegro camping 5 euro
Albania seems more like 10 euros and not many camping sites
Good thing about a campsite is you are paying for safe parking while you go and look at the local town/historical/national park and no worries about your gear in your car.
you can cook your own food and buy it in advance somewhere cheep so it costs me 5euro/day for all my food.

I've been staking in truck stops in Italië for the last few days, iets fine there is always a few other people overnight in the car area plus a lot of trucks in the truck area.
The autogrill ones are open 24h and often have a free shower
Have fun!!

Hi

I have used to travel europe in a small van, and sleeping in it was never a problem. just keep away from the highways, there used to be thieves who are specialised on sleeping tourists on the highway parking grounds. a couple of friends have been robbed in their sleep, even with a dog aboard.

apart from that, there has never been a hassel with sleeping in a car, even close to the cites. Much less than sleeping in a tent, as far as i am concerned.

Have fun on your Trip!

Arne

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