Our Bongo drives like a comfortable car, and the high seating position gives excellent visibility. It is ok on motorways but seems to prefer scenic country roads. It is a diesel automatic, and like all Bongos, fuel consumption is not brilliant.
It is easy to park – it’s shorter and narrower than a mid-size family estate such as a VW Golf or Ford Focus. It’s also lower than a lot of other campers. With the roof down it can often go into height limited carparks. Once parked up on site the roof can be raised so there is decent headroom – six-footers are fine. The van was professionally converted so has sink, double gas burner, fridge, cupboards, plumbing, electrics, etc, and a Z-bed. An adjustable table, saucepan, kettle, crockery, and cutlery are included. Please bring your own bedding. There is no loo or shower, but loads of campsites have facilities, even some farmer’s fields. A portable loo and pop-up loo tent can be supplied if required.
The Z-bed is a belted bench seat during the day and unfolds to make a full-length bed at night. It is comfortable but quite narrow - more a three quarter rather than a double - spacious for one, cosy for two. With the roof up (electric) there is space for a full-size double ‘upstairs’. The Bongo is advertised only as a two berth. It is possible to sleep four, but it would be quite a squeeze. The roof itself has a small window - brilliant for star-gazing - and its sides can be unzipped for ventilation, leaving just the insect-proof netting. ‘Downstairs’ there are electric privacy blinds on the side windows, a curtain across the back, and a shield for the windscreen.
Included is a circus style awning that you can attach to the side of the van, and a couple of padded fold-up chairs, so you can sit in comfort and enjoy the view whatever the weather. There is also an optional basic bike-rack on the back, but we often just stack the bikes inside until we get to the site.
To drive the van you will need insurance and unfortunately, due to its age, you will not be able to use GoBoony insurance. However, you can arrange your own insurance and breakdown cover through their recommended broker - Dayinsure.com.
As you can see from some of the pictures, we have been on quite e few trips. Usually local-ish - Cotswolds, Brecon area, Cirencester, Worcester, Malvern, Dorset coast. The furthest trips have been to an excellent campsite at Hawkshead in the Lake district last year, and to the lovely Scottish island called Gigha for two weeks this year . Usually we go to small campsites – farms, rugby ground, pubs, etc, and occasionally we have had a field all to ourselves.
When you collect it there will be free off-road parking for your car in the space where the Bongo lives, and there will be a welcome pack on board with tea, coffee, milk, biscuits.
Have a great trip ….