Ben
I had the most fantastic time with Gerry and Lauren’s van.
I hired it mostly as an experiment since I’m thinking of buying one. I wanted to see if I could “live” in one for a few days in the winter and “Lizzie” as their van is called, did not disappoint!
Its lovely L-Shaped layout made you feel like you’re in a spacious little studio flat and was not just great to sleep in, but felt easy to “live” in too. A bench seat makes a cool sofa to sprawl out on with a glass of wine while you listen to music, read a magazine, or watch whatever the television companies are serving up on the little set on the wall in the corner. But the seating also converts into a four round a table so you can be sociable if you like… I was happy in my own company for this trip though!
The LPG heating (along with high capacity leisure battery for the fans which I could leave on without fear of running out of power) kept me toasty all night. I was essentially off grid for 2 days, and the 12 volt system kept up with my demand without any charging for all that time.
Also, the hot water system has a tank just big enough for a quick shower while your eggs are cooking on the stove for breakfast. The toilet was a real boon. I didn’t think I’d really need one, but having it there got more use than I’d planned. The cartridge system makes emptying and rinsing very efficient and hygienic to do. I had to empty the cartridge by walking it through my dad’s house and upstairs to his bathroom. But being a high end Thetford unit, I felt I could rely on it to stay watertight as I walked it through his house!
The van is a Citroen, but apparently mechanically the same as a Fiat Ducato, the benchmark vehicle that thousands of motorhomes are based on. I found it a wonderfully pleasant drive… quiet engine, nice handling, smooth 6-speed gearbox. I love a manual box, especially on a bigger vehicle and it was fine climbing up and down the hills and valleys of west Cornwall. It was also pretty fuel efficient. I did 380 miles and it cost me about £75 to bring back up to a full tank. 2 days of heating cooking and hot water cost me £4.71 at the LPG pump so all in all it was quite a cost effective trip!
The check in and out was fantastic. Gerry showed me all the controls and features of the van which are stunningly easy to use.
As a fact-finding mission, it was a superb weekend. And to be honest if I could buy it based on my 3 day experience I definitely would!!