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[tunnie]

Yep thats right the student bum might be going caravaning!

Sorry could not make SantaPod, too busy here with Uni stuff.

Going to save as much loan money as possible and travel Europe after my exams!

Planning to go with 3 other mates, my grandad has a caravan (4 or 5 berth i think?) hopefully we can borrow that!  

Plan to get a V6 or Diesel megga off eBay fix it up for the trip and sell it when i come back... for those people here who have carvans have any of you been to Europe?

Talking about driving ALL around it, France, go from Paris to Brussles to Amsterdam, Germany (have friends there), Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France again, Spain, Portugal... gunna spent about 2 months doing it.

Have a few questions though:

Any good recommeendations on books /  maps for listing or showing campsites around Europe?

I remember Martin Imber saying he got 14mpg when towing, does anyone have a Diesel megga and if so whats the mpg like that when towing?

The car will be loaded, big van full of stuff + 4 lads!


Any advice recommendations?


Starting to look now as its something to look forward to as Uni sucks at the moment!

[Martin_1962]

I boot it a bit while towing and also use an auto

Lets think

Omega - right direction

TD well can you find a good cheap one

V6 would be nice, but gas would be a good idea

How about your 2.2?

[theolodian]

Dude, find some women to take!  Someone will hook up with them on the trip, and it might be you.  Definitely not going to meet any on the trip from my experience . . .

[Martin_1962]

2 months so you will want bigger car

TD is less powerful than your 2.2

3.0 is useful but thirsty

An oldish Elite would be a good choice with self leveling and tons of toys

TD be careful but a chip may be in order.

HOw much do you have to spend

14mpg on gas equivalent to around 16 on petrol

[Hillper]

Theo, don't say that!  In my limited experience, I had several memorable tenting/vanning trips when I was younger.  
................Some involved laydees!

[tunnie]

well i don't want to take my 2.2 for several reasons:

1) Its in very good conidtion for its age, and body work is excellent.
2) 2.2 is going to be underpowered, 4 guys (1 is a big guy like 18stone i think) + Big ish Van... i doubt the 2.2 will pull it
3) I will be anoyed and dispointed if it gets scratched or dented

Main plan is get a project megga of eBay fix it up for use, sell it when i get back maybe even for a profit!

I'd like a Diesel for several reasons:

1) Chain Driven, should be more reliable.
2) Better MPG
3) More Torque

However since a decent TD is rare, projet TD's are even rarer its prob going to have to be a V6.

Also a V6 would be a lot cheaper... I would like to take the Channel Tunnel to get to france as well as i have never been. Problem there is LPG cars are not allowed on the leshuttle.

There will be 4 of us going, and so we can share the fuel bills... so that should make things better on our wallets.

Martin, what kind of miles do you get from a tank of petrol when towing? - Give me an idea of costs as we travel.

As for the ladies well..... i have enough trouble chatting them up in English, have even more problems with the language barrier!  

[Elite Pete]

Tunnies going to Amsterdam, anyone can pull there................. all you need is a few quid

[tunnie]

Tunnies going to Amsterdam, anyone can pull there................. all you need is a few quid

 

has anyone here with a van gone driving though Europe, whats it like finding caravan camp sites?

Ohh and is the power the same in all the countrys for the electric hook up on the caravans?

[TheBoy]

Most of europe is 220/240V...

May be worth considering other options - towing can get tedious, and 4 people on a van is always going to be 'cozy'

Travel in a nice Omega, but what about cottages, campsites with static vans/tents, hostels etc?

[tunnie]

Most of europe is 220/240V...

May be worth considering other options - towing can get tedious, and 4 people on a van is always going to be 'cozy'

Travel in a nice Omega, but what about cottages, campsites with static vans/tents, hostels etc?

Have been thinking about that, orignal plan was to take a megga estate loaded with camping gear as my m8 has propper tents and stoves ect..

But since i might be able to get free access to a caravan seams good, also... but don't tell my mum this we can just stop in car parks and motorway services. And sleep in the van in the carpark.... which will keep costs right down. Plus the van i can borrow has 4 seperate bunk beds which keeps things nice!

Been reading various guides, and said quite a lot of people in places like Germany sleep over night in carparks just off the autobahn. (only ones that have lights though)

Cause they way I see it the van is free accomdation basically? - Only costs money when we want to pitch at a propper site.

[TheBoy]

And the fuel....  ...and the slow speeds....

[Elite Pete]

Another thing to get Tunnie is an alarm which detects gas as there have been quite a few attacks in Europe where people have been asleep and someone has filled the van with a gas which knocks the occupants out cold and when they come round the have been robbed

[TheBoy]

Another thing to get Tunnie is an alarm which detects gas as there have been quite a few attacks in Europe where people have been asleep and someone has filled the van with a gas which knocks the occupants out cold and when they come round the have been robbed

Or their beery farts will have same effect...

In all seriousness, these sort of crimes do appear to be on the increase...

[Elite Pete]

Or their beery farts will have same effect...

 

[bob.dent]

Or their beery farts will have same effect...

 

So thats what knocked me out Saturday night!!