Archive for March, 2010

If you are looking for used camper van for sale in your area, you will soon discover that there are plenty of viable options available. The truth is you can now acquire them in different buying avenues. In fact, the internet alone houses a comprehensive listing of credible campervan sellers. But many still prefer purchasing them from local auto shops in order to see the actual merchandise. However, those who have opted to transact with private sellers can still check out the campervan by setting up a meeting with the owner. Normally, the seller will offer to meet up in a particular place so the buyer can conveniently inspect the van before making the final decision.

Since campervans are big investments, it is critical that you closely examine your choices to ensure a quality find. Even though used campervans are much cheaper than procuring brand new ones, they still require a hefty sum of money. It may not be necessary to finance but sometimes RV financing is the best option.  Hence, you have to take into account important buying considerations to aid you with the decision-making. To help you do that, here are vital tips that you have to bear in mind:

Make a careful assessment of your actual needs: It is essential that you know how to differentiate what you NEED from what you WANT. Doing so will help you to end up with a used campervan that will perfectly satisfy your specific requirements. Additionally, doing a thorough need-analysis evaluation will give a clearer picture on the type of campervan that you require. So, before you head out to the store, it is important that you are already certain on what you need to avoid encountering problems later on.

Acquire a comprehensive vehicle history: Like when purchasing other types of used vehicles, it is of the essence that you go through an extensive vehicle history check to know more about the used campervan before making the actual purchase. A vehicle history report offers vital information that will allow you to make the best decision. With the help of the history report, you will gain knowledge about the following campervan details:

  • how many repairs it went through
  • the accidents that it was involved in
  • how often the previous owner used it
  • the types of modifications and enhancements introduced to the campervan

Do a thorough assessment on the exterior and interior aspect of the campervan: This is extremely important to ensure that the campervan is still in optimal condition. Remember that the degree of wear and tear of used campervans vary greatly. Hence, careful inspection is highly recommended. Be sure to inspect the key aspects of the campervan, including its mechanical components, integrated equipments, tires and wheels, body paint, and under carriage.

It would be a good idea to bring a trusted mechanic with you when you check the used camper van for sale so he can perform a quick mechanical inspection to determine if its engine system will still be able to function properly.

Be sure to take note of the following tips when purchasing used campervans to ensure that you’ll get a worthwhile investment!

The Process of Leasing Camper Vans

Renting or leasing camper vans has been a common practice around the world. This is mainly because leasing them is a much practical and economical option. Not everybody can afford to purchase these vans since owning one would involve a huge sum of money. Therefore, you really have to stringently scrutinize your choices.

Leasing Preliminaries

When leasing these vans, it is important that the driver is at least 21 years old or above. Majority of the rental agencies strictly follow this policy since drivers below 21 are more at risk of getting into road accidents. Hence, they are quite strict about implementing this rule.

Since there are plenty of rental companies and agencies that lease campers or caravenettes, it is critical that you do a preliminary research to find those with good reputation. Make sure to only transect with credible and trustworthy rental companies to ascertain an excellent quality of service. That being said, it would be ideal to do a phone inquiry or visit their physical office to ask about their rental services. Bear in mind that the policies and fees applied by rental agencies vary greatly. Hence, it is critical that you choose wisely.

The Rental Procedure

Normally, the process of renting a campervan starts by locating credible rental agencies. Most people do an online search to get the contact and address information of camper rental services operating in their area. After they have acquired the contact information, they would normally call or visit the rental agency to inquire more about their services.

The rental agency, on the other hand, will give the client an overview about their policies and rental regulations. Once the client has been briefed about the agency’s rental rules, it is up to them to decide whether they would pursue the transaction. By this time, the client would typically clarify things to help them arrive with an informed decision.

It is important that you make reservations ahead of time to ascertain that the rental camper will be available on the day that you need it. That is why you have to inform the rental agent when you are planning to use the van. Apart from that, you also have to pick the type of caravenette or camper that you want to lease.

If the negotiation goes well, the rental agency will ask the client to fill out a contract of agreement, which the client should carefully read and understand. The renter will then need to provide the rental agency with a valid driver’s license for reference as well as the signed contract.

Basic rental rates would often include a flat fee, insurance, tax, mileage, and other applicable charges. The renter will also be asked to provide a rental deposit which will be refunded after the campervan has been returned. Rental campers can be leased for a day, a week, or even longer (depending on the rental demand).

Overall, renting camper vans is absolutely a very straight-forward process. However, it is critical that you strictly adhere with the agency’s rental policies and regulations to avoid any forms of complications!

If you are seeking for an affordable camping vehicle that will provide you with basic home comforts, then you better consider purchasing a used vw camper van. In particular, used Westfalia Volkswagen camper vans are the popular choice of many campers. These vans have been retrofitted to suit the varying needs and demands of the users. They come in a range of sizes, styles, designs, and types. Therefore, it is highly advised that you become aware of the available choices.

For those who do not know much about VW camper vans, it is recommended that you ask someone knowledgeable to help you with the selection process. This is necessary to ensure that every key aspect of the camper van will be properly inspected. Remember that you are purchasing used vehicles, thus, physical assessment is vital to ensure a quality purchase.

Where to Find Used Volkswagen Camper Vans For Sale

There are actually a number of buying avenues, both online and offline, where you can acquire used Volkswagen camper vans. Some of the viable places that you should check out include the following:

  • online or newspaper automotive classified ads (mostly private sellers)
  • Second-hand or used vehicle garage shops
  • Auction and bidding sites catering to used camper vans
  • authorized dealers of VW camper vans
  • camper van brokers
  • popular social networking sites
  • VW camper van forums

You’ll notice that majority of these buying avenues are found online, this is because sellers find it much easier to advertise their commodities or merchandises in the internet. In addition to that, sifting through the available choices is more convenient for buyers since they can access multiple types of camper vans with just a few clicks.

What To Inspect

When buying second-hand VW camper vans, it is important that you thoroughly examine them for any forms of damages as well as the presence of rust. Make sure to look out for any signs of rust on the campervan’s chassis section, roof gutter, wheel arches, undercover plates, front and rear outriggers, as well as other areas where rust is most likely to develop. Apart from that, you should also look for the presence of fillers, rips, and unfinished repairs on the entire camper van.

Be wary of lowered versions of VW camper vans since this can give rise to a number of potential problems in the future. Although lowered VW campers look really cool, they can inflict severe damages to the van’s undercarriage because of its proximity to the ground. Additionally, you will have difficulty crawling under the campervan to do the needed repairs.

Apart from that, you should also check if the integrated equipments inside the van are still functioning, or if there are equipments that must be replaced. Assess whether all the camper van’s features are still intact and if they are still capable of providing optimum performance.

Furthermore, do not forget to check the mechanical aspect of the camper van to ensure that it can still deliver excellent road performance. Look for signs of oil leaks and the presence of irritating noises, which are normally indicative of engine trouble. Also, make sure if the steering wheel and gears are properly functioning by doing a road test.

In general, you really have to be extra careful when buying a used VW camper van, to ascertain that you will acquire one that is free of defects, and in perfect condition!

Used Cargo Van

When buying a used van, you’ll soon realize that there are plenty of feasible options available. On that regard, it is highly advised that you effectively scrutinize these options in order to end up with the best choice. There are generally various types of used vans that are now widely available in many automotive shops. Since there are an overwhelming option to select from, plunging into the selection process can easily become a tedious task. But with the help of this article, you can easily spot a van that will be able to satisfy your particular specifications.

Basically, your personal requirements and actual needs are the most important considerations that you have to carefully assess. It would be a good idea to become specific with your search so you can easily narrow down your choices.

To begin with, you have to determine the type van that you plan to procure. Generally, there are different types of vans circulating in the market. That being said, you have to be aware of the existing options in order to find the one that you are looking for. Some of the most commonly used types of van are as follows:

  • Microvans – They are perfect for those looking for average-size vans that can accommodate a considerable amount of cargo load. They are best used in busy city centers, tight streets, and areas with limited parking spaces. However, since they are quite small, tall drivers will definitely feel uneasy and restrained driving them. Additionally, they are not advised for those who require long trips since they have a very poor fuel economy.
  • Light Vans – Also referred as hi-cubes, they offer the same wheelbase with the car-derived vans but they are more capable of carrying loads with extra weight and volume. They are very fuel-efficient, maneuverable, and easy to drive. They are best suited for carrying small to medium loads.
  • Car-derived Vans or CDVs – These are standard-size passenger vehicles that provide efficient fuel economy and good driving dynamics. Moreover, they are excellent for town or country use. However, they are not capable of accommodating heavy loads.
  • Accessible Vans – These vans are basically designed to accommodate passengers with wheelchairs or portable scooters.
  • Large Panel Vans – These heavy-duty and high-volume workhorses come in an array of shapes and sizes. Moreover, they offer a decent fuel economy.

Of course, the type of van that you will require will greatly depend on a number of factors, including the purpose of use, and the amount of load that you need to carry.

Apart from being knowledgeable about the available options, you also have to take note of other vital factors like the van’s mechanical condition as well as its price. It is advised that you allow a professional mechanic to inspect the van, before purchasing it, to find out if it still in good running condition. Lastly, it is of the essence that your budget is well-accounted for when buying a used van so that you’ll end up with one that falls within your means.

When buying a used van, you’ll soon realize that there are plenty of feasible options available. On that regard, it is highly advised that you effectively scrutinize these options in order to end up with the best choice. There are generally various types of used vans that are now widely available in many automotive shops. Since there are an overwhelming option to select from, plunging into the selection process can easily become a tedious task. But with the help of this article, you can easily spot a van that will be able to satisfy your particular specifications.

Basically, your personal requirements and actual needs are the most important considerations that you have to carefully assess. It would be a good idea to become specific with your search so you can easily narrow down your choices.

To begin with, you have to determine the type van that you plan to procure. Generally, there are different types of vans circulating in the market. That being said, you have to be aware of the existing options in order to find the one that you are looking for. Some of the most commonly used types of van are as follows:

  • Microvans – They are perfect for those looking for average-size vans that can accommodate a considerable amount of cargo load. They are best used in busy city centers, tight streets, and areas with limited parking spaces. However, since they are quite small, tall drivers will definitely feel uneasy and restrained driving them. Additionally, they are not advised for those who require long trips since they have a very poor fuel economy.
  • Light Vans – Also referred as hi-cubes, they offer the same wheelbase with the car-derived vans but they are more capable of carrying loads with extra weight and volume. They are very fuel-efficient, maneuverable, and easy to drive. They are best suited for carrying small to medium loads.
  • Car-derived Vans or CDVs – These are standard-size passenger vehicles that provide efficient fuel economy and good driving dynamics. Moreover, they are excellent for town or country use. However, they are not capable of accommodating heavy loads.
  • Accessible Vans – These vans are basically designed to accommodate passengers with wheelchairs or portable scooters.
  • Large Panel Vans – These heavy-duty and high-volume workhorses come in an array of shapes and sizes. Moreover, they offer a decent fuel economy.

Of course, the type of van that you will require will greatly depend on a number of factors, including the purpose of use, and the amount of load that you need to carry.

Apart from being knowledgeable about the available options, you also have to take note of other vital factors like the van’s mechanical condition as well as its price. It is advised that you allow a professional mechanic to inspect the van, before purchasing it, to find out if it still in good running condition. Lastly, it is of the essence that your budget is well-accounted for when buying a used van so that you’ll end up with one that falls within your means.

Used camper vans are typically used for recreational and transportation purposes. Also known as campers or caravenette, they can be either purchased or leased depending on what you think will work best for you. Families, campers, and other people who love the outdoors will certainly find these functional and amazing vehicles very useful. Additionally, they are the common alternative to motor homes and RV’s. In fact, they are the vehicle of choice when:

  • going on an outdoor vacation with family and friends
  • enjoying a scenic ride on state or national forest parks
  • camping out
  • traveling in distant places
  • planning an enjoyable road trip

These used camper vans typically come fully-equipped with useful amenities that may include any of the following:

  • pop-up roof
  • gas hob and grill
  • a kitchenette with a small refrigerator
  • portable toilet and an internal shower
  • satellite/cable television
  • one or more beds (which can double as daytime seating)
  • microware
  • external awning
  • gas or electric powered heaters
  • water tank
  • wastewater tank

Types and Classifications of Campers/Caravenettes

In Europe and other parts of the globe, camping vans or caravenettes are categorized in types and sizes. Bear in mind that they come in different varieties that vary greatly in weight, length, and capacity. That being said, you have to really become familiar with the following classifications of used camper vans for sale so that you can make the best decision.

  • A-class (AC) – A-class campers, which are also known as Winnebagos, are generally small. They have a full-built carriage that sits over a medium to large chassis. Some models are fitted with a hydraulically operated garage that is capable of transporting a small car. While large camper models feature highly-appointed electrically-generating windmills.
  • High-top (HT) – They are generally adapted from high-top vans, and they weigh around 2.8 to 4.5 tonnes. Moreover, they did not undergo extreme body modifications unlike most of the caravenettes. They typically have moving tables and seats as well as fixed beds. Shower and cubicles can also be integrated.
  • Rising roof (RR) – These campers have 2 to 3 tonnes of gross vehicle weight. They are relatively small and have a rising roof with fabric sides. The bed is commonly placed on the rising roof, while shower and toilet are rarely present.
  • Fixed roof (FR) – Like the rising roof campers, these vans are not normally fitted with shower and cubicle. Moreover, they have a similar size with the rising roof camper design. The classic examples of fixed roof campers are the Volkswagen transporter and Mercedes-Benz Vito.

With a number of feasible options available, the selection process can instantly become an arduous task. Hence, knowing the classifications of the available camper types will help you to easily narrow down your search.

Today, many people still find leasing these vans a more practical option since buying one involves a huge investment. With the steadily growing demand for camper vans for rent many companies and agencies are venturing in the campervan rental business. But whether you are planning to lease or buy a camper van, it is vital that you gather enough information about the viable options available to ascertain that you’ll end with the right choice!