Vw TRANSPORTER campervan. Is it the best?

In this video, I share my experience of owning a VW Transporter day van and the challenges I've faced. One of the main issues I discuss is the size of the van, which can make it cramped and uncomfortable for extended trips. Additionally, I talk about the noise from the pop top, which can be an issue when trying to get a good night's sleep.

Despite these challenges, I also highlight the reasons why I love my VW Transporter day van. I discuss how it drives like a normal car, making it easy to maneuver and park, and how its compact size allows it to access places larger campervans can't. I also touch on the van's popularity in the campervan community, making it one of the most easily modifiable vehicles on the market.

Join me as I share my honest thoughts on the pros and cons of owning a VW Transporter day van, and find out why it's both a love and a struggle at the same time.

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[PhilipTomlinson]

One more thing, I got the T6 to do the conversion on, and mine is only a Startline. I enjoy driving the van so much that I sold my L494 Range Rover as I always jumped in the van. This is my first transporter, and I never got the appeal of them until I owned one. I have done 8000 miles in it now and just love driving it.

[Bynxy]

Love my T6 4 Motion one of the best things I have bought and been to loads of places camping, but completely agree the best and worst points about the Van are its size

[PhilipTomlinson]

I am building a "Toy Overlander" on a T6 4motion with a factory high-top van, as I would rather deal with the height issues than have a pop-top. One thing is that the 4motion system is closer to 4WD than it is to AWD. Unlike part-time AWD fitted to vans like the Sprinter that has a fixed 30/70 split (front/rear), the Transporters 4motion system can provide drive just to the front wheels OR just to the back wheels OR with any percentage of split drive. The versions with the rear diff lock (£500 option) are the best buys as normally the 4motion only engages once you are experiencing slip but switching on the diff lock forces 4WD to be activated.

[daverostron]

There is no questions there is a Volkswagon tax to pay but like you said in the film it will hold its value for the most part. I do like the fact that mine feels pretty much like a (big) car when I drive it and the fact I can throw a load of bikes, camping gear, etc in the back without breaking a sweat is a massive bonus. All that being said, the Transit would do everything the same and actually does a lot of things better (cup holders that actually take big cups without hitting the windscreen for example). If I had to buy one now knowing what I know it would probably be a Custom - I am not unhappy with the VW though - its a Jack of all trades and does everything I want of it. Yours looks great though - love the Swamper look. The Ovano Kit also looks pretty sweet

[richardsapper]

Hi You have made my mind up for me with this video. I am in the middle of a conversion of t6 kombi and have been flip flopping from van furniture u shape seating and cabinets to Ovano Switch, I dont want a pop top and I doing want to cook on board. My next step is to commit to something for the back. Have already fitted the twin spinner for the front seat. It is going to stay a day van with occasional camp outs in warm weather so I get where your coming from, so its Ovano for me. Thanks for confirming what I already knew just wasn’t sure, the long haired general wanted the u shaped lounge until she watched this and now she gets it too. Happy Days.👍😀

[micksmith]

Dude I had the exact same conversation last night in the pub with two mates, me with my VW T6 camper van fully loaded….bob with his fiat Ducato panel van with toilet & shower & Stuart just pulling his hair out trying to decide what van to go for great banter going on plus and minus with both bob & my set up & Stuart sat on the fence great night then I get up this morning & watch this love it keep up the good work totally agree with the Avano products just fitted there swivel table what a awesome pice of kit

[nigelm]

I have a Ducato Hymer panel van conversion with pop top and considering selling as I don't use it much and getting a T6 for odd camping trips. I think I may miss the fixed bed, shower and toilet and being able to stand up so your points are valid, your video has made me think again!

[madridaway]

exactly way i've got mine. i don't see it as a campervan i see it as a day van really with overnight options. Being busy most of the time with work my options are weekends only. if i want a bigger break we go abroad. we've got the awning swivel seats and the diesel heater. Heater is the key for winter. I'm currently using it for work as my work van is off the road with a blown turbo. the parking is the key you can get it in a normal parking spot. Only a couple of us going we pull out the rear seats and i also stick the bike in there if I'm out on my own. Problem with the bigger vans is having somewhere to park it without pissing everyone off or having to pay to do so. Be around for ages these and they're built to last

[lefthandedscrewdriver]

If I'm honest.... I prefer the Sprinter. When you've got the Transporter parked along side the Sprinter, the Sprinter looks so much better

[colinlee]

Nail on the head on alot of things there! I run a vw t4 as my daily and camper and it's brilliant at everything. Given the choice I'd have a larger weekend only camper. Its all about compromise 👍
A few choice upgrades as you mentioned will definitely improve your lovely van 🤙

[medwido]

mate your observations are spot on. we got the caravelle to do pop top on but then baby arrived… now just use it as normal car, best i ve ever owned. we ll do the pop top in a few yrs, keep up the vids!

[gordoncahill]

Just sold my converted Ford Transit LWB high roof and bought a California. It was too big for what I wanted. But I do have a small hybrid caravan for the really long trips and proper off road travel here in Oz. I agree with everything you said here although my California does have a heater built in.. :)

[pdcichosz]

I was waiting for the answer to the question at the beginning - how is it better than Traffic?
I spent a total of a couple months in a converted Trafic van. Transporters rust, they are not without their issues, especially T5s. Trafic and its clones are VERY well rust-proofed, the only rust I've seen on the last 3 generations of Trafic was when the body got damaged and zinc layer was compromised while Tees are anything but immune to it. Trafics are wider and don't have tapered sides, they're basically square boxes behind a cab which helps when you want to convert one yet they still fit a standard parking space. They're cheaper to buy and maintain, last and previous gen drive pretty much like a passenger car (I actually prefer the driving experience to a rental Caravelle T6 I drove on holidays). The minibus taxis up in the mountains here used to be all VW T4s. Nowadays they are mostly Trafics and Vivaros (before the PSA-FCA merge into Stellantis that is). Their drivers need reliable cars that can withstand snow, salt and abuse. You really need to look for a while to spot a T5 or a T6 there.

Apart from the bigger accessory market (because they are more popular) and lower depreciation (because... guess what, they are more popular) what is the reason they are more popular in the first place? They aren't better cars, so.... Why?

[groundhog]

Great video buddy just bought my first van it's a Mazda bongo it's getting built as we speak and getting sprayed

[whitevanman]

I had a T5 for work for 9 years then converted it into a camper. The most unreliable van I ever owned. I went to Portugal with my dog. Nowhere for him to sleep even with a swivel double seat. In a word, pokey. Sold it for a 2015 Vivaro and coverted it and the same problem. A much faster, smoother and quieter but still too small. Fast forward to my Citroen Relay swb low roof. I can stand in it, the 6ft bed across the back with storage underneath and a living space for the dog, chairs and much more relaxing . Better van, lots of room and puts a smile on my face, should have got it in the first place.

[JamesWilliam]

I've just spent a fortune (+VAT) (not a tradesman) on a 1 yr old (22 plate)T6.1 DSG Kombi (ex VW fleet) And just dropped another small fortune on having it upgraded at a particular shop near EM airport. I too have opted for a switch XL which I will use as a partial slide out kitchen + allot more (heater/underslung/solar, swamper styling...Daily driver + can't wait to start exploring with the missus. In the meantime I just watch sh*tloads of transporter vids like yours. Thanks!

[onyertod]

A view from down under. Transporters are nice vans but I never understood why Toyota don't sell the Hiace in the UK. In Australia both are very popular as camper conversions but total sales wise in 2021 VW transporter took 6.6% of the Aussie market. Hiace took 37.4%

[TedVise]

In an age where every penny counts, 1 vehicle for multiple uses makes perfect sense.
My van is ...
By day a work van
By night dad/grandad taxi
At the weekend a campervan

[andrewshaw]

The fact it can be used like a normal car without the parking and city driving difficulties a larger van/motor home present is the draw can. One van fits all ! Great if you live in an apartment with only a car park parking space.

[On_the_vanwagon]

It’s been a minute!😂 I’ve never got the hype surrounding the dubs, personally