Size isn't everything....

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Just come back from 3.5 weeks in France, 2000 miles down the west coast, across the pyrenees, and back up in our tiny NV200, mostly wild and a few sites, and all on D roads or below - so barely saw other cars!

Van did really well and taking usage to >200 days which isn't bad. And despite being tiny, we were able to pack (in cupboards, not in the open/floor): chairs; sun-loungers; wetsuits; body armour, bike helmets and gear; running gear; beach towels and umbrella; BBQ and charcoal, and lots of food and drink, clothes, washing line, electronics galore. Came back with 30 bottles of wine or so.

Water/waste was fine, and even able to shower :) (Note: whilst we'd use shower wild, this was on a municipal site. They had token showers we bought tokens for, then went for a hot n sweaty bike ride and needed a shower, only to find they took the tokens and gave no water and the Marie was closed. So didn't feel guilty as we did pay!)

Some pics of where we were able to say - and in one instance sneaking under a 1.8m barrier (no signs or issues against overnight parking).

Interestingly, due to heat-wave we parked in shade, and found the solar was worse under trees and took less charge than if the UK grey skies! Never ran out of power and 12v (compressor) fridge ran well and kept the beer always cool.

Small isn't for everyone (and we are small ourselves!) but shows size isn't a deciding factor for fun.


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Other pics here - but nothing exciting :) https://photos.app.goo.gl/SFiqtc2GojvbwrRW8
 
Lovely pictures, looks like a great trip.
It was okay lol - quite quiet and not hugely exciting for us this time. Far too hot for mountain biking and long walks, so was quite a lazy one for us. Pretty much as expected, but lacking the adventure score :)
 
love the pics....have you any of the inside of van.............like your idea of the shower....nowt that cant be done.....with a little thought.......... you did very well to get everything into cupboards...........impressed
 
Just come back from 3.5 weeks in France, 2000 miles down the west coast, across the pyrenees, and back up in our tiny NV200, mostly wild and a few sites, and all on D roads or below - so barely saw other cars!

Van did really well and taking usage to >200 days which isn't bad. And despite being tiny, we were able to pack (in cupboards, not in the open/floor): chairs; sun-loungers; wetsuits; body armour, bike helmets and gear; running gear; beach towels and umbrella; BBQ and charcoal, and lots of food and drink, clothes, washing line, electronics galore. Came back with 30 bottles of wine or so.

Water/waste was fine, and even able to shower :) (Note: whilst we'd use shower wild, this was on a municipal site. They had token showers we bought tokens for, then went for a hot n sweaty bike ride and needed a shower, only to find they took the tokens and gave no water and the Marie was closed. So didn't feel guilty as we did pay!)

Some pics of where we were able to say - and in one instance sneaking under a 1.8m barrier (no signs or issues against overnight parking).

Interestingly, due to heat-wave we parked in shade, and found the solar was worse under trees and took less charge than if the UK grey skies! Never ran out of power and 12v (compressor) fridge ran well and kept the beer always cool.

Small isn't for everyone (and we are small ourselves!) but shows size isn't a deciding factor for fun.


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Other pics here - but nothing exciting :) https://photos.app.goo.gl/SFiqtc2GojvbwrRW8
If you have ever been backpacking with all your gear then even a small van is luxury.?
 
If you have ever been backpacking with all your gear then even a small van is luxury.?
Yes, we've had 7mths backpacking around SE asia, 4 weeks earlier this year in Sri Lanka - just 9kg rucksacks each - nothing more needed. And we've cycled to the south of france a couple of times with a tent and panniers. So yep, tiny van has lots more space and comfort!
 
love the pics....have you any of the inside of van.............like your idea of the shower....nowt that cant be done.....with a little thought.......... you did very well to get everything into cupboards...........impressed
Yep, see
http://www.doyourdream.co.uk/2016/07/nv200-van-complete-final-pics-and-video/
(though that doesn't show the doors in front of loo - there is a pull out in the gap. Behind the loo accessible from the top and the rear is the "garage" which takes the BBQ, body armour, wetsuits, and "food stock". The chairs are perfect size to go behind the wardrobe and the rear door, and the sunloungers are flat and to behind the bed.
the bedding, silver screens etc roll up and go behind the seat so aren't on view. And the wardrobe big enough for clothes, false floor for stash of wine and the like. And shoes go under driver/pax seat. Behind drivers seat is spare 10L water in case we run out of main (underslung) tank (also ideal for shower tank) and the umbrella/ramp/hookup. Everything has a place and we've had to buy wisely....
 
Sounds like you had a great trip,I have to admit to preferring a bit more room but as I am six feet that is understandable.It just proves how much fun you can have whatever size van you have.Well done .
 
Sounds like you had a great trip,I have to admit to preferring a bit more room but as I am six feet that is understandable.It just proves how much fun you can have whatever size van you have.Well done .
At 6' you'd not fit :) Totally agree more room is better and this trip we were fortunate with the weather. This size van is ideal for road trips, good weather and "campervanning". Its not ideally as a motorhome where you need to live in the space. But at the present time, when used as a car as well, it is a good fit for what we need today. We're planning a new van in 18mths or so when this one will be 5yo and that will be bigger but hopefully bringing across some of the storage tricks used in this.
 
viewed the video...looks good.....we have a small camper.......cram all sorts into it....awning..gazebo..chairs etc....however,,,
most of it lies on the floor whilst travelling............it suits our needs.....and if needs must can park up for the night almosr anywhere...........
also cycled in germany...rhein valley......with camping gear and panniers....
sounds like you are enjoying your adventures..........
 
I think starting small is good as even another half meter makes a difference. We found that going from a SWB to a MWB with higher roof was really appreciated. Both tall and getting tight jeans on sitting down was the most annoying issue before. As you say, the storage tricks can be transferred, we still have loads of space in our cupboards!
 
It doesnt matter how big you go it always seems that you expand to fill the available space , we have been from Landrover upto 12mtr RV and slightly back now to 7mtr :)
 
Gone down from 21m barge to 5.8m van. Guess which is most manoeuvrable and not prone to unannounced sidewise movement. A squeeze at first, but still chucking stuff out, but it’s surprising what you can live without. And we’ve stayed in some stunning spots where anything bigger just would not fit. Still don’t appreciate height barriers though.
 

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