How do we get on in a much bigger van ?
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- Опубліковано 15 жов 2024
- Hello and welcome to our channel. We are Carol & Ken and we are normally out travelling in our little red Nissan NV200 campervan. However, in this video we swap our micro camper for a Peugeot Boxer panel van to see what it is like driving and parking a larger vehicle.
How will we get on and will it affect the decision we make on getting a new van?
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This episode was filmed 17th October 2023.
#vanlife #lifeistooshort #littleredcamper #vantestdrive
Boy Ken my wife would have told me to stuff it if I had gone on and on with instructions like you were doing.
😂
Well done Carol, you did a lot better than I did. I'd never driven anything bigger than a car and had to hire a van to move my daughter from her house to another. All I could get was a LWB van and I learnt between a van and the corner of a house, the house will always win :-)
Credit where credits due Carol did very well in the van and looked confident after a while.
Great idea to rent for the experience.
Carol did great but I think Ken should have gone and bought the ice creams while Carol sorted out the parking!
You try and get him out the van 😂
Different experience for you. Those handbrakes are not the best. Nice burger 🍔
Most Campervan’s of that size will have a reversing camera which makes it a lot easier. Heard great things about Consort. A few people I know have the reef. Great idea to practice. 👍👏👏🚐
@@Wizardinthewild yes, we will definitely specify a reversing camera on the new van.
How patronising are you Ken!!
Carol surely didn’t need lessons or advise on driving a van. . I’d have slapped you if you were my hubby.
And please get off your backside and stop making Carol do all the running about. You are getting so lazy and bigger and bigger, swap roles and you’ll soon be healthier and fitter. 😢
Carol, I thought you were amazing. Ken seemed a little too critical at times, but I’m sure he was only trying to make you feel good and confident. Also, it shows hiring a van of that size is a great idea to practice in before you decide on what to buy.
I was too harsh with Carol over the handbrake as we were rolling backwards. At that stage we didn’t know it was faulty. As for the rest it was fine as Carol went through the police driving conversion years ago when we first met. Bigger van needs new skills and we have to be safe. I think she did really well for her first ever drive in one.
We have a 6.4m van and the driving aids that really help us in parking etc are rear view camera (makes it easier than my car to reverse in tight spaces) electronic parking brake with hill start assist, and auto gearbox. All have an impact on price, but makes it much more pleasurable and less stressful when in a supermarket car park.
Rental vans are the basic of basic and often underpowered. That may have clouded your judgement. A decent camper, parking sensors, reversing camera, hill start assist, electric parking brake and so on is another world. You’ll get used to it in no time. Certainly no worse than the Volvo with a caravan on the back. Keep up the good work, very brave and admiral of Carol to show us this ‘baptism of fire’. Well done.
Thanks for the confidence boost 🙂👍
Well done Carol. I could never have maneuvered like that xx
the apprehension on your face Carol will not last your doing amazing at driving a larger van soon the size will not be as daunting your already doing fantastic and have an amazing co pilot beside you
Thanks for the reassurance 🙂
You did great Carol.That handbrake was a nightmare.
Reverse camera is a must nowadays. I wouldn't want to go back to old style now.
Happy travels.
Carol did really well 😊 Driving a van is a totally different experience but once you get used to it I much prefer my higher view. I love watching your driving Ken, until I needed major surgery I was an ADI and clock a lot of your advanced driver training with the force. 😊
You and I enjoy our driving. Others see it as a chore. It’s a skill that brings a lot of satisfaction and self rollockings when we mess up 😁👍
Love your choice of music, for all your video's.😊😊😊
Carol, you'll be twiddling that van on a penny before you know it! Good idea to hire and see how you get on. Well done for not telling Ken to be quiet - both while you were driving, AND about the ice cream. Especially after the grief he gave you over the cake! I've got less patience than you! 😂 Looking forward to hearing how you both get on.
Talk about mithering to death!
Weldone Carol! Your face was a picture when you had a Handbrake problem! 😂😂It will take a bit of getting used to!
So true!
As I've commented on a previous vlog, I too have a retired police driver for a husband so feel like I am always on a driving lesson when driving our van !!
We sold our manual Autosleeper 5 metre van when our automatic Elddls CV20 arrived. I actually find driving the 6m auto much easier. I just take junctions a little wider and the auto gearbox means I don't have to worry about being in the right gear when approaching.
Auto is the best.
Great job Carol. Remember you can get a rear camera that can act like a rear view camera and adjusts to a parking camera when reversing, i had one fitted to my transit. Also an automatic will be far easier for Carol, plus newer vans are being fitted with an electronic brake. The fixed bulkhead probably made it feel enclosed, on a camper you will have windows behind you, should aid Carol. Looking forward to the trip to consort.
Hello you two, it was definitely a 6 meter bus 😁, wauw, great job both of you.
Next a Challenger II without a ground guide. You go Carol.
😂😂😂
Our campervan is 5 .4 metres long. It has reversing sensors, as well as a reversing camera. With both of those features fitted, reversing it is an absolute doddle. No need to worry. I even pull a 7.5 metre caravan with it some of the time, it is like a land train with that set up but you get used to it. Obviously there is no camera on the caravan but i don't tend to reverse it, with the caravan attached, apart from onto the camping pitches, if they are easy, otherwise the motor mover comes in handy. Practice makes perfect !
Yes we will definitely want a reversing camera and sensors ☺️
Well done. You have the idear, just take it steady and watch the back wheel arches in the mirrors in tight turns.
Just a note. On a windy day Steve my hubby wasn’t holding on to the door it flew out and damaged the door. Can’t recall how much it cost to repair but you do have to be careful on windy days.
Definitely a reversing camera, it’s a great thing to have.
Great job guys. That handbrake is a nightmare.
Even on the newer camper van an after market reversing camera would make a total difference.
I'm imagine the van I drive is 27 foot long and very little steering circle ..... That's the Renault I was telling you to avoid.
Thanks for sharing guys
The higher driving position is much better as it gives you a good view of the road ahead. The hand brake is a bit of a pain - I hated the one on our Peugeot as it was very hard to pull up but I think you can get ‘extenders for them.
I thought you were excellent Carol, not easy doing that with the eyes of the world on you 😂. Most campers will have rear view cameras and they make reversing much easier. Don’t worry about it, just swap seats and let Ken do the hard bits 😂😂😂
We are well suited in difficult driving situations. Carol can’t wait to hand over responsibility for potential damage and I can’t wait to start driving to avoid it. 😁👍 It’s a fact that all police drivers make bad passengers as we see danger where most people wouldn’t. Old habits die hard.
Well done Carol and with a reversing camera you'll do great ! 🚐
Thanks! 🙂
Carol and Ken, there is nothing wrong in shunting when reversing, forcing the manuver is when an accident will occur, drove artics for 40 years and the best advice is GOAL.... get out and look, hope the new van is all you want.
I think you did brilliantly Carol.😊
Thanks Helen 🙂
No problem at all . Carol you did a great job . Honestly you will get used to your new van in no time at all . As someone has already said your new van will be so much easier and feel much nicer . Don’t forget you are driving an empty van so it will jig about and handle differently. With furniture and appliances in it will feel so much better. No troubles ….just enjoy your new van . Within a few weeks of delivery you will look back at your first attempt and smile 😁
Thank you so much for the encouragement 🙂
Carol's microphone suddenly stopped working... that made me laugh thinking it was code for had to edit out the swear words. lol Carol did a great job!
😂 Thanks Tom 🙂
Carol was amazing, well done😀
Great vlog guys. Well done Carol looked very confident
Thanks 👍
Campervans have windows and parking cameras and sensors you would both be fine well done
Good learning for both of you looks like you mastered it lol 😊
You’ve got this Carol if I can park a 5:4 so can you 👍
You did brilliantly Carol 🙂💙🙂 Hopefully you have found a van you like this week 🙂💙🙂 Interesting that you went to that burger van we have often wondered what the food is like when driving to Seaford from London. If you could drive it up/down Firle Beacon then I think you can call that a success 🙂💙🙂
Your a hero Charlie Brown
Nice one Carol! Don’t forget in a camper you won’t have the bulkhead blocking the rear off and will have more windows which will help massively with vision- and reversing cameras are a game changer 😊
Our campervan doesn't have rear windows, only side windows. We chose it that way because it is always packed up with gear anyway, at the back, on top of the rear rib bed leaf. It does have a reversing camera and sensors though, which negates any rear window view loss but obviously less heat loss. We do have two full glass side windows on the near side, which is much more useful for rear passengers to look out of whilst travelling.
Such fun... particularly liked the icecream!! Take care & stay safe. Kia Ora from New Zealand. 💜💜
Hi Xavier. Hope all is good in your beautiful part of the world. Yes I am getting plenty of stick for not getting those ice creams 😁👍
@@LifeistooshortCK Well here is 3C, snow expected in morning!!!! 💜💜
Looking forward to your next vlog
Great job Carol!👍🏼 A back up camera will make a huge difference. I would prefer automatic transmission as well, but if it meant continued delays with no definitive delivery date, I would go for your next choice. Especially if it’s a quality van. Life is too short afterall🤷🏻 Wishing you both the best.
That is the dilemma 👍
Carol you did great a few more goes and you will be as good as Ken
Thanks for the confidence vote Tim 🤗
Oh good timing. I’m looking at selling my Avan sm caravan & changing to a 6 mtr van like that. Haven’t done the test drive yet 😳 Luckily we don’t have too many narrow lanes in Aus. The brand I’m looking at will have a rear overhead camera 👍
I love how supportive you are Ken I’ve always admired your manners your such a gent xx
Its a funny old world some thought I was evil and some supportive. Truth is of course I just want Carol to enjoy driving it as she might have to one day. That was a tough days driving and we only showed a fraction of it. By the end of the day she was more than capable of driving it and has no worries left.
Hello Carol & Ken 😁 Great vid look forward to seeing your trip to see the motorHomes 🎃
Well done to Carol, 👏👏Those handbrakes are always tricky. You are both such good drivers.
That handbrake was horrible but we got used to it by the end of the day. I reported it to the hire company who are getting it fixed. You have to be very mindful of how you get out of the van as well as it’s easy to catch yourself.
Great job Carol, whenever we reverse our 6 metre van the other person always gets out to help. Bit of advice given to us by a C&MC instructor at a lesson we had at the NEC show.
Well done ! 👍🏻
Hope you find your ideal van, we recently sold our VW T6 and rented a dirty Ford Custom to take our bedding etc to pick up our new 5m. Fiat Ducato auto motorhome. Out of the 3 the Ford Custom was by far the best to drive and very car like. Just a thought 🤔😊
I'm hoping neither of you were put off by your experience with the rental van. In a camper conversion you will have through vision to some degree and likely on current models the option of a camera system all making most maneuvering often easier than in a car because as you observed you have a higher and therefore clearer view of your surroundings. I had an autosleeper's Duetto camper for ten years on the LWB Transit van which actually had pretty good through vision (wish I still had it actually) and although my wife wouldn't drive it it was a joy to drive. Slightly different for me because I have a blue badge so parking, both space wise and cost was not an issue. It can be more challenging for the ladies but I can't see Carol having any problems as she's a very capable driver and you (Ken) like myself received the best driver training that the H.O. could provide. I thought I was a good driver until I went to Hendon. I was when I left. 🤣 looking forward to seeing your thoughts on today's 3.5 tonne camper conversions. Safe travels. 🐻
Didn’t put us off 👍
Great idea, pity the van didn't have reversing camera
Well done Carol
Cheers 😁👍
Hey well done Carol, you did great driving the van good for you. What a good idea to hire a van to get the feel of a bigger vehicle never thought of that.
I also thought Ken would have got out and got the ice creams😊😊😊, but there again😂😂.
Great video
Carol will take it in her stride ,she will be o.k. bit of practice makes perfect.
All new vehicles take a while to master , Ken has loads of patience good teacher .
Carol did an amazing job. I remember trying to reverse my little Fiesta into the garage for the first time. Took me forever; I scraped a wing mirror and nearly lost a door handle. I wouldn't mind but once in, I could fully open the driver's door - that's how small the car was. You soon learn the 'swing' of a vehicle - and reversing cameras help too!
Thanks for the encouragement 🙂👍
Well done bunnywith your practice in the hire van just remember when you get your new van everything will be easier especially with the reversing cam that comes as standard ❤
Carol you did really well in the van. A camper will be much easier, no bulkhead, more windows, usually a reverse camera too! If you opt for automatic it’s even easier. Our first one was an Adria twin 6m and I had a baptism of fire as I had to drive back from Wolsingham over the A66 Bowes Stainmore in the snow. Took it easy and no problems. Our current van is 6.36m Hobby Vantana and being automatic is definitely easier. Have fun in your new van , whatever you choose! As you say being high up makes it all easier too! Love watching your videos too!
Cheers 👍
Poor Carol, fighting with that door in the wind, you could of held it open for her Ken 😂
I think you did very well Carol, especially with a professional on looker, and all of us. Well done👍
My arms were not long enough 😁👍
Well done Carol, bit daunting the fist time in the longer vans. You did a great job 👍
You both are doing well I think you both need to consider an automatic plus have reversing censers otherwise we’ll done for first attempt
Nice video! We have an auto sleeper symbol which is the 5.4 length variant. Took a couple of weeks to get used to it, now we go anywhere with it and feels small to be fair. We obviously avoid car parks with any types of barriers. I'm even tempted to go slightly bigger, as I would like a 4 berth as ours is currently a 2 berth.
Good to know. Thanks for sharing your experience of a 5.4m 🙂👍
Oh my goodness Carol, you were amazing🙂. With the aid of reversing cameras and parking sensors it could be a breeze. Also great that Ken is a good instructor. Hope the trip to Consort was useful, all the best, Ruth x
Yes, we will definitely be getting a reversing camera which will be a great help 🙂👍
You did good Carol, you do get very use to the length, I drive a 5m vehicle as my everyday vehicle as well as live in it full time. Keep practicing you’ll be more confident as time goes by. What’s the make of that hire vehicle. Cheers Judy
Peugeot Boxer
We think you would be right at home in that size of van👍
Thanks guys 🙂
I can sympathise with carol I use to drive 16 seater minibus and that was a long vehicle. Practice is the only way and you will get use to it.
The handbrake on the other side does take some getting used to. The motorhome we hired was on that side but at least it wasn’t faulty. Good job Carol 👍
On the Fiats you can spec an electric handbrake, this should alleviate any issues there. Also helps with swiveling the seats round. We have a Hymer Ayres Rock on order, same length as this 5.4m. Also with a motorhome you will have better visibility with windows in the back/sides and no bulkhead!
how long do you have to wait?
@@LifeistooshortCK we ordered Mid November 2022, it’s been delayed twice. Now due December 23/Jan 24. We went to see all the vans again at the NEC last week to see if we had made the right decision, we feel we have and it will be worth the wait. Three are various vans available now from various companies though, looks like Fiat are getting the supply issues under control, prices have gone up though.
Well done Carol. I now have to drive our van because my husband has MS. You have done much better than I did first time. With time I have become more confident and we are now looking to get a slightly bigger van. I am getting a van that is automatic which makes life easier. Also if you can get all the bits that help e.g reversing camera, sensors, warning light on mirrors when cars overtaking on blind spot etc, etc. Those extras add to the cost but are really a great help. Looking forward to seeing your choice of van.
Thanks for those tips and good luck with your new van.
Well done Carol. Although the latest Ducato has electric parking brake, and the 9 speed auto is something else in tends of driving comfort.
Carol you did brilliantly! Ken you were a very helpful advisor. As you said , it will be so much easier with a reversing camera and sensors too.
Well done! Good move to test out this van config with a rental before committing to a purchase of your own in this size. I bet many of your viewers will do this now before taking on their own purchasing decision. I certainly will. 🙂
It was worth every penny 👍
FairPlay Carole done absolutely fine that’s not easy being chucked into a big van 👏👏👏. And you definitely should have got the ice creams, 🤭, I’m currently looking at getting the same van to convert myself, all the best 👏👏🏴✊
Thanks. Good luck with your conversion 🙂
This was a great idea, Carol did brilliantly too.
Thanks ☺️
Fair play Carol, driving that would terrify me! Great job!
It’s great you are able to rent a van to test it out in so many different scenarios. Carol, you did fantastic! The narrow roads would be the hardest for me along with parking in cramped areas. Mary
Quite the difference driving those big vans, I thankfully managed to convince my boss in my last job I could do with a smaller van so I did not have to drive one of the big Mercedes Sprinter vans but a much more comfortable Ford Transit Custom that can drive anywhere without issues.
If you can drive a car, you can adjust to a vehicle of any size. It just takes a bit of practice. If you get a bigger van , you will adjust with time.
For me as a norwegian, driving in the UK is pretty much OK with an english rental car. When driving in the UK with a norwegian car, two problems normally occurs for me. Every time I drive out of a petrol station, I end up driving on the wrong right side of the road. Roundabouts are a bit difficult. And leaning all over to the right side when overtaking lorries. I am left handed, so I guess I felt a bit more easy on these challenges.
I'm probably the only norwegian car that got clamped at behind Holland Park in London in the 90s. Needed to go to the office at Hyde Park to pay the fine and wait for 3 hours to get someone to unlock the clamp.The sticker "This car has been clamped" I saved for years.
😁👍. Bad luck.
I drive a 6m boxer nearly every day at work, there’s nowhere I wouldn’t take it for my work, but for a camper van I’d plump for the shorter one I think. I enjoy the Peugeot, it’s a nice driver - especially the newer 2.2 models.
Very well done Carol. Its not easy driving a strange larger vehicle but you both did well. Btw, great idea to too hire and gain experience. Best of luck on your potential new camper. Arnie + Lisa.
Great idea to rent Ken!
They do sell a handbrake extension thing that suits some people.
Also, you’ll need to wear tighter shorts, the first time you get out and catch your cargoes on the handbrake you’ll see what I mean 😮!
Great video and editing as always, hope you are both feeling well , look after that back…
Best wishes as always
Dickb
Too late on the cargoes mate 😁👍
Hi Carol and Ken, well done Carol, a brilliant idea to hire just for one day, trying out all your favourite haunts in Sussex. I've just watched this from our Bilbo LWB Celex VW T6.1 in Somerset, we're on a short holiday around the south west 😀 We're 5.3m dsg automatic and we test drove a LWB manual having hired a VW California Ocean a SWB T6.1. We couldn't do without the reversing camera, sensers etc. After too many years to remember driving, i have finally learnt to use cruise control, a game changer 😊. Can't wait to see if you choose a larger campervan. Have fun, cheers.❤PS glad your back is improving, Ken, 😊
Thanks Janet. Have a great time in Somerset 🙂
Well done Carol and good on Ken my hubby doesn’t like me driving the van. I can drive it but he likes to be in control. Which works because I don’t like driving. ❤. We have a 6ft van and love it not too big but roomy enough to be comfortable and we have done long trips in it. We are going off for a year in February round Australia. ❤
That will be fantastic 👍
Think you did very well when I got my van it took about an hour to get okay with it driving a car all the time jumping in the van it always a while to get the feeling back so well done both
Well done Carol 👏 You did amazingly well 😎 I hope this has opened up some further options for you. Em 💜
It certainly has 👍
We have a fiat scudo which is probably not the size for you but does drive beautifully and we have a reversing camera inside feel so much safer, didn't think you looked as comfortable as you normally do but is expected with something new, I love being that bit higher too. Great vlog look forward to next one.X
A Scudo Nuventure owner here. We love the smaller vans, far more usable. If you go up to Ducato size don't forget that there are 3 different lengths of door mirrors, the shortest being on the panel van.
Well done Carol. You were very brave on some of the roads you chose. Hope Parker’s were paying you for this ad. They got some promotion!!
We wish 😅
Very brave of you to be filmed on your first ever drive!
Enjoy consort, our favourite would be an Apollo, most campervans have a reversing cameras which greatly help
Yes, we will definitely be getting a reversing camera which will be a great help 🙂👍
Our Consort Reef has a reversing camera. It also has an electronic handbrake, negating the need for the awkward handbrake lever. That coupled with the automatic gearbox makes it easy to drive. When manoeuvring into a tight spot, its always a good idea to get the passenger to jump out and guide you. Hope the Consort visit went well
Thanks for the info 🙂👍
I Googled the Reef. Being from the U.S., I'm not familiar with it. Wow! It's really nice! If K & C choose that one, it looks like it would be so much more spacious and comfortable than the little red camper. I agree with you about automatic transmission, but I get the feeling Ken may insist on manual 😉
My Citroen relay, same van, I always leave it in first gear, you don’t need the handbrake for hillstarts, you push the foot brake and it stops you rolling back for a second or two plenty of time to balance the clutch
Well done Carol you did just fine and at the end of the day it’s just gaining the confidence to drive bigger vehicles… But as you know there is a vast difference in comfort and driving aids when it comes to driving a basic hire van and camper van, but of course 5.4m is still a short van….
I’ve driven all lengths and sizes of vehicles and find it no different whether it’s big, short or long they’re all the same. The bigger it gets, allow yourself more room and time when manoeuvring, and of course the bigger the vehicle the more commanding position you take up on the road…. We used to have a tag axle and tow car which totalled 14m in length, now we have a camper van which is just 6.3m, (which we love by the way) so apart from the amount of space they take up they are both the same to drive… Good luck with you van search … Miranda Xx 😊
Thanks for sharing this Miranda, it will boost my confidence (Carol) 🙂
@@LifeistooshortCK Hope so Carol, but from what I’ve seen of you, you’ll be fine 👍✊😊
Well done Carol.
Watching this on the day I have picked up a big (to me) but not van sized hire car while my trusty berlingo is waiting for repairs. Fortunately I have not had to do parallel parking yet!!
Tomorrow I have to work out how to open the boot and try to work out the electric handbrake!
Good luck 👍
Oh man I keep missing vids. Congrats in the new van. Well done Carol. You did fab 😊x
Well done carol practice makes perfect 😊
Nice one .
Carol, it took us a few weeks to get used to driving a van. We take turns driving, as you have seen on Instagram. We fitted reversing sensors kit to go with the camera.
Yes, it will probably take a while and we will definitely get a reversing camera and sensors.
Well done carol, I felt that way n anxious been thrown from an old Peugeot 206 to a big land rover having just passed my test though!! x
Sorry Peugeot 106 !!
Well done Carol, good idea to try a similar vehicle before you commit. When you encounter wind like that open the window and take out some of the surface area the full door creates.
Blooming good tip 👍
Well done Carrol ken I whis people would think like you when driving just take your time
Well done Carol you did well, once you get your new van, you will soon get into the swing of it
Great job Carol 😀😀👍👍👍 (you too Ken 😉👍👍)
A rear camara and sensors are worth the money! I dont want to miss them!
Good to see you are well again!
Well done Carole! 😊 its bloody awkward at 1st & being out of 'the comfort zone' 😮but like anything else it's practice that makes perfect just like when you was beginning driving. The handbrake is a strange one at 1st too. I think a automatic transmission & rear parking sensors & rear camera are a great help manoeuvring 😊 Ken shared some very commonsense tips & I liked how he looked after the van whilst you paid & got the ice cream 🍦 Carole 😂😂😂 would have thought going to consort was a big step towards choosing the next van 🤔🤔
I think the hire van is a good test of the worst it could be. Whatever we end up with will have a reversing camera and sensors to make life easier. 👍
Yeah these hire vans get ragged to death by all & sundry so anything will be better to drive !