I started seriously looking at vans in June 2009 after wanting one since I was a student. I've always loved the idea of a campervan and everytime I go camping I look in envy at the various vans around the place. My favourite has always been the VW and since the T5 model came out that's been the van I've wanted. So when I decided it was time to actually buy a van and I started to do serious research this was the van I looked at. I also knew without doubt that I wanted a short wheel base as I wanted the van to be as small as possible on the outside - as easy to drive and as easy to park as could be. It had to be the standard sized roof too as I needed it to fit into the usual multistorey car parks and under the usual height restriction barriers. I wanted the van to be a place to sleep and sit in when camping, plus something I could just throw my mountain bikes and surfboards in when I wanted without having to stick them on roof bars or bike racks.
I live fairly close to Bilbos, the world renowned campervan conversion people so it was inevitable that I first went there looking for a camper. I immediately knew I loved general traditional layout of the Celex and Komba rather than the split seats of the Nexa. I was actually really tempted to buy a camper from Bilbos but as usual my girlfriend Lou put her sensible head on and pointed out that this was all very well but I'd be driving the kitchen sink to work and back every day, which was not very efficient, and I'd also be unable to just throw the bikes in the back as there was no room, and anyway they'd destroy the upholstery, floor and cupboards if thrown into the camper. Of course I could buy a bike rack for the outside but then why not just get a car? Also, we already own all manner of camping gear like cookers and tables and so on which would be wasted if we bought a full blown campervan.
I went away and tried to come up with a solution to my problems. Maybe I could buy a base van and partially convert it? Looking on the net it was clear this was defintely a possible option. I've always loved the look of the Kombi from the outside - half panel van, half window van, with seats in the back and loads of space inside. So I started looking at them. My friend Andy happened to have recently bought a LWB T5 Kombi and is a HUGE fan of them so I had a look at his. It did look like it would do the job for me, although I was still convinced I wanted to get a short wheel base.
The California Beach
