Things I DISLIKE about MY CAMPER VAN - VW T6 Pop Top Camper Van 

I’m glad I am not the only one who is paranoid everytime I leave the van parked somewhere and indeed on the drive. The first thing I do in the morning is to check it hasn’t been nicked!

Hi Colin We have a California so the drivers seat is not a problem as the cupboards are on the other side. They also have sliding doors and a top opening fridge, which are all accessible with the bed out. We have pouches from branderup on the back of the seats which help a lot with tidiness and a micro shark wand vacuum to grab and clean. We put none slip mats on all the shelves and find we get very few rattles. We use a micro air purifier which when cooking reduces the smells in the air and subsequently in the van. It works very well in the small space. We also have a small dehumidifier which again reduced smells. Making coffee in a moka which gives lovely smells for any slight smells remaining usually made after a meal and for breakfast. When camping proper we cook under awning with a pop up windbreak from outdoor revolution.

Loved it - you hit the nail on the head with getting somewhere and then going for a walk or whatever for mental health trumping any of the hassle or faff. Have a great weekend, all the best, David & Rachel 👍🙌

Colin I’m a new subscriber and your work is fantastic. I’m glued, thanks so much. Owned my t5.1 for 5 years now and love the whole scene and the freedom it brings. Keeps me sane😂 I live up Northumberland so looking forward to watching your recent upload. Thanks again mate

I’m a broken man this weekend. My van was hit on Friday while in traffic, the other driver knew what they had done as they speeded up and drove off. My front end is really badly damaged and it’s left me with a big repair bill. It was so quick that I didn’t have time to remember the registration number, I’d recommend that everyone puts a dash cam in their’s now, I’m certainly going to get one when my van comes home from the body shop.

Thanks. The whole family enjoy your videos. Easily the best camper vids on RU-vid ! All the best

Colin great video, regarding seating position I had same kitchen as yours so what I done which was straight forward enough was to cut low unit shorter at end where it attaches to tall cupboard, you can trim cupboard by a few inches and reattach and it means it’s shorter at drivers end (opposite end to where you cut)so more movement and recline on drivers seat, definitely not a big job to do but worth it and you lose barely any storage space, great videos you doing by the way 👍👍

Entertaining video. We have a California Coast. Kitchen behind the passenger so drive no issues. B4 the table slides out, cups & knives have to come out to eat your sandwich- no cooking in the van. 6 - 10' with the whiff. I ❤it😂

We love our T5 camper we've had for nearly 12 years, but agree,the biggest annoyance is mess and getting to the cupboards and for us the fridge when the bed is out!

Hi Colin, the rock n roll bed covering the cupboards does my nut in! Especially when we first got the van! The bed was rolled out, rolled back up, rolled out etc! Think we have the hang of it now getting what we need out the cupboards before rolling it out! Enjoy your trip to Scotland, I’m from the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

We have got a lwb camper van. Don't think you have to use it as a camper van solely, on every trip, although we do on ocassions. To complement the camper van, we have bought a second hand 4 berth fixed bed caravan and we tow it with the camper van, when we want to take more people with us, or just more comfort. The camper van makes an excellent tow vehicle. Once we are at location, if we take the caravan, we pitch the caravan and go and explore in the camper van, having the facilities to cook and make drinks while we are out and that way, we don't have to change from camp site mode to travelling mode all the time. This winter we have even booked some hoseasons lodges as well, in the highlands, cheap as chips in the winter as a base, again using the camper van to get there and exploring etc. We think we have the perfect combo now, for all outing scenarios and go away every fortnight for at least 3 days, when it is the wife's short work week. A week or two on her proper hols. You have to use them regularly, otherwise it is pointless having them. Happy camping !

On my t6 I got a can-phantom fitted, no way it can be stolen unless it’s picked up and put on a truck 😂worth the money knowing it can’t be took it’s an immobiliser google them it’s the best you can buy, another great video Colin 👍

Can't beat watching the latest episode from the comfort of my cali enjoying a craft beer 🍺

We had some old cloth place mats and my wife folded one and sewed in pockets to keep all the cutlery inside. With a simple popper to hold everything tight, voila - no more rattling cutlery, easy to unroll and roll back up.

Scotland... Is amazing, OK go to the Highlands, Sky and NC 500 which we're doing the latter in a couple of weeks, l would strongly recommend Dumfries and Galloway, South West Scotland, turn left at Gretna Green! fantastic coast line, nice cycling roads and amazing MTB woods.....Happy travels... 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️

Best warp spasm ever, Colin. One of the best rants ever-regards,Kenny

The “Foldy Downey” shelf can be had from USR Design

Would love to keep you company on the Scotland trip, having lived on the West Coast apologies didn't get chance to email you with some stunning wild stop overs, particularly overlooking Jura from Argyll

Super video and funny in bits. Scotland trip videos were super. Already seen them!!

Another great vidlog, Colin. Enjoy your trip up here. Ill make the assumption the camp site is the Red Squirrel. Nice site but i though the showers etc weren't up to a high standard. Very like wild camping as you say, for a campsite. However my biggest drawback with the site was not being able to see much of the dark sky's there due to trees, purely from a photographic point of view.

That is a great vid, I also have a short wheelbase T5 and can relate to every on of your complaints apart from the driver seat (only 5ft 9") Well done Colin, good one.

Great vid Col. If you're doing anything near Oban please go stay at North Ledaig Caravan park. Also, you gotta get caravan club membership for nuff discounts up sconny botland way innit!

Looking forward to your Scotland trip , we dipped our toe into it as far as Loch Lomond & like yourself only intend on using campsites when we visit again next year. Booked into Catgill early next year after watching your vlog so open to your recommendations. Shouldn't worry about your fuel consumption our 3 litre V6 Toyota Alphard is considerably worse but so worth it ! Keep up the great content Colin!

I had to put up with my pop top squeaking and a very high pitched constant squeak from my swivel seat. Best money I paid getting those fixed. Not convinced my conversion is the best but I'm working on fixing it all. I have roll up doors on all my cupboards, specifically wanted them for that reason. They're a pain, but easier to access with the bed out. I hate the mess and it's only me and my dog so I have no one else to blame 😂

Really looking forward to the Scotland trip and I’m pleased you are doing some campsites as I do not wild camp as I have a VW Autosleeper Gatcombe which is a small Motorhome so not exactly good for stealth camping 👋👋👋

Really helpful!! Thanks Colin! Went to look at some campers this week (sadly only looking) so easy to be reminded of the dream of campervan-ing!! Good to think about the downsides as well!

Can't wait for the Scotland trip. Its something I really want to do . Stay safe and take care

"I don't wee in the fridge" Lightbulb moment here - that's where I've been going wrong 😵‍💫🤭

Looking forward to your Scottish trip, exactly our plans for 2024 so hopefully we can pick up some tips

Lol, love it 😂 (it's your van, you can rant if you want 😅) .... I used to have an audi RS car, so believe me, +30mpg is luxury 🎉😂 . My Cvan may not hit Mach3, but I can now make a cuppa yorks. tea and a snack in comfort. Totally agree re. reclining my seat further 😢 I would love to.. a lesson for future campervan converters, pls allow the pilot more driving comfort 🙏. Amusing vid 👍

Loved it Colin you could give Karl pilkingten a run for his money😅I wrap everything in tea towels just in case .If that fails like you said turn the tunes up .

I don’t wee in the fridge 😂😂😂😂 Brilliant that made me laugh.

Colin, mate, that was hilarious , informative but hilarious 😂😂😂

Your right about the rattles. I'll spend bloody hours trying to move stuff about before everytrip and make it so it doesn't ratlle and its great on the way there. I don't have hours when packing up so the way back is always quite rattly and it drives me insane. I've stopped bothering now. Its going to rattle. My house kitchen would do the same if I drove it so it is what it is.

I so understand i honestly do know how you do it we downsized to a auto trail sport and i think thats small and i have a transit which just has a bed in we take both as we have four dogs and our auto trail isn’t big enough lol but thank goodness we have other cars to use when we are at home living in the Lake District it makes it easier

For rattles you could try shadow foam - must admit I just put the volume up, but been thinking about using it, I have it for a tool drawers and works well

The car park restrictions is my main gripe. Just this weekend I arrived at a car park that said "No Campervans", went to another car park and it had a height restriction. In the end I decided "Campervan" actually meant "Motorhome" and if they had a problem with it I could argue that it's actually a commercial vehicle according to the DVLA.

Thanks for putting me off from owning a campervan. 🤣🤣

I've got rattle tinnitus now. Even though my van is quiet ( at the moment) I can still here them in my head. 😫

Hi Colin can totally empathise with you pretty much everything we encounter in our Van, did you ever make any videos of your van build?

We have lwb and I'm the same with the mess and don't get me going with the bed blocking the doors etc. And as for security I have two cameras on it down the drive a steering wheel lock plus Thatcham alarm 😂I find sticking tea towels in the draws and cupboards hepls with the rattles.

You should have my mr2 t bar gti it does about 17mpg. 20 at a push.

Great vid col….look forward to Scotland trip..

Get a California Col, the cupboards are on the other side so you can move the drivers seat back 👍🏻👍🏻😂

Colin I think you need a trailer ! Very practical having one.❤

Brilliant blog!! Sat in our van watching this and agreeing with all your comments 😂 It's all part of the fun of owning a campervan 👍

Hi Colin - loved this. If you were buying a van again, would you prefer a tailgate or do the barn doors suit you better? I’d be really grateful for your view on this as it’s doing my head in trying to decide if it really matters… thanks! ☺️

Hey, just came across your Chanel😃. Just bought our t6.1 swb, we’ve not been away yet but will soon. Can’t wait. What’s your cooking set up? Looks awesome. As of yet we don’t have anything in place apart from the in van hob and grill. 😃 Looking forward to watching more videos. Cheers

Everything you have said is true! The positives out way the negatives by a long mile!

The rock n roll bed will be the death of me! I have the old manual type & have injured my hands, back & knee trying to revert it back to the seats. It’s physically awkward & exhausting for an oldie like me. I asked the manager of a site once to assist & he trapped all his fingers, neither of us will be doing that again! 😢

My t6.1 dsg is terrible on fuel 30pmg driving like miss daisy..hate rattles it bugs me,have long legs also so seat position is same.wish I got a lwb twin side door and put swb units in then would have room behind drivers seat would even swivel right round.

It’s like playing Tetris the whole time!!😂

Thanks, Col! I was about to buy a VW camper van, but after watching your rant, I'm going to stick with my Go-Pod! Only joking. I do have a Go-Pod though which I tow with my VW Polo and love it.😊

With you on putting the seat back. I'm 6'2" as well, and I could do with the seat going back further. I suppose then I'd whinge about having a bit more cupboard room....

Must say, you've really sold camper vaning there 😂

DAB Radio is a pain. At 6ft 3 I definitely agree,more leg room.

Lol, don't say you dislike them, I've got a 40k one on my drive and I love it.

110% with you i have exactly the same things Looking forward to Scotland was thinking for doing a similar thing Normally Cornwall and the lakes (Hawkhead is a favourite) 0:50

40mpg?!? 😂 I get 18 in the Delica! 😅. Glad you cleared up the weeing in the fridge mate 🙈😆

Two things for you, do you take your keys to bed ? Can you sort the Ilkley picture out please it’s not straight frames ok though Cheers Senna

You didn't mention how intermit you are with that cupboard trying to sleep 2 in the rock n Roll bed (no pop top) 🤣🤣

Same engine and gearbox in my Skoda. 150 ps dsgThe fuel consumption difference is somewhat shocking.

Stage 1 tune egr blanking plate better air filter will improve mpg

Just one further comment: beware your family don't do their own campervan conversion for you: by getting the cabin extra thick padding, in white, complete w' a lovely white jacket... where the sleeves may be extra long...😂

Sounds like it’s time to sell the van Colin, and get yourself a bigger one. Won’t help you with the car park’s but would help with rest😊

The thing I hate about my t5.1 is the head lights even with night breaker bulbs on main beam is terrible.think I'm going to up grade but not sure who's lights are best🤦‍♂️

There’s a company on eBay selling those fold down shelves .

It’s needing to refill and find services for me, water, gas, recharge, waste etc 😂

Mr Quiff, Why are you drinking out of non Yorkshire Pop Top Cup You are not following the rules of the community , If this continues you will be forced to drink out a Lancashire Rose Cup 🤣 Keep up the great video 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

You are a star

Lusso folding table for camper vans

Please don’t join all those other nerds out there trying to reel folks in with negative clickbait titles. Keep making the good vids, but steer away from the negative headlines!

A man 8 inches for the quiff 😂😂😂

I hate the rattling. Tamber door rattles are infuriating lol. The fear of a fault light coming on.

I dont wee in the fridge. Lol 😂😂😂

lol 😂😂😂😂😂 You need a bigger van Colin 😂 don’t have size issues myself 😉 in my LWB Boxer

Very funny albeit tongue in cheek well done 😊

Get rid of that shelf. If I can't have one, you shouldn't be having one either 😂

All the things we knew could be potential issues when we bought V Dub campers...... if the smooth outweighs the rough, then there aren't any issues in my opinion...... merely minor niggles........ Disclaimer...... I don't have a wife, teenage daughter, or dog to deal with 😬

I really appreciated your comments about staying in campsites in Scotland. I fear that using campsites is seen as an inferior type of camping since the rise of so called wild camping but I prefer it as a courtesy more than anything. I am not so keen on the massive hike in costs though!

Where do you find the car parks without height barriers. I'm finding over the years since Covid there are more and more of them and lower 🤷‍♀️

Time for a Fiat Ducato mate ❤😎

❤❤❤

Have you ever taken the van to a weigh-bridge when it’s fully loaded, to see if you exceed the gross vehicle weight ?

Buying stuff you think you need but never use. I think I've spent thousands on tat! And over packing, especially clothes

Colin what editing software do you use? So my main gripe in my van is lighting. So an upgrade is coming this winter.

Short Wheelbase Problems 😂. Get yer self a big un Colin ;-)

I found all my rattles and bangs can be sorted by playing Megadeth............

Do you feel better for that? Go get yourself a brew! 😂

Haha Col stop taking so much shit with you lol and you never asked me aboot Scotland and I live here , your talking aboot the Red squirrel noo 😂😂😂

Honest quotes from OH … “poor Colin,Colin’s got issues” …”turn the volume up, Colin’s whispering” …”stop yer whinging” …your from Yorkshire, you’re better than this” 😅

Get a California,the kitchens not behind the driver then.😅

My car does 93mpg which makes up for my van only doing 35mpg 😂

Colin, go and take your medication! 😂😂

Which video is the screen fitting in???

I don't wee in the fridge. Pri eless.

Ha ha very true 🤣

My gripe is the wife lol

I have a folding shelf for sale if anyone wants one 😁

Please don’t shout to us like that