Hello !

I'm a retired heterosexual male with no criminal convictions.

I'm also at that awkward stage of life when holidays under canvas are getting that bit more tricky.

What I think I want to do is to buy a 2001 Ford Transit auto sleeper duetto.

So I've joined the forum to find out whether members agree that this really is a great idea ! 

Any advice will be much appreciated - I'll be posting specific questions as well.

Thanks,

Mike

Your choice of van is a good one

Welcome to this most friendly and informative forum.. and yes, treat yourself with an upgrade in comfort and touring potential with an autosleeper. Regards

Welcome from N.E Wales    

mikewicklewood wrote: 1. I'm a retired heterosexual male with no criminal convictions.

  2.I'm also at that awkward stage of life when holidays under canvas are getting that bit more tricky.

3. What I think I want to do is to buy a 2001 Ford Transit auto sleeper duetto.

4.So I've joined the forum to find out whether members agree that this really is a great idea ! 

5.Any advice will be much appreciated - I'll be posting specific questions as well.

Thanks,

Mike

1. You can probably get pills to cure that.
2. Sleeping in a paper bag in a field was never a good idea.
3. Not a bad idea if you must join the rumble rumble clang gang (otherwise known as vehicles with a sliding door) but don't rule out a smaller  monocoque / coachbuilt without having a look at them (Clubman or Nuevo ?). They are no harder to drive and the extra bit of width makes a big difference.
4. Welcome Mike, joining the forum is undoubtedly a great idea.
5. Not qualified to offer advice but make sure the bed is comfortable.  When you do have specific questions there is a wealth of knowledge among the members here and everyone is very friendly.

Welcome to the forum and enjoy.

Norgil

Hi Mike and welcome to the forum from Leicestershire  .

NORGIL wrote:

mikewicklewood wrote: 1. I'm a retired heterosexual male with no criminal convictions.

  2.I'm also at that awkward stage of life when holidays under canvas are getting that bit more tricky.

3. What I think I want to do is to buy a 2001 Ford Transit auto sleeper duetto.

4.So I've joined the forum to find out whether members agree that this really is a great idea ! 

5.Any advice will be much appreciated - I'll be posting specific questions as well.

Thanks,

Mike

1. You can probably get pills to cure that.
2. Sleeping in a paper bag in a field was never a good idea.
3. Not a bad idea if you must join the rumble rumble clang gang (otherwise known as vehicles with a sliding door) but don't rule out a smaller  monocoque / coachbuilt without having a look at them (Clubman or Nuevo ?). They are no harder to drive and the extra bit of width makes a big difference.
4. Welcome Mike, joining the forum is undoubtedly a great idea.
5. Not qualified to offer advice but make sure the bed is comfortable.  When you do have specific questions there is a wealth of knowledge among the members here and everyone is very friendly.

Welcome to the forum and enjoy.

Norgil

1. I'm a pharmacist. Send me a pm!

Hi Mike,
Welcome to the forum            Been there, done that.....   had some Autosleepers over the past 18 years....1995 Duetto,  then 1994 Trophy, now 1993 Clubman.....I realise that I'm going backwards in vehicle years, but cost denotes, for me, what I can have... ....unfortunate, but fact of life.....  All diesel automatics, but the Clubman is , for us, the most comfortable, and easiest camping option, bearing in mind, we no longer resemble bendy toys.....
more like wizard of oz tin men, in need of a good squelch of WD40,
You'll find lots of info on all A/S vans on here......take your time, and get what will suit you.......older vans from A/S tend to still be very usable, more so than some other makes.

Hello  Mike and from Leicestershire, I agree a friendly forum with lots of knowledgeable members who are willing to help.

I agree about do not rule out the smaller coach builts,  beds much more comfortable, a tardis for storage, a joy and economical to drive, and will go into a car park parking place. plus better insulated if wanting to go out in the colder weather.

Imagine spending time in the van when you view a van, are the beds long enough, also the sliding door is a menace on a camp site, especially at night, although it is nice to have it open to see the view etc, I started off with a van conversion, soon changed to a coach built,

Good luck hope you find your ideal van soon. ideal time to buy, it will be sheer luxury compared to being under canvas, been there done that got the T shirt as many have on here.

Best regards,
Margaret

to welcome me to the forum,

I'm not particularly IT savvy so it will take me a little while to work my way through the various menus etc,

already I am starting to waver towards getting a coach-built A/S as a result of member comments !

Cheers,

Mike