Advice Needed

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David Hird

New Member
Hello All,

None of you people will recognise me here, but the names David. I'm 22 years old and live in a very idyllic part of the country - The Yorkshire Dales!

I've been having this wildly ambitious idea for a while now, which is that I want to start up my own business hiring out a camper van. The dream was to buy myself a little (apologies if this offends ;) ) VW T2 Campervan (preferably already done up and ready to go) and start hiring it out for week/weekend use from my farm, or my work, where I live, and all around where I live is just an ideal place to be cruising and kipping round in a camper.
Cutting that dream down with a big knife I realised that this was incredibly ambitious and I would never have the money, nor would any loan I would take out be able to pay for something like a VW, overpriced is a bit of an understatement!

That's when I discovered the Commer! The moment I saw one I fell in love! They look brilliant! I think people would love to hire out something like this for a weekend! I'm dropping this post into here as I'm just wondering if anyone has any suggestions/ideas and just to have a bit of a brainstorm really. I know I've got a lot to think about. I currently work a full time job in my family business(es) making a wholegrain granola breakfast cereal & we're also hill sheep farmers by trade. I want to have a bit of a business myself. One that will initially be time consuming to get set up, however when the framework is in place, shouldn't be too difficult to run. (ideal world - never seems to be the case mind!)

I've got a very supportive family about this idea, and there'll be plenty of hands available for doing a favour etc for me so the time I have to put into it shouldn't be an issue, and to be honest I can't see it being majorly time consuming.

Any thoughts ideas to bump around would be wonderful! Things like reliability of a commer, how easy parts are to come by etc. Any advice on hiring one out, starting up this sort of business if anyone can help with that! #BrainstormTime

It might be a wild stab in the dark and a stupid idea. I'm open to suggestions, I just know I'd love starting up something like this!

Thanks,
 
welcome to the forum.

I noticed you said that you wanted the reliability of a Commer........... Erm.... Lol
 
Hi David and welcome to the Madhouse:D
A very ambitious dream indeed but not out of the bounds of possibility - but no easy task either. The very first thing I would advise, even before you even start looking at suitable vans, is to check out the insurance side of things. One of our long standing members set up a Commer camper hire business a few years ago with three beautifully restore vans in the same area as yourself, he even offered a personal breakdown service and replacement van in the event of a serious problem - but business was very slow and it was the insurance premiums that finally saw an end to the venture, hence my advise on finding out first.
Commers, given regular care and maintenance plus regular use, can be very reliable but some can be a bit problematic. Sensible upgrades like electronic ignition, a new fuel tank (original ones suffer from degrading linings that block the fuel system) the fitting of an SU carb and decent exhaust system benefit the running immensely so this should be factored into your budget. Parts availability is excellent and one of our main suppliers and maker of perfect panels (Martin Maltas) is very close to you.
The van you choose must be immaculate as the paying public wont settle for anything less - unless you go for the more enlightened customer who will accept an old vehicle for what it is and appreciate the 'well used' look.
People, like yourself, have started 'discovering' Commers but the old VW dream is still there in a lot of heads so the market will still be small for your van but it will include those who fancy a Commer but want to try one out first. I really admire you for your drive and it's great that your family is behind you but don't let your heart rule your head, take a step back and do the maths before splashing out on a venture that could end up being a money pit - which can be said for any type of van.
Another consideration now is that Commer prices are definitely on the up like never before, no where near VW levels but really good vans seem to be on the market for well over 10K these days, gone are the days (not that long ago) when you could pick one up for a quarter of that.
I'm not trying to put you off, as I think it's a fantastic idea, but you need to be aware of the pitfalls and go into your dream with eyes wide open. Good luck and please stay around to keep us up to date on your progress. We are happy to give advise on any van you consider, a chat to Martin Maltas would be a good idea as he is local to you and is usually happy to show people around his collection. You will learn a lot and get a good idea what to look for.

That was just about the must sensible thing I've ever written, I've gotten very serious since I bought a Morris Minor:rolleyes:
 
I know Panky. I've found a Volvo on ebay. Very tempted.

Dave welcome. Falling in love with commers is easy. If you are able and willing on the mechanics side of things Panky is right... A number of sensible upgrades and vans can be perfectly usable. A number are used daily...

Think hard, be realistic, but live the dream!

Good luck.
 
OnTheRoadAgain said:
I know Panky. I've found a Volvo on ebay. Very tempted.

Dave welcome. Falling in love with commers is easy. If you are able and willing on the mechanics side of things Panky is right... A number of sensible upgrades and vans can be perfectly usable. A number are used daily...

Think hard, be realistic, but live the dream!

Good luck.
Click to expand...


Hey, i drive a Volvo, but would be hard pressed to put out a reply like that, Great job Panky.:)

Welcome David and well done "You have just taken your first step into the light and away from the lures of the dark side!";)
 
How did I miss that, yes looks very healthy:)
The other site must be inactive or the booking system faulty.
 
Just to prove that Commers can navigate the Dales. Just for information, Rupert is a 1961 Commer with original running gear (apart from a brake servo), which includes a smaller engine. I did find myself competing with bicycles up some of the hills and a knowledge of how to stop the drum brakes overheating down hills is useful. Modern driving technique of relying on just the brakes is not to be recommended.
YorkshireAugust2014006_zps211230d4.jpg
 
Many thanks to all the comments, especially Panky for the small novel! ;) But you folks have been very helpful! I was frightened the insurance thing would be the big problem! I had no idea where to start with that bit! I was never planning on steaming headlong into it and just buying myself a commer and expecting to hire it out. It's a good job I don't have that mindset or I think I would be in trouble by the end of it! I've been having a bit of a re-think, I do still really want to do something like this, maybe it's something which I can save up for, plan in the future when I get a bit of this specific industry experience under my belt. In the mean time I'm edging towards the camping but with no wheels side of things, glamping basically! We live on a 2,400 acre farm, I'd hope there's plenty of areas around the hills and nice views where we could put up a few pods!

Once again thanks for all the supportive comments, I'll keep coming back here for an update, and an ogle at some of these smart campers! Cracking picture of Rupert @ Penyghent ^^^
 
Excellent way forward. You will get to know the business and what is expected of a provider of the facilities, when it is established maybe run the camper idea passed a few of those staying - maybe even set a van up for on site camping. It wouldn't have to be roadworthy but weather proof and comfortable - probably cheaper than building a pod or a yurt:)
 
Nice thinking that, I like that idea! I think we'd need planning permission for a pod/yurt but a van set up for on site camping could work - it can be moved from place to place thus bypassing the rules of planning permission! Slight loophole there, but one which some other people fairly local (ish) have used themselves. They're going to get a couple of those shepherd huts made, because it's movable it doesn't need planning permission. Plenty to think about now! :D
 
Hi David,

I guess I took that head long plunge without thinking too far ahead and started your exact goal here in mid Wales. Like much of my life decisions, it's working for me but wouldn't for a lot. I guess it suits my life style!

Long and short I have 3 commers, all were in varrying states when acquired. I can weld, spray, rebuild engines, i'm a carpenter by trade and know how to use a multi meter. I have a fully equipped workshop because of my day job. Even with all this on my side I'm realising it will be a full time job to maintaining the vans, that's with my partner running the business. Finishing them to a high standard ready for customers is just the start. Plus i'm still nearly £10k+ down. And it's taken 2 or 3 years to get where we are now. The bonus is for £10k I have 3 (or nearly 2) lovely vans which if I look after will be worth more than 10k in a few years.

So, if, like it sounds you have the support and funds around you, you could do it. But it isn't a cash cow, or a part time earner. Infact there's much easier ways to make a living.

If I had access to just 1 acre (let alone 2.4k!) here in mid Wales I would simply stick a few bell tents on it. Maybe a old plaxton bus or 2 and sit back and watch the cash role in...

http://www.majesticbus.co.uk/


Anyway good luck.

Tom
 
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p.s. insurance isn't a massive problem. You can get a pay as you use account which works out at about £35 per day plus £500 a year.
 
Wow! That Majestic Bus looks amazing doesn't it?! That advice has been taken fully on board, thanks for that Tom. I think the hiring of a van itself is going to be something to look into. Best place for me to start is probably with a couple of those bell tents, they look great. People love this sort of thing and I've noticed it's becoming a lot more popular, it seems a waste for us not to capitalise on it where we live. Will keep you folks updated, i know it's not fully related to Commers but hey ho, you folks have provided me with some useful advice which isn't really my families forté shall we say!
 
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