Too much choice

A five seater van conversion with a pop top roof is a very adaptable unit. The loo in the tent is usually for night time. Some people love the freedom that small vans bring. Some are very expensive units others can be bought for much less. I've seen some beautiful Mercedes conversions  alongside little run around vans.

Hi Beth please can I add some input as a small camper van owner I have a 51 plate Citreon Romahome Hylo ,I use it as my everyday vehicle as well as going away ,the roof comes up to give added height but it's not a pop top one as all of it goes up ,it has 2 long bench seats which can be made into a double bed I don't make the bed up as one side is for my 2 dogs and the other is for me ,it has a 2 ring hob and a grill ,small fridge and sink with cupboard space underneath ,I keep my portable loo under the seats all the time and when I go to a site without toilet facilities put it between the seats to use it you can get drive away awnings but I've never bothered ,I have a small oven which I use for my meals as a ready meal can be cooked in it or meat and roast veg I have an oil filled radiator when I'm away in the Winter months ,you can get more up to date versions made by Citreon but the biggest factor in this game is your budget I would love a big one with all mod cons but alas can't afford it as I'm single and on a low income 

What can I say MT. . . .Im an exhibitionist

if  youve got it......(portaloo) flaunt it

for giving advice, budget needs to be understood.....older van, older (or no) facilities..

newer van, latest designs, modern equipment......quart in pint pot...

one thing i dont li,e about many modern small campwrs is the assumption that you will useit as a daily driver and will need additional seatbelts......

yes, id like that choice, but i also would like a good selection of small vans fo just two vanners, no additional seat belts, rather a nice side sofa, for a bit more relaxing space....

brands like Murvi arw to the fore with this type of design, but i just dont see these (or similar) as four berths/travellers......just too cramped IMHO.

I know it's a small picture, but my avatar is of my Romahome R30 'Dimension' . It's based on a Citroen Relay and this uses Ford Transit mechanics.  It's nippy and economical (35+ mpg).  It's only 5 mtrs long, sleeps 2 and  has 4 proper seats, so it can act as a big car.  It's fully equipped and has a loo / shower.  Every bit of space is utilised so there is very good storage for the size.   Add a solar panel and another battery and you're sorted.

Down side - they're rare as hen's teeth.  I've only seen two others, and they were much older models.

1st persuade the OH that this is the way forward for you both & dogs.  Together set a budget & search dealers local to you & the internet eg Sleeps 2 & Price etc.  You could then maybe plan your camping trips together to check out some that you both are interested in remembering that you have to accommodate the dogs during wet weather as well as dry & all their necessary bits. Agree that there is a lot of choice out there. Maybe hiring 1st would help with the decision. Good Luck with the persuading part.  

Hello Beth, and welcome to CT. You are coming to a camper van/motorhome from a camping background, so I am guessing that you are practical, outdoorsy types, still nimble and up to making do with whatever life throws at you! 

I suspect that you would get on very well with a relatively smallish camper/MH which will not hinder the ease of setting up and packing away, but give you somewhere a tad warmer and more comfortable than a tent! 

I would make a list of things that are essential to you, then others that may be desirables, but not as important, and start your search round. There is a huge variety of camper vans, some with a bathroom, some without. Some campervans are very expensive due to their iconic history, others less so. Both TW and JayEss have made good suggestions, and for what it is worth, we have a small MH, monocoque build on a VW chassis, that has a small, but very usable bathroom, comfy big bed, good heating, decent kitchen, tons of storage space and room for too tall adults and two Labradors. Check out the VW Autosleeper monocoque range, there might be something to suit there, with a lot less risk of damp incursion. There is also the Autosleeper forum to ask questions and get help.