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Overlanding in our 99 100 4.2 TDi with enough for 6

big-yin

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I'm going to be in a position in February next year to kit our 100 out for a big family holiday during summer of 2019. We will have at least 2 adults and 2 kids (6 & 13) with possibly another two teenagers (15) so maximum of 6 of us. We are going up (back home for me) to Scotland for a 7-12 night trip. My folks live in Edinburgh so that will be our base at the start and end.

I've been looking at roof top options, but these look expensive, plus would limit our normal use carrying capacity as we won't have that much room inside for luggage etc if we're 6 up. I have a tow bar, which needs a bit of work to make it work again but would be worthwile for what I have in mind.

Currently I'm looking at a roof top box to store all our clothes etc, then a trailer tent with sleeping for 6. Something like this : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-Con...-berth-ready-to-use-trailer-tent/273563175812. I'm not planning on doing rough off road trips at the same time so it doesn't need to be that robust but something like this seems to tick all the boxes.

I've looked through the search bar for similar items on here but with my budget for the proposed trailer with a max of 2k it rules out anything new or specialised 4x4 stuff, although I have seen some second hand equipment pop up from time to time.

Any thoughts or specifics I need to do with the 100 would be very much appreciated and any other ideas too.
Thanks.
 
Theres a lot of choice to consider. Firstly your vehicle is full with six persons and so you have two choices. Roof or trailer?

Roof may seem easier but just consider that's all you have to cater for everything you need. Quite often we need more than we think so space is a premium to consider.

A trailer gives better flexibility and still leaves you with the roof if need be something to consider.

Benefits of trailer is that is detachable being its own unit and have its own design layout to accommodate the tent, kitchen, storage and much more without feeling the ladened roof up.

There a few for sale on eBay for reference here in your budget you may wanna look by.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jamet-Cl...=item2cdc42f39f:g:fbcAAOSwHMhbpndU:rk:31:pf:0

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pennine-Aztec-Folding-Camper-Trailer-Tent/173490970358?_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIM.MBE&ao=1&asc=20170920101022&meid=ac63442868ac4ef488f6ef1541636f16&pid=100010&rk=1&rkt=12&mehot=pp&sd=192673936287&itm=173490970358&_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cabanon-Mistral-trailer-tent-with-carrier-rack-and-Thule-bike-carriers-minor-use/202526418585?_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIM.MBE&ao=1&asc=20170920101022&meid=ac63442868ac4ef488f6ef1541636f16&pid=100010&rk=6&rkt=12&sd=192673936287&itm=202526418585&_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109
 
I wouldn't bother with an older trailer tent - nothing wrong with one but it'll be costly and cumbersome to tow around Scotland and a faff to set up and dismantle every day if you keep moving around.

I'm a recent convert to the awning room. So much cheaper and lighter and more flexible than a RTT. A good setup for two adults would cost a lot less than a used trailer.

If I were you I'd work on the rooftop storage, set the LC up for the adults (and possibly the 6-year-old) to sleep in and get a good ground tent for the teenagers. That way everyone can get a bit of privacy and you'll have a much easier time pitching up wherever you are in Scotland.
 
Do you even need either a rtt or a trailer for a trip round Scotland?

A couple of ground tents would do the job nicely without excessive costs and you really don’t need to be kitted out like a transafrica expedition to go camping in the U.K.
 
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Hey,

You are probably sorted already but if you are interested and down near Devon any time before you go away I have a roof box I am not using any more, welcome to message me about it if it sounds like something you might want.

Cheers
 
I have seen these for hire somewhere (maybe ebay?) http://freedomtrailers.co.uk/

But for the trip you have planned and assuming yours is an modified truck i'd be looking at a trailer tent or caravan with a budget assuming i will sell it for £200 less than i paid for it quickly on my return .

I admire your wanting to make it a bit of a wild camping trip but 6 people in one vehicle will soon become less of a holiday and more of a challenge , get it right and 4 of the 6 might want to come next time :lol:
 
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With a budget of 2k why not just rent a conventional motorhome for the 10 days and follow the Cruiser - then leave the motorhome parked up whilst exploring. Just a thought... 6 up in a Cruiser, plus sleeping accommodation, clothes, camping gear, etc, carries a big risk of being more of a PITA than an adventure, methinks.
 
Hey,

You are probably sorted already but if you are interested and down near Devon any time before you go away I have a roof box I am not using any more, welcome to message me about it if it sounds like something you might want.

Cheers

Thanks will see what I need to get done and how we're going to do the trip in Feb so may give you a shout.
 
With a budget of 2k why not just rent a conventional motorhome for the 10 days and follow the Cruiser - then leave the motorhome parked up whilst exploring. Just a thought... 6 up in a Cruiser, plus sleeping accommodation, clothes, camping gear, etc, carries a big risk of being more of a PITA than an adventure, methinks.

Unfortunately I'm the only one that drives so kind of stuck with one car+trailer but would agree with your thoughts otherwise :) . tbh I doubt our 15yr old will be coming with us so that would leave us with 2 adults and 2 kids (6 and 13) with a big boot which would negate the need for a roof top box. I still think a trailer tent of some description would work the best plus i'm looking to use it much more in the future if I works out OK, if not then I can just sell it without having lost too much.
 
Other option that've done before is to book into B&Bs, farm houses, etc, in a rough route. Did that in Ireland and Iceland - stayed in some amazing places for very little money and met loads of interesting people... and still used the truck to explore in between. Worth a thought. I know its not as "adventure" but it is bloody good fun - and you can be a bit more aggressive in between, knowing you aren't dragging your accommodation around with you.
 
Other option that've done before is to book into B&Bs, farm houses, etc, in a rough route. Did that in Ireland and Iceland - stayed in some amazing places for very little money and met loads of interesting people... and still used the truck to explore in between. Worth a thought. I know its not as "adventure" but it is bloody good fun - and you can be a bit more aggressive in between, knowing you aren't dragging your accommodation around with you.

Thanks for input, yes I looked at this initially but due to there being 6 of us and during peak season it just makes it too expensive. I'm actually looking at roof top tents now as I really don' t want to have a trailer if I can possibly help it. Fortunately i'm in no rush so currently looking online and reading up about it :) .
 
Thanks for input, yes I looked at this initially but due to there being 6 of us and during peak season it just makes it too expensive. I'm actually looking at roof top tents now as I really don' t want to have a trailer if I can possibly help it. Fortunately i'm in no rush so currently looking online and reading up about it :) .
Watch out for the pricing on campsites, they will charge you for the vehicle, then the tent, then each person, then electric, etc etc etc, it can end up the same or more than a budget hotel/guest house!! Especially when you factor in fuel costs.
It's worth joining some kind of camping club to get discounted rates.
I can categorically say that without a trailer you will be massively overloaded with 6 people and stuff on the roof, and thats assuming you can actually carry it all.
 
This Australian camper on eBay would be well suited. I just sold a similar trailer for a lot less so I don’t think it will fetch anywhere near that asking price unless there’s a lot of Christmas bonuses floating around...

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/264100567091

Edit: Just realised I snapped a couple of photos of it at the AO Show. It’s massive.

A1F94948-E486-4F70-A45D-795BB0DFA526.jpeg


E5A91C90-2AEE-44C4-B5C8-0A2D53BC7961.jpeg
 
Pretty sure I know the owner of that trailer and spent some time with them in Morocco last year
 
T
This Australian camper on eBay would be well suited. I just sold a similar trailer for a lot less so I don’t think it will fetch anywhere near that asking price unless there’s a lot of Christmas bonuses floating around...

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/264100567091

Edit: Just realised I snapped a couple of photos of it at the AO Show. It’s massive.

View attachment 152528

View attachment 152527[/QUO
This Australian camper on eBay would be well suited. I just sold a similar trailer for a lot less so I don’t think it will fetch anywhere near that asking price unless there’s a lot of Christmas bonuses floating around...

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/264100567091

Edit: Just realised I snapped a couple of photos of it at the AO Show. It’s massive.

View attachment 152528

View attachment 152527

Wow! That is very impressive. Unfortunately slightly out my price range
 
How long would something like that take to setup, single handed?
 
It belongs to a nice chap called Steve iirc. Never saw him set it up but it was a great place for dinner and a few beers when I saw them last.
 
How long would something like that take to setup, single handed?

The camper itself is very quick to set up. Same as a soft top roof tent with a couple of optional guy ropes.

The awning? A good 30 mins and not something I’d want to do every day on my own.
 
Reduced already. Given the circumstances described in the advert I’d keep a close eye on it.
Yeah will do, thanks.

I've found four 2nd hand 100 wheels with BF 02s but they're 285/75/16 and other than my speedo reading higher I haven't found any issues of moving from current 275/70/16s. Then I have new fluids for brakes, diffs, AHC and oil change and I think i'll be ready from a mechanical point of view. Map on our wall is filling up with things to go and see and do which will then shape where we stay so planning going well so far :)
 
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