Finally Decided to Take the Plunge!

Richard and Rosemary Oppe in The Witterings on the West Sussex coast.
Just less than 40 years ago we toured Scotland and Ireland in a Triumph Spitfire with a two-person tent. In both cases for over 4 weeks under canvas. I can't remember which leaked more the car or the tent.
About 20+ years ago we owned a VW Bay Camper and had great fun in the West of Ireland, Isle of Wight, West Country and Sussex with our young children. It had four berths but the children slept with one of us in a tent.
Really good fun and lots of happy memories remain with us.
We have now decided to buy a AS. The old VW didn't have a loo or shower which at 57 years old we now think we need.
Hoping to buy a good Clubman to start with as we are a bit worried about driving something larger. The VW was great as you could park it anywhere.
I have been doing a lot of research on ASOF and thank all of you for such helpful and informative posts. I hope I will be able to contribute once we own an AS Clubman
Richard

Welcome to the forum from Oswestry C&CC site, seeing in the New Year

Welcome Richardo, from sunny Eastbourne
Are you looking for a private sale or going to a Dealer ?

Dago wrote:Welcome Richardo, from sunny Eastbourne
Are you looking for a private sale or going to a Dealer ?

We are on a limited budget but have no firm views on this.
We have more or less decided to play safe and go with the VW diesel platform, which seems to be the preferred choice, as we are mindful we may want to trade up or sell within a year or so.
I'm 6'2" and one dealer has said I will find the Clubman too small. Good friends have just bought an AS Executive which I like but is quite long....
Richard

Hi Richardo

Welcome to the forum

PB

Hi there,

Welcome from what has been a bright but chilly day in Skegness.

If I was 6'2" I would definitely do a "try before buy"; and make darned sure that I could stretch the little bit that makes sleeping comfortable.

Best regards,

Richard and Rosemary,

Welcome to the forum,

I'm a tad over 6ft (and "cuddly" .... some say "a fat 'b" ) ....

We use our '97 Clubman GL in the two single berth configuration, with a 6" (ish) gap between (to allow for night time 'excursions' )

If you like, I can measure our set-up tomorrow .......

Have posted pics for another member in the past so will be able to again if required !!

Good luck with your search

Brian & Chris

Welcome to the forum, we also are currently away seeing in the new year at Sandringham CC site


MrsCC & CC

Many thanks to you all for such a warm and fast welcome to us both.

Needless to say we have about a million questions to ask but understand we need to search first and if necessary post these in the right parts of the forum.

The length of the single beds in the Clubman seem absolutely fine to me. I have stood in a Clubman, Executive, Amethyst, Legend and also dare I say a Pilote (dirty word?), all seem to have the same floor to ceiling height and I just fit with (what hair that remains on) the top of my head brushing the ceiling.

The sales guy in one dealership said setting up the single beds in the Clubman was a real hassle, and didn't seem keen to promote this model to us. Both my wife and I see this as part of the fun of motorhoming if that's the word to describe it?
Crumbs there are a huge number of smileys to choose from
R&R

Almost as many smiley as members

Hi Richardo and welcome to the Forum from a very wet Somerset

The single beds in a clubman are fairly simple to make up. Slide the cab seats forwards drop down the seat back panel and put the infill cushions on.

In term of bed sizes:-

The Clubman (original shape up to around 2001) has the following:-
Double bed length 6' 3" & width 4' 3"
Single bed (offside) length 6' 0" & width 2' 3"
Single bed (nearside) length 6' 0" & width 2' 1"

The Clubman (from around 2001 uses the Gatcombe shell) and has :-
Double bed length 6' 3" & width 4' 5"
Single bed (offside) length 6' 1/2" & width 2' 2"
Single bed (nearside) length 6' 1 1/2" & width 2' 4"

You will see that a Gatcombe or late Clubman has the very slightly longer and wider beds, which may help. But the proof is really to try them out.

Hope this helps
Regards
John

Hello & welcome from S/Yorks

Hi Richard
Welcome to the forum from a grey windy morning in Bridlington
Boaby

Hi Richard.

Welcome to the forum from Nottinghamshire.

Cheers. Whisky.

Hi Richard,
we are "up the road" from you in Eastergate, we have a Nuevo, and my Bro's got a Clubman GL, both good vans. Welcome to the site. Mike.

Hi all
Well we are now the owners of a 1997 AS Clubman GL VW 2.4 diesel with 68,000 miles.
Drove it back from Kent in the high winds and non-stop heavy rain. I just love the M25, but it drove well.
Thanks to you all for such a warm welcome and to John for the very detailed information about the beds. I tried out the singles before buying and I am 2" too tall, but I think i can live with that.
Very much looking forward to tomorrow with a dry forecast so that we can start understanding how everything works.
Happy New Year to you all across the UK. Let's hope 2013 is much drier and warmer.

Richard and Rosemary

Richardo wrote:Hi all
Well we are now the owners of a 1997 AS Clubman GL VW 2.4 diesel with 68,000 miles.

Richard and Rosemary

Hi R & R,

That's Great ....... Good luck with your new Van ..... (same year as ours !!)

Brian & Chris

Hi Richard and Rosemary
Glad you have managed to find a van.
Enjoy .... it should be dry tomorrow.
If you need any help, just post the forum.
John