5 Handy tips from our VW camper expert
Having owned the Whitley Bay showroom for more than 12 years, and having entered the VW camper market eight years ago, Southlands Motor Company's managing director, Darren Thompson, decided it was finally time to invest and offer customers a warmer, more comfortable buying experience.
By installing HD LED lighting and lowering the showroom ceiling, complete with fully tiling the floor (including a bespoke photography area), the team at Southlands has created the 'main dealer' professional look which allows the campervans to be viewed in the best conditions, not only for vans but for the customers too.
Carrying a large number of VW campervans, Southlands considers itself to be "one of the leading suppliers" in the North East.
The campervan sales company believes knowledge of this market is essential, and that's something that sets Southlands Motor Company apart from other retailers.
Southlands Motor Company's managing director, Darren Thomson said: "Any retail outlet can jump on the bandwagon and start selling VW campers, but how can they help you choose the right one if they don’t own one? How can they give you honest feedback on how the van works if they don’t use it themselves? Are you parting with your hard-earned money off the back of a good sales technique?"
Darren added: "You will also find most campervan dealers supply a product built by another company. This means they have no input or say on the design, often meaning it has been designed by someone who has never 'lived' with it. This means they may not have ever carried out any product testing and adapting as time passes.
"This is where Southlands Motor Company stands out. The company does not only supply the product they build, but the team also rigorously test it long before it hits the showroom. What's more, the team all personally own vans, so you'll find a product designed by camper people, supplied to camper people!"
To help you further in your camper journey, Southlands Motor Company's camper van specialist, Lee Hemingway, put together five handy tips for campervan beginners!
1. Practise if you can
Once you've got your van (or even before you take the plunge to buy one), practise for a few days.
Lee commented: "When I got Jefferey (yes, I named my van!), we were heading into winter, which people tend to think is the wrong time to buy, but this gave me lots of time to drive and get familiar with him, including multiple practice runs at putting up the roof and setting up the bed etc."
Practising sleeping, cooking and doing everything else in your campervan will help you figure out what you need to enjoy your camping trip, what goes where and how everything works. Practice makes perfect as they say, so a test at home in a safe environment is a great way to start, and it’s always easy to convince any younger children to a night's camping on the drive!
"I tried out different ways of making the bed, realised what campervan essentials I was missing, and learned how to empty the toilet, fill up the water and change the gas bottle ready for when it does run out just to be prepared!"
It's a good idea to practise driving somewhere close to home too, even if it is just for a day trip. You’ll get to learn how to drive the van, get a feel for how it handles and you'll be able to give parking a go. Reversing is often a new experience for some in a vehicle this shape but it's good to remember that size-wise, it is no bigger than most family SUVs.
2. Write a list
Lee explained the importance of writing a list: "I have lists for everything, but by far the most important is the list of things to do before I actually set off in the van."
Here are some of the things on his list:
- Turn off the gas
- Turn off the fridge
- Make sure all the doors are locked
- Close all of the windows
- Tie back the curtains
- Secure everything that might move during transit
- Empty the grey water tank
- Turn off the electricity and unplug the hook-up
"I also like to have a walk around the campervan before I set off to make sure I have picked up the step, I have the levelling blocks and I haven’t forgotten anything else!
"That may become second nature to me, but until then I keep checking my list so I don’t make any mistakes!"
3. You will make mistakes
Despite all of the lists, Lee says mistakes are inevitable.
"Mistakes will happen, but hopefully, they won’t be too serious! Just chalk it down to a learning experience and try not to do it again. Nothing is perfect the first time around, and that is part of the joy of trying new things! I am sure I will keep making mistakes, but that is what we do as people. Don’t worry about it."
4. Plan ahead
Many campsites get booked up for weekends weeks, or even months in advance and a lot of attractions require pre-booking. But as much as the option to 'wild camp' in Scotland is always there, it's always handy to have your journeys planned out.
But reminds us that it's not just a plot you need to think about: "The other thing I’m having to plan is parking. I love having the freedom to take day trips in the van but making sure there will be space for me to park (and reverse!) can be tough.
"I am also trying to plan when to do laundry or which campsites offer this facility and when to get the shopping in, which I usually do when I’m on my way to a new campsite."
5. Get advice
One of the best ways to learn is don’t be afraid to ask others. Most campervan owners are more than happy to share with you how they do things, what makes their trip go smoothly and, more importantly, the best sites and places to visit.
"In my experience though, don’t listen to too many people's opinions on things, everyone is different and we all like different things, so yes, seek advice and guidance, but try not to follow it to the T and make your own decisions," concluded Lee.