we have had our camper 8/9 years now, every month at pay day used to get something to replace or repair, but just recently I realized if I needed an engine or heat exchangers it's gonna be a real struggle as money seems to be even tighter. don't get me wrong I love having the bus and very privileged to own one, as ex mechanic carry all the repairs out myself so that keeps the cost down, but have you ever thought what your bus will be like in 5 years time, condition etc, will it last another 5 years, will you still be interested in it in 5 years, sorry to sound a miserable grumpy fart, I know I have read other posts on here with owners having dark thoughts too from time to time...my turn now....anyway good morning everyone
morning i'm about to go off out in the van, so i'll keep my reply short. Keep it, you love it. If you sell it you will only regret it. Your bus will be fine in another 5 years time. I was at a garage yesterday and a kia that was less than 2 years old was having a new engine. All vehicles require some work and expense. Your van will hold it's value or increase, anything else you buy will go down in value. You will keep your van and enjoy it. Now go for a spin!
thanks guys, just had few money worries which we all got time to time. it would be a very sad day if the bus had to go,see you all on the road. toot toot.. she ain't going nowhere.
I find different ways to fund the work on the bus. Buying a shed load of parts as a job lot is my favourite way. Split the parts and make a little profit. Move on and repeat. Takes a while to accumulate any real money. But fun and worth it in the end
Yep we all get dark thoughts from time to time (almost all the time ;-)) I fret about the repairs the rust the slowness of my progress.. The gearboxes seem pretty tough but I reckon engines always goin to let go at some point, maybe it's worth picking up a spare one and building it up slow in readiness for the inevitable..
That's what I was thinking of doing have it sat in the garage and build it up slow time with better parts so when it does go it's there ready to drop in. And you will have built it from scratch
You'll only buy another. The last one I sold (my late) I knew it was the wrong decision as soon as I saw it being driven away. I sold my first one because I had a crap minimum wage job at the time and it needed about 2 -3 K spending on welding and structural stuff. A fortnight later, I landed a better paid job. Sods law. Keep it.
that's true,the amount of people who have got rid and knew straight away it's was the wrong decision is an awfull lot, Madge is paid for so only tax and insurance is owing every year....been out today and the huge smile she brings makes it worthwhile, it's just nice that it's not just me that has or had similar thoughts and issues...cheers guys and girls
When we didn't have a drive we had to keep up with MOT tax insurance even if it didn't move. Now we have a drive and a garage it's allowed me to relax. I bought a few buses from the USA so got to take my pick in what is keep. So out 74 is getting a long deserved light resto but even if it wasn't I wouldn't have to worry about any on going costs. I see where you're coming from though as we fought the need to sell for at least 5 of the last 10 years
