Mercedes Benz Vario 815 dka camper conversion pros & cons

[BullittAZK]

Hello All;

I am new in this forum, but not so new in caravanning society.



Unfortunately, since now, we haven't had a chance to have our own camper machine. We ve been traveling through Europe with caravans few times in the past, and telling the truth, thats the way we would like to spent our holidays. The time is now, And so, we ve started to look around for some nice camper.



Many options were considered, starting from VW T3/T4 California (definitely far too small as we are having two kids) through the regular campers based on Sprinter/Crafter/traffic body and finishing on Vario.

And, lets get the things clear - we just fell in love with Vario. Simply because the space (me) and that cool vintage look (wife, and sons). And we are pretty sure, we don't want to have a classic camper. We prefer van conversion. No reason for that, but thats how it is.

So, we found that one, and at the beginning it looks like it has all the equipment we need for the beginning of our camper adventure:


http://otomoto.pl/mercedes-benz-vario-815-dka-camper-T4690011.html

But considering purchase, car has many disadvantages:

1 I need special licence-as it has 7,5 tones DMC, its far more than 3,5 tones. Its imported from Ireland, and here in Poland it can be registered as a 3,5 DMC, (normal driving license), but it will only work till being caught by Police or traffic inspection with road weight procedure check, and there would be some serious problems (Am I right)?. Telling the truth, special driving license aint a problem at all. Got to pay for some lessons and exam and get it, aint a big deal any way, BUT THIS is a serious problem:

2 Much more expensive journeys-we are not considering traveling off road or outa Europe so far, mainly Europe and of course with highways from time to time (usually?) and as far as I have checked, thats gonna cost A LOT, something like 4x normal <3,5 tones car. Am I right? how You guys deal with that problem? Again maybe its worth to lower the DMC to 3,5 and hope to have luck? Cheating on highways is.... Again expensive (penalty, fine etc). Not worth, right?

3 No access to the centre of cities as it usually restricted to <3,5 tones. Am I Right? What to do with that problem, any solutions?

4 Cant find the actual fuel consumption data, guess on highway it would be around 15-17 litres per 100 kms. Am I right?

5 How fast is the car (highway speed)- any ideas?

6 We live in Poland, so we would have to make an steering conversion - not a big deal, checked-but entry door would still be left on left side. Thats pretty inconvenienced, right?

7 Can anyone find any other cons and pros considering Vario and/ or this particular linked van?

Thanks a lot for all the answers, and very sorry for my horrible english.


Kuba

 

[ianc]

Hello All;

I am new in this forum, but not so new in caravanning society.



Unfortunately, since now, we haven't had a chance to have our own camper machine. We ve been traveling through Europe with caravans few times in the past, and telling the truth, thats the way we would like to spent our holidays. The time is now, And so, we ve started to look around for some nice camper.



Many options were considered, starting from VW T3/T4 California (definitely far too small as we are having two kids) through the regular campers based on Sprinter/Crafter/traffic body and finishing on Vario.

And, lets get the things clear - we just fell in love with Vario. Simply because the space (me) and that cool vintage look (wife, and sons). And we are pretty sure, we don't want to have a classic camper. We prefer van conversion. No reason for that, but thats how it is.

So, we found that one, and at the beginning it looks like it has all the equipment we need for the beginning of our camper adventure:


http://otomoto.pl/mercedes-benz-vario-815-dka-camper-T4690011.html

But considering purchase, car has many disadvantages:

1 I need special licence-as it has 7,5 tones DMC, its far more than 3,5 tones. Its imported from Ireland, and here in Poland it can be registered as a 3,5 DMC, (normal driving license), but it will only work till being caught by Police or traffic inspection with road weight procedure check, and there would be some serious problems (Am I right)?. Telling the truth, special driving license aint a problem at all. Got to pay for some lessons and exam and get it, aint a big deal any way, BUT THIS is a serious problem:

2 Much more expensive journeys-we are not considering traveling off road or outa Europe so far, mainly Europe and of course with highways from time to time (usually?) and as far as I have checked, thats gonna cost A LOT, something like 4x normal <3,5 tones car. Am I right? how You guys deal with that problem? Again maybe its worth to lower the DMC to 3,5 and hope to have luck? Cheating on highways is.... Again expensive (penalty, fine etc). Not worth, right?

3 No access to the centre of cities as it usually restricted to <3,5 tones. Am I Right? What to do with that problem, any solutions?

4 Cant find the actual fuel consumption data, guess on highway it would be around 15-17 litres per 100 kms. Am I right?

5 How fast is the car (highway speed)- any ideas?

6 We live in Poland, so we would have to make an steering conversion - not a big deal, checked-but entry door would still be left on left side. Thats pretty inconvenienced, right?

7 Can anyone find any other cons and pros considering Vario and/ or this particular linked van?

Thanks a lot for all the answers, and very sorry for my horrible english.


Kuba

Let me try to answer some of these Qs
1) I would be surprised if you can register it as 3500KG in Poland as the logbook and plate will say 7500kg.
2) If it's correctly registered as a campervan then it should cost no more than a small camper in tolls
3) I've only had a problem once with 3.5t city limits - in Biarritz
4) If it's a 2 wheel drive then the consumption should be about 14-18l/100km
5) Normally 7.5t vehicles are speed limited to 90kph but it will do 110 comfortably if restriction is removed
6) Sliding door on the left? - Never bothered me driving in Europe

 

[BullittAZK]

Thanks!

Last question- whats the difference in fuel consuption between 2x4 and 4x4 Vario?

 

[grizzlyj]

Hiya

Most Euro town centre weight limits are to keep big lorries from driving straight through rather than using ring roads etc. Big lorries will usually be allowed in for deliveries, and most towns have buses so 3.5ton seems to be more to limit noise and pollution. The signs for e.g. bridge weight limits are different to the goods vehicle weight signs. Campervans are not (usually) registered as goods vehicles so those signs will most likely not apply, unless a local policeman takes exception.

The camper you link to has a big garage maybe for motorbikes etc. These are not usually (in the UK) registered as campers. The UK authority guidelines suggest such a big garage is not required for camping, you could use it for goods, so it gets a different (goods vehicle) registration.

The driving test for 7.5 tons will be a good experience if a little more costly than a car test.

Maybe you won't be doing 30000 miles a year in your camper, so work out the difference in cost for this older camper on your holidays against maybe a 3500kg Sprinter and see if the difference in fuel cost is worth it? A family camper on a 3500kg chassis may end up being over that weight (and illegal) anyway unless you are very careful. Do not trust the manufacturer stated weights!

The website Mobil.de has quite a few Varios ready for conversion.