After 15 years of ownership, campervan enthusiast James Pearson takes a look back at his journey
ME AND MY ’VANS
We woke one sunny morning on Inch Beach, on the west coast of Ireland, slid back the curtains and marvelled at the sun shimmering on the waves, just metres away from our campervan.
No hotel room could have offered us this view, nor the feeling of being at one with the environment. We were smitten. My wife and I had always wanted a camper and that moment cemented our full commitment to campervan ownership forever.
VOLKSWAGEN T5
Our entry point into the campervan market, some 15 years ago, was the ubiquitous small camper – the VW T5. A lot has changed in the past 15 years, but back then, there were very few small companies converting vans.
We found one such firm in its infancy and they sourced a low-mileage van for us. With our teenage youngest son still at home, we needed a second vehicle that my wife could drive, so we plumped for the standard rear seat, rock and roll bed, side kitchen and pop-up roof set-up.
Unfortunately for him, our son would have to travel with us. With this very much in mind, the van was resprayed in Mercedes black and fitted with Lamborghini wheels, making it cool enough for him to be seen in!
We loved the ’van – it was ideal for short trips and before long, we were planning a longer journey, to Scandinavia.
We really enjoyed exploring Sweden and Denmark, but the bed was becoming a bit of an issue. Rather inconveniently, my wife and I had to get up at the same time and fold the bed away before being able to wash and dress. (Youngest son was undisturbed, in the excellent Khyam awning.)
The turning point came one morning, in Norway, when I woke up in agony. The rock and roll bed had finally done my back in. We loved the van life, but I couldn’t go on like this. I had to have a fixed bed.
TRIGANO TRIBUTE
Our next purchase was a Trigano Tribute, based on a long-wheelbase, high-top Fiat Ducato and factory-built in Italy. It had a host of luxury features, including hot water, diesel heating, fitted window blinds (even in the cab area), a toilet, a washroom and most importantly, a transverse fixed bed.
I really didn’t think it could get better than this. The ’van was small enough to navigate country lanes. It was also supremely comfortable, had a six-speed gearbox and would cruise easily at motorway speeds.
We made two trips to Spa
