Long Vs Short Wheel Base (WHICH IS BEST FOR A VW CAMPER?)

[@stevebennett6727]

Another vote for the Lwb here. The extra space inside is great and only negative is parking length. Another huge benefit is they ride smoother on lowered suspension. A lowered swb is choppy whereas the lwb is far plusher. 👌🏽👌🏽

[@arkstudios1]

Just came back from the Lake District in a hired LWB with wife and two dogs, any smaller it would have been impossible, could do with a larger van but like the freedom of adventure through smaller roads, so the LWB is the best compromise :)

[@tudorino66]

LWB! ❤ i have it...Big is Better!

[@shane750.]

LWB everytime!,.. the extra space you gain inside in an already compromised space is a no brainer,people need to get out there and look at various conversions/layouts of both Short and long wheelbase vans to properly see the difference..if the added space doesn't interest you and your van will be used as a daily driver then yeah, a SWB might probably be better, but let's face it there hardly the size of a sprinter or crafter,..I.e. Still only small in van terms,just have to be a bit more picky with your choice of car parking space,it's down to personal choice,but the LWB in my "opinion' makes a better "camper".

[@HighlifeCampersUK]

Thanks for your input Shane, much appreciated. You’re right, it’s down to personal preference and what feels right for how you will be using it.

[@simondodd7578]

I've just bought a swb T5.1 with barn doors...looking forward to converting and using it with the missus and her daughter, perfect size for this country I reckon

[@chriscarey1879]

When we take the plunge, it will be SWB all the way as, 1.it'll be my daily drive, 2. Only gonna be me and wifey, 3. I'll never get her to drive a LWB so it'll end up with me always behind the wheel. But as you mentioned, it's personal preference. No right/wrong answer. Great video oncce again mate. Maybe next time you could do Barn door vs tailgate? Or another one I'd be interested in is maybe a top 5 best optional extras (in your opinion) to look for when buying a van to convert.

[@HighlifeCampersUK]

Thanks for your input Chris, we actually hear that quite often, a lot of people feel more comfortable driving a SWB as it is a lot more like driving a car when you get used to it. I will do a video on Barn Door Vs Tailgate, but again it boils down to personal preference, there are some Pros and Cons though so I will definitely cover it. Extras are also a popular topic but there are so many of them it's hard to keep up! plus I'm trying to stick to topics that help people with the buying/conversion process. There are hundreds of camper lifestyle channels covering extras and add-ons etc, but I may do a video to talk about the extras that we offer and why we chose them in particular. Thanks for your suggestions. Sam

[@StevenWilliams-l2j]

My wife drives our LWB no problem. We share the driving.A reversing camera is really useful for both of us.

[@daviddring8692]

Totally agree Shane. Unless you're a nervous driver. And by the way. It doesn't just apply to VW. I've got Renault trafic 2019 lwb premier edition. And the extra 400mm makes a big difference. Especially at night when r&roll bed out. Don't know how you short arses cope. And of course the living space is far greater. More storage. I've never had any problems with parking. Never & I'm 77 & still don't

[@troyhowling2497]

The swb is so small.... The lwb isn't massive but makes a big difference.... Lwb all day long 👍

[@Skipper_0.0]

Hi, I have a Volkswagen T4 LWB and I use it as a daily car, I think the trick is to imagine having a smart 😌

[@sandstau]

car you park it on a carpark space ok!

[@vwtransportersandmotorcycl3729]

I have a SWB and father had a LWB, the space inside the LWB is considerably bigger in my opinion however like you said, if you pop to Tesco it’s a pain unless you can get 2 bays

[@HighlifeCampersUK]

Thanks for your comment Joey, I agree, it does seem quite a bit bigger inside and is certainly a good option for some people. It all depends on how may people will be using the van and how comfortable you are in driving a big van, but parking and manoeuvring a LWB is bound to be more troublesome in general.

[@bedders1879]

Thanks for another useful video. To be a bit more specific; how much longer is a LWB than a SWB, and what approx percentage more do they cost to convert? Thanks

[@HighlifeCampersUK]

Hi Jon, thanks for your comment and question. A LWB van is 40cm longer inside so not a huge difference. Typically our conversions are about £1,500 more for a LWB.. hope that helps .

[@bedders1879]

@@HighlifeCampersUK thanks very much, that's good to know!

[@daviddring8692]

That's a lot of money for just 1 extra cupboard. And 400mm is a lot of space. Not just a little. When you've only got a relatively small van

[@jeanblair7132]

Want a short wheel base, but still want kitchen. Only 1 person. Way to have both?

[@colineborall7803]

Hi. Do either the LWB or SWB feel more comfortable over bumps or are they a very similar ride please?

[@tudorino66]

Long is better from that point of view...it's more "elastic "

[@mattaria]

Useful video, thanks for making it!

[@TheMartymcfly1985]

My question is would a SWB be ok for me a 6ft plus who would like to be able to sleep in it, while also new to driving vans and would like the size of a SWB?

[@HighlifeCampersUK]

Thanks for your message. We have many customers that are 6 foot + and they have no problem sleeping in a SWB camper. The roof bed is a bit snug if you're over 6 foot, but the rock n roll bed has plenty of room.

[@rosc4321]

Thanks for vid, researching options for future plans and was leaning towards lwb. However when I look at the plans for intended usage I wonder is swb would make life easier. The plan would be travel down through europe and airbnb for several weeks in different places. Watching videos online there appear to be parking restrictions in many places once size is over 5m x 2m (std EU car park size)?? I've been trying to find some better info but thoughts and coments welcome on if a swb eliminates a massive amount of parking legality issues on the continent.

[@trevorphillips7793]

I would like a long wheel base and tail gate this is another one barn doors or tail gate ? ? ?

[@daviddring8692]

I've got barn doors. But would have preferred lift up. But now I definitely would get barn door again. More versatile. Can just open 1 door if needed. For me I put outdoor chair & table behind r&r bed. And I can just shut 1 door to hold them in. If tailgate would be very hard.

[@footprintsbeijing]

The true reason for choosing SWB is because this is a small country with limited parking spaces for average houses. But people from bigger continental countries will find it is painful to squeeze into a small campervan like this.

[@HighlifeCampersUK]

Totally agree, that’s why you see a lot of huge Winnebagos in the US and not here! Lack of space!

[@podgey65]

?? Anyone know if the sw & lw hold their value the same . As in if you had a lwb for 3 years , would it depreciate the same as the sw. Maybe the market is bigger for lw. I'm thinking of a van next year and I'm leaning towards lwb

[@finnps8795]

SWB defintiely looks better!

[@HighlifeCampersUK]

Agreed!

[@justbigjets7633]

If you're getting a lwb get a crafter

[@stephendaly6238]

good lord get to point ....yawn

[@HighlifeCampersUK]

Feel free to not watch it, and move onto a channel that you don't feel the need to vent your frustrations on, thanks.