Spotlight on... Staycation Campervans

Q&A with Staycation Campervans

We caught up with Staycation Campervans to get the full company lowdown. Here's what they had to say...

Q1: When did Staycation Campervans start out?

We finished our first conversion in October 2020, although the origins of Staycation go back a generation. My father produced some of the earliest campervan conversions in the 1970s and I followed him into the business, at first working for a motorhome dealer in Bagshot, then later setting up my own business, Southern Motorhome Centre, originally in Taplow and now based in Bracknell.

It’s been my ambition since day one to produce a campervan of our own and, as a result of our move to Bracknell, we were able to acquire a workshop big enough to make the dream a reality. We first registered the domain name 'staycationcampervan.co.uk in 2017' and spent the next three years preparing for manufacture – choosing the best base vehicle, refining the design, searching for the right premises and the best people to make it happen.

Q2: What sets you apart from the crowd?

We drew on our years of experience of selling and servicing campervans and motorhomes to choose the very best materials and systems we knew we could depend on. Then we were fanatical in our attention to detail and finished everything to the highest standard we could achieve. This is particularly evident in the bits you can’t see, such as the way the lining is finished perfectly around both wheelarches, even though one is not visible once the kitchen is fitted. We also made sure we maximised the practicality, keeping the generous gas and water storage tanks outside the living space and fitting Isofix so it’s safe to carry child and baby seats.

Q3: How would you sum up the company's ethos and values?

In one word, genuine. We genuinely care about what we do and this is reflected in the way we behave as a business. We are nice, honest, straightforward people to do business with, before, during and, most importantly, after your sale. Our team is not given sales targets; instead, they are rewarded for exceptional customer satisfaction. That way, there’s no sales pressure, just nice tea, sound advice, and the best customer service reputation in the business.

Q4: What do you think makes a great campervan conversion?

Everyone’s needs are a little different, so I guess the greatest campervan conversion would be the one that suits you the best. We often find potential customers arrive with a well-researched list of features, only to fall in love with a particular camper because of its colour or styling. Without doubt, chemistry is important and, luckily, Staycation campers look great! Following on from that, a successful long-term relationship depends on some underlying factors that, if you don’t get right, can make a big difference to your ownership experience: 

1. Choose a base vehicle you know is well proven, with a great track record and is easy to obtain service for, irrespective of where you end up in the world. 
2. Make sure your converter has really thought through the design, chosen the best conversion components and fitted them well. 
3. Remember to choose a convertor and a dealer with a great reputation for after sales service.

Also be mindful you may not get things absolutely right first time. You’ll learn through experience what campervan features suit you the best, so sometimes it’s prudent to choose a ’van with a good range of accessories or even to plan for a change after the first year or two. Luckily, campervans retain their values, especially those that are from a known convertor and well cared for.

Q5: What kinds of bespoke options do you offer?

You can choose the colour scheme (pop-top canvas, interior lining, kitchen units, worktop colour and flooring), and we can add a wide range of accessories to suit your individual needs.

Q6: What's your best seller?

The Staycation Coastline.

Q7: Have you got any exciting new developments in the pipeline? 

Right now, it’s hard to see how we could produce a better campervan, but we are constantly on the lookout for new developments in materials and innovative features.

Q8: What advice would you give to someone thinking about buying their first campervan?

Buy one of ours, of course! Seriously, though, just give it a try – it’s the only way to find out if you’ll really take to it and there’s never been a better time. Staycations are massive this year and will probably stay that way for a while. Demand for campervan (and leisure vehicles generally) has never been greater – healthy demand and limited supply means excellent retained values so, should the worst happen and you really don’t like it, you won’t lose out financially.

Q9: What's the most unusual question you've ever been asked by a customer?

Can you fit a wood burning stove?

Q10: What's the best campervan trip you've personally undertaken?

Our favourite is definitely the New Forest. My wife and I have a lively dog – a Hungarian Vizsla called Vinny, who loves going away in the ‘Magic Box’ that transports him in comfort to another amazing new place to explore!

The Staycation Campervans range...

The model line-up from Staycation Campervans is two-strong, consisting of the Coastline and the Shoreline, which are both based on the Volkswagen Transporter.

Useful Contacts

Staycation are always happy to answer any questions you may have about their services, prices and availability.

• Staycation Campervans Website: staycationcampervan.co.uk
• Staycation Campervans on Facebook: StaycationCampervans

Buy a Staycation Campervan from:

• Southern Motorhome Centre,
  Brickfields Ind Estate, Kiln Lane, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1NA
  southernmotorhomes.co.uk
• Webbs Motor Caravans,
  Bath Road, Padworth, Reading, Berkshire RG7 5JF
  webbsmotorcaravans.co.uk
• VW Kamper Centre,
  215 Ringwood Road, St Leonards, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 2QB
  m-d-g.co.uk/vehicles/vw-kamper-centre

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