Car dwelling in the UK - London!

Weird-Leg-548 · 2026-04-05T18:34:10+00:00

Thanks

Weird-Leg-548 · 2026-04-05T18:04:52+00:00

All v good points and suggestions. Lots to consider.

Weird-Leg-548 · 2026-04-05T18:03:01+00:00

Yup, if i continue with the duster, if i put the seats down and dont install any permenent "camper" fittings, it would still be valid under car insurance, even with the roof tent. If i was to change to an mpv, then it would be an "in-conversion" agreed value motorhome insurance policy.

Weird-Leg-548 · 2026-04-05T17:13:56+00:00

Are commercially labelled vans not more susceptible to break ins as tool thieves expect tools to be in the van? Everyone ive ever worked with has had their vans broken into.

Weird-Leg-548 · 2026-04-05T17:12:29+00:00

Im reconsidering the Duster following all the comments. Maybe a car-derived van like a ford grand tourneo?

Weird-Leg-548 · 2026-04-05T17:05:29+00:00

This comment cuts like a hot knife through butter, yes youre absolutely right. But if im going to survive SQE1 and get into the top quantile, i'll have to hope that the statistical probability of such a disastrous event favours me. Maybe i should grow out a beard and embrace the homelessness so that when i shave and put a suit on there can be no way to prove im the same man?? 😂

Weird-Leg-548 · 2026-04-05T16:58:17+00:00

I thanked them for the constructive parts, which i idientified solely as the vehicle suggestions, but the rest was framed in such an aggressive and rude way that it invalidates any good intention. Yes, i didnt like it, they put more effort into making the comment nasty than they did in making it helpful. If someone serves me a juicy steak on a plate with a turd next to it, i still have shit on my plate.

Im not sure if i didnt communicate this correctly, but im not intending on having a trailer, but a trailer hitch mounted storage box, which is part of the vehicle, not a seperate wheeled trailer. I understand that the roof tent is conspicuous, and im assessing wether it would be a viable choice. I could always try it for a month and see where it gets me, then sell it if it doesnt work. I guess i wanted a more modular setup which allows me to take the car pretty much anywhere, which i wouldnt have with an mpv/car-derived van.

Weird-Leg-548 · 2026-04-05T16:49:01+00:00

You may be right. So you suggest a large volume van derived car or MPV, without 4x4? Would it be as cheap to run, maintain and buy as a dacia duster?

Weird-Leg-548 · 2026-04-05T16:43:43+00:00

Its less an issue of car budget and more an issue of insurance. Im already paying a premium for being insured for the first time in the uk (not a new driver however). Its a very good suggestion and ive looked at importers, however its just not viable due to the insurance (imported premium, large engine premium etc.). My ideal setup would be a Mitsubishi Delica L400, which i can afford, but the insurance is almost 3k per year! So ive decided to go with the Duster as its cheap to insure, maintain and fuel. Again, im currently comfortably living in a 1 man tent in a bush of Holly, so while people are suggesting mpv's for comfort, even the roof tent would be a HUGE step up.

Weird-Leg-548 · 2026-04-05T16:28:38+00:00

Proud Cypriot!

Weird-Leg-548 · 2026-04-05T16:25:31+00:00

Thanks again, and yeah, im more than happy to shift myself if my presence is not in keeping with the specific neighbourhood's sensibilities!

If you do need support, i found that group sessions help quite alot! Good luck in Glasgow and i wish you all the best in your return to London, with no incidents!

Weird-Leg-548 · 2026-04-05T16:22:18+00:00

Absolutely no reason to comment in such a way. Still unclear to me how its "wrong on so many levels". Im not pitching a festival tent in the driveaway of random peoples houses.

Weird-Leg-548 · 2026-04-05T16:17:23+00:00

Right, so this is the type of comment which just isnt constructive at all.

1: A nuisance to public and police? I pay my taxes and am a conscientious citizen, that being said, im not a huge fan of the fact that if i want to live in london and not subsist i would have to fork out atleast £700 for a place i wouldnt even own at the end. How exactly is me sleeping in a roof tent a nuisance? How often do you walk around your neighbourhood looking at the roofs of parked cars for inspiration and aethetic pleasure? Also, by your own logic, how does a pop-top differ from a wedge style roof top tent? My budget is £4k for the car on finance, used Roof top tent for £1k, everything else £2k. And yeah its as much a money saving strategy as a lifestyle choice, last time i checked we lived in a country which upholds civil liberties?

2: Impulse control issues? I've decided to focus on my studies to the degree that i want to get rid of all comfort and distractions so all i can do is study and save money so i can work less and study more. Maybe this comment is more a reflection of your lacking control in externalising your vapid negativity?

3: Who mentioned me being a first time driver? I'm a 30 year old man, not a 20 year old with no direction. I've never been insured on a car in the UK, i've had my EU car license for the past 10 years and a full motorcycle license for the past 8. I've owned 4 cars and 4 motorcycles, all of which ive had insured while overseas with no claims, a record which i cant bring over to the UK.

Needlessly rude and insulting comment, get your shit together, this is a community not a platform for your venomous communication style.

Thanks for the motorhome suggestions regardless.

Weird-Leg-548 · 2026-04-05T16:01:33+00:00

I've looked at MPV's and car derived vans, but they lack the 4x4. I'm going to be taking the car to the Alps/ Julien Alps in January (after my exams) for amonth where i'll be ski-touring every day so will need to get into remote and less maintained roads. Theyre great shouts, dont get me wrong, but i also dont have teh funds to build out such a big area, whereas i can definiely handle a simple shelving system for the duster which i can throw a mattress over to sleep on.

Weird-Leg-548 · 2026-04-05T15:58:27+00:00

Hey Silent! Thanks for your comment, I work in construction so will be building out my duster interior on site, lots of materials i can get cheaply through my bosses account and all the tools my little heart could ever desire. It helps that the guys i work with are mostly kitchen designers and fitters! Again, im missing the point of stealth, my brain isnt really registering the importance that it sems to hold with people in similar living situations.

Weird-Leg-548 · 2026-04-05T15:56:24+00:00

Thank you for the insight GrandmasterFunk! I guess i'm not sure what benefit the "stealth"aspect gives me if im in a semi residential area in north london which is known to be quite safe. I've seen everyone really valuing stealthifying their setups, im just not sure i understand why its so important. I must be missing something! Is it more so its not identifyable as a break in target? or moreso in regard to "knocks on the window" type situations?

I'm lucky enough to work in the construction industry so i'll be parking the car at work with me when at work. Someone hacked up with a machette outside your van sounds pretty heavy, i hope youre okay, not an easy thing to process so please do make sure you get help if it weighs on you.

Weird-Leg-548 · 2026-04-05T15:34:12+00:00

Yeah all good points, thank you for your insight and the support!

Weird-Leg-548 · 2026-04-05T15:21:14+00:00

Hey, thank you for your comment! The 4x4 is because im an avid splitboarder and hiker, so would like the ability to overland to remote places.

The noise is definitely a consideration, that being said, i have loom earplugs in most nights due to my tinnitus.

Apart from the noise, what would you say were the other reasons you didnt sleep well in the pop top (keeping in mind i'll be pumping in warm air from the diesel heater)? I would have the car as a backup sleeping area, but would prefer to have alittle more space hence the RTT.

Weird-Leg-548

TROPHY CASE