I'm looking to pickup a 2015 Octavia Scout to convert for camping across Europe for a minimum of 4 months, but could be longer than 6 months. I work remotely as an engineering/technical writer, so being away for so long has no impact on our income except to allow us to save up to buy a house faster.

 

My plan is to fit a roof top tent, (Ventura Deluxe Extended + Annex) build some drawers for the boot and add a fridge (was thinking National Luna, but now looking at a Vitrifrigo C47). I'd be looking to add a leisure battery, probably behind the front pax seat (with smart charger).

 

I've owned a 2013 Octavia Scout in another country previously, but never ran the rooftop tent with it (had a Nissan Patrol with roof top tent, drawers and fridge). That car is still my favourite of all the cars i've owned!

 

We have a 5 month old baby + dog (sheltie) who would share the back seat together. Our dog does tens of thousands of miles a year on the back seat with just her harness and seatbelt strap and has no problem, so that's not a worry.

 

I'm thinking of the Octavia Scout over a 'regular' Octavia for several reasons:

* All wheel drive. This could be critical during winter months in mountainous areas.

* 2.0L diesel vs 1.6L - I've heard the 1.6 starts having issues around 60k miles, and the 2.0 will be better with the extra drag of the tent + extra weight of the camping gear

* Underbody protection for unpaved tracks

* Lifted to help deal with the extra weight

 

The Octavia in general keeps coming up top on my list for the reasons above, plus the huge boot space/roomy interior, great fuel mileage, reliability.. and they look pretty good too (not that that factors into the actual decision, just a nice bonus)

 

I'm looking at the Octavia over anything else, because I just can't find anything with as much space, fuel economy, and awd in the same sort of price range (£12-14k). Boot depth is more critical than boot height for building drawers, which rules out a surprising number of SUVs. The lower roof VS a SUV is also nice for the Tent, as it keeps the centre of gravity lower for handling (nothing like having 50kg of mass up 2 metres). 

 

We have a Caravan, but we specifically want to camp as the Caravan can be difficult to get into some areas, the cost per night at camp sites is significantly higher, and it completely kills fuel mileage (ie: higher costs all around). I'd look at a camper van, but they are also more expensive in the same ways as a caravan and don't do as well getting to more remote areas (like through Norway/Finland) - and cost significantly more. Motor homes are out due to size, purchase cost, travel cost.

 

Has anyone here done anything like this before - or experience with how the Octy would handle with a roof top tent? Can you think of a better vehicle for touring? Any major issues with the plan you can spot (other than touring for months with an infant!)

 

An interesting life style, living in your car with a child and a dog. You're a braver man than me!

 

The Octavia estate is pretty cavernous, and attractively cheap, although the Scout adds a relatively hefty premium.

 

One advantage the Scout has over the regular non-4x4 estate is the stiffer rear suspension. Fill the boot on a normal Octavia and they really squat at the back, much less so with the Scout.

 

I think the maximum roof load on the Octavia is 75Kg's, is this enough for your tent and its contents?

 

If you need a smidge more space take a look at the Skoda Superb Outdoor.

The tent weighs about 50kg, so the roof loading is fine

 

The scout certainly does add a premium, but I feel its going to be worth it for the AWD alone, especially as we get towards of the end of the year and are looking at being in mountainous areas. I didn't realise the suspension was stiffer, thats very good to know - I had expected to need to look at stiffer springs, so hopefully that wont be needed?

 

I didn't know the Superb had the Outdoor 4x4 version - they don't appear to be many on the market, but its a good one to keep in mind - thanks!

 

We've been living in a touring caravan for the past 8 months, and thats pretty much fixed in one place, so going on holiday in the rooftop tent shouldn't be too big of a deal. We've done a lot of camping in a roof top tent before (but not with a baby). 

 

 

How did you get on? Just bought one as a base for a camping vehicle.