Camper Van Conversion

[cpjitservices]

I'm probs looking at spending 1-2 grand max in the beginning - includes van and costs to get it road worthy if it needs anything and one or two changes to the inside to prepare it for being converted. I dont need to convert it straight away as its not going ot be used for a long time yet anyway - least not until the summer months. So spending a huge amount at the moment seems like nonsense. I do have a little one on the way too and a house to save for lol.

 

Gumtree local and ebay. Loads of high top LWB vans for sale below the 1k mark. High mileage but that doesnt bother me in the slightest.

 

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Why not fettle up one that has already been done?

My sister has a coachbuilt Transit conversion for sale. Archie is old but a really lovely beast - but he is looking a bit sad at the moment and needs TLC

 

Cost I guess, upfront anyway.

Edited March 6, 2017 by cpjitservices

[rad]

I have had the thoughts of a VW transporter for months/years and nearly bit the bullet the other week (salesman was offputting)

anyway, the high tops are great for standing up in, but you cant get them under a high barrier

the Pop tops are great but dont leave them up in wind, can leak and also can catch in the hinges at the back, need drying etc etc.

 

Just other thoughts if you go down this route. For us, the camper will be the second vehicle so may possibly have to take it to work etc

[just_david]

its also worth avoiding the gas can route and getting a direct line out from your diesel tank.

pay an expert to do it and its far more fire safe etc.

 

Also means you can get a diesel cabin heater to keep yourself warm.

 

Also check the below.

 

 

DVLA is required to record the details of vehicles for road safety and law enforcement. The body type

information held on the vehicle record must describe what a vehicle actually looks like. This description,

in addition to other distinguishing features, enables the police and other enforcement agencies to identify a particular vehicle.

Therefore, the body type will not be changed

unless the exterior of the vehicle actually appears to be a motor home

 

The last line will be key.

Minimum features

In order for a converted vehicle to qualify as a motor caravan it must have certain minimum features, as

follows:

a door that provides access to the living accommodation

a bed, which has a minimum length of 1800mm or 6 feet. This can be converted from seats used

for other purposes during the day but must be permanently fixed within the body of the vehicle

a water storage tank or container on, or in, the vehicle

a seating and dining area, permanently attached to the vehicle. The table may be detachable but

must have some permanent means of attachment to the vehicle. It is not good enough to have a

loose table

a permanently fixed means of storage, a cupboard, locker or wardrobe

a permanently fixed cooking facility within the vehicle, powered by gas or electricity

at least one window on the side of the accommodation

If the vehicle has all of these features present, permanently fixed and installed properly, then it is a legal

requirement to have it reclassified as a motor caravan on the V5C.

 

 

My wife lived and grew up in breen, camper van city in the summer. If someone turned up in a battered old transit they'd often get turned away.

It has to look good, and like a camper from the outside or you might not get into a campsite. And some, including the one the missus worked at, checked the reg against the dvla to see what its classified as.

 

 

 

in fact instead of me quoting it, here, read this:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/522756/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motorhome.pdf

 

makes doing it sound more work than its worth ^^ buy an already done one ;P

Edited March 6, 2017 by just_david

[Joanne]

makes doing it sound more work than its worth ^^ buy an already done one ;P

 

Nah mate - that's easy. Take some swanky photos to show the DVLA. Sounded easy enough to me

[Ryan_Romeo_]

I used to work as a bespoke camper van converter, converting VW T5/T6's. The best wood to use for the interior is called vohringer its a light weight caravan board designed for use in caravan/camper interiors you can get a wide range of colours. Then for seating get a rock and roll bed there is a wide range of companies that manufacture them from the top brand RIB Beds to the lower end ones that are sold on Ebay, if you think of using them to travel in I would recommend getting one that is crash tested.

 

[Joanne]

@Ryan_Romeo_ omg have you got more photos you can share? That's SO COOL!

[Ryan_Romeo_]

@Joanne Got a couple more pictures of that van, but check out the facebook page Dubcraft Leisure Vehicles has all the latest van conversions on there that the company has done. I worked there for a few years and still do abit here and then.

 

Edited March 7, 2017 by Ryan_Romeo_

[Danp]

This is my friends

 

I have a caravan for holidays but I plan to get a simple van and 'convert' it so there is somewhere for me to sleep and that's about it then I will be off to Le Mans in it.

[cpjitservices]

Cool, nice one for the photos.

[zag]

Nice paint job!

[SpuffMonkey]

One of my mates converted an old Army van to a camper - he used to work in a marina refitting narrow boats, so did the van in the same stylee - even with a wood burning stove in the corner for heating/cooking. He used to work through the summer and then go off to the Med for winter in the van. Alas kids mean he lives a more conventional lifestyle now

[bald_pig]

Here's a rough list of electronic needs: eBay - list - Share great gift ideas with your friends

[zag]

Just joined the camper van club with my new purchase. I love it so far. So much freedom when you have a fully kitted out Day van.

 

Mines a Renault traffic 2008 crew van conversion with double sliding doors and a few pimped items. Full rock and roll bed and electrical system inside with TV, sink and gas stove.

 

 

[zag]

"Bertie" got a solar panel recently as well, totally renewable energy now for all the electronics inside like the TV, Raspberry Pi and beer fridge.

 

 

I may need to upgrade the leisure battery next.

[MatthewL]

A few friends of mine have vans, one converted an old VW builders van, other has just bought a new big motor home (retirement this September), it's something I've looked at for travelling, saves money too, thing that puts me off it toilet/shower facilities! Defiantly a good way enjoy the country though.

[zag]

A few friends of mine have vans, one converted an old VW builders van, other has just bought a new big motor home (retirement this September), it's something I've looked at for travelling, saves money too, thing that puts me off it toilet/shower facilities! Defiantly a good way enjoy the country though.

 

You would be surprised these days, most campsites have very nice facilities, especially in Europe but also back home.

 

You can also build in showers and toilets into the camper vans if you have enough space. I could do it but decided against a permanent solution even though I have a long wheel base van. I do have an outdoor solar shower though

[MatthewL]

I like luxury in life, so shower and toilet facilities is key for me if I do it. Just not sure its for me, I like the idea of been able to disappear and not cost anything but fuel but facilities have to be there for me.

[witch]

I know of a converted Ford Transit - up for sale £1500 ono all converted - just needs a bit of TLC

[zag]

I know of a converted Ford Transit - up for sale £1500 ono all converted - just needs a bit of TLC

 

Transits have great engines that are cheap to repair, but suffer horribly from rust as they are not galvanized.

[Joanne]

I might be borrowing a camper van for our trip now... gonna have a look at it tonight and see if it's big enough I think its a VW Transporter T4 or 5... exciting!

[zag]

Yep the Vdubs are the best! But you pay a price for them.

[Joanne]

I won't be paying any price because it's my uncles! Just need to make sure we can get onto the insurance before driving it.

[zag]

Had a great trip around France, Italy, Slovenia and Hungary over the summer. Love the camper lifestyle, so simple!

 

[Joanne]

We did the South Coast in less than a week... burnt through a lot of oil did this thing! Hahaha! Glad it's not mine

 

 

[rad]

This appeared on our driveway over the Summer, we think our old car took V iagra, it was the same colour but a lot smaller!

http://breeze-volkswagen.co.uk/media/uploads/slir/w975-h600-c975x600-q80/VW_7149_crop.jpg

 

Ok ours is very similar (library pic), we are still in the planning stages.