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Subject Topic: Mercedes Vito conversion? Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonSona
01/10/2017 at 8:09pm
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Hi all, newbie here. I'm considering moving from camping in a tent to a camper van. Maybe buying a van to convert?
I've seen a lovely Mercedes Vito with lowish mileage for sale, correct number of seats for us and looks fairly easy for conversion? I'm wondering if anyone knows if the seats in these can go flat for a bed or would I have to swap out for a rock and roll one?
Any other advice about this appreciated!


PersonAUSTINS
05/10/2017 at 10:33pm
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The question you have asked is rather difficult to answer. Is it a crew bus Vito? How many seats do you need. Don't forget all passengers NEED a belted seat. If you have rows of seats as in a crew bus...you may have seat belts or at least the fittings installed for passengers. Please let us know the layout of van you are interested in converting it to. Whether it has driver and passenger seat in cab, which will of course have belts...or is it a Driver and twin passenger seat up front.
As soon as you come back with a little more detail of your needs and of the particular van you like, we shall all be ready to help.

-------------
Fish like a matchman <*))))><


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PersonOpensauce
06/10/2017 at 6:58am
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To get the answer you will need to post up exact year & model of Vito. They come in models from basic builder's crew busses to luxury people carriers. Some have fold flat seats, some do not. It should be easy enough to find out by looking at the van you are considering.

If you buy the van as a 7 seater people carrier then it will need to be insured as that & could be expensive to insure. If you convert it to a campervan then before it can be changed to campervan on reg doc it has to have a certain level of permanently fitted equipment, cooker etc.

You can of course keep it as a people carrier & still sleep in it.


PersonSona
06/10/2017 at 7:17am
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Thanks for the advice so far! I'll have to look up the exact model, but I do know it's a crew van with 6 belted seats.....two rows of three. I hadn't factored in that it would have to be a permanent gas installation to be registered as a camper van, so that's something else to consider. I might just buy a converted Mazda Bongo!


PersonOpensauce
06/10/2017 at 9:56am
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If it has 2 rows of seats then probably they do not go down into a bed. If you want a people carrier you can sleep in then you are better looking at VW T5. Some people carrier versions have fold flat seats. They usually have 2 rearward facing seats then rear bench seat that goes into a bed with extra foam cushion in rear. They are the more upmarket versions that won't be cheap & may be high mileage ex taxis.

If you want to spend much less then look for VW T4 which will be 2003 or older. You might find the Multivan version which has fold flat rear seats but not many sold in UK. More likely it will be German import with Lhd if you don't mind that. Quite a few of those for sale in UK check ebay etc.

Post last edited on 06/10/2017 10:00:01


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PersonJohnnie Boy
06/10/2017 at 10:55am
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My advise is to do your homework before jumping in, especially insurance.

Look on the DVLA website for information on what's required for a van conversion to be accepted as a motor caravan.


PersonSona
06/10/2017 at 5:54pm
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Thank you all for the advice, makes sense...I might check out the VW......and the DVLA web site
...


PersonMooseles
21/10/2017 at 10:27pm
 Location: Worcestershire
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We own, although only for the next 7 days as we are moving up to an I.H Oregon Van conversion - a Mercedes V230 camper conversion. Professionally converted from what we think was a Vito van. Ours was imported from Japan and converted by a company in the U.K. a 2.3 petrol, automatic transmission which boasts an elevating pop-top roof, rock & roll bed, gas hob, sink, fridge & L.E.D lighting. Passenger seat swivels (captains chair), but the drivers seat doesn't.

With the addition of a side awning (Vango Kela 3 - low) - our little bus has given us several memorable camping trips away - for me, my wife and our Bulldog!

A nice vehicle and no doubt much cheaper than an equivalent sized VW


-------------
Moose & Les: -

I.H Oregon R owners


PersonSona
21/10/2017 at 11:19pm
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Thanks everybody! I've been looking into this a lot, and I've come to the conclusion that we're probably going to spend a little more and get a really nice Vauxhall Vitaro or Peugeot Expert Teepee which has already been converted.....some very nice ones out there!



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