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Topic: Converting a van to a camper

freeman90

22/7/2018 at 9:31pm
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Hi all,

I'd like to buy a van to turn into a camper van as I can't afford to buy a fitted out VW Camper style van but would like to get out of sleeping in a tent. I really dislike having a long drive, turning up in the rain and getting out of the car to put a tent up in the wet. At least in a van, you can leave it until its dry to put the awning up if you need to.

I'd like to buy a used van to convert (i'm fairly handy) and would quite enjoy converting it to a camper. However, I'm only really looking to use the van to sleep in and to haul all of my camping gear along with me.

I would plan on getting a drive away awning and use that living space to cook in and to relax in whilst away camping.

However, I don't know where I would stand from an insurance point of view as I would like to add windows and insulate the van. I'd assume its classed as a modification.

If I we're to reclassify the van from a 'panel van' to a 'motor caravan' I think I'm right in thinking that I could get cheaper insurance according to this page along with potentially cheaper ferry crossings etc. But to get this, you have to have a fitted cooking area/table/bed/storage etc.

I'm happy to go down that route but then the cost starts to increase. I don't really know which route to go down for the best.

If anyone has done this themselves, I would be keen to hear about what you've done and any advice you would be willing to share.

Many thanks

Colin21

22/7/2018 at 10:16pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail

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Have you considered a Mazda Bongo? Buy an unconverted one and you will have an 8 seater with an elevating roof. When I bought mine they were about half the price of an equivalent VW. You can then convert it yourself as you want it. Mine was an unconverted one, but it still came with window blinds and an elevating roof, 4WD, 2.5 turbo diesel, and auto transmission. Lovely vehicle, and an enthusiastic owners club.

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Best Regards,
Colin

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romany girl

23/7/2018 at 12:40pm
Location: Derbyshire
Outfit: ElddisAvante462 Honda CRV SE2.2 i-Dtec

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You would need to comply with certain criteria for the van conversion to be changed from Panel Van status into a Motor home category, and like wise change the tax class and registration with the DVLA before any insurance and MOT would be issued.

Theres a very good self build website online with lots of information if you google campervan self build conversion forum. I belive that to be registered in the new class it has to have permanent fixed running water and cooking facilities and have a valid habitation certificate for the work that is carried out to fit these.

We used to van camp in my husbands ford transit crewbus before he retired, but the condensation was horrendous and ventilation poor unless you sslept with the front windows down for a couple of inches which was an obvious security risk. Some sites can also be fussy regarding accepting non standard conversions on site, and when they do, often ask for the relevent habitation safety certificate to be produced as per their fire regulation requirements.

Julia

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Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife

Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!

Capt Lightning

23/7/2018 at 5:46pm
Location: Turriff Aberdeenshi
Outfit: Romahome R30 Dimens

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Have a look at Autotrader Motorhomes and see if there are converted vans that fall within your budget. Even if they needed a bit of TLC, they may prove a better option than starting from scratch.

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Two drifters off to see the world.

I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.

freeman90

23/7/2018 at 6:26pm
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Thanks for the great responses! I'm quote interested in the Mazda bongo as they seem really affordable.
Also thanks for pointing me to the self build website. I'll be sure to look it up.

jimsmimm

23/7/2018 at 10:08pm
Location: Paisley
Outfit: Chausson Flash 22

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beware most Bongos are notoriously bad on fuel being 4x4 and auto, returning low 20s mpg in town

best place for self build info is here

Colin21

23/7/2018 at 11:06pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail

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Quote: Originally posted by jimsmimm on 23/7/2018
beware most Bongos are notoriously bad on fuel being 4x4 and auto, returning low 20s mpg in town

best place for self build info is here

Like anything else, it depends on how you drive it. They are not going to be very frugal it's true, they are about as streamlined as a brick and they are not exactly light, but for what they are they are not bad on fuel at all. I doubt whether any van would be much better. Without trying, I used to get high 20s around town, rather than low 20s, but the petrol ones would be a whole different ball-game. I had a petrol Toyota Space Cruiser previously, and compared to that the Bongo was extremely economical.

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Best Regards,
Colin

Capt Lightning

24/7/2018 at 8:09am
Location: Turriff Aberdeenshi
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That's bad. My van has a 2.2 Transit diesel and gives 35-38 mpg. Given the cost of fuel, unless you do very little mileage, economy would be pretty important.

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Two drifters off to see the world.

I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.

Johnnie Boy

24/7/2018 at 11:59am
Location: Cleveland
Outfit: Swift select 164

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If you have plenty of time on your hands it's not difficult to build a camper van.

Deciding on what you want and what budget you have, hardest part is finding the right vehicle.
loads of info on the web, youtube, self build motor caravan club worth joining for the info and forum.

Can't really go wrong with a Boxer/ Ducato / Relay.. my SWB boxer ended up fully loaded with market stall and stock and still returned over 30 mpg .You can also get a bed across the back if your 6 foot or under

Insurers will cover it while it's been converted.. I used Adrian Flux.

Check out DVLA for whats required to reclassify as a Motor caravan. All you need is a brief description on what you've done and photo's to back it up.

Colin21

24/7/2018 at 5:01pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail

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Quote: Originally posted by Capt Lightning on 24/7/2018
That's bad. My van has a 2.2 Transit diesel and gives 35-38 mpg. Given the cost of fuel, unless you do very little mileage, economy would be pretty important.

If that's around town it is extremely good! About what I get from my diesel Volvo estate. On a good run with my Bongo I could get around 40mpg, and my Volvo does around 48mpg solo or 38 - 40 towing. I don't tend to hang about though, with either the Volvo or previously with the Bongo. For a better idea, go on the Bongo owners club website, they are very helpful.

The reason I suggested the Bongo is because it is a common conversion, well recognised by insurers, and some of the conversion work is already done, such as the lifting roof and the window blinds. It has a thriving and helpful website, and the vehicle will fit in any normal parking bay. Doesn't always fit height-wise though so you have to be a bit careful in some car parks, particularly multi-storey. Lovely vehicle to drive too.

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Best Regards,
Colin

jimsmimm

24/7/2018 at 8:13pm
Location: Paisley
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40mpg from a bongo.. Come on mate pull the other one.. I flogged mine because it was far too small and drank like George Best, my 6.3mtr Citroën Relay fully converted returns better mpg than my bongo did.

Colin21

24/7/2018 at 10:52pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail

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Quote: Originally posted by jimsmimm on 24/7/2018
40mpg from a bongo.. Come on mate pull the other one.. I flogged mine because it was far too small and drank like George Best, my 6.3mtr Citroën Relay fully converted returns better mpg than my bongo did.

Only on a good run, certainly not around town. Different drivers on different vehicles will inevitably get different results. I replaced a Toyota Space Cruiser with the Bongo, and compared to that the Bongo saved me a packet. I was getting around 18mpg on average with the Toyota, but then it was petrol, the last petrol vehicle I bought. Yes the Bongo is comparatively small, but no smaller than the VW equivalent. It's a camper rather than a motorhome.

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Colin

drjbc

27/7/2018 at 10:06am
Location: West Devon
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I've never converted a van myself, but people I've talked to mentioned two mistakes they regretted afterwards:

1) The first was a cabinet-maker who did it the way he knew, using solid wood. The end result was far too heavy, so be sure to use specialist materials.

2) The second had started with a second-hand van instead of new, which proved a false economy. Base vehicles are essentially delivery vans, intended for a relatively short life. They were stuck with a rusting van they'd put a lot of money and effort into.

camp chaos

09/8/2018 at 9:21am
Location: up north
Outfit: Jack Wolfskin tent and VW Kombi

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Hi, we have a VW Transporter on which we eventually plan to do some sort of conversion but, for the time being, we use (as you plan to) a drive away awning to cook in/store chairs, tables etc etc and then use this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fold-Out-Futon-Double-Guest-Z-Bed-Chair-Folding-Mattress-Sofa-Bed-Sofabed-Gilda-/231749262592

to sleep on in the van.

It's remarkably comfy, is big enough for 2 adults (one being my 6'2" 17 stone husband 😊) and also gives us room to store clothes bags at the end of the bed (SWB van).

Enjoy your camping!

feeblecat

09/8/2018 at 12:43pm
Location: Scotland
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We are currently thinking of another campervan. I keep considering options and coming back to the Bongo. We had one before and travelled all over Europe with it - on one trip doing more than 3000 miles (yes miles) going down to Austria and the Czech Republic and back through various other countries. I can't remember fuel consumption being particularly bad and the bongo never missed a beat or suffered any of the other horror stories folk like to mention as soon as you say Bongo. I think that's why I am struggling with what to buy - basically a day car with a bed for camping is what we want and the Bongo fits that bill and gave us no hassle before.

Colin21

09/8/2018 at 2:41pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail

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Quote: Originally posted by feeblecat on 09/8/2018
We are currently thinking of another campervan. I keep considering options and coming back to the Bongo. We had one before and travelled all over Europe with it - on one trip doing more than 3000 miles (yes miles) going down to Austria and the Czech Republic and back through various other countries. I can't remember fuel consumption being particularly bad and the bongo never missed a beat or suffered any of the other horror stories folk like to mention as soon as you say Bongo. I think that's why I am struggling with what to buy - basically a day car with a bed for camping is what we want and the Bongo fits that bill and gave us no hassle before.

We loved our Bongo too, it gave us very little trouble in the 5 years we had it. Only thing is someone else obviously liked it too, as it was stolen from outside our house and no trace of it was ever found. That was 9 years ago.

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Best Regards,
Colin

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