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Subject Topic: hi everyone new here looking for advice a Post Reply Post New Topic
23/9/2020 at 1:54pm
 Location: Hemel Hempstead
 Outfit: None Entered
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Hi all thanks for accepting me onto the site.

My name is Mike

I'm 62 I work in London as a despatch rider I'm also a professional photographer.

I am partway through saving up to get a dream van to live in.
I've narrowed the search down to a 7-5ton box truck, with a 20ft box. The main reason is the living space!

after building a double bed with a garage underneath I get 14 ft x 8ft x 7ft area to live in.

I'm looking to buy in the winter and currently, I'm looking for a place to store it whilst I work on the conversion as i can't really just put it on the street outside the house.

Im planning to live on a site that maybe I can find here that allows all year-round residents.

Anyone here got a similar truck?

I'm also just waiting on the insurance to get back to me
Does anyone know of any other insurers other than Adrian flux?

I plan to get a carpenter to help with the conversion process and an electrician to sort out the electrics.

I've spent most of this year looking on youtube and doing lots of research into all this and I now know roughly what I'm going to do layouts wise

I would love to chat with some of you and discuss ideas

thanks in advance

Mike


23/9/2020 at 5:46pm
 Location: Turriff Aberdeenshi
 Outfit: Romahome R30 Dimens
View Capt Lightning's Profile View Profile   Reply to Capt Lightning Reply   Quote Capt Lightning Quote  
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Welcome to the site. Hope you realise your dream, though you will doubtless face challenges, not least, where to site the van long term.

Still, here's someone who's done it. This was parked long term in a motorhome park in Dorsten, Germany.



-------------
Two drifters off to see the world.

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


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23/9/2020 at 5:53pm
 Location: london
 Outfit: Elddis marquis majestic 185
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Hi Mike , welcome to the forum.
You may have some difficulty finding a site that allows you to store as well as build up your unit due to the potential disturbance to other users. You may find a general storage site that allows you to do both.
There are a number of people on the forum that have self built units who I am sure will give you advice as you go along.
Have a look on the search facility

-------------
Basa


24/9/2020 at 7:53am
 Location: Hemel Hempstead
 Outfit: None Entered
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Hey guys thanks

I spent most of yesterday on the phone could i find insurance for a 7-5 ton tuck to use as a mobile home . . . . .errr NO!

looking at the DVLA website at the reclassification of alloted vehicles that can be modified a truck cannot be allowed

So i guess its plan B and down to 3-5 ton Luton box van.

Im also running into a wall as far as insurance goes as I dont have a car anymore so ive no build up of a no claims and the millions of miles and years of riding with no claims and a perfect driving record and clean licence doesnt hold any sway whatsoever

Still im gonna push forward to see this through


24/9/2020 at 8:59am
 Location: london
 Outfit: Elddis marquis majestic 185
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I’m guessing that you have tried the most common insurance companies for motorhomes, Comfort, Caravanguard, Adrian flux etc, and searched specifically for Motorhome insurance, I know it sounds obvious, but?
The most common conversions are standard panel type vans and there are a lot around

-------------
Basa


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24/9/2020 at 10:24am
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Have you thought about buying a coach rather than a van. Might be easier to convert with windows all round and possibly even already insulated, and there are quite a few around so the owners must get insurance from somewhere.


24/9/2020 at 7:37pm
 Location: Turriff Aberdeenshi
 Outfit: Romahome R30 Dimens
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Given that you're having to downsize and plan to live mainly on a site, would you not be better with a car and caravan, or if you don't want a car, how about a small static?

-------------
Two drifters off to see the world.

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


24/9/2020 at 8:06pm
 Location: NE England
 Outfit: Citroen Dispatch Campervan plus tents
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Dunno about 7.5t trucks but insurers will insure vans as campervans or motorhomes without it being reclassified by dvla.


25/9/2020 at 11:37am
 Location: Hemel Hempstead
 Outfit: None Entered
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Hi guys and thanks for the replies

Update

Ok so im "downsizing" to a Luton box van. I found insurance from Adrian Flux they will insure the van as a commercial whilst the conversion takes place i got a great price and Im happy with it

next is to find somewhere to store it as I cant do that where I live that is now my latest headache seems like RV stoprage spaces are like goldust


25/9/2020 at 4:57pm
 Location: london
 Outfit: Elddis marquis majestic 185
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There is a caravan storage centre in Hemel Hempstead , woodwells , they seem to have a few motorhomes on site when I looked on google maps.
I would look for caravan as well as Motorhome storage sites on google maps, I think your biggest problem will be that you also want to convert it on the site.
Other than that vehicle yards etc.


-------------
Basa


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25/9/2020 at 7:11pm
 Location: Yorkshire
 Outfit: Car & Caravan
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I used to know a few horsey people who made coaches into mobile homes and they were spectacular,


26/9/2020 at 1:12pm
 Location: Hemel Hempstead
 Outfit: None Entered
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Hey Basa
thanks mate

yeah I looked at them they are fully booked and have a waiting list

I think my partner is able to help as her friends stepdad has a few fields empty she came to visit today and it looks promising

thanks for your time


26/9/2020 at 5:39pm
 Location: london
 Outfit: Elddis marquis majestic 185
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Sounds good, let us know how you get on and good luck with your project.
If it’s in a field beware of the dreaded mice, they have been known to destroy the wiring even in a rural compound.


-------------
Basa


26/9/2020 at 11:09pm
 Location:  lincolnshire
 Outfit: N A
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Hi Mike welcome to the forum


27/9/2020 at 11:46pm
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Quote: Originally posted by mike1958 on 25/9/2020
Hi guys and thanks for the replies

Update

Ok so im "downsizing" to a Luton box van. I found insurance from Adrian Flux they will insure the van as a commercial whilst the conversion takes place i got a great price and Im happy with it

next is to find somewhere to store it as I cant do that where I live that is now my latest headache seems like RV stoprage spaces are like goldust



Any farms near you? Farmers often have space in barns where vehicles can be stored for a bit of extra beer money.



28/9/2020 at 7:54am
 Location: Hemel Hempstead
 Outfit: None Entered
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Hahaha

I know all about that spent lots of time surfing in cornwall and once had a tourer down there and yeah every ****ing mouse in the south west must've shacked up in it

needless to say i just left it down there and didnt bother with it

but thanks again for the reply

Ive got the ins sorted and im probably good to go on the storage so now Im turning my attentions to the actual build.

Ive been researching all this since before xmas so ive a pretty good idea of how its going to go, thanks to youtube its a brilliant resource.

I have the layout sorted cooker/oventoilet/shower/garage/batteries/lights etc.

I know what I need in terms of cabinetry etc. Now all I need is to find a carpenter who can help.
I have the confidence to tackle most of it but its always good to have someone on hand who can just make sure I aint cocking it up

would I find anyone on here I wonder?



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