converting a fridge box van (1 Viewer)

eyrewave

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Hello, ive just joined up to the site.

I have converted a few vans in the past and am looking to complete another self build.

I have a question in regards to base vehicles:

A fridge box van (like the type used by supermarket delivery companies - sainsburys, ocado etc would to me seem to be excellent base vehicles. They are boxish in shape thus offer good space options. They are excellently insulated using styrofoam. They are very cheap for what you get i.e a 2011 sprinter for 5k (granted high mileage but could buy box separately and source low mileage van) the box can be transferred if there is a catastrophic failure with the vehicle. These at least are my observations. Am i missing something here as i can find no evidence on the internet of anyone converting one into a campervan?

This is the type of vehicle i had in mind:


I must be missing something but would be interested in peoples views? :)

Thanks Tom
 

vwalan

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they can make real nice conversions . many of my mates use prisin trucks same construction , but have windows and roof hatches and side doors and steps .
but usually over 3,500kg gvw .
fridge vans are heavy , check vehicle weight.
 

jonandshell

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That sort of thing seems popular with folks staying the season in ski resorts.
 
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eyrewave

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they can make real nice conversions . many of my mates use prisin trucks same construction , but have windows and roof hatches and side doors and steps .
but usually over 3,500kg gvw .
fridge vans are heavy , check vehicle weight.
Good point with the weight. Ocado box has the side door with step. I'm thinking big boat hatch over rear bed and a couple of small tinted windows. Could keep it quite stealthy..
I guess would need Some reinforcement around cut out holes as well. Prison van option on first glance would look like more effort due to the internal room segregation and dismantling that would involve?
 

vwalan

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it does take a few days getting rid of the cells . but you can reuse some of it as shower walls etc .
depending on what windows you use no strengthening is needed . on prison vans they dont open but the roof hatches allow air to chimney out
but fridge boxes do make good campers .
just watch the weights . its easy to build what you want then find you cant carry anything in it .
but let us know what you end up with.

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androidGB

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No personal experience, but did read once that fridge vans can suffer from very rusty floors. Maybe there are different types with separate bodies.

Andrew
 

scotjimland

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as it has metal walls inside, presumably needs to be lined and also have a vapour barrier ?

frankly, I think it would be a huge amount of work converting, more work than converting a standard panel van.. and will always look like a fridge van.. a big box with a few windows will never look like a motorhome..

just my opinion..
 

Jim

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it was an MY opinion Jim.. not asking for a debate

Not giving you one. My opinion; Some of the best motorhomes I've ever seen are a box with a few windows. We certainly don't need a "standard" that a motorhome must look like.

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JJ

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My daughter's "motorhome"...

bedford-in-kent-orchard-rima-stacking-firewoodsmall.jpg


A vehicle of immense beauty and character.

JJ :cool:
 

Jim

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I'd love one of these overland boxes with windows. Seeing more of them these days. We parked next to a superb one at a caravan club site in Lincolnshire, 26ft long and about 15ft high :)

unimogcampervan01.jpg
 
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eyrewave

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I'd love one of these overland boxes with windows. Seeing more of them these days. We parked next to a superb one at a caravan club site in Lincolnshire, 26ft long and about 15ft high :)

unimogcampervan01.jpg
My brother has one like top right (although pic might be unimog?). Iveco 4x4 cherry picker, then took off the cherry picker and got a Styrofoam box made up and bolted onto the chassis. It can go anywhere, but always costs a lot to fix as mechanics aren't familiar with the 4x4 variant. That's where I got the idea o using a fridge box, as it's made with the same material as the overland campers as pictured in your post. Realistically I don't need 4x4 for what I do it's not worth the expense. Cheers

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Fridge van floors can be coroded quite bad as previously mentioned. A lot of body builders still use wooden crossmembers and dont forget the damp issues that fridge vans can suffer with.
Im only commenting as ive experienced it.
 
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eyrewave

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My box . It works for us but not sure what the reception would be like on some campsites View attachment 123115
Dis you add the box on? Is that made from Styrofoam? I'm not too bothered about what campsites think as I tend to only go to ones that allow fires these in turn are more wild and relaxed. I assume you don't do campsites in that because you can go wherever the hell you like ! :)

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eyrewave

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Fridge van floors can be coroded quite bad as previously mentioned. A lot of body builders still use wooden crossmembers and dont forget the damp issues that fridge vans can suffer with.
Im only commenting as ive experienced it.
Thanks Rob that's the sort of info I'm after:)
 
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Our Burstner has small windows and looks like they've just removed the "Group 4" stickers off a prison van, mind one or two on here think they're only fit for criminals :LOL:
 

unimog

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Dis you add the box on? Is that made from Styrofoam? I'm not too bothered about what campsites think as I tend to only go to ones that allow fires these in turn are more wild and relaxed. I assume you don't do campsites in that because you can go wherever the hell you like ! :)


When I brought the unimog it was fitted with a aluminium skinned box body that had been used for testing welds on pipe line work I kept the frame made it a bit taller and added a bit on the back so it has room for a permanent fixed bed . The floor .walls and roof are lined with 60 mm Kingspan insulation the room is 3mm sheet alloy and the walls are grp skinned ply . It is fitted with a webasto wet heating system and internal water tanks etc I build everthing myself and have spent a life time on Unimogs as a fitter .

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Dec 12, 2010
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spent a life time on Unimogs as a fitter .

Sorry to hijack the thread, but......
I needed to pick someone's brains about Unimogs, my son recently bought a 40 year old model 900, everything on it is either rusted or seized solid :rolleyes: We fitted the rear hydraulics etc last night for a 3 point linkage, still need to source the arms and drop links though. I was overhauling the pto banana box but haven't yet found a supplier for the 57.5 mm id oil seals yet, would you know where to source them ?
Thanks, Graeme.
 

scotjimland

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haven't yet found a supplier for the 57.5 mm id oil seals yet, would you know where to source them ?

Not Unimog specifically.. but may be useful..

when sourcing bearings, seals, belts, hydraulic fittings etc etc, I used Mercury Bearings, in London , if they couldn't get it .. it probably didn't exist.. worth a call. .very helpful..

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unimog

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Sorry to hijack the thread, but......
I needed to pick someone's brains about Unimogs, my son recently bought a 40 year old model 900, everything on it is either rusted or seized solid :rolleyes: We fitted the rear hydraulics etc last night for a 3 point linkage, still need to source the arms and drop links though. I was overhauling the pto banana box but haven't yet found a supplier for the 57.5 mm id oil seals yet, would you know where to source them ?
Thanks, Graeme.
I use Atkinson Vos http://www.unimogs.co.uk/ most of the time because they know what they are talking about but as scotland jim says any decent bearing and seal supplier should be able to scourse them .Beware that some of the seals are very odd sizes . The 900 and 406 mogs are some of the best they just left a bit to be desired in the stopping department . Had 20 + tons behind them many times and used to rely on the trailer brakes as if the unit is on drum brakes they are not good .
There are a few with disc brakes ,they are ok
 
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Someone on MHF self build forum was converting a fridge van. I can't remember their name. I don't know if they got round to finishing it. It wasn't as boxy as the one your looking at. The front was sloped. I think they took the floor out, expecting lots of rust, and were pleasantly surprised. Good luck with the build if you decide to do it.
 

Allanm

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Looks like a good vehicle as a base, lots of converted vans, lorrys etc travelling around at the moment.
Here's one we saw earlier this year.
image.jpeg

Good luck with the build
There are a few other forums around that have sections on home builds on vans like yours, or even the one above. They are very popular.

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