6
69473
Deleted User
Can anyone recommend a book on how to convert a van into a camper?
Many thanks
Many thanks
- Feb 14, 2009
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The only one I know of ..
Others might be able to help ...
Others might be able to help ...
TheBig1
Deceased RIP
- Nov 27, 2011
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No, but I was told years ago I should document the process and write a book. Since then the internet is the font of all knowledge and in particular Youtube has a plethora of useful documented projects
pappajohn
LIFE MEMBER
Converting is the easy part.... Convincing DVLA it's a motorhome is the difficult part.
Hi I got a book last week from Amazon self build camper van conversions £20 good book Andy
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Suggest you start with the book by Haynes, the manuals publisher - ‘build your own motorcarvan’ put it in google search or Amazon. John Wickersham is writer.
then consider joining the SBMCC (self build motorcaravaners club, check out the website)
lots of very good advice and build guides in that club.
many on the sbmcc build better vehicles than can be bought.
also suggest you look at some of the furniture pack suppliers like EVO design if your not so good at the woodwork.
then consider joining the SBMCC (self build motorcaravaners club, check out the website)
lots of very good advice and build guides in that club.
many on the sbmcc build better vehicles than can be bought.
also suggest you look at some of the furniture pack suppliers like EVO design if your not so good at the woodwork.
I know this is not a book,but Greg Virgoe documented his van build in a series of YouTube videos and they are very informative!
Mark and Mindy
LIFE MEMBER
Just for my own interest for doing mods to our van I purchased Self Build Campervan Conversions by Kenny Biggin published by Renwicke's guides. It gave me some ideas for materials and techniques.
Mark
Mark
- Jan 28, 2008
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u tube is where youll find the most information nowadays , advatage is its current most books are out of date by the time they are published
3
34127
Deleted User
What ever books you use or advice given then check what the DVLA requirements are for a conversion. Worth reading the DVLA document carefully as a lot of folk misunderstand what they are saying when it comes to getting the van reclassified. Don't forget that everyone who has done a conversion have had to do it for the first time and there is a wealth of knowledge on youtube and also available on this forum.
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The problem with you tube is it is not edited and can contain some absolute tosh if not dangerous stuff. ( the absolute lack of concideration of chemical safety on American offerings begars belief)
The Haynes books i read were interesting but generally out of date as mitzimad stated. The best part of reading those books was meeting the author at a nec show, we discussed the books and the chat that resulted was worth more thanthe cost of the books.
My reccomendation would be join the SMCC for at least a year whilst you build then continue with fun.
Think about your layout and then think again. I had 3 layouts in the bongo before settling. Then eventually bought a coach built.
Garratt
Free Member
Which is precisely why the Greg Virgoe series on YouTube is to be recommended. He is a building services engineer and has an excellent understanding of the key safety considerations.
Garrett, spot in Greg’s attention to detail is brilliant, I would also recommend Humble road an American guy who has a similar ethos to Greg, but in addition has some fantastic design ideas.
Looks like greg virgoe could be worth a peek at.
Greg Vergo’s build on YouTube is very good. I find his delivery slightly dry, but he’s methodical, well thought out and informative tips on execution of various key parts of a build. His sprinter is one of the nicest home built I’ve seen.
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- Sep 23, 2013
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Some good ideas on that channel. The final conversion was a bit different to that first planning video above. Interesting to how his ideas developed.
Some useful info on the the Morlanduk.com website ( they manufacture lightweight plywood panels), which links to Greg Virgo's vlogs and sells the Renwick's book. Greg provided me with a wealth of easy to follow and very informative YouTube tutorials - highly recommend! A couple of words of caution though: Watch ALL of his vlogs as he made some modifications after he 'finished' his van (e.g. changed the mini Heki to a Maxxfan - which are incredible btw - etc), he was building for full time living, so may not reflect what you need and thus may be over specced for you and the 12v cable he used is blue, brown and green/yellow which is unusual/potentially confusing in automotive electrics. The Deep Red series (Deepredmotorhome.com) by the late Ian Lang is also very useful. Good luck and enjoy your build!
3
34127
Deleted User
I found this most helpful.
DIY campervan
Free Member
Its a mind field i can tell ya if you want a legal build for the dvla lol. Then they change the goal posts. I researched for two years prior to buying a van to get an understanding of how it should be built. Electrics, gas, safe water storage in my opinion are the things you must get right for your own safety. The rest is cosmetic. You start out building it then realise your doing it wrong or in the wrong place or with the wrong materials etc.. so you end up de constructing it to change something lol. All part of the fun i guess! Im building mine to appease dvla but i wont register it as a camper because you now have to have loads of windows which i dont want, plus stupid transfers. You seldom see a white standard commercial converted van with transfers that make it look better. Because im building it legally i can add windows and stickers to sell if i wish. However Dont worry about dvla reclassifying it as it will still sell if its a nice build and its not necessary. Most build their vans because its a cheap option. You cant compete with professionally built motorhomes because they have bespoke parts that they order in large quantity. Just make it with a factory finish look as possible and you will always have a resale value. Have fun and welcome to the world of never ending research.
No, not really.
I've done it twice and as long as you follow all the basic requirements, take good photos to show the conversion and that it is clearly within the vehicle bearing the registration number, then there's no problem. On both occasions (one van I bought converted but not altered, and the second converted by my brother and me) it was done within a fortnight with no queries - both on VW T5 vans so no toilet or washroom. Our friends have done a Fiat Ducato from scratch 18 months ago, including toilet and washroom, and theirs passed straight through as well. Every time I've dealt with DVLA over the years on different issues, they've always been really good - you just have to work with them, within their rules and hae mutual respect for each other's position.
Edit: - Actually I'd add - doing the conversion can be the HARD part ! Fun at times...but not easy at times...
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I resent your comment about white vans with transfers
mine was a conversion designed by me and I bought all the kit and just had it converted as I would have ended up with a van full of match sticks Paddington
Free Member
When I bought my first van a friend gave me some advice.....look at lots of other conversions and then decide what you really need. So in my first van I didn't have a fridge or a sink. I just used a basin. Because storage space for climbing gear was more important to me. So have a think about what kind of trips you are likely to do in it and where you are likely to stop overnight. For example if you plan to use campsites exclusively then you want hook up. But if you intend to park off grid then you may want solar and gas. you can buy lots of parts from rainbow conversions.
Paddington
Free Member
Also t6 forum is useful. Lots of people who have done this before
mikejtaylor21
Free Member
This is quite a good guide for download. I purchased and used it when converted my transit van into a campervan.
The DVLA also changed my log book to Motorcaravan with no problems after the conversion.
www.thevanconversionguide.com
The you tube channel for Nate Murphy is also quite good.
The DVLA also changed my log book to Motorcaravan with no problems after the conversion.
The Van Conversion Guide
The Van Conversion Guide gives everything you need to convert an empty van into an off-grid Camper including electrics, plumbing & cooking. Buy the e-book now!
www.thevanconversionguide.com
The you tube channel for Nate Murphy is also quite good.
I think things have changed no standard T5 is going to meet the roof height requirement , its become virtually impossible to get a reclassification to motorcaravan on V5 , van with windows is the new norm on V5
with advice that usage is not affected , or negates Class 4 mot .
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Graham Mew
Free Member
- Dec 23, 2018
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Go to You Tube and type in Greg Virgo he goes through from start to finish on a Merc Sprinter a very knowledgeable person.
3
34127
Deleted User
The DVLA have recently changed their stance on conversions. Not so long ago nearly everything got reclassified as Motor Caravan but now it is difficult. Even if you follow all the guidelines the deciding factor is what they think it looks like in traffic so if the person doing the assessment doesn't think much of the graphics it will be classified as a van with windows. The difficulty is that there are no examples of what type of graphics are acceptable and as has been said by others, it is like trying to pass an examine without knowing the questions.
DIY campervan
Free Member
Yes that does look niceI resent your comment about white vans with transfers
Mine is a sprinter and what ive seen online for sprinters and passing on the roads the choice is naff. I think relays, boxers and the likes lend them self's better to tranfers but the only sprinter ive seem that looks cool in white with transfers, it had fancy skirts fitted and all black black plastic was sprayed white with sport alloys. However if your van is dark blue/greys etc then strips seem to look good but most vans ex commercial are white. Or yellow lol. Have a look online for sprinters. The choice is rubbish. Just smart plain white can look nice. My windows not fitted yet on this pic.Attachments
Agreed many of the Sprinters decals etc. on conversions look as though they have been done by a 10 yr old kid. there are a few ‘sport’ sprinters that look cool but they have been professional conversions.Yes that does look nice
Dont forget if this is your sprinter, to remove the plastic trim and treat the fitting holes before replacing the trim as that’s where the Sprinters start to rust from. It’s rear t9 see a 5 yr old Sprinter without rust at these points.
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