Crafter first built

[Raul]

Here is our take on a self conversion, crafter based.

 

[Raul]

More to follow

 

[Raul]

Few more,

 

[Raul]

Continuing with wall panels and ceiling

 

[Raul]

to be continued, shortly.

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[EuroTrotters]

Looooooookingggg Gooo00d!

Nice Work.

Would love to have theme to Convert our SWB Sprinter 7G-Tronic into something like a CS AMIGO

 

[Raul]

Follow up

 

[Raul]

Almost there

 

[Raul]

So, here we are, two months with some longish days in between, and a lighter wallet after, that is our result. Main time consuming( 1/3) was the insulation and vapour barrier seal. The rest was just straight forward, with the odd detail work that required some extra care.
The most expensive, was energy storage (400ah LiFePo4) storing 5kwh, followed by appliances, solar system and inverter charger. The panels we chose are Panasonic hybrid, that are a smidge more efficient in dull weather and the size. They the only panel that fit across and not stick out over the gutter edge. Most others fairly priced, except moorland board at £139 a sheet. We went for the high pressure laminate, which is quite different to the normal furniture boar. Some things we might change in time, like cushion covers, curtains and I'm going to make my own thermal windscreen covers. At the moment we get by with a black out curtain to the cab area. I have insulated over the cab fairly well, but some condensation still needs looking in to. We use the max fan quite a lot, specially when cooking, washing etc. I'm looking at a possibility to incorporate a humidistat somehow to turn on the fan on exhaust during wet seasons.

 

[fifthwheel]

So, here we are, two months with some longish days in between, and a lighter wallet after, that is our result. Main time consuming( 1/3) was the insulation and vapour barrier seal. The rest was just straight forward, with the odd detail work that required some extra care.
The most expensive, was energy storage (400ah LiFePo4) storing 5kwh, followed by appliances, solar system and inverter charger. The panels we chose are Panasonic hybrid, that are a smidge more efficient in dull weather and the size. They the only panel that fit across and not stick out over the gutter edge. Most others fairly priced, except moorland board at £139 a sheet. We went for the high pressure laminate, which is quite different to the normal furniture boar. Some things we might change in time, like cushion covers, curtains and I'm going to make my own thermal windscreen covers. At the moment we get by with a black out curtain to the cab area. I have insulated over the cab fairly well, but some condensation still needs looking in to. We use the max fan quite a lot, specially when cooking, washing etc. I'm looking at a possibility to incorporate a humidistat somehow to turn on the fan on exhaust during wet seasons.

A cracking conversion, great workmanship thanks for sharing.

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[rangi]

Brilliant! thanks for sharing!

 

[gus-lopez]

Excellent work. Must have been well planned?

 

[Suvvi]

Great work

 

[bigwood]

I think you have done a great job so far. A friend of mine has done his own van conversion based on a sprinter with the same layout as yours. He had a problem with his kitchen window. His is top hinged and unfortunately when he opened his sliding door the door caught the window. He changed the window to a sliding opening to prevent any future damage.
Being retired it’s tempting to convert a van myself but being out most of the year with our current motorhome I just don’t think I have the time.

 

[phillipsheila]

pat yourself on the back nice one

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[Jamesh]

Lovely job, would have been my choice had I had 20k spare rather than 2k!!!
How wide is it internally?
Did you go auto or manual.
It's a proper auto rather than dsg apparently.

Are they can like or much more civilized like the transporter?

Cheers James

 

[poppycamper]

Yep good job... you must be well chuffed.. just one question.
Is it a Motor Caravan or Van With Windows. i.e what did DVLA make of it ???

 

[Raul]

I think you have done a great job so far. A friend of mine has done his own van conversion based on a sprinter with the same layout as yours. He had a problem with his kitchen window. His is top hinged and unfortunately when he opened his sliding door the door caught the window. He changed the window to a sliding opening to prevent any future damage.
Being retired it’s tempting to convert a van myself but being out most of the year with our current motorhome I just don’t think I have the time.

That’s exactly what I’m doing in few days. I got a sliding window to change the one by the kitchen. We catch it when we open the door. The small one I’m relocating it in the back door. It needs light there.

 

[Raul]

Lovely job, would have been my choice had I had 20k spare rather than 2k!!!
How wide is it internally?
Did you go auto or manual.
It's a proper auto rather than dsg apparently.

Are they can like or much more civilized like the transporter?

Cheers James

After interior walls installed, up to the middle up is 1700mm, then it narrows up towards the ceiling.
Manual 6 speed. The van is solid, does not have a tin feel like Renault,movano or sevel, well built and quality cabin, with helpful gadgets. It’s a trend line spec.

 

[Raul]

Yep good job... you must be well chuffed.. just one question.
Is it a Motor Caravan or Van With Windows. i.e what did DVLA make of it ???

It came back van with windows last year. Adrian flux are not interested a bit, I got great cover with them.

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[KiwiKampers]

I am very impressed. It was lovely to see the work in progress and I have to compliment you on being such a neat and tidy worker.
You will be an inspiration to others on Motorhome Fun.

 

[Raul]

I wanted to show, after I convinced my self, that you can get something well above converters if you got a decent budget and the will to do it. You only pay for important stuff you need and scrap the rest. And still come 1/2 the price ahead of the forecourt. The vans we have seen, none had any decent insulation. That is main think on a metal Box. Best bit: 2950kg with water, gas and all our usual stuff. I paid great attention to weight and only went in after I was satisfied with the weight. The two bits of walnut was a compromise for looks; my wife would not budge. After all you will lump every kg with you and that impacts on fuel, tyres, drivability and soft ground. A heavy chassis will have a harder life on suspension/ steering components as well. Keep it light and happy.

 

[StitchesnFluff]

Fantastic job, well done!

 

[Next Stop]

Quite an achievement looks like a top-quality build you've done there!

 

[Nasher]

Nice

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[CazPaul]

Wonderful account of a build.

I agree about insulation, it's the parts that you cannot see that are the most important, no manufactured PVC will have the same man hours and time/money spent on insulation as yours.

Is it MWB just less than 6 metres?

 

[mitzimad]

looks good only thing i can never understand is insulating the van for warmth and then putting cold single glazed windows in

 

[Raul]

Wonderful account of a build.

I agree about insulation, it's the parts that you cannot see that are the most important, no manufactured PVC will have the same man hours and time/money spent on insulation as yours.

Is it MWB just less than 6 metres?

The LWB is 6,85m and 4,3m inside. The MWB inside is 3,6m ; I’m guessing the hole length Would be just over 6m or 6,15m.

 

[Raul]

looks good only thing i can never understand is insulating the van for warmth and then putting cold single glazed windows in

You are right, the biggest heat los are those two windows. I have made some very effective thermal blinds and they help allot. At the time these two costed 250 for both including boning kit and delivery. The seitz s4 would of been 700 each, so 1400 for two. The security is not great on the plastics so I tried to keep those as small as possible. These two factors made me go for the solid windows.

 

[Terry]

Nice job
Did you get agreed value from AF ? Without it if anything happens they will try and payout just for the van and if you are lucky a couple of k for parts

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