From luton van to motorhome

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jojo77

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Hi
Has anyone found (or know if it's possible) of any conversions from a luton van type van to a motorhome.
I can find plenty of results of a box van with a couple beds inside etc, but nothing that matches the spec and detailling of a new motorhome, something like a Bustner nexxo or a kontiki sport

Basically I'd like a holiday motorhome but the wife absolutely won't buy in to the idea unless it is extremely comfortable for her and looks nice. Something that me and the kids would be fine with wouldn't be fine with her, so it'd need 2-3 fixed singles/bunk beds and a fixed double. shower,wc, cooking, seating and minimum 4 belted seats (which are capable of taking baby/child seats)

I'd be looking to pay for the conversion to be done but I just cannot find anything that doesn't look like it was specifically converted as cheaply as possible and while cost would be a consideration it's not the biggest issue but it would prevent buying off the shelf

thanks
 
According to the DVLA it is possible.

Current body type shown on your V5C registration certificate (log book)
DVLA will only consider changing the body type to motor caravan if the body type shown on your V5C registration certificate (log book) is currently one of the following:

  • ambulance
  • box van
  • goods
  • insulated van
  • light goods
  • light van
  • livestock carrier
  • Luton van
  • minibus
  • MPV (multi-purpose vehicle)
  • panel van
  • specially fitted van
  • special mobile unit
  • van with side windows
 
jojo77 said:
Hi
Has anyone found (or know if it's possible) of any conversions from a luton van type van to a motorhome.
I can find plenty of results of a box van with a couple beds inside etc, but nothing that matches the spec and detailling of a new motorhome, something like a Bustner nexxo or a kontiki sport

Basically I'd like a holiday motorhome but the wife absolutely won't buy in to the idea unless it is extremely comfortable for her and looks nice. Something that me and the kids would be fine with wouldn't be fine with her, so it'd need 2-3 fixed singles/bunk beds and a fixed double. shower,wc, cooking, seating and minimum 4 belted seats (which are capable of taking baby/child seats)

I'd be looking to pay for the conversion to be done but I just cannot find anything that doesn't look like it was specifically converted as cheaply as possible and while cost would be a consideration it's not the biggest issue but it would prevent buying off the shelf

thanks
Click to expand...

You won't get more than 3 seats in a Luton without some serious work. There is a big structural bulkhead between the rear box and the front cab that is much harder to remove than a PVC. You are required to have "communication" between any seating areas and the driving seat, so you can't leave it in place. Also, a Luton would likely be too small for all those fixed berths.
 
cmcardle75 said:
You won't get more than 3 seats in a Luton without some serious work. There is a big structural bulkhead between the rear box and the front cab that is much harder to remove than a PVC. You are required to have "communication" between any seating areas and the driving seat, so you can't leave it in place. Also, a Luton would likely be too small for all those fixed berths.
Click to expand...

I guess if she's happy with an overcab double, it would be doable, if the Luton box can be de-bulkheaded.
 
Unfortunately, a Luton will always look like a Luton no matter how cosmetically nice you make it.
DVLAs latest wisdom is to qualify as a motorhome it must look like a motorhome.... And without serious body restructuring a box with a box in front Luton never will meet their criteria.

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pappajohn said:
Unfortunately, a Luton will always look like a Luton no matter how cosmetically nice you make it.
DVLAs latest wisdom is to qualify as a motorhome it must look like a motorhome.... And without serious body restructuring a box with a box in front Luton never will meet their criteria.
Click to expand...

I bet DVLA cannot point to any law as subjective as that. They need to be challenged on the legal basis for their definition of a Motor Caravan.

Geoff
 
jojo77 said:
Hi
Has anyone found (or know if it's possible) of any conversions from a luton van type van to a motorhome.
I can find plenty of results of a box van with a couple beds inside etc, but nothing that matches the spec and detailling of a new motorhome, something like a Bustner nexxo or a kontiki sport

Basically I'd like a holiday motorhome but the wife absolutely won't buy in to the idea unless it is extremely comfortable for her and looks nice. Something that me and the kids would be fine with wouldn't be fine with her, so it'd need 2-3 fixed singles/bunk beds and a fixed double. shower,wc, cooking, seating and minimum 4 belted seats (which are capable of taking baby/child seats)
Click to expand...
Why not just buy some thing that is "extremely comfortable and looks nice"?
 
Thanks for that clarification, I didn't know about the dvla making rules. I use the term "Luton van" as a lay person, I just mean a van version of a motorhome bodyshape with overcab area for an additional bed. In my understanding of that dvla rule putting a bed above the cab would make it look the same as a motorhome
1603905341895.png


am I understanding that rule wrong?
 
funflair said:
Why not just buy some thing that is "extremely comfortable and looks nice"?
Click to expand...
the price of an off the shelf would send her off the edge hence seeing if it's possible to custom build something to her requirements

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jojo77 said:
the price of an off the shelf would send her off the edge hence seeing if it's possible to custom build something to her requirements
Click to expand...
I don't imagine you are going to save any money, somebody might build you a Panel Van Conversion but not a Coachbuilt which is what you are describing.
 
jojo77 said:
Thanks for that clarification, I didn't know about the dvla making rules. I use the term "Luton van" as a lay person, I just mean a van version of a motorhome bodyshape with overcab area for an additional bed. In my understanding of that dvla rule putting a bed above the cab would make it look the same as a motorhome
View attachment 436814

am I understanding that rule wrong?
Click to expand...
Yes you are. Putting a horse inside wouldn't make it a horsebox.
DVLA have a strict set of criteria regarding the inside... Bed/seating, a table, water, cooker, a cupboard/wardrobe... The list is on the DVLA website.
On top of that they recently insist the outside must look, as far as practical, like a factory built motorhome. Two side windows, a habitation door, graphics, an awning or awning rail.... The list goes on.
The interior is the easy part.... Their interpretation of a motorhome exterior differs to those who drive them.
If it doesn't meet their approval it will be registered as a van with windows.
If you altered it to look like your picture it would be accepted as it looks like a motorhome.... A square box van wouldn't.
 
pappajohn said:
A company, that's all they are, with very expensive lawyers onboard.
Click to expand...

I am not sure about that because 2-3 years ago I was asking to contact their legal department and was referred to the legal department of the Dept. for Transport. And they bless them referred me back to DVLA, but not the legal department.

Unless anything has changed the DVLA re an 'Agency' of the DfT so not a company.

Geoff
 
ok, thanks for this.
I'll probably just keep looking for a cheap french bed or something with a u shaped lounge and get someone to add 2 drop down singles above.
thanks
 
Actually, does anyone have a rough idea of how much / if it's possible to add a single above each of these sofa. I'm thinking £1,000 should do it?
1603972849568.png

That would allow me to look at a whole lot of options

thanks

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I have a spare fold out bunkbed if your interested?

I'm in West Yorkshire

Cheers James
 
Weight will be an issue with carrying four people, albeit some children. Do you have a C1 driving licence, does your wife have one in case you are ill? If not you are limited to 3500kg, not much with the requirements you list.

Perhaps you already own the Luton van or have been offered one at a good price, in which case I understand your idea of converting. If not I really think you should trawl the van dealers, Autotrader etc. for a used motorhome. Put a wanted add on this forum.

Maybe your wife does not fancy a conventional van, wanting something a little different to suit her character. I am thinking hippy van or something futuristic.
 
I'd say from personal experience if you were to pay someone to do a "selfbuild" it will end up costing more than a reasonable second hand motorhome, I'm halfway through my own build with the money I have spent I could have bought something ready to go. If I were to add my labor on top of that then I could probably buy brand new! (I am a slow worker though!)
<M>
 
Theres a 7 berth Hymer coachbuilt in the classifieds on here for £ 24,500.00that looks spot on for you. I doubt you could build anything better for the money.
 
She probably wants something posher camper van looking.

I pick up my teenage daughter from school once a week and she hates it!
What with the mountains sticker on the bonnet and the compass on the side....

Just need a if this vans rocking..... Sticker!!!

Cheers James

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Stealaway
That is a lovely looking conversion. Do you have any idea how much that cost him and if he'd be game for uploading any internal photos.
I'd assume that would also pass the DVLA rules as it looks like a motorhome

thanks
 
stephennn said:
Stealaway
That is a lovely looking conversion. Do you have any idea how much that cost him and if he'd be game for uploading any internal photos.
I'd assume that would also pass the DVLA rules as it looks like a motorhome

thanks
Click to expand...

Search - 'freespirit_c_g' on Instagram. You should find their build blog
 
Look at lo loader vans.

Wouldn't be too hard to line and window such a van.

If you brought new you could do the doors as you like rather than barn doors on the back.

Several builders on eBay.

Cheers James

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