From van to campervan (the beginning)

[John.]

Well managed to see the van in the middle of its conversion today.
Starting to look like a campervan now !!

Broken Link Removed

 

[Paddywack]

You might want to pixelate your number plate.

 

[BreweryDave]

You might want to pixelate your number plate.

I don't know why people do that - it's on full public display all the time!


Nice van btw!

 

[John.]

Cropped it now

 

[StitchesnFluff]

It looks good!

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[Terry]

Hi looking good but what has been done ? Some before pics would be nice That way we have an idea from the start-I assume you have had the roof done and the back door cards lined ---did you have windows in sides and rears done or buy with them in ? Also any pics of inside
terry

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

We pick up our New long wheel base peugeot boxer Today. Ralph would love a huge place like you've got to convert ours, I can tell you!
Keep the pictures coming !

 

[mitzimad]

i cant understand this worry about number plates mine is outside the house most days or on the public highway can someone explain why its a bad idea to display it

 

[scotjimland]

Ralph would love a huge place like you've got to convert ours,

so would I. .. once did one on the drive.. never again..

but I don't think the OP is doing it himself..
sounds like he was visiting the convertor..

Well managed to see the van in the middle of its conversion today.

 

[Cat53]

Exciting!

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[scotjimland]

i cant understand this worry about number plates mine is outside the house most days or on the public highway can someone explain why its a bad idea to display it

Not too sure.. but I think one of the reasons is scam adverts..
With a Reg Number you can look it up on the DVLA data base, and with the pictures it can then be used for scam adverts in ebay ..

 

[CWH]

This is a real beginner question.
Why do people have a conversion done rather than buy a ready-made campervan? I assume it's so that you can have the layout you want rather than compromise with somebody else's design? Or is it for quality?
What are the pros & cons please? cost comparison? any other points?

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

This is a real beginner question.
Why do people have a conversion done rather than buy a ready-made campervan? I assume it's so that you can have the layout you want rather than compromise with somebody else's design? Or is it for quality?
What are the pros & cons please? cost comparison? any other points?

We Managed to get our present Motorhome right first time. We gave been very happy with everything about it. It has served us well.
But now we want to downsize , yo get to more of the out of way places we love.
We are doing ours because we can do it exactly how we want. Ralphs putting, in his opinion , the best fixtures and fittings . He has picked the best ideas and features from all the well known pvc manufacturers and is going to put them in ours. Granted it's costing a lot of money , It's a brand new van with all new fixtures and fittings . We aren't scrimping , but it will be done how we want.
We plan on keeping it indefinately .

 

[Terry]

Lots of reasons

This is a real beginner question.
Why do people have a conversion done rather than buy a ready-made campervan? I assume it's so that you can have the layout you want rather than compromise with somebody else's design? Or is it for quality?
What are the pros & cons please? cost comparison? any other points?

Lots of reasons -pro and cons-
PRO'S Layout you want
van you want
cost may be a factor
new conversion all new parts
you have a say in what you want rather than take what's on offer
some conversions may cost more than the big boys but most will be less
One off so unique
Will convert a second hand van so a very big saving

CONS
resale value -offset by small convertor costs .
One off so unique
Quality of conversion =convertor

Basically the cost of parts is the same but the big convertors get big discounts -yet if you know where and what you are buying the small convertor can get good deals --whether these deals get passed onto end customer depends on final price of conversion
EXAMPLE
BASED ON LWB FIAT GROUP VAN
cheapest big convertor =£36k
small convertor =£27k ish
using more or less same parts--build quality should be as good if not better than main manufacturers in that things should be screwed together better and the small guy will have a lot more pride/care --- 9k saving can be offset come sale time --OMO
terry

 

[John.]

Hi looking good but what has been done ? Some before pics would be nice That way we have an idea from the start-I assume you have had the roof done and the back door cards lined ---did you have windows in sides and rears done or buy with them in ? Also any pics of inside
terry

Hi Terry
Bought the van purely for the conversion its a standard LWB panel van
jobs done up to now :--
6 windows
Roof/bed fitted
Eberspacher fitted
Sides insulated & lined
Exterior side steps
Exterior gas point
Seat swivel base to front double
New floor
Thats it up to now hopefully it will be finished in a couple of weeks
yesterday was the first time I've seen the van since I dropped it off.

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[John.]

We pick up our New long wheel base peugeot boxer Today. Ralph would love a huge place like you've got to convert ours, I can tell you!
Keep the pictures coming !

Not my place I'm afraid Bev Far too tidy lol.
Brilliant news on you Boxer (bet you can't wait)

 

[John.]

Exciting!

Couldn't have put it better myself

 

[CWH]

Thanks for replies @Ralph-n-Bev & @Terry (sorry for the deviation @Charlie - Minton )
It sounds exciting and a very satisfying project. Might have to pick your brains more on this in the future when we have a bit more experience under our belts...

 

[John.]

This is a real beginner question.
Why do people have a conversion done rather than buy a ready-made campervan? I assume it's so that you can have the layout you want rather than compromise with somebody else's design? Or is it for quality?
What are the pros & cons please? cost comparison? any other points?

CWH
In our case we decided on a new base vehicle which gives us reliability & manufactures 4year warranty (we hope)

As its a part of our retirement plan we wanted a bespoke conversion to suit us hopefully we've covered all bases.

Not sure about the cost comparison ours will be about 33k so a lot cheaper than the big motorhomes.

One big factor for us regarding a van conversion or motorhome was the size our camper will be approx 2.100 high
& 5.500 long when mobile.
Although we will be a bit limited (we think) on space we will have a pull out awning & driveaway awning.

 

[CWH]

our camper will be approx 2.100 high & 5.500 long

This is roughly the size we were looking for but ended up with just over 7m. We love it to bits but can't do everything we want & as we can see where there's wasted space, we're seriously considering down-sizing. Maybe in another year when the depreciation hit won't feel so bad.
Which driveaway do you have? Are you pleased with your choice?

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[John.]

Which driveaway do you have? Are you pleased with your choice?

We got the Outwell country road Its still in its box!! In fact once we get the camper back might not fit all the goodies we've bought in it
Will let you know how the awning is in a couple of weeks.

 

[John.]

Found another photo on my phone gives an idea where its going

 

[John.]

Well it's finished.
Insured & ready to roll off to pick it up in the morning

 

[scotjimland]

Well it's finished.
Insured & ready to roll off to pick it up in the morning

safe travels.. enjoy the new toy , bet you are like a dog with two tails..

looking forward to hearing how the maiden voyage goes

and some more pictures..

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

I bet your so excited. Make sure to post plenty pictures. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

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[Photo4x4]

You might want to pixelate your number plate.

I tried that but the policeman who stopped me said it was illegal!

I thought it would prevent me getting booked by speed cameras.

Keith Hart