Should I or shouldn’t I?

[Dazzola]

My van is a self build, it stands us at around 11k now inc buying the van, a 2015 with 111k miles, all the things you could want like a full size permanent bed, hot and cold water, private toilet etc.
I could sell it tomorrow for 16 -19k so it is entirely possible to save or make a huge chunk of money doing it yourself.

 

[Lenny HB]

a basic new Crafter is £40k + vat.!!

Wait until you spec it up, I speced up a Ducato last year they may start at under £30k, I came out at £65k and could have easily added over £10k more in options.

 

[Tonks]

You will struggle to keep a MAN TGE LWB (6.8m), same vehicle as a VW crafter, under 3.5tonnes. I know I've been there! Mine without a full water tank and camping 'stock' weighed in at 3.28tonnes so will need up-plating. With the uprated front axle at 1.2tonnes which came standard on my spec it can be up-plated 4.2tonnes by Van Weight Engineering simply as a paper exercise.

This one has recently been converted for me by Buckettz Dubz or Face Book (pictures of it on a FB entry for 26th November)

Poor photo but on display at Camper Mart yesterday (Feb 4th).

View attachment 862589

A useful forum for self-build of Crafter/TGE vans or FB page for similar info.

FYI the specification of the van that I ordered back in 2021 is here.

Can Mrs West66 not get a C1 licence? I've just had to get mine reinstated as I'm over the dreaded 70 years of age and Mrs R will hopefully be able to get hers back in the not too distant future.

Nice looking van there rod_vw.

 

[Dazzola]

Don't buy brand new, never understood that avenue, its losing money by the minute and mile.
2 or 3yrs old van that's had an easy life at 50% of the cost, should have zero issues, all recalls or problems should be sorted.

 

[Carol]

RedFrame Red has converted a van to similar specification lithium/solar no gas etc.
It looks amazing as well.

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[Northernraider]

That labour Knight who may be the next PM is talking about making civil service pensions tax free.

I wish you buggers south of the border would just for once try someone other than tory or Labour ( new tory) . I mean making the same mistake for decades and expecting a different result is just crazy. Both these parties know from experience that one will be in power and the other in opposition...so they get paid handsomely regardless .. its like a darts match there's really no losers.

Put both of them on the back benches for a decade at least and maybe then they'll work for the voters.

Till then the working class are just modern day slaves

 

[Northernraider]

Yes you have to be careful, the thing you have to think about is his current Carthago is a quality, well renowned Motorhome that holds its money.

Any van conversion that you DIY the resale value takes a big hit, regardless of how you build it.

Have a look on quirky campers website at the self builds with 200k + Miles and the 40k + pricetags

There's a whole generation that don't want to look like oldies by driving motorhomes ...self builds are cooler to them and they pay stupid money for them

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Don't buy brand new, never understood that avenue, its losing money by the minute and mile.
2 or 3yrs old van that's had an easy life at 50% of the cost, should have zero issues, all recalls or problems should be sorted.

Have a 3 year old van that’s worth what I paid for it and plenty have 3 year old vans worth more!! don’t see any for sale at 50% off.

 

[Jim]

Have a 3 year old van that’s worth what I paid for it and plenty have 3 year old vans worth more!!

This is an unusual but fortunate situation for many of us. Over the three years you've owned your van, its value has surged significantly. Prior to the pandemic, a van of three years would typically depreciate well below its purchase price. However, we are likely moving towards a market where this trend will resume.

The current trend of escalating van prices is unsustainable, and it's reasonable to predict that a new van purchased now at today's prices will depreciate to a value lower than its current price within the next three years.

 

[Realist]

Get a double decker bus and be done with it

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[RedFrame]

Thinking of selling my Carthago Chic C line and building my own van. The benefits for us would be we could retire a LOT earlier as I’m starting to struggle in the heavy maintenance side of quarry work.
I’m thinking of Merc, MAN or Crafter and the build would have no gas just 600ah of lithium and as much solar as I could fit, and diesel Truma. Everything else would be standard van build. Are there any downsides to this, other than the dvla and insurance? Is 6m adequate or would I need 6.8 LWB? Is there anyone who has done a build on any of the above and can offer advice?

Finished a W907 Sprinter last May:-

600Ah Lithium, 400W ish Solar, 100ltr ish Compressor fridge freezer, 2Kw Water Heater, 3KW Inverter Charger, Panasonic Combi Microwave/Convection/Grill, 2Kw Diesel Heater, full size Shower/Thetford Toilet, Fixed Kingsize bed, Twin Maxxair, 200ltr ish Water tanks.

Things to consider:-

Front Axle Weight- The Merc has a rubbish front axle weight so do not put an overcab locker in.

General Weight:- be very careful with your construction techniques, otherwise you'll easily be above 3500 unladen.

Length:- Minimum LWB on the Merc, I'd have preferred an XLWB but decent second hand ones are like finding Unicorns.

Weather!! I wouldn't attempt to build a van "on the drive", you need it in a workshop if you want to get it done in any reasonable time frame.

Tools:- If you've not got the tools they can eat a significant part of your budget. I used a Circular Saw, Jig saw, Trim Router, Drill (all battery power), Pocket Hole Jig and then General Hsnd tools.

Dedication:- Are you up to finishing the job, you will find yourself in some real down spots during the build, do you have the dedication to fight through?

Time:- Took me around 4 months Full time to complete 1000 hours ish.

Hope that helps,
any questions please ask.

Cheers
Red

 

[WESTY66]

Finished a W907 Sprinter last May:-

600Ah Lithium, 400W ish Solar, 100ltr ish Compressor fridge freezer, 2Kw Water Heater, 3KW Inverter Charger, Panasonic Combi Microwave/Convection/Grill, 2Kw Diesel Heater, full size Shower/Thetford Toilet, Fixed Kingsize bed, Twin Maxxair, 200ltr ish Water tanks.

Things to consider:-

Front Axle Weight- The Merc has a rubbish front axle weight so do not put an overcab locker in.

General Weight:- be very careful with your construction techniques, otherwise you'll easily be above 3500 unladen.

Length:- Minimum LWB on the Merc, I'd have preferred an XLWB but decent second hand ones are like finding Unicorns.

Weather!! I wouldn't attempt to build a van "on the drive", you need it in a workshop if you want to get it done in any reasonable time frame.

Tools:- If you've not got the tools they can eat a significant part of your budget. I used a Circular Saw, Jig saw, Trim Router, Drill (all battery power), Pocket Hole Jig and then General Hsnd tools.

Dedication:- Are you up to finishing the job, you will find yourself in some real down spots during the build, do you have the dedication to fight through?

Time:- Took me around 4 months Full time to complete 1000 hours ish.

Hope that helps,
any questions please ask.

Cheers
Red

Thanks RedFrame would you or others that have done builds care to share the floor plans with me (both 6 and 6.8m vans) and the neatest smartest ideas you have used on your build?
Just for clarification, it will be a used cheaper van, I can pick a half decent one up for 15k or less, I can do all the insulation, window/skylights etc, I have a funster friend who will help do the electrics for me (he doesn’t know it yet) I can plumb stuff in, so just the cabinetry to sort out. I am more than capable of fettling all the mechanics of the base van. I know it’s not going to be a quick job and so Ive allowed Myself 3 weeks (I’m kidding) maybe a few months to get it something like

 

[Minxy]

I have a funster friend who will help do the electrics for me (he doesn’t know it yet)

Ooo I wonder who that is?

 

[busby]

THinksey

Agreed BUT we are still a lucky generation as we haven’t had to go and fight for our country like our fathers and grandfathers..

I’m guessing most (on Fun) are too old to be conscripted to fight a war against Putin, so we’ve effectively all had the opportunity to work and pay tax to contribute to the country as opposed to having to give our lives….

As a generation, we really have been quite fortunate…

I am too old even for The Salvation Army..can't play a cornet either..BUSBY.

 

[RedFrame]

Thanks RedFrame would you or others that have done builds care to share the floor plans with me (both 6 and 6.8m vans) and the neatest smartest ideas you have used on your build?
Just for clarification, it will be a used cheaper van, I can pick a half decent one up for 15k or less, I can do all the insulation, window/skylights etc, I have a funster friend who will help do the electrics for me (he doesn’t know it yet) I can plumb stuff in, so just the cabinetry to sort out. I am more than capable of fettling all the mechanics of the base van. I know it’s not going to be a quick job and so Ive allowed Myself 3 weeks (I’m kidding) maybe a few months to get it something like

Probably easier if I bring it over for you to have a nose around and ask questions really...

I work Mon and Thursdays, so easy to make a trip over your way and wild. Just let me know when suits, via PM...

Cheers
Red.

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[Dazzola]

Have you looked at pre-cut kits for specific vans?
There's quite a few available for popular stuff like sprinters, boxers crafters.
For a few grand they have all the furniture side sorted?

 

[Lenny HB]

I have a funster friend who will help do the electrics for me (he doesn’t know it yet

Who is that anyone I know?

 

[busby]

Who is that anyone I know?

Can't rely on someone who's always on tour..BUSBY..

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Who is that anyone I know?

Nope not me unless he wants it burnt out for insurance claim

 

[WESTY66]

Who is that anyone I know?

You’ve known him all your life

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[RedFrame]

WESTY66 Layout is something like this... ( Not to scale )

1) Inverter Charger
2) 300Ah Lithium
3) 2Kw Eberspacher Diesel heater
4) 2Kw Water Heater
5) 100 Ltr Water Tank
6) Overhead Locker
7) Combi Oven, Wardrobe
8) Raised Bed (1mtr underneath)
9) Swivel table extension
10) Bench Seat
11) Compressor Fridge Freezer

Cheers
Red.

 

[WESTY66]

RedFrame is your sprinter 6m or 6.8m?

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

WESTY66 Layout is something like this... ( Not to scale )

View attachment 870776

1) Inverter Charger
2) 300Ah Lithium
3) 2Kw Eberspacher Diesel heater
4) 2Kw Water Heater
5) 100 Ltr Water Tank
6) Stolen biscuits overhead Locker
7) Combi Oven, Wardrobe
8) Raised Bed (1mtr underneath)
9) Swivel table extension
10) Bench Seat
11) Compressor Fridge Freezer

Cheers
Red.

I have amended that for him

 

[RedFrame]

RedFrame is your sprinter 6m or 6.8m?

It's the L3 (6.967m) provides 4.4m loadspace.

Cheers
Red

 

[Dutch 68]

Keep your current MH westy, ( until someone is bored and passes on their gin palace to you)

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[Ditcha]

Well I think the decision is made, the Carthago will be going shortly to complete the first part of the plan, pity really as I’ve got everything serviced then look to get a van later on in the year to convert unless we see something we like in the meantime, but earlier retirement, here we come no working til 67 for me

I wouldn't retire wish I could get a job honest it's not all its made out to be

 

[WESTY66]

I wouldn't retire wish I could get a job honest it's not all its made out to be

View attachment 870794

I did. start a reply to this but just checked the weather in Coventry and it doesn’t look good so I deleted it

 

[WESTY66]

Keep your current MH westy, ( until someone is bored and passes on their gin palace to you)

As much as I like funflair martins (and Jens) Morelo Id like him to put at least 120,000 miles on it first to run it in before he hands it over

 

[funflair]

As much as I like funflair martins (and Jens) Morelo Id like him to put at least 120,000 miles on it first to run it in before he hands it over

In 4 years we have done just over 22k I reckon another 16 years can you wait that long? I bet you will want a service on it as well

 

[WESTY66]

In 4 years we have done just over 22k I reckon another 16 years can you wait that long? I bet you will want a service on it as well

I can wait, I have yoof on my side, oh and yes a service would be great

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