A larger van will be the answer, with a shower/toilet combined unit built into the interior layout. Great North Road. It is a camper, although certainly isn't based on a van. Known as the van which you can practically take anywhere, the best micro camper combines the most significant features of both a caravan and a small van. Many campervan owners live as much outside as they do inside, and there’s a wide array of equipment that you might want to fit to the exterior of your ‘van to facilitate this. The best way to store equipment is to design your van to accommodate your hobby from the start. There are also some superb conversion kits that would suit these vans. They have low roofs, car-like driving manners and a good range of engines (including fully-electric models), while payloads are high enough that you’ll never have to worry about overpacking. And don’t forget a laundry basket! Models without a fixed bed will also need somewhere to store your bed linen during the day. It might not seem like a big issue, but the peace of mind that comes from knowing you are likely to find parking space and not meet a vehicle coming the other way that you cannot squeeze past is a big benefit. Conversely, if you are going to travel to places that are very remote and where campsites are unlikely comodities, then you will need to be more self-sufficient (e.g. Total freedom is a real luxury and it’s something that campervanning offers – you decide where you drive, where you stop, what and when you eat and drink, and where you sleep. Best of luck on your search for the perfect van! Being so popular, the Transit Connect has also made it quite high on the list for many self-build converters making it one of the best small vans for a camper conversion. All of these vans have their good and bad points. A Ford Transit in red. The requirements are somewhat ambiguous and if you’re undertaking the project on your own we’d suggest seeking help from a specialist in order to make sure your vehicle qualifies. American Safari's JXL conversion for the Jeep Wrangler is nacv;wdc—which is to say, "not a camper van; we don't care." If the answer to this question is yes, then you need not worry about the cost implications of van size. If you’re thinking of a day van or simple camper, then the other less expensive vans can be good value. However, if you are a climber, surfer, cyclist or paraglider then you need to think about kit storage. consider having solar panels, shower facilities etc). The Transit’s also great value both to buy and to run. Main image caption Campervan conversions guide – Advice and best vans for conversion The appeal of a campervan holiday is easy to see, whether you're in the UK or further afield. Generally the small car/vans such as Citroen Berlingo’s or Peugot Partners will be cheaper than larger vans but it starts to depend more on brand and condition. It’s a fair question to ask. If the interior woodwork is a high priority for your van conversion, Rossmönster Vans is an excellent choice. The small to medium panel van is the most popular van size for camper conversions. We chose to convert a larger van due to plans to travel for prolonged periods of time, as well as having multiple hobbies including climbing and cycling. The ‘Must Have’ list. The VW T2 is without doubt one of the most iconic campervans of all time, and with that comes enthusiasts who love to make the finest campervan conversions around. Panel Van. If you live in the USA or Australia for example, then this question is perhaps less important. If you are only planning on weekend trips away in your van then size is almost no issue, infact smaller is probably better than bigger. The VW Transporter is perhaps the most iconic campervan base vehicle and with no surprise. The surge in recent years of courier services means there are loads of used panel vans to choose from. Known as the van which you can practically take anywhere, the best micro camper combines the most significant features of both a caravan and a small van. When it comes to choosing the best van for your camper conversion, there are lots of questions you need to ask yourself before you settle on a final decision. Ford Transit. Of all the items in your van, don’t skimp on these – campers in the past have often had flimsy seats that don’t adequately support or protect occupants in a crash. Let’s look at the types of vehicle available, and which is best suited to you. Smaller vans will benefit from a pop-top roof or permanent high-top to provide standing room and additional storage. But if you want to travel for a week or longer then you need to think about what you need to live comfortably. The small to medium panel van is the most popular van size for camper conversions. One of these finest campers comes from our good friends Danbury Campervans, a company based in the UK who creat custom campervan conversions for a wide range of Transporters. See 25 results for Best van to convert to camper UK at the best prices, with the cheapest ad starting from £7,390. And even the stingiest farmer would probably concede it’s better to get a purpose-built tractor than to upgrade their Volvo with big wheels and a plough. www.hillsideleisure.co.uk. if so, where is the best place to position it? Remember that a van is, by and large, a working vehicle, and particularly if you’re buying second-hand you may not get many of the amenities you’re used to in your car. For most, this will include a toilet and a shower, unless you plan to use campsites, but this can be more expensive long term and restrict where you travel. The question here is whether you want to re-register your vehicle with the DVLA as a campervan rather than a regular van. Looking for more options? We learnt that v, We took a well deserved break from the van on Sund, Questions to Ask Before You Decide on Van Size, Pros, Cons and Examples of Car-Derived Vans, Pros, Cons and Examples of Small/Medium Panel Vans, Pros, Cons and Examples of Large Panel Vans, Summary Table (Click Here for a Quick Overview), DVLA regulations for re-registering a van to a motor caravan. Pricier than some rivals and with a poorer payload but the Sprinter makes up for it with an excellent aftersales network and stellar reliability. Do I need a special licence to drive a campervan? If you’re installing any additional travel seats besides the two or three in the cab, source them properly and have their installation checked by a professional. Do you need a cooker? The Gross Vehicle Weight needs to be about 3.5 tonnes. Your email is safe and will only be used for our newsletters. These homes-away-from-home can be made to suit just about everybody, with models available at both ends of the market – you can have something as simple as a van with folding seats, right up to virtual spa hotel on wheels. In the UK ex British Telecom vans are a good buy, as they have service history, and there are normally many around. There are a number of ways to build your dining table, but the most common is to buy a ready built table leg and attach a table top. As such, building your own camper can be ideal if your needs are somewhat unusual – maybe you’ve a large family and need plenty of travel seats, or you need the van to be accessible by wheelchair. American Safari's JXL conversion for the Jeep Wrangler is nacv;wdc—which is to say, "not a camper van; we don't care." The model length is really important to consider when thinking about what you want to fit into your camper conversion. A quick and easy upgrade is a new stereo, which can bring smartphone connectivity, sat-nav and charging capabilities to even the oldest of cabs. Campervan body styles - which motorhome is right for me? You’ll see many of these lining the lanes of a British campsite, and for good reason. If however, the answer is no, then you might seriously need to consider the cost differences of a small and large van. Meeting up-to-date emissions regulations will also help you stay legal for longer, able to drive your ‘van into cities that may ban older diesel vehicles. Main image caption Campervan conversions guide – Advice and best vans for conversion The appeal of a campervan holiday is easy to see, whether you're in the UK or further afield. Best medium van to convert. Registered Office: Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA H Bauer Publishing, After all, nobody recommends chopping the roof off your family hatchback – they recommend purchasing a convertible instead. You may also be eligible for cheaper ferry or toll road prices. https://news.motors.co.uk/these-are-the-best-vans-for-a-camper-conversion You’ll also benefit from a more modern vehicle – one with more advanced safety, comfort and interior technology. This is the best-selling van in the UK for a reason – it’s great to drive, hugely versatile and so ubiquitous that repairs are cheap and easy. Medium size vans offer the best of both worlds, offering more flexibility for both business and camper conversions, while being slightly easier to drive and cheaper to buy than some big van options. Third-party conversion companies purchase vans and fit the interiors out as a separate venture. We’d recommend searching out a model with in-cab air-conditioning, as it’ll make holidays in hot weather far, far more pleasant. Other vans of a similar size can be great alternatives if you are on a tighter budget. Always allow for more than you think you’ll need, and remember to specialise it – kitchen storage ought to have accommodations to keep plates, cups and cutlery secure and safe during transit, for example. It’s one of our favourite vans to drive, and the range offers lots of choice. They’re based on two of the best panel vans you can buy today, Volkswagen’s classy Transporter and Ford’s best-selling Transit Custom. The van of choice for many premium converters, the Sprinter’s one of our favourite panel vans. Maintenance should be effortless, with a network of Ford van centres across the country – and if you want something a little different, Ford will even sell you a plug-in hybrid model with unchanged interior dimensions, ideal for the eco-conscious camper. It’s a great, solid base vehicle and you’ll be in excellent company if you opt for it. The DVLA doesn’t make life easy for DIY converters to change their vehicle designation, however, and campervans must meet a strict set of guidelines aimed at ensuring your vehicle resembles the description of a campervan – that’s so police or other enforcement agencies can identify it as such. Campervan twin test: Volkswagen California vs Ford Transit Custom Nugget, The Parkers Guide to factory-supported campervans, Campervan conversions guide – Advice and best vans for conversion, Ford Transit Custom, Parkers Van of the Year 2021, Building your own campervan conversion is easier than it sounds, Plenty of firms in the UK to help with custom conversions, Can save you money and gives you infinite choice, The latest independent car advice and reviews, Expert guidance to help you buy or sell at the right price. The VW T2 is without doubt one of the most iconic campervans of all time, and with that comes enthusiasts who love to make the finest campervan conversions around. It’s one of the best vans on sale to drive, while its efficient diesel engines mean you can expect low running costs. Electric mirrors are useful for manoeuvring, and while a reversing camera is nice to have they’re fairly inexpensive to fit after purchase. 845898). Older diesel engines may also be better-suited to the months of sitting idle that many motorhomes do, and can be easier to work on at home. As long as you steer clear of major structural modifications to the van’s chassis, engine or cab, you can convert the load area of your van to be just about anything you like – including a camper. If you are not buying new, which is more than often the case for DIY van converters, then it is actually quite difficult to say whether smaller or larger is cheaper as so many other factors come into play such as mileage, history and current condition. For safety, electrical, gas and plumbing installations should either be fitted by a professional or checked over by one. But with a typical 4 berth full conversion, the VW still ends up being the best van for a camper conversion. The 5 Best Vans for Your DIY Camper Conversion By Megan Barber The Next Gen van from Outside Van uses a Mercedes Sprinter as its base and a fun teal, leather, and orange color scheme. But, if you live in the UK or other European countries, or intend to travel there, then you need to consider road size. campervans sold through main car manufacturers, The full list of requirements is available on the DVLA website. Experienced converters may use anything from an MPV to an old hearse for a campervan conversion – but most will be based on medium to large panel vans. ⛰️ Travel & Climbing Lover ‍♀️ DIY Van Conversion Blogger latest post : If you have any questions regarding my blog or just want to get in touch, I would be more than happy to hear from you! Could you recommend the best LWB panel vans suitable for a campervan conversion that would meet Euro6 diesel emissions standards? All registered in England and Wales. 1. >> Campervan body styles - which motorhome is right for me? A campervan essential. You might wish to visit a motorhome dealer where you’ll be able to get a good look at many different layouts all at once, in order to figure out which works best for you. There are alternatives, such as an external shower and a portable toilet, but for most this is the option that is easiest and which provides the most comfort. However, a used vehicle provides a very useful cost saving, even if you’re only shopping vans that are a couple of years old. The thing is, converting a campervan isn’t like building an all-new vehicle from the ground up. One of the best things about a Luton van is that the extra space above the cab of the van is large enough to comfortably hold a … Those that have tail gates offer a sheltered space outside the van to cook under. More materials will be needed for a large van conversion, more fuel when on the road and often higher insurance costs during the conversion if you choose to keep it on the road. VAT no 918 5617 01 Luckily for those undertaking their own conversions, there’s a huge array of Transporters around – often in high specifications making for a van that’s powerful, comfortable to drive and stylish too. Choosing the right base vehicle for your campervan conversion is very important. If you passed your driving test before 1997, you're authorised to drive vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes in total weight - known as maximum authorised mass, or MAM. One of these finest campers comes from our good friends Danbury Campervans, a company based in the UK who creat custom campervan conversions for a wide range of Transporters. Converting your own camper can be far cheaper than buying one from the regular campervan market – you don’t need to support the costs of the factory that built it, the dealership that sold it to you or really anything besides your own time and materials. Company Number: LP003328 Registered Office: Academic House, 24-28 Oval Road, London, NW1 7DT. One downside to a micro campervan is that as of the October 2019, the DVLA regulations for re-registering a van to a motor caravan has excluded any van that does not look like a campervan in traffic, including most if not all car-derived vans. > Why convert a van?> Is it legal to convert a van into a campervan?> Should I buy a new or used van?> How much does a camper conversion cost? There are two main benefits to a DIY camper conversion. The classic route is a tricky one, because the best vans - like the Volkswagen Type 2, for example - are also among the most expensive to buy. We forward planned a high, fixed bed, with storage underneath to accommodate our climbing kit and bouldering mats. They are good for 1 or 2 people on long trips. However even the relatively handy might find this a struggle, and for most we’d suggest factoring in at least a few thousand pounds in order to get the job done properly. Having a table in your camper to eat, work or play board games will be vital and is actually one of the DVLA’s requirements for converting a camper in the UK. But there’s one thing that unites most campervans purchased in the traditional way – expense. A car-derived van, or micro campervan, is an excellent option for those that want to have short breaks away in their vans. The benefits of doing this are higher speed limits on UK roads, as well as the possibility of securing lower insurance premiums (or those tailored to campers). Examples are provided here to illustrate the process in my own van, undoubtedly yours will differ as you create your own unique camper. If you passed your driving test after 1997, however, you're only authorised to drive vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM by default. What about storage? The larger kit your hobby requires then the larger a van you may need. Fixed beds are a boon for those who like their rest, but they don’t provide much flexibility, so choose wisely – layout is key in a small camper.
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