ferny
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 983
Club RR Member Number: 13
|
|
Aug 12, 2021 21:19:11 GMT
|
|
Hey ever-ray-body, I want to pick your brains.
I've just spent 6 days in Wales in and around camper vans and now the itch to own one is huge. I used to be a plumber (now teach) so I've had a redundant one for a few years now and I'll be using that to do my own conversion.
My question(s) - those who have one or who have built one, what are your main pluses and negatives? What is awesome and what would you do differently?
I'll be doing the whole conversion myself and it'll be great to get real world advice from genuine experiences before I dive in.
|
| |
|
|
stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,833
Club RR Member Number: 174
|
|
Aug 12, 2021 23:15:38 GMT
|
|
Depending on where you want to camp the main thing I see is people who cram too much stuff in for their needs. I reckon it's best to just treat it more like a tent on wheels for weekend work. Make the bed big and comfy and just chuck a BBQ, a camping stove, a cool box and a drum of water in for going away.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Theres quite a good series on YouTube about a guy converting an ambulance into a camper, obvs it'll be different from a basic van, but I found it really useful/interesting what he achieved
|
| |
|
|
Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,907
|
|
Aug 16, 2021 21:58:44 GMT
|
|
My wife and I have converted a 2003 Renault Trafic High Top LWB (@thebigblueo on Insta) if you want some ideas.
The only downside so far is that once you've pitched up somewhere you can't drive anywhere else unless you pack up...if you're camping you can just zip up the tent and go.
But the benefits far outweigh the negatives...it takes a fraction of the time to pack and unpack, it's so much more comfortable to sleep in a foldout bed in insulated surroundings with lights, a cool box and PortaPotty. I wired in umpteen USB plugs and a solar panel to keep everything charged, and with the option of mains hookup I can watch TV from the sofa.
Van prices do seem to have gone up as a result of Covid though...
|
| |
|
|
elfman
Part of things
Posts: 394
|
|
Aug 16, 2021 22:13:36 GMT
|
|
I converted a MWB Mercedes Sprinter with a high roof so standing is easy.
I bought an old caravan stripped it so had beds, cooker, lights, fridge, tables, loads of cupboards, wardrobe and toilet compartment.
Fully insulated the van, bought windows and fitted it out adding microwave and LED lights, and fitted a boot area for outside table and chairs.
Then sold the caravan chassis, and weighed in the alloy body.
I'm selling it at the moment but have had 9 great years, might do a smaller one next so i can use it more as a car.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
  My mates swb caddy. It also has a drive away awning. Brilliant bit of kit. |
| |
|
|
