Building your own campervan
Discussion
After being inspired by many threads on here and a possible new garage being built st the house I'm considering building my own campervan, to be honest it's more about the journey than the destination for me, Iv never really been into camping apart from a couple of nights a car shows I attend. I'd like to go and see more of scotland though so Iv been thinking about this a lot recently. The thing holding me back is I probably wouldn't use it as much as I think I would, but, would it be a worthwhile project to do moneywise, I'm not doing it to make money but I wouldn't like to lose a lot. I would do all the work myself possibly even right down to building the furniture myself.
I'd have a budget of around 10-12k. Obviously the VW are out because of the scene tax, so been looking at a merc sprinter as I'd like to be able to stand up and have a bit room. It would need to seat and sleep 4 people safely and I'd probably like one fixed bed.
If I don't do this it will be an underside restoration on my current car instead.
Discuss please.
I'd have a budget of around 10-12k. Obviously the VW are out because of the scene tax, so been looking at a merc sprinter as I'd like to be able to stand up and have a bit room. It would need to seat and sleep 4 people safely and I'd probably like one fixed bed.
If I don't do this it will be an underside restoration on my current car instead.
Discuss please.
SimboRS said:
...Obviously the VW are out because of the scene tax....
Although you are always guaranteed a decent selling price on a VW, whereas you might not on a cheaper but obsolete van from another marque. If you are worried about lack of use, it might be worth thinking of a smaller van than a Sprinter as then it would be easier to use as a daily driver or just for a daytrip where you can park in a normal space.
If your practical enough and enjoy building stuff then go for it.
Your right in avoiding the VW route if you want to save money on the base van, a merc sprinter is a good size for a useable camper, the swb VW's, transits etc are a bit cramped for much more than a day van or the odd night, imo.
As an alternative to the Merc what about LWB Fiat Ducato / Peugeot boxer these are value for money and make a nice looking camper once dressed up a bit.
As regards the internal cupboards etc there's loads for sale on the ebay for not massive money and save a lot of time on what will be a bigger/ longer job than you realise, or a good trick buy a knackered caravan for a couple hundred quid and transplant the fittings inside your van
Get your self a book on self building a camper, in fact I have one called 1K camper, http://www.1kcamper.co.uk/1k-camper-pictures.html they build a camper for a grand including the base van.
Good luck with it.
Your right in avoiding the VW route if you want to save money on the base van, a merc sprinter is a good size for a useable camper, the swb VW's, transits etc are a bit cramped for much more than a day van or the odd night, imo.
As an alternative to the Merc what about LWB Fiat Ducato / Peugeot boxer these are value for money and make a nice looking camper once dressed up a bit.
As regards the internal cupboards etc there's loads for sale on the ebay for not massive money and save a lot of time on what will be a bigger/ longer job than you realise, or a good trick buy a knackered caravan for a couple hundred quid and transplant the fittings inside your van
Get your self a book on self building a camper, in fact I have one called 1K camper, http://www.1kcamper.co.uk/1k-camper-pictures.html they build a camper for a grand including the base van.
Good luck with it.
Truckosaurus said:
Although you are always guaranteed a decent selling price on a VW, whereas you might not on a cheaper but obsolete van from another marque.
If you are worried about lack of use, it might be worth thinking of a smaller van than a Sprinter as then it would be easier to use as a daily driver or just for a daytrip where you can park in a normal space.
Smaller transit van size are pretty tight size wise, I get the fact that they are easier to drive and park etc, most of the ones on here are fabulous conversions but they do look cramped for anything more than a couple. And unless you're pretty hardcore it's a small space for more than a few nights in. I know lots of people do it, I think for me I'd rather have a fixed bed and a little more space.If you are worried about lack of use, it might be worth thinking of a smaller van than a Sprinter as then it would be easier to use as a daily driver or just for a daytrip where you can park in a normal space.
Yipper said:
Don't do it!
My parents spent tens of thousands building their own campervan and it was nothing but trouble. Water leaks, engine breakdowns, electrical problems, you name it.
Just buy a professionally made one off the shelf.
Depends on the OP's building skills and what he thinks he can accomplish. We've seen plenty of build threads on here with examples that would put the pros to shame. Perhaps your parents just aren't very good.My parents spent tens of thousands building their own campervan and it was nothing but trouble. Water leaks, engine breakdowns, electrical problems, you name it.
Just buy a professionally made one off the shelf.
Yipper said:
Don't do it!
My parents spent tens of thousands building their own campervan and it was nothing but trouble. Water leaks, engine breakdowns, electrical problems, you name it.
Just buy a professionally made one off the shelf.
Sounds like they bought a shed as a base, why on earth would adding some cupboards in the back of a van be related to engine problems and water leaks? My parents spent tens of thousands building their own campervan and it was nothing but trouble. Water leaks, engine breakdowns, electrical problems, you name it.
Just buy a professionally made one off the shelf.
Look for a VW T5 which has had a fairly easy life. Yes theyre expensive but theyre fairly depreciation proof if you do it right. You wont get the same residuals on a transit.
Do all your own lining, electrics and building and you may even break a profit if its a good job.
Theyre a small van but it doesnt stop people using them. I use mine overnight for work every few weeks, often do 3 nights on the trot and for last 3 years, done a 2-3week trip with wife and child under 3! I do need an awning for that though, mainly for storing a few bits.
Do all your own lining, electrics and building and you may even break a profit if its a good job.
Theyre a small van but it doesnt stop people using them. I use mine overnight for work every few weeks, often do 3 nights on the trot and for last 3 years, done a 2-3week trip with wife and child under 3! I do need an awning for that though, mainly for storing a few bits.
Depending on your skillset and time commitment, the appeal of the VW Transporters is that as they're so popular there's plenty of people offering things designed to fit, and if you wanted to sell there's a good market for well-converted campers. They're a good size too for normal carparks and everyday driving about. Not really a good solution for 4 though.
Agree on going a size up - good thread here on a DIY conversion of a Fiat Ducato XLWB into a family camper - I think his total budget was £10k (5 on the van) although did go a little past that by putting some nicer things in.
Agree on going a size up - good thread here on a DIY conversion of a Fiat Ducato XLWB into a family camper - I think his total budget was £10k (5 on the van) although did go a little past that by putting some nicer things in.
A PHer did it too - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=13...
Chicken Chaser said:
Look for a VW T5 which has had a fairly easy life. Yes theyre expensive but theyre fairly depreciation proof if you do it right. You wont get the same residuals on a transit.
Do all your own lining, electrics and building and you may even break a profit if its a good job.
Theyre a small van but it doesnt stop people using them. I use mine overnight for work every few weeks, often do 3 nights on the trot and for last 3 years, done a 2-3week trip with wife and child under 3! I do need an awning for that though, mainly for storing a few bits.
Do all your own lining, electrics and building and you may even break a profit if its a good job.
Theyre a small van but it doesnt stop people using them. I use mine overnight for work every few weeks, often do 3 nights on the trot and for last 3 years, done a 2-3week trip with wife and child under 3! I do need an awning for that though, mainly for storing a few bits.
They don't have to be super expensive either, I built mine for about £12k.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
If I wanted a bigger van, I'd probably go for a Crafter. If you have a reasonable amount of skill, building your own van can be very rewarding, besides saving a lot of money. I'm always tinkering with mine, making small changes and improvements as I go, no regrets with it whatsoever.
Thanks for the replies guys, as Iv said the VW's are probably out the price range I'd like to spend and I'd need a little bit more room, the Ducato/boxer/crafter have been looked at and tbh I just liked the look of the merc better. Any other reasons why the ducato, crafter or boxer would be a better choice?
I have a fairly accomplished skill set and I'm confident I could put out a good job if I threw myself into it.
LeighW- Iv read your thread several times mate, top job!
Currently reading through all the links and threads and drawing mental pictures in my head. Going to end up crashing my car as I can't drive passed a van now without staring st it to try and workout where the best place for the bed to go would be.
I have a fairly accomplished skill set and I'm confident I could put out a good job if I threw myself into it.
LeighW- Iv read your thread several times mate, top job!
Currently reading through all the links and threads and drawing mental pictures in my head. Going to end up crashing my car as I can't drive passed a van now without staring st it to try and workout where the best place for the bed to go would be.
I recently sold my Hymer & bought a 04 project one (rotten chassis) stripped it off all the interior stuff that was in great condition & over 3 weeks transplanted most of it into a Ducato LWB. Also added board/bike storage whilst at it that the Hymer was lacking.
The Ducato variants have the best width/height & payload/towing capacity if you can find a 3.0 one.
Its almosy finished about another week to go & it will be all done. Not an easy job!
The Ducato variants have the best width/height & payload/towing capacity if you can find a 3.0 one.
Its almosy finished about another week to go & it will be all done. Not an easy job!
Have you got a thread running on it on here mate?
How do mclaren go from the 4 seats to the double bed at the front like this layout?
https://www.flickr.com/gp/150125665@N08/BZ0974
How do mclaren go from the 4 seats to the double bed at the front like this layout?
https://www.flickr.com/gp/150125665@N08/BZ0974
Look for an L3 or L4 Relay/Ducato/Partner probably best to go for an L4 if you want a 4 berth.
My build thread is here; https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Plenty on PH have done vans but there are more VWs than anything, however the principals are pretty much the same.
Feel free to PM me for advice, loads in my head that isn't in that thread along with pics and stuff!
My build thread is here; https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Plenty on PH have done vans but there are more VWs than anything, however the principals are pretty much the same.
Feel free to PM me for advice, loads in my head that isn't in that thread along with pics and stuff!
Ive always thought that it would be worth compromising and getting something smaller, like a vito and just have units that can be clamped in so it can still be used as a van. Add a nice big awning and its sorted.
http://motorhomes.autotrader.co.uk/used-motorhomes...
http://motorhomes.autotrader.co.uk/used-motorhomes...
geeks said:
Look for an L3 or L4 Relay/Ducato/Partner probably best to go for an L4 if you want a 4 berth.
My build thread is here; https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Plenty on PH have done vans but there are more VWs than anything, however the principals are pretty much the same.
Feel free to PM me for advice, loads in my head that isn't in that thread along with pics and stuff!
Aye Iv had a good read of your thread aswell mate👍My build thread is here; https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Plenty on PH have done vans but there are more VWs than anything, however the principals are pretty much the same.
Feel free to PM me for advice, loads in my head that isn't in that thread along with pics and stuff!
Foliage said:
Ive always thought that it would be worth compromising and getting something smaller, like a vito and just have units that can be clamped in so it can still be used as a van. Add a nice big awning and its sorted.
http://motorhomes.autotrader.co.uk/used-motorhomes...
Both my mother and I have "part-time" campervans. Hers is a Transporter, mine a 4WD Mitsubishi Express (precursor to the Delica).http://motorhomes.autotrader.co.uk/used-motorhomes...
With a 12 fridge, storage crates, and a removable bed, it makes a fine weekend camper for one or two. I use a filding camp stretcher, mun an air mattress. All cooking is done on a gas stove and/or wood brazier outside - under the tailgate if raining, although I use my coffee percolator inside.
I have actually had a mum-type person at a service station ask if she could measure my van to see if one would suit her.
Pensioner magnet!
Foliage said:
Ive always thought that it would be worth compromising and getting something smaller, like a vito and just have units that can be clamped in so it can still be used as a van. Add a nice big awning and its sorted.
http://motorhomes.autotrader.co.uk/used-motorhomes...
No direct experience, but I think that you need items permanently fixed if you want it re-registered as a motorhome/campervan. This gives 70mph speed limits and other benefits.http://motorhomes.autotrader.co.uk/used-motorhomes...
https://www.basecampers.com/how-to-re-register-as-...
alock said:
No direct experience, but I think that you need items permanently fixed if you want it re-registered as a motorhome/campervan. This gives 70mph speed limits and other benefits.
https://www.basecampers.com/how-to-re-register-as-...
70 mph, speeds I can only dream of..https://www.basecampers.com/how-to-re-register-as-...
But your correct on their being requirements to re reg as a motorhome
Ripped the following passages from DVLA website;
Minimum features
In order for a converted vehicle to qualify as a motor caravan it must have certain minimum features, as follows:
a door that provides access to the living accommodation
a bed, which has a minimum length of 1800mm or 6 feet. This can be converted from seats used for other purposes during the day but must be permanently fixed within the body of the vehicle 
a water storage tank or container on, or in, the vehicle 
a seating and dining area, permanently attached to the vehicle. The table may be detachable but must have some permanent means of attachment to the vehicle. It is not good enough to have a loose table 
a permanently fixed means of storage, a cupboard, locker or wardrobe 
a permanently fixed cooking facility within the vehicle, powered by gas or electricity 
at least one window on the side of the accommodation
If the vehicle has all of these features present, permanently fixed and installed properly, then it is a legal requirement to have it reclassified as a motor caravan on the V5C.
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