re design motorhome interior

[craigthecoupe]

hi folks.
i am currently in the process of selling our house to fund a trip around europe for myself, partner, and 18 month old.
i know nothing about motorhomes, but am pretty handy with tools and fixing.
our budget is small, and we are looking to spend 10-15k on a van.
i love the look of the older hymer b5xx vans, and one or two pop up in the layout that we are wanting, but many more are about in a different configuration.
so,
is there any reason why i couldnt buy one of the other styles and rip out/re design the interior?
obviously the water tanks and main services will need to remain where they are, but am i missing something massive?
are any of the interior panels structural?
the main thinking is a van of this age could use a refresh, reupholster, and hopefully save a little weight, so could be an option to get exactly what we want on a budget.

what am i missing?
cheers
craig

[Thurbs]

Sorry, I can't help much. There are loads of youtubers documenting their van builds, I would check some of them out for ideas.

[custardkid]

some items me structural as the walls are the last thing to go on (search youtube for factory videos), meaning the tall furniture supports the roof to some extent, although probably mostly the end panels

but other stuff they are pretty simple construction
ie 4 walls and floor / roof made of aluminium / foam / ply sandwich
screwed together
then cabinets screwed to it.
only real consideration is air flow to prevent moisture buildup / condensation and keeping the weight down ie domestic fittings and furniture is too heavy for a 3.5t van

if done to a high standard then may not loose any money.
if not then it'll be difficult to sell

[custardkid]

were as waiting for the right layout will

1) mean less work
2) an unmodified van, if looked after, will sell for almost what you bought it for after 12mths

[oblio]

I guess you can do anything as it will be your van but as Custardkid says, make sure that the changes are sympathetic otherwise you may struggle to re-sell it if/when you decide to (or take a big hit)

If you do go ahead though please start a thread on here with before, during and after pictures as those threads are always very interesting.

You may also want to look at some specialist MH websites as well where other folks have done self builds/major works so you can get some info/tips/advice form them. If nothing else you can find out where to get 'stuff' from (specialist breakers etc). I am a member of motorhomefacts which has some very knowledgeable people on it who have done a number of self builds(NB I am only a member and have no affiliation to them)

Good luck

[sir humphrey appleby]

If it is a Hymer that you are looking at and especially at that budget then you need to get over to the Classic Hymers group on facebook.

There are various layouts about, we have a B544. The inside of the Hymer is well built and high quality, I’m not too sure it would be wise change the configuration inside and start again but that is just my opinion of course.

Plenty inside your budget, just a case of being patient and moving quick when they become available. Hope this helps.

You wouldn’t regret buying a Hymer for sure. Also, I don’t know where you are located but September 15th -17TH there is Hymerfest in Corsley Show Ground, Warminster, BA12 7PP. I think there will be approx 300 classic hymers of all layouts, I am sure you would be welcome for a nosey about.

[craigthecoupe]

great stuuf, thanks for all the help folks. i thought this had gone dead until i checked again today.
we are after one with the dinette, and a single dinette behind the side mounted kitchen. do the numbers refer to the layout eg 544/534/564?

like this without the bunk setup http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hymer-B554-1988-6-berth-...

i saw one that was a 594 and it was perfect. they do a few of the coachbuilts in the same configuration, but love the a class vans, a camper version on the airstream in terms of icon and identifiability.
thanks for the heads up on the hymer meet. im in devon, and can get there with ease, so will make that a priority.
could possibly have funds by then too.
do vans drop much price wise come the winter?
anything/period i should make a priority/avoid, as there seem so many subtle updates to them.

thanks again

craig

Edited by craigthecoupe on Friday 4th August 20:17