Camper Van Self-Build for Beginners
Discussion
I'm currently in the early stages of planning a self-build conversion. At the moment it's all planning - budgeting, materials, equipment, layout etc
- Are there decent online sites people can recommend as sources of info on such projects for a beginner? I'm comfortable with carpentry, joinery, plumbing, and basic 12v/220v electrics, but need to really increase my knowledge on the electric side. Lithium batteries, controllers, draws, 12v vs 220v for some appliances, solar panels, split-chargers, appliances etc
- If people can also recommend any good sources of info for planning long-distance touring (cross-continents etc) it'd be greatly appreciated.
- Mercedes Viano extra-long is currently leading the pack on vehicle choice. Anybody comments on the Viano as a base vehicle? This needs to be capable of traversing cities nearly as easy as a car, including height-restricted car parks and multi-storeys etc. Hence looking at Viano/T5 size vehicles.
Can't comment on the Viano, but if you're looking for 'off the shelf' items such as furniture, seat swivel bases, pop tops, beds etc, then VW T5s are much better catered for. On the electrical side of things, I can recommend these guys for all your needs.
Have you thought about going to one of the shows? That would probably be a good starting point.
Why are you looking at the Merc for a base vehicles. It's a bit left field and probably below even the Transit custom as a good base vehicle.
As another poster said, the T5/6s are probably the best van if you want aftermarket kits to turn them into campers and that would save you a lot of headache. T5 has the edge on the transit with windows. The windows are much bigger than the slits on the Transit Custom.
Don't under estimate the time it will take to ply line and insulate a basic van. I recon you could easily sink £500 into that part on its own.
Why are you looking at the Merc for a base vehicles. It's a bit left field and probably below even the Transit custom as a good base vehicle.
As another poster said, the T5/6s are probably the best van if you want aftermarket kits to turn them into campers and that would save you a lot of headache. T5 has the edge on the transit with windows. The windows are much bigger than the slits on the Transit Custom.
Don't under estimate the time it will take to ply line and insulate a basic van. I recon you could easily sink £500 into that part on its own.
Thanks for the info guys. Much appreciated.
I'm not fully settled on the choice of base vehicle yet, but the main reason for the 639 Viano being at the top of the list so far is;
(a) the exterior height
(b) equipment and comfort for long haul
(c) manoeuvrability
Part of the planned use for this will also include city breaks where a day (or a few days) in a city could require use of municipal car parks, multi-storeys, and sometimes hotel car parks for hotel stays. Height of the Viano is 1875mm, Transit Custom 1925mm, and T5/6 1950mm. The Viano is the only option I've found sitting between a people carrier and a panel van like the Transit and T5.
As such it also has to appear just like another people carrier or hotel guest bus, rather than an obvious conversion to camper, and be able to pop in and out of car parks with ease. It's the only one sitting under the 1.9m barrier I've seen in a few locations, without going the route of susp drops etc. I want to maintain the standard ground clearance for other locations. And of course on the rare day of a border crossing or heavily-trafficked motorway toll it should pass under their height barriers for passenger cars with ease also, rather than queueing with LGV's and HGV's.
The Viano generally comes loaded with cruise, auto transmission, a/c and heat in both the rear and front, and other 'comfort toys' for long-distance days e.g. parking sensors. As standard the body glass has a decent privacy tint, whilst maintaining 360deg views, with electric operation of the rear side windows. Intention would be to find a LHD Viano with the multiple electric sunroofs which slide open and have built-in bug screens, dual sliding doors, and as much gear as possible. All in the extra-long version (there are 3 lengths available in the 639, compact and long being the most common).
The ambition for extra length means it'll be circa 50cm longer than the likes of a 2015 Mondeo, which shouldn't hinder car park spaces too much, but being RWD as opposed to FWD the Viano has a much broader steering capability than the T5 in tight circles. Being able to turn the nose tighter might help negate the extra length if caught in a tight situation.
Other than that I spent a smidgeon less than 10 years working with VW and drove T5's daily from 2003-2008. I just fancy a change, and hopefully something more comfortable. I'm not excluding them totally - they're in number 2 position for vehicle choice.
The 639 and T5 lead because if parts or repairs are needed whilst on the go then they lead the pack for ease of parts availability and local knowledge where we'll be travelling. I've not actually seen a Transit Custom in LHD anywhere yet! I'm sure they're in Europe somewhere, but I've not happened across them. This vehicle is for touring Central Asia and crossing back into Europe via Azerbaijan>>Georgia>>Turkey>>EU, or Russia>>Ukraine>>EU, or Russia>>Finland>>EU. Getting the time to do all 3 routes over a few years and having a reliable vehicle to do it in would be fantastic, but we might be pushing the dream a little too far. Time will tell.
The only components I was concerned about with the Viano was certified swivel bases for the driver and passenger seats, but I've located a supplier of same. It'd be good to be able to swivel the front seats to gain extra space in the rear. Other than that as it will see most use during 6-8 week periods at a time over the summer I'm not too worried about insulation. 3 sunroofs with bug screens and vented side windows, accompanied by extractor fans should keep it comfortable at night in most climates it'll see. If not a 12v air-conditioner for large tents will do the trick.
Internal build will utilise the existing side trim panels and cubbies and be built back onto these being secured in the existing floor tracks (from the rear seats). The build will be done in a mix of aluminium and wood for the frame, with either sanded ply or formed plastic sheet for panels. Most of it will be done below the window line to maintain that standard stealth look. Seating down one side, worktop and appliances the opposite side, with a slide out side-bed.
Open to any and all comments from those in the know with experience.
I'm not fully settled on the choice of base vehicle yet, but the main reason for the 639 Viano being at the top of the list so far is;
(a) the exterior height
(b) equipment and comfort for long haul
(c) manoeuvrability
Part of the planned use for this will also include city breaks where a day (or a few days) in a city could require use of municipal car parks, multi-storeys, and sometimes hotel car parks for hotel stays. Height of the Viano is 1875mm, Transit Custom 1925mm, and T5/6 1950mm. The Viano is the only option I've found sitting between a people carrier and a panel van like the Transit and T5.
As such it also has to appear just like another people carrier or hotel guest bus, rather than an obvious conversion to camper, and be able to pop in and out of car parks with ease. It's the only one sitting under the 1.9m barrier I've seen in a few locations, without going the route of susp drops etc. I want to maintain the standard ground clearance for other locations. And of course on the rare day of a border crossing or heavily-trafficked motorway toll it should pass under their height barriers for passenger cars with ease also, rather than queueing with LGV's and HGV's.
The Viano generally comes loaded with cruise, auto transmission, a/c and heat in both the rear and front, and other 'comfort toys' for long-distance days e.g. parking sensors. As standard the body glass has a decent privacy tint, whilst maintaining 360deg views, with electric operation of the rear side windows. Intention would be to find a LHD Viano with the multiple electric sunroofs which slide open and have built-in bug screens, dual sliding doors, and as much gear as possible. All in the extra-long version (there are 3 lengths available in the 639, compact and long being the most common).
The ambition for extra length means it'll be circa 50cm longer than the likes of a 2015 Mondeo, which shouldn't hinder car park spaces too much, but being RWD as opposed to FWD the Viano has a much broader steering capability than the T5 in tight circles. Being able to turn the nose tighter might help negate the extra length if caught in a tight situation.
Other than that I spent a smidgeon less than 10 years working with VW and drove T5's daily from 2003-2008. I just fancy a change, and hopefully something more comfortable. I'm not excluding them totally - they're in number 2 position for vehicle choice.
The 639 and T5 lead because if parts or repairs are needed whilst on the go then they lead the pack for ease of parts availability and local knowledge where we'll be travelling. I've not actually seen a Transit Custom in LHD anywhere yet! I'm sure they're in Europe somewhere, but I've not happened across them. This vehicle is for touring Central Asia and crossing back into Europe via Azerbaijan>>Georgia>>Turkey>>EU, or Russia>>Ukraine>>EU, or Russia>>Finland>>EU. Getting the time to do all 3 routes over a few years and having a reliable vehicle to do it in would be fantastic, but we might be pushing the dream a little too far. Time will tell.
The only components I was concerned about with the Viano was certified swivel bases for the driver and passenger seats, but I've located a supplier of same. It'd be good to be able to swivel the front seats to gain extra space in the rear. Other than that as it will see most use during 6-8 week periods at a time over the summer I'm not too worried about insulation. 3 sunroofs with bug screens and vented side windows, accompanied by extractor fans should keep it comfortable at night in most climates it'll see. If not a 12v air-conditioner for large tents will do the trick.
Internal build will utilise the existing side trim panels and cubbies and be built back onto these being secured in the existing floor tracks (from the rear seats). The build will be done in a mix of aluminium and wood for the frame, with either sanded ply or formed plastic sheet for panels. Most of it will be done below the window line to maintain that standard stealth look. Seating down one side, worktop and appliances the opposite side, with a slide out side-bed.
Open to any and all comments from those in the know with experience.
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