Can I turn a fridge lorry into a camper?

Can I turn a fridge lorry into a camper?

Author
Discussion

2pad

249 posts

150 months

Sunday 23rd May 2021
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There is a huge issue with DVLA refusing reclassification to campers. Do some googling and be prepared for some headache's.

https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/news/...

MKnight702

3,096 posts

213 months

Sunday 23rd May 2021
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Having read the article it confirms that the DVLA are a bunch of jobsworths. That chap who converted the Renault van into a high spec camper and got refused because the outside looked like a van, I mean what? DVLA agree that it’s a camper but it looks like a van so tough?

robwilk

818 posts

179 months

Tuesday 25th May 2021
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I also think you would have trouble getting on a lot of campsites, I had a T5 with a caravelle conversion where you could convert the seating it a king size bed . A couple of sites said it must be a camper and not a converted van. Mine looked very nice so was allowed on. might be hard with a truck.

Desiderata

Original Poster:

2,329 posts

53 months

Tuesday 25th May 2021
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MKnight702 said:
Having read the article it confirms that the DVLA are a bunch of jobsworths. That chap who converted the Renault van into a high spec camper and got refused because the outside looked like a van, I mean what? DVLA agree that it’s a camper but it looks like a van so tough?
Having now joined some of the fora and read a few articles, they do seem to have some pretty strange attitudes. Even the DVLA guidance states that conversions should have "campervan style graphics" before they can be acceptable. Surely that's pretty subjective. Not all campers wear beige slacks and cardigans and like pastel swirls.

valiant

10,068 posts

159 months

Tuesday 25th May 2021
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Desiderata said:
MKnight702 said:
Having read the article it confirms that the DVLA are a bunch of jobsworths. That chap who converted the Renault van into a high spec camper and got refused because the outside looked like a van, I mean what? DVLA agree that it’s a camper but it looks like a van so tough?
Having now joined some of the fora and read a few articles, they do seem to have some pretty strange attitudes. Even the DVLA guidance states that conversions should have "campervan style graphics" before they can be acceptable. Surely that's pretty subjective. Not all campers wear beige slacks and cardigans and like pastel swirls.
Stick on some temporary ones to get through classification and then rip them off afterwards.

carreauchompeur

17,830 posts

203 months

Wednesday 26th May 2021
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To be honest, you won’t get the higher speed limit allowance anyway at this weight so probably little point jumping through the ‘camper’ hoops.

sjg

7,444 posts

264 months

Wednesday 26th May 2021
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MKnight702 said:
Having read the article it confirms that the DVLA are a bunch of jobsworths. That chap who converted the Renault van into a high spec camper and got refused because the outside looked like a van, I mean what? DVLA agree that it’s a camper but it looks like a van so tough?
It's ALL to do with how it looks on the road. Would a random person on the street seeing it drive by think "campervan" or "motorhome"? If not, you won't get it, no matter how it's fitted out inside.

austinsmirk

5,597 posts

122 months

Thursday 27th May 2021
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I follow some forums on this sort of stuff. A general view of fridge vans is no: all the water/ice seeping and rotting into the chassis, panels and so on, plus smell of years of leakage between panels

You’ve to pull most of it apart to start wiring and plumbing it. Ditto Windows. It’s easier doing to a van and lining the over it

Dvla will never agree that’s a camper. Even “obvious “ Vw campers converted from vans stay as vans. A pop top roof doesn’t even make it a camper: needs a fixed hi roof. And as said be dripping in camper related tat to have a chance

Plus I reckon driving that will be awful and no site ever will let you on. Sorry !