Converting to a camper type thing
Converting to a camper type thing
Author
Discussion

vladcjelli

Original Poster:

3,370 posts

187 months

Tuesday 28th June 2011
quotequote all
Walking past a local removals/storage/van hire place today and saw one of these up for sale at under £10k (not this one)



Started to think about it as a campervan as there's plenty of room in the back for all the associated gubbins, but it's not so huge as to be completely undriveable.

Has anyone done one like this? What are the pros and cons of using such a vehicle?

Just thought that having a house moving van for a moving house might work okay.

S1mon.

536 posts

251 months

Tuesday 28th June 2011
quotequote all

B Huey

4,881 posts

228 months

Tuesday 28th June 2011
quotequote all
I wouldn't use a luton bodied van, you'll need something with a sliding door and maybe windows in the back ideally.

A high roof Transit minibus would be a better bet.

vladcjelli

Original Poster:

3,370 posts

187 months

Tuesday 28th June 2011
quotequote all
B Huey said:
I wouldn't use a luton bodied van, you'll need something with a sliding door and maybe windows in the back ideally.

A high roof Transit minibus would be a better bet.
Could a number of those sort of features not be retro fitted with judicious use of a jig saw and some diy studwork/framing?

stickyr6

573 posts

198 months

Tuesday 28th June 2011
quotequote all
You need to be able to get into the back while your on the move, other wise you wont be able to flick the cruise control on and use the loo!!!



wobble

vladcjelli

Original Poster:

3,370 posts

187 months

Tuesday 28th June 2011
quotequote all
stickyr6 said:
You need to be able to get into the back while your on the move, other wise you wont be able to flick the cruise control on and use the loo!!!
wobble
Or



Or even this





stickyr6

573 posts

198 months

Tuesday 28th June 2011
quotequote all
vladcjelli said:
stickyr6 said:
You need to be able to get into the back while your on the move, other wise you wont be able to flick the cruise control on and use the loo!!!
wobble
Or



Or even this



hehe

B Huey

4,881 posts

228 months

Tuesday 28th June 2011
quotequote all
vladcjelli said:
Could a number of those sort of features not be retro fitted with judicious use of a jig saw and some diy studwork/framing?
I'm sure you could, although you'd be making a lot of work for yourself. It will need to be secure and rainproof.


GAjon

4,084 posts

242 months

Tuesday 28th June 2011
quotequote all
Unless its a project you actually want to do, i'd say your better off buying a proper (factory) conversion. You could pick one up for not much more than the base vehicle your looking at, run it then flog it without much depreciation.
Like I say if it is a project, i'd go for a good panel van with the highest payload figure, by the time you've got all your things in like cooker, toilet, shower, fridge, furniture and beds you wont have much payload left.

Lionsden

189 posts

194 months

Tuesday 28th June 2011
quotequote all
I converted my Delica last year these were the guidelines I followed:

edited to add these...



Edited by Lionsden on Tuesday 28th June 21:49

Billy Hunt

1,749 posts

203 months

Tuesday 28th June 2011
quotequote all
Buy an old caravan and pull the bits you need from that smile

Plug voltage converters (I know what I mean!) etc etc

vladcjelli

Original Poster:

3,370 posts

187 months

Tuesday 28th June 2011
quotequote all
GAjon said:
Unless its a project you actually want to do, i'd say your better off buying a proper (factory) conversion. You could pick one up for not much more than the base vehicle your looking at, run it then flog it without much depreciation.
Like I say if it is a project, i'd go for a good panel van with the highest payload figure, by the time you've got all your things in like cooker, toilet, shower, fridge, furniture and beds you wont have much payload left.
This was all just out of interest after seeing that van. I imagine there must be cheaper/older examples of it around.

It just seemed to me that the squarer, taller structure would lend itself better to the bedsit on wheels concept than a van with its curved panels and suchlike.

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

284 months

Tuesday 28th June 2011
quotequote all
vladcjelli said:
This was all just out of interest after seeing that van. I imagine there must be cheaper/older examples of it around.

It just seemed to me that the squarer, taller structure would lend itself better to the bedsit on wheels concept than a van with its curved panels and suchlike.
Except Luton vans don't have sliding side doors, so pretty useless when you want to hang an awning off it to give you some living space.

vladcjelli

Original Poster:

3,370 posts

187 months

Tuesday 28th June 2011
quotequote all
Mr2Mike said:
Except Luton vans don't have sliding side doors, so pretty useless when you want to hang an awning off it to give you some living space.
But, seeing as the back of a luton is essentially just a big box with as far as I can tell, no structural purpose in terms of the vehicle as a whole, you could essentially modify it in any way you chose, dependent on time, money and skills available.

With a jig saw, some studwork and something like a standard domestic patio door I reckon you could fit a sliding door into the side of one.

All theoretical until someone posts their handiwork up, preferably with custard warming up on the two ring hob. wink

ETA thanks to Rob for the PM, is all theoretical for now, but if the situation changes, expect a begging email thumbup

Edited by vladcjelli on Tuesday 28th June 22:25

MikeyBe

123 posts

184 months

Tuesday 28th June 2011
quotequote all


tongue out

vladcjelli

Original Poster:

3,370 posts

187 months

Tuesday 28th June 2011
quotequote all
MikeyBe said:


tongue out
Maybe not the quality of conversion I was hoping for, but a good place to start off from, thanks!

D'ya like dags?