Camper Van Conversions
It's never been easier to complete your own camper van conversion. With the reduced cost and increased availability of parts, tools and used vehicles you too can make your own dream camper van, at a fraction of the cost of buying a professional conversion.
It's never been easier to complete your own camper van conversion. With the reduced cost and increased availability of parts, tools and used vehicles you too can make your own dream camper van, at a fraction of the cost of buying a professional conversion. Our comprehensive guide helps you through every stage, from planning, buying an empty van, sourcing parts, choosing layouts , fitting furniture and the legal paperwork required.
More and more people are converting their own camper vans. With the reduced costs of second hand vehicles, especially panel vans, and the increased availability of the parts required, it has never been easier.
Building your own camper van can be a hugely rewarding project. It can also be a lot cheaper than buying a camper van. If you build your own camper van you can also have a vehicle that exactly meets your needs, especially useful if you are using your vehicles for sports, such as motorcross or surfing.
If you are a competent DIY enthusiast, then you should have few problems building you own camper van. You can expect to build a good looking vehicle. See the list of self built camper vans.
You can even aim for a professional looking conversion. If you have limited DIY skills, then you should not be put off. Very little is required to make a liveable vehicle. Building a basic camper van just takes a little money and time. See the list of self built camper vans for ideas and inspiration.
The articles below should help you with your camper van conversion.
Here are some related pages that should be useful...
Planing a Camper Van Conversion
Planning any camper van conversion is essential. If you don't you could find yourself undoing work you have already done, wasting time and materials. You'll also save yourself more than a few headaches. Read more »
Choosing a base vehicle for a camper van conversion
Choosing the right type of vehicle for your campervan conversion is critical. You need a vehicle that matches your camping requirements, budget and vehicle maintenance skill level. Read more »
Buying a Base Van
Choosing a used panel van
The best and most popular base vehicle for a camper van or motorcaravan conversion is an empty panel van. There are a few options to consider when choosing the make and model of van, what the van has previously been used for, and from where to buy it. Read more »
Camper van home builder furniture and layout examples
Below you will find many example and ideas from other camper van and motor homes. Hopefully these will give you some good ideas also. Read more »
Preparation - tools & parts
Sealants
- Sikaflex - Perhaps the best adhesive/sealant available. It has a wide range of uses such as fixing windows and roof lights. It is also great for securing solar panel brackets to van roofs without needing to use screws or bolts, which could lead to leaks. Sikaflex 221 or 252 are very good. 252 is quicker setting with a harder consistency.
Read more »
Insulation and Lining
Insulating and lining your campervan is one of the most important steps to making it a comfortable environment to live and sleep.
Fitting Windows In A Camper Van Conversion
Fitting windows to your camper van conversion is one of the best finishing touches to change it from a van into a campervan. This guide lays out the different options of window type, and how to fit those windows to your van. Read more »
Camper Van Conversion Electrics
Split-charge relay - More than 50amps can flow between the engine battery and your leisure battery, so always get a relay that is rated at 50amps or more. Preferably 75 or 100 amps. Many relays sold on eBay are 30amps and designed for systems on cars, and not for connecting heavy duty batteries.
Furniture and fittings
Deciding what to put in your camper van conversion is something you should decide from the start. Planning your layout is essential before your start buying or making any interior parts. What you fit to your camper van will be mainly determined by your intended use of the vehicle, the size of the vehicle and your budget. Read more »
Professional camper van conversions
There are a number of companies offering professional camper van conversions. These companies are specialists and deliver excellent work. Most will convert any vehicle you provide them, and most will source a new or used base vehicle for you. A lot of these companies also provide parts, and complete kits for your own camper van conversion. Read more »
Example Campervan Conversions
When converting your own campervan pictures of other peoples conversions are invaluable. Our members conversions should provide ideas and inspiration to help you with your own conversion.
You can add your own campervan here by signing up as a member, and editing your profile. Read more »
Legal Information, Requirements and Rules for Camper Vans DVLA
Update: March 2011 - Many people applying to have vehicles re-registered as "Motor Caravans" with the DVLA are being refused, as their vehicle does "Not look like a motor caravan from the outside". The DVLA are then re-classifying the vehicles as "Vans with windows". Read more »
The £50 Campervan, Conversions On A Shoestring
Want to do a camper van conversion but don't have a big budget?
Campervan conversions don't have to cost big money. We've probably all seen conversions that have cost thousands of pounds or dollars, but we don't all want that.
It's quite possible to make a functioning camper van with little, and sometimes, zero money. Read more »
Sponsors
Campervan Conversions are sponsored by the following companies
Camper Van Life is brought to you by Darren Lambert, a big fan of camper vans.
Hi, I am moving to spain. I would like to buy a camper. Should I buy one here, with Irish motor tax and Camper insurance, and take it to spain, (Is this legal on a long term basis, or at what point do I need to change / reregister it?,)
Or should / can I buy one in spain. Is it possible / easy to buy one there, and insure / tax it there, whilst not being a spanish resident?
Do you know of any website where I can get a handle on the practicalities of what I should do.
Thanks so mucho!
I suspect that you can take a vehicle to Spain for 1 year. Longer than that and you need to export it to Spain.
Spain doesn't have a very good used vehicle market. So, vehicles are expensive.
Insuring one would probably be difficult whilst in Spain, especially if you don't speak Spanish.
If you intend to stay for longer than 1 year definitely keep your vehicle registered in Ireland.
Does anybody no if anybody would do a part conversion to my campervan around the edinburgh area thanks
I seek to find a UK supplier of roof tops for conversion - side/ front or rear lifting.
These companies supply roofs:
http://www.rainbowconversions.co.uk/Roofs/roofs.htm
http://freebirdconversions.co.uk/
http://www.campershop.co.uk/elevating-roof.htm
I seek to find a supplier of roof tops for conversion - side/ front or rear lifting.
cab light and cd plauer not working after short circuit in dodge sprinter 2005. how to solve the problem"
You need to check the fuses. They are underneath the steering column inside the cab. The back of the cover will show you which fuses to check. Replace any that are burnt out.
Need help ! Books, photos and especially way to find Bongo kitchens in USA.
Also, a great Convertible (to bed) chair for cerebral palsy adult. The while works here: massage--comfort to the max. Needs to fit Class 1 ambulance.
Can anyone help us with the idiots guide to wiring our vw transporter. We are converting it ourselves and can't seem to get much detailed guidance on how to install the electrics (as at the minute it is just a normal van).
We wanna have a couple of sockets for kettle etc... and run a few led lights with switch.
We have some information on the leisure battery but not much.
Please help,
Any ideas on who on how to obtain insurance for a UK converted ford transit campervan for expats living in france?
Try www.campton.co.uk
They are a broker with lots of different policies.
Hopefully they can help you.
Your site is fantastic. I have done two conversions.In process of finishing second conversion. I am so pleased I found your site. At present am looking for second hand good condition 3 way fridge. Price range 200-300 pounds. Incidentally have top loading fridge. Anyone interested for a awap or want to sell fridge/freezer. Size H- 617 W- 401 D- 460 (approx or near dimensions). Please respond. Thank you
Your site is fantastic. I have done two conversions.In process of finishing second conversion. I am so pleased I found your site. At present am looking for second hand good condition 3 way fridge. Price range 200-300 pounds. Incidentally have top loading fridge. Anyone interested for a awap or want to sell fridge/freezer. Size H- 617 W- 401 D- 460 (approx or near dimensions). Please respond. Thank you
hi folks,
I went to france last year and it went fine but when using the fridge on lecky was ok nice and cold but when using the gas when we were wild camping it did,nt go cold and its a pest .My van is a vw t4 and the fridge is electrolux 3 way, can anyone help me or point me in the right direction to getting it fixed yours Marshall Mackenzie
I have heard that you need to have your fridge on the complete level for it to work properly on gas.
can you please tell me wot this is
looks like some one fitted an RS Components two pin socket to power up something neat and flush the on line catalog would be my first starting point for the plug you will need.Then a test to determine voltage and if is powered with the ignition on or off fuse rating and where that is located if it needs replacing sorry i cant do it for you good luck.
Hi i have an ex AA t4 swb and i would like to convert it to a camper myself im pretty good at diy wood and metal but would like to get some plans i.e for rock and roll bed and the furniture anyone got any ideas many thanks...
Graham
How much will it cost - roughly - to kit out an old panel van, from scratch to a reasonable standard? There are kids involved! Looking for cost for basic van, electrics, joinery, plumbing and materials. Will self build interiors and get someone to do the electrics?
Thanks
Doing it all yourself, to a reasonable standard I would guess £1,000 - £2,000, not including the vehicle.
If you take a long time and spend lots of time sourcing cheap or used parts you can do it for £1,000.
Obviously everyones taste and needs are different.
Has anyone info on fitting a T4 side elevating roof with an electrically powered raising mechanism (manual lift at the moment)
Bilbos are the only company I know of that fit side elevating roofs.
http://www.bilbos.com/home/
I expect they are £2,000+
Yesterday I took delivery of a professionally converted campervan from a well known firm of converters. When I got it home I found the passenger seat several inches higher than the example I was shown when I placed my order when I made a point of sitting in all the seats to check comfort, visibility, etc. My head now touches the roof of the vehicle and I am a very short person.
Is there a minimum health and safety rule about headroom in vehicles?
I am very disappointed and the firm concerned is not prepared to talk to me about it.
What would you advise me to do?
Hi Fran
Sorry to hear of your problem. The company won't speak to you about it? This is very bad. What have they said?
Ermm...I'd guess that they haven't said anything
Chances are that they said at least said something
well that wasn't helpfull bruv
....sorry bruv, fair point bruv
I bought a 1990 Ford F-150 caravan that came with a solar conversion. In fact, the entire top of the van is this solar add-on. Inside is a large panel with a lighted list.
However, the van came without any instructions or paperwork or even a name of a company that made the solar add-on. Does anyone have any suggestions on where I can go for info?
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