Forums / Building your own camper van / Minibus conversion
Minibus conversion
LDV vans can be good vehicles, if you spend a bit of time on maintenance, which it sounds like you can. They are basic and are definitely the sort of van than can be fixed with cable ties and gaffer tape. It sounds like it might be the perfect vehicle for you.
It is worth reclassifying the vehicle with the DVLA. You will get cheaper insurance and if the vehicle is big (Class 7) it may then fall under the less stringent (Class 4) MOT.
Some people simply change the details on the V5 log book to a camper van, and send it off, and get a new log book back. Other people have had a letter from the DVLA saying they need to inspect the vehicle before they will re-classify it. So I would go for it and see what happens.
I have also read that the vehicle must have a sink and bed before being classified as a camper. Other people have said that it must have a window on one side of the van (other than the cab), but I am not too sure about this.
I think you should try and get confirmation from the DVLA about changing the classification.
Sounds like a good project though. Best of luck!
The only thing I can add is the insurance will be a lot cheaper if you get it registered as a campervan, and being used just for pleasure.
Selina
Joined: 2008-09-18
Hi, new here! Excellent site but I have a few question!
I'm thinking about buying my dads old minibus, its a V reg 16 seater LDV with a double axle on the back. I know these thing are rough but how bad are they really? All I really want is something like my old Golf, basically fixable with a hammer, cable ties and gaffer tape!! Aint bothered if it looks rough!
She's going cheap and after a very quick look over I can't really see anything wrong with it, engine is clean and pulls smoothly, drives straight etc etc there is just the normal rust that these things seem to come from the factory with! Its been inspected regularly due to the vehicle licensing laws so well looked after, probably haha! Anything I should look out for?
I assume after taking the seats out I will have to reclassify the vehicle from a bus to a van or a camper, anyone any better info on this? The government sites I have found are very vague!
Going to convert her into a pretty basic camper with just a bed, sink and cooker which will also have a bike storage area, with probably 2 front passenger seats and three rear seats. The van will just be used for weekends away racing mountain bikes so it just needs to be basic and function it wont be flash!
Again I'm very new to all this and just looking for any info available, mainly from a legal side because I am converting a bus to a camper.
Many thanks for any help and info
Mike.