My first idea was to convert an Iveco panel van. I found one, opened the back doors and started to measure up. Yes, it could be converted but boy it was a small space, cramped with all the cupboards and beds in it. Having caravanned for years one of the main ‘must haves’ was a fixed bed. We decided to do more research on the internet, and on the self build motorhome site was a ‘Unimog’ converted by Stephen Stewart (more about Steve later) and he recommended a book called Travel Vans by John Speed. In this book is a photograph of a truck build by Action Mobile from Austria. I fell in love with this truck. It was just what I was looking for. At long last I had found something that would be rugged enough to travel anywhere and still be in a reasonable amount of comfort.
The next challenge was how to get one of these trucks, as we didn’t have the kind of money (there’s no escaping it, is there?) to buy one off the shelf, so to speak, but willpower and motivation can overcome most obstacles.
I searched and searched the internet, printing off pages and pages of relevant information. Stephen’s knowledge was invaluable in this part of the process; he has some wonderful ideas in his document ‘Choosing an Overland Campervan’.
I had found web site’s for Unicat, Ormocar, Fuss, Bimobile and TerraCross – all German companies making wonderful trucks, but oh boy the cost! Anything from €165.000 for a second hand 4×4 to €841.438 for a 6×6 MAN with an elevating roof and motorcycle carried on the back. We were getting there, eliminating what we couldn’t have, unless we could win the lottery (unlikely as we don’t do it!)
It was back to basics, with a walk to the newsagent to buy Truck Trader magazine, oh we live the high life and you have to start somewhere. There we found our truck which was a 1992 DAF ex army truck with just 1,400 km on the clock – unbelievable! The truck was in Cardiff so we made a phone call and were relieved to find that it was still there. Then we (actually I) got cold feet so it stayed in Wales, but a couple of weeks later thumbing through the latest edition of Truck Trader I noticed that it was still there. This time I was decisive we got up at five one Saturday morning and set out for Cardiff to check that truck out.
After a year this is how “that” truck turned out, I am going to create a thread about how the project progressed so keep a look out!
Nice conversion
Love the interior of that conversion. Thinking of doing the same. Just need fjnding and old us army truck to do so.
What a great story. Thanks
What a great story. Thanks for sharing.
I know the travel vans book well, and can see that inspiration on your conversion.
Well done