build you own campervan and live the van life
After converting a Vauxhall Combo into a day van ive cought the campervan bug.. so now im coverting a bigger van with a lil bit of experience and alot more patience, cant wait….
Here are some of our favourite guides to campervan conversion and travel.
Build your dream van. Jumping into van life and living in a home on wheels doesn’t mean you need to give up comfort or modernity.
This book will guide you through every step, from choosing a van, to designing the layout, to plumbing and electrical systems, to self-building your new dream home — all in as little as 21 days.
Paperback with 223 pages.
The ultimate guide to the very best scenic and fun routes for camper vans and motorhomes around the valleys, mountains and coastlines of wonderful England and Wales.
Paperback and Kindle versions available with 304 pages.
Have you ever dreamt about having your own home on wheels with everything you need to live and travel the open road?
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276 page ebook with more than 300 hi-res images.
Imagine being able to live wherever you want, travelling the world with everything you need in your own cosy home on wheels.
A great guide to the everyday experiences of living and travelling in a campervan.
Paperback and Kindle versions available with 228 pages.
more pics
the electrics pannel and another pic of the seats befor there carpeted
the end is near lol
Finished carpeting the pannels just need to carpet the bare metal but to do that, I have to fill alot of holes:(.
I have some multi color decking lights installed that have lots of different modes including just white, I’ve also left the original 12 v lights because I like the warm look they give and its abit of extra light around dusk.
I’ve also finished building the chairs/bed they just need to be carpeted and with the drop down table im going to have that done professionally as I couldnt get the finish.
What im up to
Ive recut and redisigned the electrics pannel so its very non intrusive. One of the pics is just the layout. oh and insulated
My next step
I need to cut out the door for the electrics/rcd unit ect to make them easily accesible. I dont realy like cutting ply as if i mess it up its £16 down the pan well fingers crossed.
Then remove all pannels ect and insulate the van this time I got a propper mask so i dont end up high with a horrible head ache lol I did also get it beacause of the dust of the ply made me have a very nasty cough aswell… 🙁
Surf board
ive decided to mount the surfboard to the ceiling using these smart looking mounts.
I got mine off ebay for £15 second hand though.
finished the new ply walls
Finished cutting the ply walls / ceiling and made some brackets for the ceiling using the rivnuts (brilliant lil things) and installed some decking lights that can change colour. there not bright enough but there good for mood setting lol
Wiring diagram
You dont have to pay alot at all just take your time on ebay. But I only buy from uk.
Getting the electric hookup ready
I put a water resistant chassis outlet just behind the drivers seat under the van (hidden) and goes behind the ply pannel (which will be on a hinge) into a garage rcd. and using coregated conduit to protect the cables.
Leisure battery
With the transit theres a space for a leisure battery under the drivers seat and can fit a leaisure battery charger aswell. Perfect
Cutting the pannels
I wanted to make the panels removable and with my last conversion the idea was not ideal but i came across these things called rivnuts. brilliant ive used them for everything.
ive gone against the order
had an idea for a bed so i went ahead and built it when realy its what i should do towards the end. But the idea being slanted for more legroom and a drop down table inbetween to make the bed.
Also found some brand new ford transit seats for £100 on ebay.
lol and my dog Rosko rocking his driving arm ha
Window
Stripped the van and had a window fitted, it would cost £130 for a kit for me to do it myself (without the tools) or £150 for someone else, its a Nobrainer.
Design and layout of my van
I know the design is abit unconventional to everyone else but for me I need it to be this way as I like the option of taking my motorbike or probably the missus scooter with me so I can leave my van at the campsite and also have five passengers. in the second pic theres only one couch im going to try make the couch clip ontop of the other one when i put a bike in there.
The order
With the last project i was very hasty trying to get things done, with this van im going to do things in the right order.
which i think is;
1. Findout what accesories (electrics) are going in. and Buy
2. Cut ply to fit with all the holes for lights electrics ect
3. remove everything again
4. insulate
5. carpet
6. install
Seems simple enough 😀