Journey to Vanlife stage 2 about to start

[Paul_B]

Got the van in July and have been driving it day to day since (except for alternator failure replaced under warranty). Now it's time for conversion!

So I'm waiting for a quote from our conversion company. How much do you think it will be?

Stage 2 is windows, insulation and line out. Hopefully crash tested seats/ bed. Basic electrics consisting of split supply from alternator with leisure battery, USB chargers, socket and 4 led lights. We're also thinking of ability to hook up in campsites too.

Stage 3 will probably be pop top lid in about a year.

Stage 4 is probably kitchen unit but we might not even bother = internal bike storage room if we don't.

So any bets on stage 2 quote?

It's into a 16 plate Vauxhall/Opel Vivaro. Btw the labels switch as the van door IDs all say Opel not Vauxhall. Does it mean we've got a German made not UK made vivaro?

 

[Van-Wild]

Got the van in July and have been driving it day to day since (except for alternator failure replaced under warranty). Now it's time for conversion!

So I'm waiting for a quote from our conversion company. How much do you think it will be?

Stage 2 is windows, insulation and line out. Hopefully crash tested seats/ bed. Basic electrics consisting of split supply from alternator with leisure battery, USB chargers, socket and 4 led lights. We're also thinking of ability to hook up in campsites too.

Stage 3 will probably be pop top lid in about a year.

Stage 4 is probably kitchen unit but we might not even bother = internal bike storage room if we don't.

So any bets on stage 2 quote?

It's into a 16 plate Vauxhall/Opel Vivaro. Btw the labels switch as the van door IDs all say Opel not Vauxhall. Does it mean we've got a German made not UK made vivaro?

For just stage 2? I'd be ready for about 2k-2.5k minimum.

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[Bazzworx]

I've got a brand new unboxed Dometic CRX-50 compressor fridge for sale if your interested? https://www.jacksonsleisure.com/dometic/waeco/crx50/fridge/
£400

 

[Van-Wild]

I've got a brand new unboxed Dometic CRX-50 compressor fridge for sale if your interested? https://www.jacksonsleisure.com/dometic/waeco/crx50/fridge/
£400

that's a great deal for a CRX50

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[Bazzworx]

We got it for the Syncro but then decided to get an ARB fridge instead.

 

[Paul_B]

Got the quote today. Interesting.

£4200+VAT without crash tested rib seats. That increases it to £6200.

Basically, lining, windows, floor, led lights, split 12v system, hook up, curtains and led switches. Seat increases to 6.2k. Roof increases to 9.7k. No kitchen costed yet as we don't want one yet.

How much to buy a vivaro camper already made up? Depending on age it's 16k to 29k on Autotrader or gumtree. All in not much different between custom made and bought secondhand campervan.

So we're getting second quote.

We're likely to get electrics, heater, lights, lined out, hookup and windows first. Then bed and roof a year or so later.

 

[Van-Wild]

What options are you going for? A rib bed is about 2k more expensive than an r&r bed for example. Ultra light units are way more expensive than standard units but look no different. An Austops pop top is about 2.8k fitted, but a reimo is more than twice that........

Always always always shop around. You could save 1000s. Do some of the work yourself. I collected, built and fitted my units from the company. It was a peice of p*** and I saved myself £800. I removed the bench seats, and spot welded the bare floor myself before sending to the professionals to insulate and carpet line my van, saving £500. A very good mate of mine fitted his own side windows (my van started life as a kombi so came with the side windows as standard) for just the cost of the glass and rubber seal and sealant. Saved himself a grand.

It can get very very expensive very very quickly. One company quoted me £80 to fit a fridge which I would supply. I unwrapped the fridge, slid it in place and connected the electrics to the fuse box. Job done!

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[Buckshot]

this is an interesting thread for me as we are looking at buying a pre-built one.
I did look at building one myself but the logistics were too much.
Watching with interest.

 

[Bazzworx]

If your fairly hands on you'd have no problem doing a lot of that yourself. Even if you can't do it all your self like van-wild said if you can do bits you will save a fair chunk. There's loads of guides online for fitting out vans as #vanlife is so popular at the moment. I would say watch and read many tutorials though as you do have to sort the wheat from the chaff somewhat.

 

[oldtimer]

Good luck with this VanWild. We have had two campers professionally fitted into second hand vans and happy with both. Elder son had bespoke conversion done to an old van and younger son has had a series of vans to which he has transferred interiors he has made himself.

Buckshot may be interested in elder son's conversion: he lives in Oxford. PM me if you want details.

 

[Van-Wild]

Good luck with this VanWild. We have had two campers professionally fitted into second hand vans and happy with both. Elder son had bespoke conversion done to an old van and younger son has had a series of vans to which he has transferred interiors he has made himself.

Buckshot may be interested in elder son's conversion: he lives in Oxford. PM me if you want details.

It's not me asking matey. My van is fully converted!

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[oldtimer]

Sorry should have addressed this to PaulB. I plead old age!

It's not me asking matey. My van is fully converted!

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[Paul_B]

Yes, very expensive. I had a look at used campers on gumtree and autotrader yesterday. I could probably buy one cheaper already made up.

We fully accept we're going the expensive way with a pro converter but that's the price of being cack handed, having nowhere to work on a van safely and valuing spare time with family (7 year old son) more than saving money.

I would like to save money where I can. We could do bits ourselves of course. I'm thinking the bulkhead removal is easy for a start. But then that saves £30 +VAT and I understand some vivaro vans don't have a clean edge so the converter will probably still do something there and charge us the same.

We're not touching metal cutting roles but windows are £300 both sides. Not sure why he's left off the price for rear windows. Need to ask. Would you go with or without rear windows? I've seen both in VWs but not in a lot vivaros. Most converted vivaros I've seen are ex mini buses. Windows all around.

 

[Bazzworx]

On our vans (both T25 Syncros) one is a converted panel van with no side windows and the other Syncro had 2 side windows on either side, we've fitted an aluminium window blank on the drivers side rear window as the cupboard inside covers half of the window. In an ideal world I'd like no rear side windows for privacy and just 2 front side windows with the one by the cooker to be sliding.

 

[Paul_B]

T25 refers to weight 2.5 t right? We did test drive a t32 but more bang for your pounds from a Vauxhall.

 

[Bazzworx]

No it's just the model but it's a bit confusing, in Europe I believe they we're known as T3's and in the UK T25. I think the correct term would be Type 2 T3. The Type 1 was the beetle the Type 2 was the van. The later vans like you mentioned (T32) is the gross weight rating. Our van is the model after the bay window vans. Ours are Syncros and their about 30 years old. I like them though as they are four wheel drive with cross axle difflocks, they make great adventure campers.

 

[Paul_B]

We were considering nap exports once like a local small importer who specialises in high standard bongos and Mitsubishi Delicas. Low roof not high enough inside for me in driver or front passenger seats. The high roof probably would be ok but never got to see one. We decided on a panel van instead. Would like a proper 4x4 van one day though. The delica is of course based on three pajero so is a very capable off road vehicle despite being a van. Different locks, low ratio, suspension kit and other offroading bits like a snorkel.

Many delica vans get picked up by shooting estates to drive punters up to the shoot across rough terrain.

 

[GuestD]

What does make an excellent base for conversion is a Renault Master. The build is heavier, and LWB high tops are popular disability busses, so there are always plenty available. The inside is also "square" so fitting them out is relatively straightforward. If you're doing the job yourself, have a look at some of the stuff used for fitting out narrow boats as well, because the same principles apply. My pal got an 08 plate ex care home Master, fitted with air con and night heater with 38k on the clock for £2850, and with the help of another cabinet maker friend, kitted the whole thing out beautifully for not much money.

What I like about the master is that it is wide enough at lower window level, to build the bed across the body, which does make a difference in planning out your day space. Worth mentioning, always check with the DVLA/insurance companies before taking on or buying a conversion. My pal had to pay a professional conversion company for some finishing off, in order to get the paperwork correct for change of use/acceptance for insurance.

 

[Van-Wild]

Change of use no longer applies. DVLA will not accept a V5 change from commercial vehicle to campervan/motorhome. The most a converted van will change to now is 'van with side windows'. It will still be registered as a commercial vehicle, with tax, insurances and weight limits applied.

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[GuestD]

Change of use no longer applies. DVLA will not accept a V5 change from commercial vehicle to campervan/motorhome. The most a converted van will change to now is 'van with side windows'. It will still be registered as a commercial vehicle, with tax, insurances and weight limits applied.

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Interesting. So does this not apply anymore ?

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...to-a-motorhome#motor-caravan-minimum-features