True this. My Ducato LWB van is still classed as light goods, and I was told by DVLA even if I put another window (the reason you see so many portholes on vans) I would never get it changed to campervan. Despite pilot chairs, table, sink/hob, loo/shower, gas cupboard, gas/electric boiler, fridge and bunks for 3. You’d have trouble fitting any light goods in there TBH.
Van conversion advice
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"Van with windows" yes- but modified. Modification is the issue with insurance.
Actually, I found it easier to get my "van with windows" on a policy which allowed work use than when it was classed as a motorhome..... the original owner had had it reclassified as a motorhome by DVLA back in the days when they weren't so strict (he did so on the incorrect assumption it would allow him to use car speed limits).
After really struggling with insurance of a "motorhome also used for work," I wrote to DVLA, had it reclassified back to a "van with windows" and that actually made it much easier (and considerably less cost!) to insure.
Indeed, and even in the days my van was classed as a motorhome it still needed the light commercial MOT. As it was a Big Van (3.5 tonner) the reduced LCV speed limits still applied too.
I discovered that if you want to use the vehicle for work purposes beyond the daily commute (and be correctly insured), there is no advantage whatsoever in having a camperised van reclassified as a motorhome; quite the opposite in fact when it comes to insuring it. Which is why I had mine changed back!
The thing with insurance of a camperised van (with or without windows) is that its a modified van. Any modified vehicle- and a modification can be as minor a thing as a "ceramic" coating on a car- scares off most insurers (i.e. they want a detailed list of each mod to factory spec and hike the price). So I went to a modified vehicle specialist insurer who also insures modified vans (Brentacre), and hey presto, problem solved. Once main mods listed, they were very relaxed about more mods, needed to tell them but they only charged more if the mods increased the performance. That's rather an important consideration when you're home-converting in stages, as each stage is technically a "modification."
However...... that only works if the Keeper is a person and it's their vehicle used for work (and leisure).
The same insurer wasn't interested in covering my business-owned (and business is the keeper) pick-up as it was "too commercial" for them. (I went to NFU Mutual, a 4x4 work pickup is much more their bag, that has some work-related mods- e.g. orange lights on top- and they are OK with that so long as listed).
It's a minefield, especially as the insurance market for anything not "bog standard" is getting increasingly fragmented, you really need to find the right insurer for your vehicle type- and the insurers don't see vehicle types in quite the same way as the DVLA.
GC
My take on the converted van campers - take it with a grain of salt as I've never actually used one - is I'm surprised when people put in like an entire fitted kitchen. It's a very small space and you're camping, so my instinct would be to keep the space as multi-purpose as possible with fold-out furniture.
That way, if the van breaks down you've not sunk too much money into it, or you have more money on hand for a better vehicle and essential alterations (insulation, condensation, heat etc)
So I'd start by writing a list of what you will need, estimating how much space that takes up in boxes and fold-down furniture, and design any fitted elements around these storage needs. & draw from camping to maximise your space (for example, everyone needs one good multi-purpose bowl only; you can sleep on the floor and put the bed away during the day; in Japan, you sit round the table and eat sat on the floor etc)
I don't get why you'd pick a living space that small and immediately fill it with fitted cabinets, and in particular I'm thinking of the possibility of it raining 24/7 for a week and needing to make the van your primary hangout space. My preference would be to keep my living needs to more-or-less what fits in my rucksack, and then have more space
That way, if the van breaks down you've not sunk too much money into it, or you have more money on hand for a better vehicle and essential alterations (insulation, condensation, heat etc)
So I'd start by writing a list of what you will need, estimating how much space that takes up in boxes and fold-down furniture, and design any fitted elements around these storage needs. & draw from camping to maximise your space (for example, everyone needs one good multi-purpose bowl only; you can sleep on the floor and put the bed away during the day; in Japan, you sit round the table and eat sat on the floor etc)
I don't get why you'd pick a living space that small and immediately fill it with fitted cabinets, and in particular I'm thinking of the possibility of it raining 24/7 for a week and needing to make the van your primary hangout space. My preference would be to keep my living needs to more-or-less what fits in my rucksack, and then have more space
Tend to agree
My old van was more of an insulated metal tent with a bed platform and a small round sink in a corner, plus a surface on which I could park a stove. If I wanted to use a campsite hookup, I had one for a tent, just brought the cable in through the window (wind defletor kept rain out). Anything else then fixed in was easily removable by me.
When I got rid of it, I stripped everything I could reuse out in less than 2 days........ it was put together so I could do that.
GC
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