Van conversion advice

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About insurance...... any vehicle that isn't coach built (think 'propper motorhome) or built and marketed as a camper (think VW California) cannot be insured as a camper anymore. DVLA changed the rules. It can now only be insured as a 'Panel Van With Windows'.

You'll have to look up the exact terms yourself, I'm busy throwing lures into the water and hoping a fish will jump out!
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.
 
About insurance...... any vehicle that isn't coach built (think 'propper motorhome) or built and marketed as a camper (think VW California) cannot be insured as a camper anymore. DVLA changed the rules. It can now only be insured as a 'Panel Van With Windows'.

You'll have to look up the exact terms yourself, I'm busy throwing lures into the water and hoping a fish will jump out!

"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.

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.

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
 
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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
 
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
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
 
Hey folks,

Well by some miracle my wee mazda passed its MOT but I ended up punting it. Long story short SWMBO veto'd the van idea for the time being. Given the kids are still so young it made sense to put a pin in the idea and revisit it in a few years when they're a bit bigger.

I've traded in my old Mazda and got a new to me Ford Focus estate. Certainly not the nice wee van I'd planned but definitely an upgrade. I'm sure I can squeeze a tent in the back and get the boys out to the woods that way. :)

All the best
Andy
 
Hey folks,

Well by some miracle my wee mazda passed its MOT but I ended up punting it. Long story short SWMBO veto'd the van idea for the time being. Given the kids are still so young it made sense to put a pin in the idea and revisit it in a few years when they're a bit bigger.

I've traded in my old Mazda and got a new to me Ford Focus estate. Certainly not the nice wee van I'd planned but definitely an upgrade. I'm sure I can squeeze a tent in the back and get the boys out to the woods that way. :)

All the best
Andy

Focus Estate is a great car. Deeply unfashionable, great to drive, good fuel economy and a cavern of a boot. I have slept in one before, with the seats down it's surprisingly long. And that was the 2004 model, which was shorter than my current 2020 model is. Such a handy rear space with the tailgate up.

Indeed today I was down at the place we are renovating and on a whim used the back of my boot as a workspace to make a Christmas wreath from the stuff around me. This was after I'd removed the half dozen 20kg bags of local anthracite "large nuts" that I bought this morning....

I reckon you could get a tidy tarp attached to the boot when it's open, with the back seats down you'd have a nice little car camper.

GC
 
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Hi folks,

A lot has changed since I was particularly active on the forum. I'm now a proud father to two boys. (Very young, 2.5 & 7months)

I simply don't get out to the woods as much as I'd like these days and now with an aging and rapidly rusting car I'll be forced to replace it in the next year or so, sooner if it fails it's upcoming MOT.

Now obviously the boys are quite a way from it but I'd like to take them out camping when they're a bit bigger but I find myself looking at getting a van of some sort more and more.

I'd ideally like to be able to use it as a bit of a work van too. Leaning towards a mid sized van, Vauxhall Vivaro / Renault Trafic, Ford Transit Custom or similar unless someone has a particular recommendation.

Has anyone on here converted a van? What recommendations would you make for kids sleeping arrangements?

In my mind this would be an extremely basic conversion, ideally being mainly removable or at least multi-use so I can fling some metalwork in the back if and when I need to.

My thoughts are to build a basic bunk bed on one side of the van, with a space for a military style cot-bed on the other for me. Alternatively two beds going across the van for the boys and again a cot bed underneath for me. Which might allow for a small area for a "kitchen" shelf for a camp stove etc. (all safety considerations in place obviously)

All input appreciated.

Cheers
Andy
Have you though about a small caravan with awning? Thats what I would do. You got the van with a matress in as another bedroom and you dont have to keep changing it from work to camper van. you can pick up a decent caravan cheap. x
 
I fell in love with the 90s Toyota highace, they're attractive and feel spacious. Or a Bedford rascal. No practical way for me to get either, but they're petite in a way that's pleasing and look respectful in a parking lot.
 
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Focus Estate is a great car. Deeply unfashionable, great to drive, good fuel economy and a cavern of a boot. I have slept in one before, with the seats down it's surprisingly long. And that was the 2004 model, which was shorter than my current 2020 model is. Such a handy rear space with the tailgate up.

Indeed today I was down at the place we are renovating and on a whim used the back of my boot as a workspace to make a Christmas wreath from the stuff around me. This was after I'd removed the half dozen 20kg bags of local anthracite "large nuts" that I bought this morning....

I reckon you could get a tidy tarp attached to the boot when it's open, with the back seats down you'd have a nice little car camper.

GC
Funny you should say that. Me and the oldest had to have a play in the car when I got it home. He was very excited by it all. I had the seats down and I could lay flat on the diagonal but not straight. There was ample space for him as well though it'd be tight for three.

With any luck I'll get a wee camp out next year.

Cheers
Andy
 
Have you though about a small caravan with awning? Thats what I would do. You got the van with a matress in as another bedroom and you dont have to keep changing it from work to camper van. you can pick up a decent caravan cheap. x

I've no space to store a caravan unfortunately. Nice idea but not practical for me.

Even if I did I expect the aforementioned Ford Focus with its little 1.0L engine would struggle to pull one.

Cheers
Andy
 
Funny you should say that. Me and the oldest had to have a play in the car when I got it home. He was very excited by it all. I had the seats down and I could lay flat on the diagonal but not straight. There was ample space for him as well though it'd be tight for three.

With any luck I'll get a wee camp out next year.

Cheers
Andy
I'd say going car camping is a good first step towards doing a conversion, because you can nail down what you actually need in terms of essentials and home comforts. The psychological barrier of just parking up and sleeping somewhere is very taxing also, and you might find it's too stressful to be fun.
 
I've no space to store a caravan unfortunately. Nice idea but not practical for me.

Even if I did I expect the aforementioned Ford Focus with its little 1.0L engine would struggle to pull one.

Cheers
Andy

Yes, and not all Focus cars will tow. Mine won't- although the power would in principle be OK with a small trailer (it's the 1.5L diesel), the Focus needs a special towbar kit which isn't compatible for all models (it's not compatible with mine).

GC
 

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