Want a campervan or to convert a van to a camper?

ManAtHome

Motorcaravan and Motorhome Monthly

Normally has a big MMM at top-left, with the full title below it. Think the new issue is due out soon, so old one may have sold out.

[edit] just found a piccie.. http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/magazines/default.asp?magazine=4

vansboy

Sold several vans to people, with this idea - verrrrry few ever finish the job, or do it really well & as mentioned, hard to insure/sell on.

There is, however, a much higher profit margin dealers ask, compared to cars/vans, generally. So you could do a deal, if they needed to shift stock.

& if you're naywhere near Measham, Staffordshire, this is the auction centre, BCA feature caravan & camper sales. Next one 22 August & another next month.

www.commercialauctionview.co.uk is free to use & you'll see entries listed (but not guide prices) although the auction will maybe indicate £$£$ expected for the ones you fancy.

VB

easypeezy

I bought a Mazda Bongo from Littlemovers - usually priced between £4,500 and £9,000 depending on the year of the van.

I've spent the past 20 years motorhoming and was a big VW fan but since looking at the Mazda bongo the VW has no chance. The standard kit on a Bongo is far superior; factory fitted electric raising roof with space for two to sleep, air-conditioning, front and back, night blinds on the windows, 2.5 turbo diesel engine and the list goes on....best take a look to be honest but I can't say enough about them at the mo' (had mine for three years so far)

And the guys at Littlemovers (https://www.mazda-bongo.co.uk) will fit different sorts of conversions depending on your budget and layout - I prefer the side conversion but there is the rear too - their website shows lots of pics and they convert a Bongo bought from other places if you like but I think they do get some in to sell as well, probably best to call them first.

As you can see I'm a bit of a fan so feel free to PM me if you want to know anymore!

jd82

You can always do it the scouse way:-

Twoc a Transit and then stick to matresses in the back. You can then take a portable gas stuff, a portable chemical toilet etc. If the items in the back of the van are not fixed to the chasis then surely legally its still a van and not a camper van?

I've also had the same idea but I can barely afford to run a Fiat Panda at the moment yet alone trying to insure a second vehicle.

Ebe_Scrooge

A mate of mine converted his own. Bought an old ambulance from auction and fitted it out himself. He was a carpenter by trade which obviously helped somewhat with the fitting out.

But he reckoned the vehicle was dead cheap to buy, and although the bodywork was a bit battered it was mechanically perfect ( I suppose you would hope they keep ambulances well maintained ! ). He did say that when he stopped to think of the dead bodies and bodily fluids that may have been in the back of the ambulance previously ............ :-) But the upshot was he got a good "campervan" for not much money.

Rolandtheroadie

I'd love to do it too, but would be looking at a 30 seater bus probably. Optare do some nice looking busses (wouldnt want to do it to an old welfare bus) but as usual, it's not high on the list of priorities right now.
Wonder what the OP eventually done?

misterspivvy

I did a self build camper van myself. I'm handy-ish but not an expert carpenter by any stretch. what I did was get an old ambulance from an auction. It was a Transit with a 2.9 V6 in it, cost £800 but it really was pristine, having come from a rural area with a crew who had obviously cherished it. I bought an old caravan for £100 and stripped out the interior, basically removing complete units from it and installing them in the ambulance making modifications to allow for difference in size of vehicle.
It's probably the easiest way to do a self build, with the advantage that the ambulance is already insulated with double skinned bodywork, has plenty of 12v sockets in the back, will have been maintained to perfection - plus they go like stink!
It was one of the few vehicles I actually made a profit on when I sold it.