Camper vans vs converting a van/lorry?

building

we have started looking around at camper vans and they seem quite pricey - smaller ones from about 10k to a family one (which we are more interested in) from about 20K which we think is pricey. Has anyone converted a van/lorry into a camping car? any tips or ideas where to get competitively priced campers/camping cars otherwise.

vansboy

We've had several customers buy HiTop style vans, with the idea of converting.

Not many ever finish it though!!

Things to consider...
It'll NEVER be a REAL campper- so when you sell on, you'll have difficulty, unless someone sees it & it's superb - caravan & camper people are VERY fussy, mostly!!

You'll be buying an OLD van, which someone has discarded, 'cos it's done its job, so may need £$£$ spending on the oily bits. Also, what was it carrying before you had it, something that was heavy - so has the suspension been uprated, meaning you'll have a lighter load & a bumpy ride!?

It'll confuse insurers, value wise, so might be a premium on your premium!!

But if you're DIY minded, you could SAVE £$£$£ & have a layout, just as you want!!

http://www.british-car-auctions.co.uk have sales sometimes dedicated to campers.caravans.

Next one is 17 June at the Measham, Staffs, Centre.

Give them a call & they'll let you know whats entered!!

VB

VixxAnn

We have owned two motorhomes in the past and I personally would not recommend conversion unless you have a lot of time to spend doing it REALLY properly, and then as someone as mentioned, you will never be able to recoup any money on it - just consider it yours for keeps with no resale value.

If you decide to look for a used motorhome have a look on Ebay, thats where we have sold our last two, or try http://www.ukmotorhomes.net/classifieds/index.php or

http://www.findit.co.uk/motorhome.php

we bought our 2nd ( a large American C class) after spotting it on the FindIt site so give it a try - Good luck;) (I cannot wait until we are in the position to get another, its great - and we have 3 kids before you ask!!)

amd

We'd also love a family camper, but don't have enough spare cash to have a third vehicle only for occasional use. We get round it by using my husbands unlettered van (he's a tree surgeon), a white (we recommend for heat reflection/reduction if going abroad!), high-top, lwb, Merc with extra side windows and with side loading door. We have a load of 'furniture' we fit each summer, beds, cooker, cupboards, table, seating, etc - which can be taken out and stored for next time.

It's a bit rough (to say the least!), always done at the last minute when he gets time, but we tour all over France, once took 6 weeks to go to Lisbon and back, and it's great. The kids love it. We squeeze the van places a campervan couldn't go and cos it has a couple of minor scratches anyway we're not too worried. Imagine taking your £20k+ campervan round lovely twiddly single lane country roads off the beaten track and you know what I mean.

At the end of the day it's about how much you want to spend or how much effort you want to put in. We're happy with our arrangement, we change our van every few years so we know it's up to the job and the stuff gets put into the new van quite easily. It could be fitted out using old caravan bits if you're good at DIY. The van doesn't lose value this way - there's no way we'd pay money for an old 'C' reg camper. I wouldn't trust it to get me to Tesco's never mind around Europe! (no offence to owners of old camper vans - but I just don't get those crazy prices!)

Loads of people self build - we meet people every year and compare layouts! My husband and I have parked beside some very fancy campervans in places of immense beauty and realise they're seeing just the same view as us, but their view cost them a lot more!:p

Campervanning is totally addictive. The freedom is amazing. It's so great to roll up to a fabulous, quiet, unspoiled area and not have to go home at the end of the day! Don't hesitate!

Sorry for rambling on so long.... the summer is drawing near and my mind is wandering to far off sunny places .....:j

alanrowell

Friends of mine did that and their advice is NOT to put side windows in as it makes it obvious that it's a campervan & not an ordinary van and it makes it harder to break in to.

It also means you can be a bit more flexible with the arrangement of things.

amd

Forgot about this earlier. The link for the auction listings mentioned above - gives all vehicles entered for sales.

http://www.commercialauctionview.com/

We've previously had an ex-Royal Mail LDV minibus bought via this lot. LWB, high-top, with just one extra row of 4 seats behind driver and one extra window at each side (incl one in the side door). Never had a problem with break-ins - careful where we parked - and always put curtains over the side windows (used velcro for speed!) and behind front seats when leaving it unattended. If possible, always park near other campers - safety in numbers! Personally prefer extra windows to let in a bit more light to see while cooking, and looking out of on a rainy day!

The best thing is that there is NO VAT to pay on anything with more than just the front seats - ie. all minibuses!!! Keep an eye on that as they sometimes make mistakes. Unfortunately only come in RED - not good for travel abroad - too hot inside! However, Royal Mail comes with guaranteed mileage, and service history papers. Recommend.

The campervan mags run ads from companies selling the bits to convert and some also have articles by people who have gone the DIY route. Sorry can't remember names.

bokkie7975

I think you will find this a handy website
http://www.sbmcc.co.uk/
the forums are great - very helpful people, they have a for sale section, wanted section and more info than you will ever want, lots that we never considered when first looking :eek: .
If you decide to join as a member, they have arranged discounts from various suppliers and specialist insurance. Every little helps.
Good luck !