Best Small Van for Camper Conversion?

Nebulous2

You are talking about serious compromises however you do this. As with bikes I don't believe there is one vehicle to do it all... 

If you want to convert make sure you get a decent base vehicle. We converted a LDV convoy and it was marred by unreliability. We should have started with a newer more modern vehicle.

I was very unhappy with my bikes being on the roof for long journeys and have ended up with a long wheelbase Renault Trafic crewcab. I've two racks in the back to carry bikes. It has room for roadbikes lengthwise.  Unlike most vans it is not limited to a lower speed than cars.

At a push on a cycling event starting early I have travelled the night before and slept in the back. I use a rollmat, sleeping bag and pillow and there is room to carry a portapotty. It isn't uncomfortable, but I worry slightly about what might be going on outside as there is no / very limited visibility. 

EDIT to add:- 

I've no problems with height barriers. It even goes through a car wash. I'm very wary of multi-storey carparks however, I wouldn't go into one I don't know. 

Grumpy_chap

Depending how often the OP intends to use this micro-camper, they could consider a Berlingo passenger car with a "fit in the boot" conversion kit:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144884817412
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325290989923
I have seen (online only, not for real) similar kits for the Doblo and other such vehicles as well.
The OP would then likely require roof rack or tow hitch rack for the mountain bikes.

maxmycardagain

How tall are you?

BTW, low roof vans are not now allowed to be registered as a motorcaravan/camper van and the rules were tightened up a few years ago, a bed and gas cooker/portaloo wont make the grade now

maxmycardagain

born_again said:

Roof tent 

https://venturarooftents.com/

Other brands are avaiable 

the 2am trek to the dunny starts with a 5ft drop

maxmycardagain

SiliconChip said:

I'm not sure that you'll find a suitable small van. I wonder if a large estate might be a better solution, perhaps something like a Skoda Superb - I can't find the exact length from the front seats to the tailgate but the overall length is 4862mm so I'd think that the rear space would be at least 2m. I don't know if the rear seats fold flat, and you won't have as much headroom, but you should have the length you need.

I had a 6ft double wardrobe in the back of my Superb estate (not upright obviously)

maxmycardagain

My favourite would be a LWB hiroof Fiat Ducato (avoid the Citroen/Peugeot versions, the Fiat has a Fiat engine in the same bodyshell)

They are FWD, so you get a lower rear floor (no rear drive axle/propshaft) and a wide/tall DLD..

 

paperclap

Thanks for your input everyone.

A couple of years ago, my partner and I had actually travelled around Europe for a year and a half, in a short wheelbase low top Peugeot Boxer. Visited 27 countries. Naturally owned very little. I worked just a few days a month (online). Best time of our lives.

But, this van isn’t for that purpose. Right now in time, it’s for putting the mountain bikes in the back, and not having to take all the wheels off and twist the bars, like I need to in my car. It’s for going to and from my partners country (via ferry), and being able to kip in the back before the ferry, take goods, bring goods, etc. It’s for picking up free firewood nearby, rather than worrying about my cars messily suspension. Just a more functional vehicle, really. And of course, the occasional camping trip away 

paperclap

I feel the mention of “camper” in my original post has kind of swayed this conversation. I won’t be converting it! If we ever do sleep in the back, it’ll be roughing it in our sleeping bags 

maxmycardagain

paperclap said:

I feel the mention of “camper” in my original post has kind of swayed this conversation. I won’t be converting it! If we ever do sleep in the back, it’ll be roughing it in our sleeping bags 

Even in summer that will be very cold, the bodwork being tin will act like a heat exchanger, there will be lots of condensation, your clothing and bedding will be drenched... buy something ready to use, a day van at least (LHD if a yank, good for Europe) or a converted campervan, you will appreciate the fixtures and fittings, and sell it when you get back

Ditzy_Mitzy

You'd probably be better off forgetting the idea of sleeping in whatever it is - which you inevitably won't do that often - and buying a double cab pickup instead.  Such a thing will do all you want vis a vis carrying bicycles and firewood, whilst being nicer to drive on the road than a van.  Driving a proper van unladen gets tedious after a while, don't forget.  

Spend the money you would have put towards a camper conversion on B&B or cheap hotel accommodation when overnight stops are required.