Anyone coverted a van into a camper?

[Scramble]

Just wondering how you got on, best suppliers of fittings and before and after picks would be fantastic. I need inspiration as I may be about to part with cash for a van.

[Spidermama]

Not yet. Planning to so will watch this. What van are you buying?

[Kbear]

What about windows Scramble? My dad has converted three vans into campers (years ago - best holidays ever) and put his own windows in (hard work). Also did his own woodwork. We had fridge, cooker and toilet and best of all, hammocks to sleep in. No photos I'm afraid but happy days!

[Scramble]

I am looking at a LDV minibus, it already has seats removed, looks like a SWB, its not high, so I might have to go for some sort of kitchen at the back door with an awning, to be able to stand comfortably. Don't know how much it would be to get a pop up top fitted.

I am thinking a blow up mattress, electric hook up and a camping cooker will see us through the summer.

[Scramble]

Its a mini bus with windows all round. so It will be nice and bright.

I don't know what bed, seat kitchen configeration to go for. Having a good look at ones on ebay for ideas.

[Spidermama]

The best conversion I've been in was my friend's old LWB transporter. She had a window cut out of the top so lots of light but still privacy. It was great.

I would need to be able to stand up in mine so a high top.

[Scramble]

I would prefer a high top, but needs must and all that. I was thinking one of those awnings that fir on the back could accomodate the kitchen.

[Kbear]

Ours had a table that converted to a double bed.

[singledadofthree]

ldv - as in sherpa 200 deisel?

[Spidermama]

So your kitchen would be portable? You'd get it out into the awning at the start of the trip then pack it up again at the end?

D'you know what? It's going to be brilliant anyway and I'm extremely jealous. Our camper blew up despite (or maybe because of) us putting a new engine in. The festival we went to while it worked though was absolutely brilliant. It's the way to go it really is.

[hercules1]

Is it a lot cheaper to do it this way? We are yearning in a big way for one.

[Scramble]

Well if the kitchen is portable I won't have to drive about with it all the time at home I can store all the holiday stuff and when away it can all stay in the awning when we are out for the day. I might progress to a more fitted affair but roof will be limiting.

SDo3 I don't know if it is a sherpa but it is 200 something and diesel. What do you think? Hang on I will put a pick on my profile

[Scramble]

Pic in profile.

[Scramble]

I have a lot of stuff from my old caravan and an assortment of cookers, tents, and stuff lying around. I would just need some sort of unit to sit all the kitchen stuff on, perhaps folding. and I could make one of the bench seats storage for all that stuff.

[Scramble]

Well went to see that van today and it was rubbish, very hard to drive, ccouldn't find any gears, very heavy steering shockingly manky and a few "minor" foaults that I think were a little bit major than he cared to admit to. He was a dodgey little charactor, so I did not feel I could trust his verson of things, hadn't looked after the vehicle at all.

[Spidermama]

Oh well Scramble. A lucky escape. Now you can look for a LWB high top.

[singledadofthree]

sorry i didnt get back last night - the phone called. was going to give you a long list of techy stuff but you summed it up well. the early engines were poor and the 300/400 werent a great deal better. and i too test drove one. wasnt a good experience - and that is typical of them, not unusual. it is after all an end of the line leyland. glad you tested it tho and found out without any boring blokey bias from me.

[hercules1]

singledadofthree - what would you recommend as a good one to convert into a camper?

[singledadofthree]

for space - a ford transit, the engine is up front so more room at the back. and theyre petty smooth and quiet. and theyre cheap to buy and maintain. the downside is purely cosmetic - not exactly a head turner.

for coolness - a vw type 25, tho expensive to buy and maintain. engine in the boot takes up a lot of space tho conversions work fairly well. the 1.9/2.0 petrol goes well and is 5 speed which makes all the difference. thirsty as any tho with only about 20-25 to the gallon.

for retro - and my personal favourite tho i wouldnt run one - a bedford CF - i test drove one and theyre brilliant - loads of room inside, engine up front, saw one in glastonbury driving down the high street with the roof up - was cool . downside is well, everything really. who knows i may get one one day. would need engine/box swapping tho.

[singledadofthree]

oh forgot the sherpa - and intend to continue.

[hercules1]

We have several dogs, two being rather on the large side and two kids so want something not too nice as liable to have some chewing and mud in it! If we got say a ford transit or sherpa, how much would we be looking at paying to convert?
I guess I am wondering whether it's cheaper to buy already converted or purpose built or to make it yourself.

[BeMyV]

singledad - a Type 25 for coolness??? I beg to differ. IMHO, Type 25s are for George and Mildred.
For coolness you need a 1963 Splitty. Mine is a fantastic gold and the inside is a shell waiting for my final decision on the layout, although I have chosen the upholstery and curtain material (putting the cart before the horse).
(My other bus is a 1972 Bay BTW)

[BeMyV]

Anyway, back on topic, I would one day like to convert a Caetano minibus. I can't recall who makes these, a local minibus company uses them and I covet one.
It's a lovely size, not too big but big enough to have a decent kitchen, put a couple of bunks at the back for the dcs, have a little loo/washroom (if not shower), some decent seating towards the front which would convert into a comfy double from which to watch selected DVDs of a cold evening.
Oh, for a Caetano.

[singledadofthree]

coolness within the realm of cheap and practical of course. as a daily runabout i wouldnt have an aircooled again - have had two of them and they just dont compete any more. i do like them, am an ex bug jammer. i once turned down a fully restored split screen for £3000 - was on with rebuilding a type 3 fastback, a great little car and fast for an aircooled.
and as far as two big dogs go, forget any vw, nowhere to put them, i have one fairly small dog and he was always in the way in the vw, not much floor space as engine takes up about a third of floor space, then seats, cupboards. the proverbial cat would get a headache.
for costing, look at justkampers - i know its vw, but they should give prices of hobs/sink unit, fridge, cupboards/ bed mechanism/ elevating/ fixed roof/ bunks etc..it goes on. would either buy one ready done that can have a makeover or see what you can rob out of an old caravan.

[Scramble]

Thanks for all the opinions and advice.

I am thinking my best bet will be a SWB transit with a second row of seats and windows. A LWB would cause to many parking headaches I think. I T25 bus style would be another possible.

Anything already converted is going to be far to expensive, and as I am going to be driving it everyday I don't want full on wardrobes and toilet cubicles. Something I can complement with an awning for cooking in could work well I think. A high top or pop top would be best, but on my budget I may have to stooop.

[Scramble]

Oh and yes for ultimate coolness I would have a old VW and park it by the beach in cornwall with my surf board on top .