To ask if anyone has turned a van into a camper?

[Whatsername17]

DH and I are seriously considering this. We have two young children and we've just been on a short break for half term and we've been inspired. Dh is ploughing full steam ahead into looking at vans to buy and I'm being a little more cautious. How cost effective is it to have your own accommodation as oppose to hiring a static caravan? Do you use it as much as you planned or intended? Are there any 'must have' features? Where is the furthest you've travelled? Also, if you don't mind answering, how much did it cost to convert?

To keep costs down (if you need to) buy an old caravan and use the kitchen/loo/shower/heating and seating/bed from it, then sell it for scrap. Can save you a lot of money even on the little bits like light switches/gas fittings etc etc. Don't scrimp on insulation and ventilation though.

Just reporting back after our 10 day trip to Europe! It’s been brilliant, I’d definitely recommend it.

Even though we have less space than usual due t the motorbikes, the van hasn’t felt claustrophobic at all. Yes, you have to be tidy and organised but it only takes a minute to tidy up such a small space.

The heating and insulation have done the job nicely, especially on Austria where it was very cold.

We were even able to have a hot shower!

The only problem we had was that if we did t empty the toilet before we moved, it sloshed around and leaked 🤢

OMG I would so love to do this. I have just passed someone with a van converted this morning and it looked so good and exciting her and her DC’s were off on an adventure.
We are both very tall and our DC’s are older tall 13 and 14 year olds I doubt the roof space would work for us so we would be into a mini tent or something is that right?
Which type van would you recommend for us? Thanks