Make a Campervan

[sikelsh]

Hi, not sure which section this fits, suppose its this one.

Has anyone turned a van or MPV in to a small camper before?

For sometime, I have wanted a 'project' (probably doomed already by adding that word as you see so many failed projects) and I have decided I want to build a small camper.

The cheapest vehicle I can find to start with seems to be the Nissan Serena, I saw one for sale on here.

see here > http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201140419161897

But I think I want a Toyota Estima > http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201141421016585

(anyone know of any others? have seen the Bongo, but they are double the price)

I am a joiner, so think I would be ok with the internals. :shrug:

What I want to know about, is should I cut a massive hole in the roof to put a pop up roof on, who decides if its safe? Is the safety of the car simply down to if it passes the MOT?

Thanks
Simon

[RKDE]

The van status will need to change from van to mpv etc

If the roof is part of the structure then you will need to perform a IVA test but if it is not part of the structure then you will be fine to modify it.

It does depend on the type of van and also what else has been done and what was a factory option. Normally if it is an option from the factory you can convert it

Quite a lot to look into but there are a lot of people offering conversions so should be quite simple. Infact custom cars generally are

I don't think you will be able to cut a hole in the car you have shown

[payner75t]

how much have you to spend???
a mazda bongo is ideal especially if you can get the friendee freetop!!!(electric rising roof as standard).
trouble is they start about £3k ish i used to have a 8 seat version.

[sikelsh]

Thanks for the advice :) I did wonder if a test would be needed.

In terms of spend, I initial thought about £1,000 and then do the rest in bits and bats.

I know a bongo would be ideal, but I guess thats why the command higher prices.

I may have to start thinking high topped van instead.

Thanks
Simon

[Greeners]

try fordtransit.org there's a few builds on there if you want ideas.

[GT Courier]

try fordtransit.org there's a few builds on there if you want ideas.


Or the VW vans are quite often converted to campers, a mate of mine is doing his now!

[payner75t]

i was thinking of doing the same thing a while back but it's finding a decent donor vehicle.
as a side note dvla have changed the registration rules to make it a hell of a lot more difficult to change a van to a campervan on the v5c most self builds are now classed as vans with windows , obviously they have different rules to abide by.:shrug:

[sikelsh]

Been looking at VW T4 and T5's but they would require a roof popup also.

However, the interiors look tasty

http://www.elitecamperconversions.co.uk/wpe107.jpg

[payner75t]

this website is worth a look through.
http://www.campervanlife.com/

[Canon]

Hi, not sure which section this fits, suppose its this one.

Has anyone turned a van or MPV in to a small camper before?

For sometime, I have wanted a 'project' (probably doomed already by adding that word as you see so many failed projects) and I have decided I want to build a small camper.

The cheapest vehicle I can find to start with seems to be the Nissan Serena, I saw one for sale on here.

see here > http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201140419161897

But I think I want a Toyota Estima > http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201141421016585

(anyone know of any others? have seen the Bongo, but they are double the price)

I am a joiner, so think I would be ok with the internals. :shrug:

What I want to know about, is should I cut a massive hole in the roof to put a pop up roof on, who decides if its safe? Is the safety of the car simply down to if it passes the MOT?

Thanks
Simon


Hi Simon, sorry the Serena has gone now. As for Toyotas, i would not recommend the Estima or Lucida, both are imported and suffer with HGF, ive had 2 Estimas one went with HGF, the other was scrapped due to gear box and clutch. The english Toyota Previa i had for over 4 years with no problems what so ever.
Also you have to remember if its a fixed roof there is no height to stand up in, if you fix an awning to it then thats not a problem.
The Mazda Bongos are excellent for conversions and quite a lot have the tilt roofs on them. You can build your own units or buy ready made pods (quite expensive) for them wich have fitted cooker, sink and pipes.
If you want to self build i would recommend the Mercedes Sprinter, these are big enough to have a fixed double bed, kitchen and lounge plus a seperate toilet/shower, you can also stand up without fear of banging head

Tony

[chrissyboy]

just a thought ,when turned a transit into a camper in about 1998 i went to highfields in clacton and bought the sink cooker and other bits i needed for £80 :D all the old caravans they was removing from site they used to strip out so lots of cheap bits available, i made just one mistake ,i boarded it out with normall ply so the it was quiet heavy :mad: you need to buy the lighter ply ,i got mine from a place on the way to hastings .you will need to remember that next year vans will have to have something fitted to exhaust system ,i cant remember what its called ,but will cost up to £2000 to have fitted ,im sure on of the other guys will know about this .vans without it will be worthless so dont get caught with one with out it ...

[sikelsh]

Thanks for the tip on parts from caravans, a good one.

Re the other thing for vans, are you talking about the Low Emission Zone for London? > http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/fuels-and-environment/london-low-emissions-zone.html

If so, I try my very best to visit London for business only, certainly not for pleasure, so my camper wouldn't be going anywhere near the zone.

I do feel for the people who bought campers to escape, and now cant take them home to give them a clean and what not ready for weekends away.

[StuBlake13]

What about this?:

http://www.firebox.com/product/3644/VW-Camper-Van-Tent

[monsterness]

I have done 4 vans in to campers the SBMCC is the best club for all the info on how to do it from start to finish , i had a bongo with a Aft roof great for 2 but no storage and about 20 mgp around town and 33 on a run not as good as a 3.5 ton Iveco i converted 35 mpg on a run. To change the V% you have to send photos of the van out side with at least 1 window in the rear a bed sink storage basicly that the van can not now carry a load all items must be fixed , you might be called to your local dvla cwenter for an inspection hope this helps

[sikelsh]

Kind of went by the wayside this, ended up with a cronky old motorbike that needs some effort.

But its still on the wish list so thanks for the info.

Simon

[willster]

The only vehicle you should consider is a Toyota Hiace 2.4d , they start at less than a grand and the engine is a legendary lump, i have seen many advertised with 300 000 plus on them. You will get over 30mpg too.

[sworks]

This is what a local dealer has just produced from a van, expensive I know but just as an idea
http://jedgar.nissan.co.uk/used-vehicles/index.php#id=571221