Anyone here built their own camper/dayvan?

sgoaty

sgoaty

sgoaty

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Joined
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Inverness
I've got into mountain biking over the last couple of years which made me want to get a van to transport them. Then I thought it might be nice if I could sleep in it so I could explore further afield. Then the wife got involved and all of a sudden I'm building a camper which may or may not have space for the MTBs.

I've bought a 2014 mk8 transit and I'm in the process of making it habitable.

I just wondered if anyone else on here has done similar?
 
My nephew is building one at the moment. Another Transit I think

There are quite a few YouTube channels where people did this a few years ago. It was quite a trend. I would love to give it a go one day. It's a bit less popular now that lockdown is over and fuel prices went up a lot.

I seem to recall there are various regulations now on what has to be included for it to be reclassified officially as a camper. E.g. size and placement of windows etc.

Keep us updated :)
 
I just watched a series where a couple converted an old sainsburys delivery van (the refrigerated kind), it looks pretty neat. They are planning to take it to the artic.
 
Hades said:
My nephew is building one at the moment. Another Transit I think

There are quite a few YouTube channels where people did this a few years ago. It was quite a trend. I would love to give it a go one day. It's a bit less popular now that lockdown is over and fuel prices went up a lot.

I seem to recall there are various regulations now on what has to be included for it to be reclassified officially as a camper. E.g. size and placement of windows etc.

Keep us updated :)
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Also needs to have graphics....

I don't a little van, used it for mtb and racing etc. Was great, grubby really but so useful.

I done it myself but kept it basic, battery and bed. If I had to do it again, I'd consider just hanging a hammock if it was just for me.
 
I've not done it as far as a dedicated van but we plan to use our family car for more of this type of thing on the cheap.. me, my wife and 3 year old did the NC500 early Oct in our "car". Slept in there for 5 nights with no problems. It had no modifications besides a 5 minute removal of the front passenger seat for some storage space at the front. We just stayed at campsites for the facilities (my crux is a nice hot shower in the morning). The car is a Vauxhall combo life (short wheel base so not exactly large although technically is a small van), so the rear seats fold more or less flat and thats where we slept. Entirely enjoyable with practically nothing required although we did bring a few bits of our camping gear like the stove etc.

From that trip the only modifictions we are planning are wind deflectors for ventilation/keep rain out, slightly better padding for sleeping and covers for the windows for privacy.

Can you not mount the MTBs on the roof or rear? If you are making the van habitable i'm not sure i'd want muddy bikes inside it!
 
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MissChief said:
@VeNT was fitting out a T5 a couple of years ago. Not from scratch, but improvements and additions. Sure he still has it too.
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yup! it was already boarded out but other than that I built it out.
Uther said:
Speed limits for one I think.
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This is one of those SUPER FUN misconceptions. It makes _no difference_ anymore. if your van was originally built as a panel van etc then you're stuck with those speed limits.
no idea when it changed or if it's enforced. IANAL but a quick google returns a few results of people being caught out.

sgoaty said:
I've got into mountain biking over the last couple of years which made me want to get a van to transport them. Then I thought it might be nice if I could sleep in it so I could explore further afield. Then the wife got involved and all of a sudden I'm building a camper which may or may not have space for the MTBs.

I've bought a 2014 mk8 transit and I'm in the process of making it habitable.

I just wondered if anyone else on here has done similar?
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loads of people build a space for living and a space for MTB, but normally they will pick up some kind of high top (or crafter size) rather than squeeze in.

there's a few places that do the interiors pre-cut for your van, regal campers is where I got mine.
I would advise _against_ MDF, it'll get wet and fall apart after a year. plus PLY is about 50% of the weight.

Other than that, think what you want to do in the van while away, then go away in the van without those things and see if you really need to. most people I know do _not_ use the stove or sink in their van if they can get away with it. massive PITA.
Having said that, an old school friend's converted a VW Crafter with a shower etc and it looks better than my house so take my advice with a pinch of salt.

You'll want a fridge though. and thus batteries. get a solar panel so you're not replacing them every other year.
 
Apparently unless you spend a fortune on a Fridge it'll eat batteries so I'm going to just use my electric coolbox maybe with some Ice packs and only plug it in when on the move.
 
sgoaty said:
Apparently unless you spend a fortune on a Fridge it'll eat batteries so I'm going to just use my electric coolbox maybe with some Ice packs and only plug it in when on the move.
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all fridges are a fortune.
you'll want one that works off of 12 and 240v. the ones that use gas are not worth the hassle anymore.
 
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