Which van to convert?

[matlee]

My winter break is fast approaching and im needing a project to keep me busy and this year i have decided to convert a van into a camper.

Once it's done it will be used mainly for work, to save on hotel costs, where im away from home between 4-10 nights at a time. I wont be needing to install a shower or a toilet (i'll be using on site facilities) but will be wanting running water (sink), microwave and some sort of cooling device (fridge/cool box).

It will be used by me only so wont be needing something overly large but at the same time wont be wanting something too small. Budget wise im looking at £6k for the van and whatever the fit out costs come in at. Buying one ready made isnt an option as that's too easy and i like a challenge.

So with all that in mind what would you lot suggest would be a good base van?

[Shaw Tarse]

A build thread here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[R60EST]

I'd say a Transit , from about 07 onwards

The reason being plenty of choice , not only in the vast number available but size : length , height you can find one that really suits your needs

After the conversion is done , with all the time you'll have invested , the availability of parts should be a consideration. No point in converting something quite rare or expensive to source parts for in the future , parts for the Transit will be plentiful for some time to come.

[rsv696]

Buy the nicest VW Transporter you can find. VW campers are 10 times more sought after than anything else. There are better vans out there, but the residuals on VW's are phenomenal. Loads of useful build threads on T4forum etc too. Generally speaking, Transits have questionable image & build quality (although I think the new one looks great) , Mercs are rustbuckets & Vivaro's are terminally unreliable. I've got a Peugeot Boxer which has been great, but if I was buying again I'd go for a facelift VW T5 with smart 18" alloys. Ikea's great for units & Led lights

[Lynch91]

If I were you I'd get a high top, will make life a lot easier if you in it for 10 days at a time as you can stand up and change in it when it's lashing it down outside. Also be helpful having a high top if you choose to cook inside it.

We had a LWB sprinter for 5 years which didn't have any rust, probably too big for your needs so I'd suggest a transit as you can get them high roof with a SWB i think.

[matlee]

Thanks for the replies so far guys.

Originally i was really liking the vivaros mainly due to the looks but after some reading up, and replies on here, regarding the reliability they have worked their way out of the equation.

The VW T5 option is a good shout but i think space might just be an issue but love the way they look. The transit did cross my mind quite a bit as the no brainer fail safe option and there seems to be hell of a lot more choice than ant other van out there. Ive got two weeks until my time off starts and no doubt will spend every waking hour until then reading up on conversions and finding inspiration.

[onemorelap]

I know you are looking for a challenge but how about a second hand welfare van as a starting point?

Would still need some work as most don't come with bunks but all the gubbins for water, power and heat are already in.

[Lordglenmorangie]

T5 all the way

[Vladimir]

T5! We cheated and got VW to convert ours in Germany...!

[GreatGranny]

OP has £6k plus conversion costs, bit unfair showing him £20k + options :-)

How about one already converted?
Spend the winter making it mint!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/campervan-/261324773189?...

[Igurisu]

For something a little different, how about a Land Rover Forward Control 101? Back in my Landy days saw a few of these as campers, you'd be able to find some nice off road spots to stop into the bargain

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C443966



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[Lefty]

VW LT35, much bigger than the t4/t5, great van

[VinceFox]

rsv696 said:

Buy the nicest VW Transporter you can find. VW campers are 10 times more sought after than anything else. There are better vans out there, but the residuals on VW's are phenomenal. Loads of useful build threads on T4forum etc too. Generally speaking, Transits have questionable image & build quality (although I think the new one looks great) , Mercs are rustbuckets & Vivaro's are terminally unreliable. I've got a Peugeot Boxer which has been great, but if I was buying again I'd go for a facelift VW T5 with smart 18" alloys. Ikea's great for units & Led lights

This, absolutely. Mate at work bought one as a bare van and converted it over the last couple of years. I dont like vans/campers and even i like it.

[MarshPhantom]

Lefty said:

VW LT35, much bigger than the t4/t5, great van

Was going to suggest similar myself, I know the OP said he didn't need too much space, but if you're building a van from scratch you may as well get a decent sized one.

[R60EST]

I see 'dub tax' still applies to these T4 vans

How Much for a 2001 example ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-51-VOLKSWAGEN-TRANS...



And there's VAT on top of the asking price , it's apparently sold too

Edited by R60EST on Sunday 24th November 16:22

[magpie215]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ex-Ambulance-/2812117813...

[airbrakes]

magpie215 said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ex-Ambulance-/2812117813...

thats a helluva lot of starting point van for the money!

[Vladimir]

R60EST said:

I see 'dub tax' still applies to these T4 vans

How Much for a 2001 example ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-51-VOLKSWAGEN-TRANS...



And there's VAT on top of the asking price , it's apparently sold too

Edited by R60EST on Sunday 24th November 16:22

Silly money.

A big part of buying ours was that it's not far off depreciation proof.




We hope….