VW Transporter - start as a van.......

[VEX]

Convert to a camper in 4 years time.

So my pickup truck is due for replacement in a few month and I am looking at alternatives and we think we have hit on a cunning plan ( blackadder stylie)

If I lease finance a brand new Transporter through my business, I can buy it privately at the end of the 4th year and then convert it into a camper.

So, if I did this what would be the recommended spec for a van to convert? Ideal we would want it to be a 4berth in the future.

V.

[campionissimo]

it aint cheap to convert - to get a 4 berth you'd be needing a pop top roof which is about 4k fitted.

then the rock n roll bed - around 1500 for a properly tested one such as a RIB.

plus you need to get water / power etc fitted properly to change the class of vehicle on the V5.

[VEX]

True, but if the business is taking the hit on depreciation and can sell on at the lower end of reasonable after 4 years, then it is viable option to then convert it.

I know what it needs when it is ready for convert, what I want to think about is spec-ing up the actual original vehicle from the factory. I will then run around in it for work for 4 years, then convert it.

V.

[B17NNS]

LWB Sportline DSG if I had the choice. Probably a Kombi for the factory fit side windows.

[VEX]

I am liking the sound of that already!

Thinking one of the fold out side roofs could be useful as well. For building up systems and kit when there is no space inside

V.

[Tampon]

campionissimo said:

it aint cheap to convert - to get a 4 berth you'd be needing a pop top roof which is about 4k fitted.

then the rock n roll bed - around 1500 for a properly tested one such as a RIB.

plus you need to get water / power etc fitted properly to change the class of vehicle on the V5.

You can get a side lifting pop top supplied and fitted for just over a grand or a front lifting one for around £2k. It can be done yourself but I don;t fancy cutting that size hole in the roof. I would however be happy to install the windows in the next van after seeing how they do it. Amazingly easy.

I paid £250 for the frame for my bed (tested) and fitted it myself with plates. Fully upholstered you can buy them for around £800-1000.

Paying someone else to convert and you are looking at top money but it is possible to do it yourself. I have done one now and it has cost me around £1400. The next one will have a pop top and a three seater rear bed and I would imagine I will spend around £2-2.5 on that one knowing what I know now.

You don;t need someone else to fit gas, electric or water to get it change on the V5. Doing that stuff is easy and common sense. Infact you don't really need it changing on the V5 as I have found camper insurance on mine with it still classified as a van. So apart from the speed limit on a Roads (which no one sticks to anyway ) not much difference.

If you have the competence to change the oil and brake pads on your car you could apply yourself enough to convert a van.

[VEX]

When you see what I do for a living, I am looking forward to the challenge and fun of converting it.

V.

[Tampon]

Just saw, you should be able to do it yourself no problems. Loads of advise online especially for the VW group but it applies to all campers really.

[dirty boy]

I haven't got a fancy T5, but i'm now having a front elevating pop top fitted to my T4, all carpeting, electrics, bed boards and fitted for £2.8k (you can certainly get it cheaper)

Side elevating are around £1k fitted (plus extras) but from experience, front elevating provides far more room.

Carpeting is relatively easy. R&R beds are readily available in a number of specs and prices.


Also, why wait the 4 years.

[VEX]

It is a heck of a lot cheater to do it this way.

To give an example,current pick truck will cost me about £6k to buy as a 4 year old vehicle with 60k miles on the clock.

It is worth around £10k in the private ads.

So if I play it right, there should be about £10k difference in the Transporter, well worth the 4 year wait! Hehe.

V.

[Lefty]

Would you consider an LT/crafter instead? Much more space, especially if you want 4 berths!

[LeighW]

VEX said:

It is a heck of a lot cheater to do it this way.

To give an example,current pick truck will cost me about £6k to buy as a 4 year old vehicle with 60k miles on the clock.

It is worth around £10k in the private ads.

So if I play it right, there should be about £10k difference in the Transporter, well worth the 4 year wait! Hehe.

V.

I've just converted a lwb T5, it's cost me less than £4k to do it myself. I probably have close to 200 hours in it though, so bear that in mind. One other thing to consider when choosing a new van which you'll have on your company is that HMRC are now apparently classifying Kombis as cars for tax purposes, so my advice is 100% to buy a panel van!

[VEX]

Interesting, not sure how they can do that if it has a 1tonne payload, it is classed as a commercial, like my current 5 seat pick up.

Can use an LT or Crafter to big for what I need or the car parks a I need to get into.

V.

[LeighW]

VEX said:

Interesting, not sure how they can do that if it has a 1tonne payload, it is classed as a commercial, like my current 5 seat pick up.


V.

See this thread on the T5 forum:

http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=372360