Hi..I'm in early days of planning..Ford Transit? Relay? Peugeot? Sprinter? Thoughts on which works best for conversion. Also, is there a 1-2-3 guide to conversions?
Recommendations for best place to purchase a used van..
To be honest I'm not too sure if the insurance would be any cheaper on a self build, good question though.I think the main benefits would be that it can work out a lot cheaper than a 'ready made" campervan, plus you get to design the whole thing to suit your needs, if you want a fixed bed have a fixed bed, if you don't want a toilet don't have a toilet etc etc.Plus it does look good fun and very rewarding once completed!
DVLA will only consider changing the body type to motor caravan if the body type shown on your V5C registration certificate (log book) is currently one of the following:
ambulance
box van
goods
insulated van
light goods
light van
livestock carrier
Luton van
minibus
MPV (multi-purpose vehicle)
panel van
specially fitted van
special mobile unit
van with side windows
This list describes the external features which are commonly seen in motor caravans, and it is intended to provide guidance on what DVLA expects to see when considering your application:
2 or more windows on at least one side of the main body (this does not include windows on the driver or passenger doors) to provide a reasonable amount of daylight into the living accommodation
a separate door which provides access to the living accommodation of the vehicle (this excludes the driver and passenger doors); a window on this door counts as a separate window on the main body
motor caravan-style graphics on both sides of the vehicle
an awning bar attached to either side of the vehicle
a high-top roof (this does not include a pop-top elevating roof)
DVLA will need photographic evidence of the completed conversion.
INTERNAL
Category 1: Seats and table (1 example for both)
The seats and table must have the following features:
they shall be an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation area, mounted independently of other items
a table mounting arrangement shall be secured as a permanent feature, although the table top may be detachable
permanently secured seating must be fixed to the floor or sidewall and available for use at the table.
Category 2: Sleeping accommodation
The sleeping accommodation:
shall be an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation area
can be either beds, or beds converted from seats
must be secured as a permanent feature, either with the base structure of the vehicle floor or to the side wall, unless the sleeping accommodation is provided over the driver’s cab compartment
Category 3: Cooking facilities
Your conversion must have a minimum of a single ring cooking facility or microwave, which shall be secured directly to the vehicle floor or side wall as a permanent feature.
If the cooking facility is fuelled by an on-board gas supply:
the fuel reservoir must be secured in a storage cupboard or the reservoir secured to the vehicle structure
If the cooking facility is fuelled by gas having a remote fuel supply:
the fuel supply pipe must be permanently secured to the vehicle structure
Category 4: Storage facilities
The storage facilities:
can be a cupboard or locker
form an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation, mounted independently of other items, unless incorporated below the seat, sleeping accommodation or cooker
must be secured permanently to the vehicle floor or side wall except when the storage facility is over the driver’s cab compartment
Evidence needed to support your application
You must include the following evidence to support your application:
a completed motor caravan conversion checklist
a V5C showing one of the applicable body types as above
interior photos of each one of the required features with the bed and table in the use position (see ‘Motor caravan internal features’ below); the photos must show that there are 2 or more windows providing daylight into the main living accommodation on at least one side of the main body
exterior photos from the front, both sides and rear with the registration plates clearly visible
a photo showing the vehicle identification number (VIN) or the chassis number stamped on the plate attached to the original chassis or vehicle bodyshell
On the back of each photo, write a description of what the photo shows, the date and the vehicle registration number.
Photographs will not be automatically returned - if you want your photographs returned you must request this in your application.
what are the rules on conversion - windows on 3 sides - assuming that includes front windshield? Does it include a sunroof? It has to be a high roof panel van... Also, can you drive it legally before converting - what is the process to convert?5
Good point regarding the width! We currently have a 1999 peugeot boxer autosleeper and it's a great little thing even by today's standards. It's amazing what you can squeeze into such a small space.
My van is a Peugeot boxer. The reason I went for that van was because, the conversation parts are easy to get and fit directly to it, so saves loads of time on fabrication. But the main reason is the internal width. If you was to put the bed along the back you get 6”3’ from wall board to wall board so you don’t need to scrimp on the insulation. Sprinters have loads of bits available but hard to find a good second hand on that’s not rotted through.
The best places to look for vans are:Facebook market placeeBayAutotraderGumtreehave a search to see if there are any local commercial vehicle auctions and pop to some local garages to see if they have any cheap part exchanges they are looking to move on.
Hi. It really comes down to personal preference and budget really, without a doubt the most common van to convert is the Mercedes sprinter, mainly for its reliability and badge appeal but the older ones do tend to rust a bit, mainly on the arches. personally I've always liked the Ford transit and that would be my first choice for a self build, probably a long wheel base high top. Research is key at the beginning, go and see some vans, check out the dimensions and look on YouTube for some inspiration. (if possible take someone that knows to look in all the right places for rust etc)
To be honest I'm not too sure if the insurance would be any cheaper on a self build, good question though. I think the main benefits would be that it can work out a lot cheaper than a 'ready made" campervan, plus you get to design the whole thing to suit your needs, if you want a fixed bed have a fixed bed, if you don't want a toilet don't have a toilet etc etc. Plus it does look good fun and very rewarding once completed!
soo..what is the benefit of conversion - ie. cheaper insurance?
DVLA will only consider changing the body type to motor caravan if the body type shown on your V5C registration certificate (log book) is currently one of the following:
ambulance
box van
goods
insulated van
light goods
light van
livestock carrier
Luton van
minibus
MPV (multi-purpose vehicle)
panel van
specially fitted van
special mobile unit
van with side windows
This list describes the external features which are commonly seen in motor caravans, and it is intended to provide guidance on what DVLA expects to see when considering your application:
2 or more windows on at least one side of the main body (this does not include windows on the driver or passenger doors) to provide a reasonable amount of daylight into the living accommodation
a separate door which provides access to the living accommodation of the vehicle (this excludes the driver and passenger doors); a window on this door counts as a separate window on the main body
motor caravan-style graphics on both sides of the vehicle
an awning bar attached to either side of the vehicle
a high-top roof (this does not include a pop-top elevating roof)
DVLA will need photographic evidence of the completed conversion.
INTERNAL
Category 1: Seats and table (1 example for both)
The seats and table must have the following features:
they shall be an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation area, mounted independently of other items
a table mounting arrangement shall be secured as a permanent feature, although the table top may be detachable
permanently secured seating must be fixed to the floor or sidewall and available for use at the table.
Category 2: Sleeping accommodation
The sleeping accommodation:
shall be an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation area
can be either beds, or beds converted from seats
must be secured as a permanent feature, either with the base structure of the vehicle floor or to the side wall, unless the sleeping accommodation is provided over the driver’s cab compartment
Category 3: Cooking facilities
Your conversion must have a minimum of a single ring cooking facility or microwave, which shall be secured directly to the vehicle floor or side wall as a permanent feature.
If the cooking facility is fuelled by an on-board gas supply:
the fuel reservoir must be secured in a storage cupboard or the reservoir secured to the vehicle structure
If the cooking facility is fuelled by gas having a remote fuel supply:
the fuel supply pipe must be permanently secured to the vehicle structure
Category 4: Storage facilities
The storage facilities:
can be a cupboard or locker
form an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation, mounted independently of other items, unless incorporated below the seat, sleeping accommodation or cooker
must be secured permanently to the vehicle floor or side wall except when the storage facility is over the driver’s cab compartment
Evidence needed to support your application
You must include the following evidence to support your application:
a completed motor caravan conversion checklist
a V5C showing one of the applicable body types as above
interior photos of each one of the required features with the bed and table in the use position (see ‘Motor caravan internal features’ below); the photos must show that there are 2 or more windows providing daylight into the main living accommodation on at least one side of the main body
exterior photos from the front, both sides and rear with the registration plates clearly visible
a photo showing the vehicle identification number (VIN) or the chassis number stamped on the plate attached to the original chassis or vehicle bodyshell
On the back of each photo, write a description of what the photo shows, the date and the vehicle registration number.
Photographs will not be automatically returned - if you want your photographs returned you must request this in your application.
what are the rules on conversion - windows on 3 sides - assuming that includes front windshield? Does it include a sunroof? It has to be a high roof panel van... Also, can you drive it legally before converting - what is the process to convert?5
Good point regarding the width! We currently have a 1999 peugeot boxer autosleeper and it's a great little thing even by today's standards. It's amazing what you can squeeze into such a small space.
My van is a Peugeot boxer. The reason I went for that van was because, the conversation parts are easy to get and fit directly to it, so saves loads of time on fabrication. But the main reason is the internal width. If you was to put the bed along the back you get 6”3’ from wall board to wall board so you don’t need to scrimp on the insulation. Sprinters have loads of bits available but hard to find a good second hand on that’s not rotted through.
The best places to look for vans are: Facebook market place eBay Autotrader Gumtree have a search to see if there are any local commercial vehicle auctions and pop to some local garages to see if they have any cheap part exchanges they are looking to move on.
Hi. It really comes down to personal preference and budget really, without a doubt the most common van to convert is the Mercedes sprinter, mainly for its reliability and badge appeal but the older ones do tend to rust a bit, mainly on the arches. personally I've always liked the Ford transit and that would be my first choice for a self build, probably a long wheel base high top. Research is key at the beginning, go and see some vans, check out the dimensions and look on YouTube for some inspiration. (if possible take someone that knows to look in all the right places for rust etc)