Have you always wanted to create your own mobile home or had a passion for camping? Building your own camper van can be both exciting and daunting, particularly if you’ve never converted a van into a camper.
Before you go ahead with your camper van conversion, you’ll need to do some research into what type of van you want. If you’re shopping around for a van, we’ve put together some of our recommendations to help you with this process. We’ve picked each van in terms of fuel-efficiency, load space and practicality, so that you can get the most out of your camper vehicle.
Our guide covers what you need to know about how to convert a van into a camper van.
Is it Legal to Convert a Van into a Camper?
Yes, you can legally convert your van into a camper van if no major structural work has been done to the van’s chassis, cab or engine.
After you’ve converted it to a camper van, there is the option in the UK to re-register it as a ‘motor caravan’ with the DVLA, but it's not a legal requirement to do so. Even if you use your van legally as a camper van, you can still use it, provided you have the correct insurance.
Come Up with a Design of How You Want Your Camper Van to Look
Already bought your van? You’ll want to design the layout of how you want your camper to look before going ahead with the conversion.
This is dependent on the size of the van you have, whether that’s a mid-sized van, such as the Volkswagen Transporter or Ford Transit Custom, a large van, such as the Peugeot Boxer or Ford Transit. You can design the layout of your camper van yourself or find pre-designed layouts that are available online.
Once you’ve settled on a layout that you’re happy with, you can go ahead and start converting it into a camper van.
Have All the Tools You Need for Your Campervan Conversion
To make your camper conversion as smooth as possible, its essential that you have all the tools you need to carry it out. The more tools you have, the easier the conversion is going to be. When it comes to the tools that you need for your camper van conversion, this includes:
- Pencil and tape measure
- Electric drill (we recommend a cordless electric drill to reduce trailing wires while you drill)
- Clamps to hold things in place
- Having a flat surface for cutting and measuring materials
- Hole saw set to add vents and cut or drill holes
- Jigsaw with different blades for creating the cladding for your camper
- Screwdriver set – enables you to switch between different screwheads without having 10 screwdrivers
There are many other tools that you can use for converting your van, but by having these tools to hand, it’ll make the conversion process easier and less stressful.
Strip and Clean Out Your Van
One of the very first things you should do when working on a DIY camper van conversion is to strip the current interior of the van out and give it a thorough clean. This can be simple and straightforward or long and complicated, depending on the van you’ve bought, whether it’s used or brand new.
Within this stage of the camper conversion, it’s a good opportunity to identify any rust, damp, mould or damage and then repair it. You should be extremely careful with whatever interior you strip out as there is the potential that the interior materials can be reused or auctioned off at an auction.
Insulation and Ventilation is Essential
Insulating and ventilating your van are two of the most important things you’ll do in your camper conversion. Having a camper van that is suitable for all conditions means that you won’t have to worry about getting too hot or too cold.
There are many materials available that you can use to insulate your van, whether that’s using thick foam or foil or using wool-type loft insulation. They can be applied to the bare metal on the insides of the van with double-sided foam or spray adhesive, followed by a vapour barrier to avoid any moisture getting trapped in the van.
Adding some lining carpet or rubber matting for sound deadening in the van, as well as a plywood panel to control the van’s temperature gives the camper some added privacy.
Fitting in the Electrics, Gas and Plumbing
Another big job that’s required in the camper conversion is fitting in electricity, gas and plumbing. Installing electricity and gas should be done by a professional as one mistake could lead to disaster. If you plan to sell your camper in the future, its value can be severely affected if the electricity and gas systems in the vehicle have not been installed to the correct standards.
Alongside that, you’ll also need to consider the plumbing system you want. After all, if you are planning to create your own mobile home to live and work in, then easy access to clean water is a must.
There are a couple of options you can choose from, whether that’s an internal tank or a portable container. You want to make sure you have the correct tank size so that you know how much you are using to avoid any shortages, particularly if you have no access to water where you are holidaying in.
Consider the Furniture You Want to Put in Your Campervan
No camper is complete without a bed, some seating, fridge, sink and a cooker. There are many routes that you can go down when installing furniture into your van.
We recommend having a bed that can easily be folded away as it can maximise the amount of floor space you have. It means that you can relax from your sofa as you take in the stunning British landscape on your staycations.
This turns your camper van from a normal vehicle into your own mobile home.
Create Your Dream Camper Van with Nationwide Cars
We hope this guide on how to convert a van into a camper van has made it easier for you to create your own dream home-from-home on wheels. By taking these steps into account, you can build a camper that you can live, work and holiday in.
When it comes to finding the right van for your camper van conversion, we have a wide selection of vans to help you create your own home-from-home. Our experienced sales team will answer any questions you may have when it comes to finding the right van to convert into a camper.
Contact one of our sales experts today and we’ll ensure you have the perfect van for your camper conversion.
