Large campervan
- Thread starter Ptrobson
- Start date
mb2tv
Forum Member
Have a car and a caravan... Car will probably stay but decided to move to a campervan - building on a Crafter MWB. We know it will be smaller, but ready to adopt that change.
Main reason is we think we want to change the 'style' of travel - with a caravan you stay more in one location, with MH you can move much easier. Went for MWB as it can be parked in many more places ( size is closer to a car).
Main reason is we think we want to change the 'style' of travel - with a caravan you stay more in one location, with MH you can move much easier. Went for MWB as it can be parked in many more places ( size is closer to a car).
SquirrellCook
Forum Member
Sounds like tiny vehicle to me 
Good luck.
Good luck.wildebus
Forum Member
My last convertion was a LWB VW LT, so same as the previous Sprinter in dimensions. I used it mostly on my own and occasionally with partner, at which times I put out the awning and Safari Room.
I couldn't imagine using a vehicle that size with a family of 5, I must admit.
mistericeman
Forum Member
We had a Transit Jumbo (XLWB extra high top...)
Me and the other half and 2 dogs....
I wouldn't have wanted anyone else along as it would have been bordering on claustrophobic even WITH it being a, mostly open layout (just fixed double at the rear).
5 folks in it on a rainy day just doesn't bear thinking about personally.
Me and the other half and 2 dogs....
I wouldn't have wanted anyone else along as it would have been bordering on claustrophobic even WITH it being a, mostly open layout (just fixed double at the rear).
5 folks in it on a rainy day just doesn't bear thinking about personally.
Millie Master
Forum Member
On the one hand, as an ex tugger of 30+ years, it is a fantastic and oh so relieving to drive off on holiday in your self built campervan, but just as others will tell you, there are some very important compromise decisions to be made.
The one thing I would suggest it dropping the idea of converting either of your suggested vans, as unless you are planning to buy the very latest model I am afraid to say that they are known to suffer badly from the dreaded tin worm and over the years there have been countless stories of people, having spent £0000's converting them, only for them to become yet another rust related MOT failure!
On the other hand, have you considered looking at or buying the easiest van of all to convert, namely the XLWB Fiat Ducato/Citroen Relay/Peugeot Boxer (known in these circles as the Sevel vans) which have some enormous advantages such as, they are the widest standard panel van on the market, they have the squarest, most vertical sides and although not a Sprinter to drive, the driving experience isn't all that bad and in high roof H3 form they are highly suitable for bunks or additional storage room. However their greatest advantage over the dear old Sprinter/Crafter is that all of these Sevel vans came with fully dip galvanised bodies from 2007 onwards, as such they don''t normally rust!
Phil
The one thing I would suggest it dropping the idea of converting either of your suggested vans, as unless you are planning to buy the very latest model I am afraid to say that they are known to suffer badly from the dreaded tin worm and over the years there have been countless stories of people, having spent £0000's converting them, only for them to become yet another rust related MOT failure!
On the other hand, have you considered looking at or buying the easiest van of all to convert, namely the XLWB Fiat Ducato/Citroen Relay/Peugeot Boxer (known in these circles as the Sevel vans) which have some enormous advantages such as, they are the widest standard panel van on the market, they have the squarest, most vertical sides and although not a Sprinter to drive, the driving experience isn't all that bad and in high roof H3 form they are highly suitable for bunks or additional storage room. However their greatest advantage over the dear old Sprinter/Crafter is that all of these Sevel vans came with fully dip galvanised bodies from 2007 onwards, as such they don''t normally rust!
Phil
Ptrobson
Forum Member
Thanks. I think the issue is their vans under 7m I think 5 in that space will be a real squeeze for layout I want.
Millie Master
Forum Member
As in all areas of self building design, compromise is the only way to go
wildebus
Forum Member
There is a recent trend in the large PVCs to add a pop-top on the high-roof vans to provide additional sleeping accomodation. family of 5 in a van the size of a .... well, van .... that might well be worth while investigating.
Given we are into November, I would look to go to the Motorhome show at the NEC in Feb next year and check out all the various layouts to steal ideas before commiting myself
Given we are into November, I would look to go to the Motorhome show at the NEC in Feb next year and check out all the various layouts to steal ideas before commiting myself
Red Dwarf
Forum Member
I’ve done a cheapo conversion on a Sprinter XLWB. My reasons:
Wanted a big fixed bed.
At 6’4” I can stand up in it!
The base van was relatively cheap (the overriding factor).
It’s rear wheel drive.
I moved up from years of owning various VW campers. Aching bones pushed me towards a big PVC and I don’t have to start assembling furniture when I want a kip! Admittedly, the conversion is built just for the two of us, though the wee granddaughter can comfortably bed down on the seating in the living area. Also, kept the three seater cab so the little perisher could come along.
Yes, old sprinters do rot, though I suspect my fourteen year old van will outlast me!
Wanted a big fixed bed.
At 6’4” I can stand up in it!
The base van was relatively cheap (the overriding factor).
It’s rear wheel drive.
I moved up from years of owning various VW campers. Aching bones pushed me towards a big PVC and I don’t have to start assembling furniture when I want a kip! Admittedly, the conversion is built just for the two of us, though the wee granddaughter can comfortably bed down on the seating in the living area. Also, kept the three seater cab so the little perisher could come along.
Yes, old sprinters do rot, though I suspect my fourteen year old van will outlast me!
wildebus
Forum Member
I think the Library Bus conversion route can be very good. Often they have some equipment already fitted that can save time and money and much roomier than a panel van.
biggest issue can be having the space at home to park them.
Sprinter 1 cup
Forum Member
The pop top sounds the best idea if for 5.
Get yourself and partner up there in the poptop and pull in the ladder. Let the stowaways to fend for themselfs. I don't care, the youngest is still in nappies. F#ck #ff and keep the nosie down.!
Get yourself and partner up there in the poptop and pull in the ladder. Let the stowaways to fend for themselfs. I don't care, the youngest is still in nappies. F#ck #ff and keep the nosie down.!
SquirrellCook
Forum Member
Climbing frames for the children.
Phantom
Forum Member
trevskoda
Forum Member
BOOK an appointment, or maybe just shelve it.I guess that's ideal if you do a lot of reading.
Greggbear67
Forum Member
When did you pass your test? If you have 7.5t entitlement, the obvious choice is a bigger vehicle. A small truck type vehicle, or a larger minibus would be my choice, heavier built components plus more room. Overall size isn't a problem most of the time, & its a small price to pay for the extra room for 5 bodies. I built a 5.5ton welfare bus with wide body for full size bed across the back, & even tho I'm on my own most of the time, I wouldn't really want anything smaller....
Drives as easily as a small one, but plenty room & cheaper to tax than a transit....
trevskoda
Forum Member
Get that back tyre pumped up.