Self conversion panel vans any tips?

walkingsoul

We are looking at the pros and cons of trading our van in against a panel for a self conversion.
We want something a bit more less obvious for full timing.
We are wondering what peoples opinons are on buying a van like a lwb ford transit with full service history 40 k on the clock 09 reg.
Ive seen a couple around 8 grand plus vat.
If for example the gear box went or anyting major I assume it would be eaiser to get parts than our current 1999 motorhome?

Have the regs change about self conversions can you still do them yourself?

thanks.
 

A KIRK

Be prepared to spend hours and hours working on it.

Wouldn't a panel van be a little small to full time in?

I have a long wheel base transit which I built from scratch, and although I have a slightly different layout due to my needs, I couldn't full time in it, however I don't think i'd have so much of an issue with a coachbuilt.

I agree the panel vans blend in much better, as even with the bling on mine I can park in normal carparks and it doesn't stand out as a camper

Also remember modern vehicles cost a lot more to repair than older ones.
 

Firefox

No problems doing conversion yourself. If you want to change it to body type motorcaravan on log book, then it has to have enough go faster stripes, graphics, and windows to "look like a motorcaravan" But they don't specify exactly what.

Actually there is no need to change it on log book. More and more insurers eg Flux don't require it.

I got an 06 Movano panel van 2 years ago with 60k on the clock ie about 3 years old. That's when they are cheapest (3 years) as they go to auctions and then the traders when the warranty runs out. I only paid £5500 for mine. You'd be unlucky to get a gearbox go or an engine go. They are built to last 200-300k miles. I know everyone thinks "low mileage" when it comes to motorhomes, because they have mostly been sat on some old gent's drive and hardly used, but a commercial vehicle with 60k on the clock is just run in,
 

walkingsoul

Thanks for the reply Kirk.
Our motorhome is basically the same layout as this Autocruise panel van accept we have an over cab bed too Autocruise Van Conversions Layouts :: Swift Group the layout I mean is the Rhythm layout.
We could happily full time in this an dwould copy this layout if we went down this route.
thanks.
 

Firefox

I don't think there is any problem full timing in a panel van by the way. Mine is 5.4m long with integrated cab and rear fixed bed over garage. it's fine for one, and two for holidays. For two full time, 6.5 to 7.0m long and integrated swivel seat cab would be fine.

I used to own a Bedford CF2 and it was sluggish. 45-50mph and rubbish fuel consumption around 27mpg. The Movano has 6 gears, can do 90+mph, and 35mpg+ With the turbo it drives like a car. The new common rail turbo engines may be more expensive to repair, but I would never go back to the old style engines!

If you do convert though it will take longer than you think. There always seems to be some hurdle, working in a small space. Worth it in the end though!
 

A KIRK

Looking at some pics I think having swivel front seats makes a huge difference, and gives you quite alot of extra room.

IT is very satisfying building your own.
 

walkingsoul

Thanks.
I like the layout I have shown as you can stay in bed still and the other can still get up and make a brew ect and the front swivel seat is great.
Do you guys have any pics of your vans I like the garage bed idea too.
thanks.
 

al n sal

A KIRK said:
Looking at some pics I think having swivel front seats makes a huge difference, and gives you quite alot of extra room.

IT is very satisfying building your own.
Click to expand...

totally agree, you get to design it the way you want it, with everything you want/need/ can afford at the time, add the rest as you go along, so you don't get any faffy gadgets that you don't want that cost a small fortune, my build stands me at about 5.5 grand spread over two years, all in with solar panels etc, not including two years camping and saving,

well happy i did it.

al
 
Last edited:

deanotic

I built my own body on a 3.5 ton Bedford CF chassis many years ago and when it came to the MOT test i was told that to be classed as a motorhome it had to have a sink permanently fitted and then it could go through a class V11 test , which is done at most garages as opposed to a Ministry test centre .:wave:
 
n brown

n brown

Forum Member
i've always built my own, costs are so much lower that its not such a big deal to make a change. have another kid,get a bigger van, bored with the layout,change it. BUT you need a lot of knowledge,you need technical ability,you need to have some design skills and a LOT of tools. plus the nerve to cut holes in the van,weld things to it, hang heavy things under it and feel happy about your electrics gas and water. definitely recommend it!
 

A KIRK

The top bed comes out just short of 6ft, however there is 6ft sleeping room if you sleep corner to corner.

To be fair if I was to redo it I would ensure that it extended a full 6ft, but that would require support legs to give it extra support. in fact if I was to build another i'd use an ambulance as a base vehicle. Although to be honest I'm hoping that my next progect might be a narrow boat
 

kell

Hi walkingsoul, I would be more than happy with a LWB transit 09 plate to convert, though I'd likely go for the jumbo transit for full timing. (not sure if that's the same van as a LWB).

My self-build is on the Iveco extra LWB (7 metre) and that had 180k miles on the clock! (You can see the build blog via my link below).

One good thing for you is that you can make your van's appearance as much or as little like a motorhome as you prefer and build the interior exactly as you want it.
 

walkingsoul

kell said:
Hi walkingsoul, I would be more than happy with a LWB transit 09 plate to convert, though I'd likely go for the jumbo transit for full timing. (not sure if that's the same van as a LWB).

My self-build is on the Iveco extra LWB (7 metre) and that had 180k miles on the clock! (You can see the build blog via my link below).

One good thing for you is that you can make your van's appearance as much or as little like a motorhome as you prefer and build the interior exactly as you want it.
Click to expand...

Lol your van looks perfect for us Kell very nice.
How long off the top of your head in feet is the back area as Im comparing it to a transit jumbo im my mind please?
 

Firefox

walkingsoul said:
Thanks.
I like the layout I have shown as you can stay in bed still and the other can still get up and make a brew ect and the front swivel seat is great.
Do you guys have any pics of your vans I like the garage bed idea too.
thanks.
Click to expand...

I've got a You Tube Channel ... in my signature below. I'm not very good at updating it but it shows most of the the build.

There's a double bed 4ft 1" x 6ft 1" Transverse at the back with garage underneath. In the garage are 2x110Ah batteries, 2x6kg gas bottles, and a recess so the toilet can slide out of the shower room. Plus loads of storage space of course.

In the middle shower room 800mm x 650mm. Cozy, but the toilet can slide away into a box out in the garage. Gangway 600mmx1200. 1200x475 Kitchen with three rings, sink, 90L fridge, and cupboards extending into sliding door.

At the front 5 seater swivel cab seat lounge. I took the bench seat out from the front cab and used it behind the drivers seat to make the 1/2 dinette. Bought another drivers seat for the passenger side and fitted swivels to both front seats. Constructed another box seat in the sliding door behind the passenger seat. I have 4 table arrangements.... 1. 500mm dia bar table. 2. 550x700 topping for it. 3. 900x600 dining table (stores in garage) + hinge flap down 4. 1200x600 dining table (flap up). This last table also drops to form single bed at front (6ft 1" x 2ft 6" (using mattress)).

I found 3 main ideas useful to maximise space

1. Fixed transverse bed over garage. It acts like a big shelf and gives double the space. Also can store really large items like folding bikes. ski boards, or step ladders etc

2. Swivel seat lounge - to bring cab into play when parked.

3. Different table arrangements. When alone or with two, bigger table is OK. When four or five in there, it just gets in the way and takes up floor space. This was a mistake I made till recently. Now I am using the 500mm dia table even for one or two people, it really gives lots of room in the lounge compared to previously.
 

A KIRK

Cheers for the comments it does the job for me, as I love mountain biking, at the end of the day its only ikea units, and a bit of stick on bling round the van, which in its self causes other issues as you start to double check where you park it. the last thing I want is for someone to start nicking the chrome from it
 

ellisboy

Hello Walkingsoul! I've not long started my build and I must say it's addictive! You can make the layout to suit your needs,don't see why you couldn't full time in a panel van,as your already used to living in a van,check out my build blog on the link below,good luck, regards Stephen.
 

Firefox

I have found building mine difficult at times. Just doing it physically, and doing a full time job as well. It's like doing 2 jobs at once. If you want to make progress you have to work evenings and weekends. And like A KIRK says, everything seems to take 3 times as long as it should do. Fitting out a panel van is a pig with all it's curved internal surfaces. Nothing is straight and some stiffener or other obstruction always seems to get in the way and has to be worked round. It's 10 times easier to fit out a Luton box van or straight sided coachbuilt. It takes the official motorhome converters a fair while to do one, and they have all the parts ready cut out to fit. That's one reason they are expensive, there is a lot of workmanship involved.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Top