So the van conversion search begins.

[barracuda816]

My partner and I have begun the search for a van to convert into a campervan. Something we have wanted to do for some time now and are finaly in a position to do it.

She likes the look of the Sprinter/crafter (so do i to be honest) and they are much more redily avalibe here in germany than the Fiat/peugeot bunch, which i know have more space in them. I will be using it as my daily so we are looking for a L2H2. And although it will be a small van we are hoping to shoehorn in a shower and fixed bed.

I will keep the thread updated and hopefully it wont drag on too long, but no promises,

 

[Brunny0436]

awesome! I made the mistake of buying an iveco daily which had all year round air conditioning on the sills, floor and arches. Sprinters unfortunately if not protected suffer the same fate.

 

[barracuda816]

Yep, if we go the sprinter/crafter route one of the first things to do will be dintroling the whole thing, sort out any rust.

 

[Burdekin]

My mate converts vans, he’s a big VW fan but for his own new van conversion after much research has gone for a Peugeot Boxer, worth considering. https://www.facebook.com/kyleskucampervans

https://instagram.com/kyleskucampervans?igshid=ciq8pa5lddps

 

[Xup]

I converted a Boxer van to camper last year, L2H2, some pics.

Started like this.

Came out with this, well pleased , lot of work way more than you expect wiring and insulation took ages to get it done right!.

All hand built mostly 3x2 and ply, have motor caravan on the log book now so 60MPH speed limit yey.

 

[barracuda816]

Looks Great!

I like that table mount. They are so versitile.

How thick is the the boarding on the roof and have you had any issue with expansion?

 

[sparkysy]

Mine is a Vw lt35 did it about 10 years ago, still going with nearly half a million miles on the clock.
No pictures at present as it was sooo long ago!
Sy

 

[Xup]

8-9mm Canadian redwood pine, no issues with it at all, the roof is well insulated so never gets really hot.

Best advice I can offer is make sure you do a very good job on the insulation, and design everything as if it has to survive an earthquake as that is what the van is doing to everything.

Unbelievably my van is rattle free, did my best sound deafening/insulation to minimise noise plus chose the no drawers option in the build anywhere as they rattle like crazy.

Van has 330amp of batteries 250watt 24v solar panel + split charging. hidden from view is fridge freezer/ toilet and shower (tanks on board/use shower curtain outside)

Water is on demand via a pressure sensor on the pipe.

Edit to Add.

Forgot to add built in computer(Intel NUC) and unlimited 4G internet access/Mimo antenna on the roof.

Damn I love my van .

 

[Shedendman]

8-9mm Canadian redwood pine, no issues with it at all, the roof is well insulated so never gets really hot.

Best advice I can offer is make sure you do a very good job on the insulation, and design everything as if it has to survive an earthquake as that is what the van is doing to everything.

Unbelievably my van is rattle free, did my best sound deafening/insulation to minimise noise plus chose the no drawers option in the build anywhere as they rattle like crazy.

Van has 330amp of batteries 250watt 24v solar panel + split charging. hidden from view is fridge freezer/ toilet and shower (tanks on board/use shower curtain outside)

Water is on demand via a pressure sensor on the pipe.

Edit to Add.

Forgot to add built in computer(Intel NUC) and unlimited 4G internet access/Mimo antenna on the roof.

Damn I love my van .

What was the overall price in the end?

 

[Xup]

Just on/under 3k to convert.....£460 of that was the single passenger seat...god that hurt
Compressor fridge/freezer was about the same as the seat.

 

[Rayf]

I am part way through a Sprinter/camper conversion.
I started with an ex Met. Police 416 LWB Hi-roof 4.6T TSG van.
After considering 31x variants the rated payload is only around 960Kg and that requires a lot of attention to the weight and distribution of the installed kit.
I looked at a lot of commercial van conversions for ideas and was surprised to find the payload for use after conversion could be as little as 175Kg. Take two adults, dog, beer, food and luggage and you can be sailing very close to the maximum and thats probably without water on board!
So the 416 allows plenty of payload wiggle room.
Oh and the other half announced if you want me to drive it it will HAVE to be auto transmission, and many of public service vehicles are auto.

 

[barracuda816]

Im planning on using kingspan, and plenty of it where I can but not sure what to use in the voids. Want something that won’t absorb water but not foam, esp as it’s a sprinter so will no doubt need welding in the future

what did you guys use, and did you leave expansion gaps?

 

[Xup]

I filled all the cavities with recycled plastic insulation( even all the recesses around the windows took forever doh!)

1"kingspan on the floor, first layer over the rest of the van 2" recycled insulation followed by 7 layers of alloy reflective with 5 layers of insulation between each layer of reflective foil(it comes like that). 2 full rolls of dodo sound deadening before any insulation.

Pics of it as I was installing.

2 layers of doodoo dead mat on the wheel arches before the insulating covering.
As I said a lot of work doing the insulating/soundproof well.

 

[Shiny Steve]

Im planning on using kingspan, and plenty of it where I can but not sure what to use in the voids. Want something that won’t absorb water but not foam, esp as it’s a sprinter so will no doubt need welding in the future

what did you guys use, and did you leave expansion gaps?

Look at dacron I think it's what xup is using. I have used it quite a bit in my van, it's like glass fiber wool but not itchy and much nicer to use.

 

[fixerupper]

i want to do a fiat doblo camper conversion ...

 

[Brunny0436]

i want to do a fiat doblo camper conversion ...

A doblo will be a cosy camper.

I filled all the cavities with recycled plastic insulation( even all the recesses around the windows took forever doh!)

1"kingspan on the floor, first layer over the rest of the van 2" recycled insulation followed by 7 layers of alloy reflective with 5 layers of insulation between each layer of reflective foil(it comes like that). 2 full rolls of dodo sound deadening before any insulation.

Pics of it as I was installing.

2 layers of doodoo dead mat on the wheel arches before the insulating covering.
As I said a lot of work doing the insulating/soundproof well.

We used that on a vivaro, great stuff and cheap from B&Q

 

[Ashley Burton]

Here's what I've done for insulation:

 

[Burdekin]

Mate who does conversions recommends this insulation, copy of 3m insulation and says it’s the best stuff to use: https://www.carinsulation.co.uk/product/adhesive-backed-car-sound-proofing-insulation

 

[jimbo84]

8-9mm Canadian redwood pine, no issues with it at all, the roof is well insulated so never gets really hot.

Best advice I can offer is make sure you do a very good job on the insulation, and design everything as if it has to survive an earthquake as that is what the van is doing to everything.

Unbelievably my van is rattle free, did my best sound deafening/insulation to minimise noise plus chose the no drawers option in the build anywhere as they rattle like crazy.

Van has 330amp of batteries 250watt 24v solar panel + split charging. hidden from view is fridge freezer/ toilet and shower (tanks on board/use shower curtain outside)

Water is on demand via a pressure sensor on the pipe.

Edit to Add.

Forgot to add built in computer(Intel NUC) and unlimited 4G internet access/Mimo antenna on the roof.

Damn I love my van .

Out of interest where've you hidden the toilet? Looks like a really smart conversion

 

[Xup]

4th pic down you can just see the cupboard door to the left side of the sink, in there is a portable toilet.
Next to that are the waste and fresh water under the sink.

Eberspacher heater under the drivers seat { not included in the cost as I had it already)
2x110ah AGM batteries under the passenger seat, and swapped out the starter battery for the exact same battery.
All 3 batts are linked just the starter battery gets disconnected when it gets down to 12.6v.