Used ambulances

[badabec]

Do they want the nomadic or living in a caravan lifestyle. If it's caravan, buy one and park it in your garden plus a small car.

 

[chunkolini]

Plan A is nomad lifestyle using the van as accommodation and as a workshop for fixing electrical gubbins. She spent several years running a phone repair business

 

[chunkolini]

Mods.
I've just registered that I posted in a members only section
Any chance of moving this thread to public access so Junior can read it.
Ta

 

[John_aero]

For a small workshop i would say a larger unit would be required allowing a small workshop in the rear.

Look for an ex motorcycle van as most have a separate work area.

If she is not looking for a luxury unit a van can easily be used to sleep and eat without any huge luxury. Its when want add some home comforts and register it as an actual camper its where need be exact in what you want.

There is a woman on FB and YT, Nikki Delventhal that travels USA. She lived fully in a car before moving to a bigger van.

 

[dobbslc]

Jesus that's grim

 

[Bobtail4x4]

we have this, ex mil ambulance, had it ten years, I keep adding things, changed the fridge last year for a £1k compressor etc

 

[julianf]

Buying an ex-private ambulance would tick that box along with it just being a basic van. It's unlikely one is going to get hammered or damaged unless there's been a zombie apocalypse I'm not aware of?

Theyre painted to attract attention. If one is parked up somewhere for any length of time whatsoever, the curtain twitches will start talking.

Theyre common for people with limited engineering skills to buy to live in. The paint work is complex and will likly not be maintained as per an in-service vehical.

Basically, they will rapidly end up being noticed for one reason or other.

Sure, a "clinical waste" van may draw attention, so, possibly, not the best example. Asbestos removal would, i think, go un-noticed for longer.

 

[Morris]

Buying an ex-private ambulance would tick that box along with it just being a basic van. It's unlikely one is going to get hammered or damaged unless there's been a zombie apocalypse I'm not aware of?

You've missed it. That was last week.

 

[julianthegypsy]

I've fitted woodburners in loads of vans, hundreds in fact. My favourite for this kind of thing is a small Luton. More of a pain for parking but the extra width gives you a really good space for a living area, and workshop space. The bed can go sideways in the top over the cab then you have the whole of the floor area free for a sofa and kitchen etc.

 

[julianthegypsy]

If you're looking for something easier to park, then medium wheelbase medium hitop is the best compromise for being able to fit in the space at the supermarket and have enough space to actually use.

 

[Farside]

My favourite for this kind of thing is a small Luton.

And enjoy the engine thrashing at cruising speeds, the cruising speed being dictated by the huge brick-like aerodynamics.
Drove a few, hated them. Wouldn't fancy driving one for a hobby / live-aboard.

 

[gaz1]

DVLA clamped down on conversions, as a noticeable number of people were 'converting' vans, but then removing the kit and just using them as a normal van to get the higher speed limits.

Guidelines can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...van/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motor-caravan
I think the main thing they changed, is you no longer require a toilet.

alot of the restrictions comes from industry campagning against homemade/diy van conversions as they was taking away money from the selected industry

they used the rule of not tested like the caravans/campervans or built from the chassis and tested to pass

the industry is caravans and campervans

whilst the industry was doing so there materials was insultive at best that was being used to do these chassi builds

now i know others are not going to like this comment but if you change a van usage to a mobile home then you should be tested for safety

tech has moved along way as well so if your structure is more safer than the motorhome/caravan builds then it should be reflected on your pass certificate

as eg:

as goes for those with beds in there vans temporary you have converted them from there van use to sleeping use i bet you wouldnt like a test on those principles

 

[Turbo]

I may be wrong but I think getting a van reclassified as a camper also means a big reduction in road tax/VED.

 

[DanZac]

I may be wrong but I think getting a van reclassified as a camper also means a big reduction in road tax/VED.

Makes no difference. I had mine reclassified and its the same. VED is calculated on emissions at manufacture.

 

[DanZac]

I may be wrong but I think getting a van reclassified as a camper also means a big reduction in road tax/VED.

I had mine reclassified and It makes no difference.

VED is calculated on emissions at manufacture for the base vehicle.

The only thing that changes is the speed limits and the MOT class.

 

[Misterg]

The only thing that changes is the speed limits and the MOT class

At the risk of labouring the point: Neither of those are linked to the DVLA classification [of body type].

MOT is "as presented";

Speed limits depend on whether "the facilities which are reasonably necessary for enabling the vehicle to provide mobile living accommodation for its users" are present "as permanently installed equipment".

I think there is a VED advantage if you reclassify something as a 'goods vehicle', but IIRC it needs to be >3500kg

 

[DanZac]

MOT is "as presented";

Live and learn, I was under the impression that a "motor caravan" as described on the V5 was a class 4, whilst any other van over 3000kg was class 7?

 

[Misterg]

I was under the impression that a "motor caravan" as described on the V5 was a class 4, whilst any other van over 3000kg was class 7?

What class a vehicle is tested to (and whether it's a 'motor caravan') is down to the MOT inspector's assessment of the vehicle presented to them (not what's on the V5C) and there's guidance on how to determine this in their manual.

The definition of 'motor caravan' from MOT guidance:

2.3 Motor caravans​

A motor caravan is “a motor vehicle (not being a living van) which is constructed or adapted for the carriage of passengers and their effects and which contains, as permanently installed equipment, the facilities which are reasonably necessary for enabling the vehicle to provide mobile living accommodation for its users”.

Motor caravans are not classed as goods vehicles for MOT test purposes and are therefore in class 4 or 5 depending on their seating capacity but regardless of their size or weight.

 

[Turbo]

I had mine reclassified and It makes no difference.

VED is calculated on emissions at manufacture for the base vehicle.

The only thing that changes is the speed limits and the MOT class.

Vans are taxed at a flat rate for commercial vehicles.
For campers it is complicated and depends on the age of the vehicle and a few other things.

https://www.advanceinsurance.co.uk/articles/is-road-tax-cheaper-for-a-campervan/

https://www.justkampersinsurance.com/2022/09/27/campervan-road-ved-tax-guide/

So depending on what the camper is there could be a significant saving in VED over a van.

Insurance on a camper is generally cheaper because it isn't a commercial vehicle.

 

[gaz1]

What class a vehicle is tested to (and whether it's a 'motor caravan') is down to the MOT inspector's assessment of the vehicle presented to them (not what's on the V5C) and there's guidance on how to determine this in their manual.

The definition of 'motor caravan' from MOT guidance:

it would get rather interesting for many if they started mot for trailers and caravans something they are pushing for for farm trailers which also effects trailers on wagons as well