Could we incorporate caravans too or is that just going too far? :o ;D
Could we incorporate caravans too or is that just going too far? :o ;D
I'm inclined to say that it's a different topic with different hints & tips.
Looked at getting a van to use day to day with the possibility of getting it converted into a day van halfway to campervan. What's a good base van to get?
Is it possible to get a van, fit a pop top roof and still keep it below the 2 to 2.1m typical car park height restrictions? If so what van and what make of lid would you recommend?
Sorry about the questions but it wouldn't surprise me if someone on here would have an answer for them.
Looked at getting a van to use day to day with the possibility of getting it converted into a day van halfway to campervan. What's a good base van to get?
Is it possible to get a van, fit a pop top roof and still keep it below the 2 to 2.1m typical car park height restrictions? If so what van and what make of lid would you recommend?
Sorry about the questions but it wouldn't surprise me if someone on here would have an answer for them.
Looked at getting a van to use day to day with the possibility of getting it converted into a day van halfway to campervan. What's a good base van to get?
Is it possible to get a van, fit a pop top roof and still keep it below the 2 to 2.1m typical car park height restrictions? If so what van and what make of lid would you recommend?
Sorry about the questions but it wouldn't surprise me if someone on here would have an answer for them.
Flatus has a Toyota Alphard which was supplied by New Acre Cars nr. Coventry Airport and has (I think) a Northstar conversion (https://www.northstarconversions.com/) to a day camper. I think that's a cracking place to start with your enquiries. If anyone has the off the shelf patterns to fit out your chosen ride I reckon it's them.
I was looking at going down the imported Japanese vehicle route myself but have decided not to. Servicing expertise at independents (and even main dealers) is limited and the vast majority of what's offered is too old, at inflated prices and requires too much to be changed to make things work properly. A roof mounted DVD or bangin' stereo is all very well but if the screen menus are all in Japanese and won't play your fave movies unless you shellout for Pacific versions it's alla bit pointless.
Sorry it's all a bit general . . .
What now puts me off japanese imports are the age and low mileage. 60k for a Feb 1997 van? Seriously that works out at about 2 days commuting for every working week for me, no weekend or holiday use. I don't trust that mileage. Especially if it turns out to be a metric figure! Clocked with either a hand drill or electronically if newer?
What now puts me off japanese imports are the age and low mileage. 60k for a Feb 1997 van? Seriously that works out at about 2 days commuting for every working week for me, no weekend or holiday use. I don't trust that mileage. Especially if it turns out to be a metric figure! Clocked with either a hand drill or electronically if newer?
Recommendation for Cabbunk. My eldest prefers it to the bed made up from the dinette seat. He slept 13hrs in it on Sunday!
(https://thumbsnap.com/t/28Vh5GOn.jpg) (https://thumbsnap.com/28Vh5GOn)
(https://thumbsnap.com/t/kQfYmTqG.jpg) (https://thumbsnap.com/kQfYmTqG)
We're getting quotes for a conversion now. Vivaro 16 plate. Lovely blue one. Staged conversion due to money limitations. Asap is lining, windows, partial electrics, flooring and heater. If we could scrape a little bit more it would have crash tested beds made by RIB. No point getting cheaper seats imho
Three RIB ones have a better folding system where the bed surfaces are the opposite side to the seat surfaces which are shaped for comfort when moving
Later on a poptop from SCA and we're not completely sure we want the kitchen bits. That'll give bike room I think if we don't. Might sound a weird choice.
We're getting quotes for a conversion now. Vivaro 16 plate. Lovely blue one. Staged conversion due to money limitations. Asap is lining, windows, partial electrics, flooring and heater. If we could scrape a little bit more it would have crash tested beds made by RIB. No point getting cheaper seats imho
Three RIB ones have a better folding system where the bed surfaces are the opposite side to the seat surfaces which are shaped for comfort when moving
Later on a poptop from SCA and we're not completely sure we want the kitchen bits. That'll give bike room I think if we don't. Might sound a weird choice.
It changed July 2019. See this website for a summary. Dvla admit their website is now wrong and they are working with the department for transport to get their website changed.
https://www.basecampers.com/how-to-re-register-as-a-motor-caravan-with-the-dvla/ (https://www.basecampers.com/how-to-re-register-as-a-motor-caravan-with-the-dvla/)
I’ve never used them but I believe some of the ferry company’s do a reduced rate for motor caravans ...
A van up to 3500 kg travels on the same shuttle as the cars whether it's carrying commercial goods or not. If not, then it can be booked on the same website as a car or campervan, price is the same as a campervan which is a bit more than a car. A hire van full of bikes can be booked this way - I've looked into it though not yet booked, I think the wording is something like private and leisure use. Same van carrying goods, goes on the same shuttle, though you have to book on the commercial website and I don't know about the prices.
I’ve never used them but I believe some of the ferry company’s do a reduced rate for motor caravans ...
Maybe Eurotunnel to. A van is commercial vehicle, and goes on with the lorries. A campervan can go on the car trains, and I believe it's cheaper than a commercial vehicle ticket. (And you get to stay with your vehicle during the crossing).
That's not a motorhome, this (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-africa-50508590/how-an-ethiopian-built-a-three-bedroom-home-in-a-truck) is a motorhome.
Interesting thread. Any comments on who to use for a conversion, and what sort of cost to convert say a Vivaro type van?
Also, any idea of mpg on one of these Alphards, such as @Flatus has?
If they ever pack enough power ( 300 mile range ) into batteries for E-vans self builds will be a no-no due to the batteries under the floorpan.
Self-tappers through the fuel tank are a standard feature of self-builds. And more than likely many professional builds too.
I can't comment on the cost to get someone else to do the work for you, but having converted a Vivaro myself I'd guess that I spent about £5500 (including buying the van) doing mine...
(https://pperratt.weebly.com/the-van-plan.html)
Also, EV's tend to be designed with battery replacement in mind. It would likely be practical to drop the battery out in order to perform a camper conversion.
Also, EV's tend to be designed with battery replacement in mind. It would likely be practical to drop the battery out in order to perform a camper conversion.
It may be that DIY conversions of EV’s will be illegal - look at the issue with car workshops having to be modified / updated to deal with the HV risks.
But I'm sure a company that replaces batteries in EVs would be happy to remove and store a battery for a while so a vehicle could be worked on.
But I'm sure a company that replaces batteries in EVs would be happy to remove and store a battery for a while so a vehicle could be worked on.
If manufacturers will allow such activities to be carried out by third parties, that is. I can see in future both physical and software impediments being put in place, and the “your warranty is void” rider added.