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 you buy a Toyota Alphard its its about 30 mpg , probably a little less loaded up for camping.
We have a 55 plate Vito Dualiner with a factory fitted load area with all the plastic trim and roof linning.
Its been reliable to date with 136000 miles on the clock, as its 15 +years old now no one wants to insure it for Europe . Bought a new Vito before Covid and its been a nightmare trying to source parts like revolving bases (European vendors want £55 postage and perhaps 2 vat bills etc ) UK stuff is mostly out of stock .
As we have all the camping gear its rear seats out , thermarests and sleeping bags do us if the weather turns bad or we can't be bothered to pitch a tent .
Make sure its well insulated, never bothered about rock & roll bed or kitchen as 5 or 6 K buys a lot of meals and nights in a hotel if you want a treat.
Only extras are leisure battery with dual charging for a compresser fridge ,solar panel , Waeco inverter if we need 240 when not hooked up, electrics for the bike rack and revolving seat bases as they free up more space when parked up. If you buy a Vivaro make sure it has one of the bigger engines ,fitting out a van adds a lot of weight . One downside to vans is the cost of bike racks.