VW transporter van conversions

[rosshunter79]

Hi everyone

I was wondering if anyone here has ever, or knows someone who has, converted a VW transporter van into a small campervan as I would be interested in hearing about their experience of doing it.

I once saw a guy who had done this, and I've wanted to do it ever since. It seems the perfect way to travel around the highlands, even though i do love wild camping!! I have done a bit of research, and there are companies that will convert your van or sell you an already converted one, but they were all quite fancy (and expensive), I was just looking to do a simple conversion, only a bed and a few options to store my kit and food etc.

Cheers

[Scotjamie]

Hi Ross
Look up Keith Harper on WH
Not a VW but an amazing DIY job...a nice van and a very nice man

[BobMcBob]

I've spent the bast part of 8 months over the last 3 years living in a converted VW in the Highlands. I didn't do the conversion myself but if you're handy with a few tools and a bit of electrics, all the parts that I paid someone else to fit are available off the shelf. The biggest challenge will be in fitting an elevating roof - no way would I want to spend any extended amount of time in a van without one, just because you can actually stand up in the thing - but if you think you can manage without that then everything else is reasonably straightforward. Just bear in mind that if you fit a gas system there are legal regulations that you are supposed to follow. Not that anyone's ever checked mine...

[Shug]

However you go about it, make sure you have good ventilation.
Have a look at www.tnttt.com
Admittedly its not about camper vans, but there is no shortage of ideas and projects that'll give you a good idea of what you can achieve.

[jamesjones]

Hi Ross,

I bought a Citroen Dispatch van in 2012 and use it to travel around Scotland bagging various hills. I'm not a joiner but don't mind trying my hand at D.I.Y. I've converted the van, its carpeted throughout, it has a seat/bed, a unit for cooking, plenty of storage and a unit for storing clothing etc. It's pretty decent for what I need and as it was never intended for me to spend all day in there, then basic is all I need. I'm learning new lessons each time I use it and adding new items. All the items I either ordered from specialists online or the local D.I.Y store. I even borrowed my mums sewing machine to make the cushions/bedding. Good luck with your conversion.

Jimmy

[BobMcBob]

However you go about it, make sure you have good ventilation.
Have a look at www.tnttt.com

But make sure all ventilation can be *closed*, or you'll get eaten alive at night in the summer - just ask the poor couple I met at Glenbrittle who couldn't close the breather vents above their cooker. Ouch, what a sight. I've even had the buggers come up through the plughole!

[rosshunter79]

Thanks everyone for your responses, this has definitely fueled my ambition to make this a reality. I just need to find a van now

However you go about it, make sure you have good ventilation.
Have a look at tntt
Admittedly its not about camper vans, but there is no shortage of ideas and projects that'll give you a good idea of what you can achieve.

- thanks for the link, i've had difficulty finding websites about this kind of stuff.

Hi Ross,

I bought a Citroen Dispatch van in 2012 and use it to travel around Scotland bagging various hills. I'm not a joiner but don't mind trying my hand at D.I.Y. I've converted the van, its carpeted throughout, it has a seat/bed, a unit for cooking, plenty of storage and a unit for storing clothing etc. It's pretty decent for what I need and as it was never intended for me to spend all day in there, then basic is all I need. I'm learning new lessons each time I use it and adding new items. All the items I either ordered from specialists online or the local D.I.Y store. I even borrowed my mums sewing machine to make the cushions/bedding. Good luck with your conversion.

Jimmy

- this is excellent, and exactly the kind of idea I had in mind! Before you carpeted the van, did you line the walls/floor with plywood first, and did you get the plywood pre-made or use a blue-print or anything? Cheers

However you go about it, make sure you have good ventilation.
Have a look at

But make sure all ventilation can be *closed*, or you'll get eaten alive at night in the summer - just ask the poor couple I met at Glenbrittle who couldn't close the breather vents above their cooker. Ouch, what a sight. I've even had the buggers come up through the plughole!

- mmm ventilation or midgie infestation, decisions haha

[Shug]

You could use screen mesh.
Was less concerned about keeping cool, than stopping a build up of co2 which can kill you. Might seem a bit alarmist, but inadequate ventilation will be dangerous.

[xpfloyd]

Have a look at www.tnttt.com

I shouldnt have clicked this, now I want a teardrop camper!

[BobMcBob]

You could use screen mesh.
Was less concerned about keeping cool, than stopping a build up of co2 which can kill you. Might seem a bit alarmist, but inadequate ventilation will be dangerous.

Absolutely right, it's a danger. Open a window when you're cooking. I have screen mesh in the elevating roof and the buggers are so small they can squeeze through it.