So you are planning to convert a van into a motorhome or campervan and need a few pointers. Here is a brief summary of the main factors that you must consider before you start.

Base Vehicle

What is the best vehicle to use? Well that depends on many factors, but if you are going to buy a vehicle and are not about to convert a van that you allready have then our recommendation would be either a Fiat Ducato, Citroen Relay, Peugeot Boxer, Renault master, Mercedes Sprinter of Ford Transit. The first three are basically the same van and are all made in the same factory and are by far the easiest to work with. Also remember that you are going to be spending hundreds if not thousands of pounds and probably hundreds of hours on your van conversion so always buy the newest van you can afford.

Budget

Spend as much time as you can working out what you can sensibly afford to spend on your base vehicle and you conversion. Make a detailed list of everything you are going to need to buy and include the cost of any professional services you might need to employ such as an electrician, gas engineer or upholsterer for example. Make sure that you are realistic about all costs and also allow a decent size contingencey, because unless you have done a previous van conversion, there will definately be unforseen costs.

Plan the build

It is vital to spend the time to plan your van conversion carefully. Because of the limited space you will be working in, everything you build, modify or install will have a consequence elsewhere. So the secret to smooth running and successful van conversion is plan, plan and plan some more.

Pace yourself

Converting a van into a decent motorhome is going to take time. You certainly wont get it done in a few weekends and be assured, most tasks you undertake will take much longer to complete than you think. If you are carrying out the conversion in your spare time, you should expect it to take at least 3 months if not 6 and maybe even longer. One thing to point out here is that you will be handsomely rewarded for all the time you can put in, so don't rush things. Also try not to set deadlines and working to deadlines often leads to mistakes and certainly takes some of the enjoyment out of the task.

Enjoy it

Finally and just as important as anything else here is to make sure you enjoy the job of converting your van, building you motorhome of however you want to put it. If you do then you can be assured that the enjoyment of the finished vehicle will be that much greater.

Have fun and good luck.