2020 was declared to be known as the year of staycations and many of us have taken advantage of the beauty of our backyards instead of going to other countries. The UK offers a variety of stunning natural landscapes, breathtaking beaches and a rich culture to discover. One of the most effective ways to explore this is to travel in your own mobile campervan.
In this way van conversions have increased in popularity in the past few months. Converting a van to a campervan means it is possible to travel easily around the UK without the need to look for accommodation.
If you’re planning to turn your van into a perfect holiday destination We’re here to assist. We’ve got some expert tips for van conversions to help you get the most out of your vacation within the UK.
The advantages of van Conversions
If you’re considering the conversion of a campervan, but aren’t certain if it’s the best choice for you, here’s some of the most important benefits you can make use of:
Save money on Accommodation and travel
The conversion of your van can help you save cash on flights, hotels and train tickets, among other things. A trip abroad to plan a vacation is a significant expense when you consider the various costs, so it is possible to convert your van to make you money over the long run.
Much less expensive than dedicated camper Vans
Conversion vans are a cheap alternative to campervans since you can pick the material, the fixtures and the adjustments that meet your budget.
Of course, conversion costs can be a bit different dependent on the scope of the project at hand. However, it’s typically easier to do the conversion of a van, instead of purchasing an entirely custom-built campervan.
Create it your own
Converting your van to a personal one offers more space for personalisation, meaning you can be really imaginative with the interior design and features!
It doesn’t matter if you want bright pink seats in the conversion van you’ve built or you’re looking for an extremely powerful sound system for your journeys You can build your ideal camper van by constructing your own conversion.
How to Perform an Van Conversion Yourself
Are you ready to complete the conversion of a camper van But where do you begin? There are many factors to think about prior to starting this process. We’re happy to share the best tips to help you make your conversion done right in the very first attempt.
Check If Your Van Is Eligible
There are a few vans that can be converted into a camping van, so be sure to make sure you’ve got the proper base before beginning. It’s due to several factors that include:
Your van’s condition
Your van’s size
This is due to the fact that you’ll have to register your campervan with the DVLA There are many internal components that must be officially be recognized as motorhome.
How do I register the Campervan Conversion through the DVLA
Before you’re able to travel in your campervan, you’ll have to be registered through the DVLA. In order to support the application process, you’ll need include documentation such as:
A complete campervan conversion checklist
A V5C
Interior photographs
Photos of the exterior
Photos displaying the Vehicle Identification Number
After you’ve collected this information, you’ll need it to submit it to the DVLA and they’ll look over your application.
Like every other type of vehicle security is the most important factor, and, consequently the better condition your vehicle is in, the better it will be to convert.
What is the best van for a camper conversion?
If you’re not sure if your current vehicle is suitable or you’re planning to purchase a vehicle to convert, the most suitable vans to convert campers include:
Fiat Ducato
Mercedes-benz Sprinter
Renault Trafic
Ford Transit
VW Transporter
These are only some of the most popular vans used for conversions to campers, but in actual fact, you can convert virtually any vehicle into the ultimate getaway!
Choose the layout of your van
It is up to you to choose the best place to put the bed and storage tables, cookers, and other kitchen appliances inside your vehicle. It can be a daunting task as you’ll need to ensure you have the right weight distributed evenly.
It will also force you to be more imaginative when it comes to how you use your space, and help you make the most of the space you have. Choose things that are multi-purpose to make your space functional and comfortable. living space.
Here are a few more suggestions to consider when you are in the planning phase of the conversion of your van:
Find the most common layouts of campervans to get ideas
Check and verify your layout in real-life
Utilize 3D program to design your vehicle. It can help you visualize the interior of your van
How do I wire a Van Conversion
If you’re planning to build the conversion of your campervan, you’ll need a basic understanding of electrical and circuit systems to get started. It is also necessary to buy an array of electric components that will get the campervan functioning. This could include:
Solar panels
Circuit breakers
Monitoring the battery
Convertor and charger for batteries
Lighting
Cables
Van conversion leisure battery
This isn’t all-inclusive list of what you’ll need to make your conversion van a success The items you require will be determined by the functions that you would like to include. If you’re not familiar with van conversions, you’ll find that you’ll require assistance from an electrician to wire your van.
Do Van Conversion Kits are worth it?
You can buy the van conversion kit which contains everything you require to transform your old vehicle into a fully functional camper van. Individuals and businesses offer van conversion kits for those who want an easy and quick method to put up their brand new campervan.
The kits may include:
Furniture e.g. tables, beds, and storage
Electric components e.g. leisure batteries, wires, lighting etc.
Heating and cooling components
Plumbing and bathroom components
The cost that you pay for the kit is going to be contingent on the size of your car as well as its interior design and features. It is likely that you’ll be required to cover the additional expense for convenience as well. While it may be more affordable to buy the components on your own but you will save significant amounts of time and energy by purchasing an conversion kit.
Van Conversion Ideas and Inspiration
Camper van conversions offer the opportunity to showcase your creative side and create something truly individual.
If you’re a novice to the whole process it may be difficult to come up with ideas. There’s many ideas to convert your van to a camper available for you to select from.
What is the cost of a van Conversion cost?
The cost of converting your campervan will depend on a variety of elements, such as:
Cost of the van (if you don’t already have one already)
It is the quality of material that are used
The dimensions of your van and the amount of work needed
If you build it yourself or you seek the assistance of a conversion camper van firm
These are only a handful of the factors that could impact the final cost of the conversion of your van. If you’re planning an easy van conversion and you’re willing to spend just £500 to outfit your vehicle. In contrast bigger self-builds can run as high as £20,000.
If you opt to engage an experienced professional to construct the conversion van, you’ll have to shell out a little more for ease of use, the labor and other materials. The most expensive professional camper van conversion services could charge as much as £40,000, but it’s largely based on the features that you would like to add to your conversion.
In general the event that you build your own conversion van and you don’t require purchase a car it shouldn’t be necessary to spend more than £5,000-£10,000 to convert your van.
UK Tips for a Staycation with Your Camper
If you’re eager to go on the road with your brand new campervan but you’re not sure the best place to go, we’ve provided you with a list of options. We’ve identified some of the most beautiful UK getaways to enjoy the best of your new van conversion.
- North York Moors National Park
There’s a wide range of landscapes when you visit the North York Moors National Park. It’s serene and tranquil which makes it a perfect place to enjoy a relaxing break to the rural countryside.
- Isle of Wight Isle of Wight
If you’re keen to taste some of the best UK beaches with your van, then the Isle of Wight should be at the top of your list of places to go to.
You can also visit beautiful beaches like Shanklin Beach and Ventnor Beach and you can also walk some of Isle of Woight’s numerous coastal footpaths in order to maximize your time there.
- Brecon Beacons, Wales
Although it’s always been a favorite place for UK holidaymakers, it’s also an excellent place to travel to by campervan since it’s one of the country’s largest landscapes and has an abundance of natural wonders to discover.