Campervan conversion

[filsgreen]

I've finally started the conversion, after being away for a few days. Most of the work will be done professionally but I'm doing some of the basic stuff.

I started with removing the bulkhead and floor liner




I then removed all of the protective boards.


I had two windows installed by Glass for vans




I put sound deadening panels to keep the panels from vibrating.



The next job is to put sound deadening and insulation on the floor of the van and then put 12mm ply flooring down ready for the Altro lino.

I've got it booked in at Liverpool campervan conversions in September. That's the earliest they can do it because they are shutting down for seven weeks. I've paid them a £200 deposit but I'm thinking about letting Glass for vans do some of the work. However, they couldn't do the full conversion, so I'll still have to wait until September.

Most of the fun will be the design of the layout, I've already changed my mind about removing the bulkhead, that's going back in on Monday. I was going to have the two passenger seats on a swivel base, but can't see the benefit. Restoring it will keep the heat in the van and secure.

If anyone is interested in van conversions, there are lots of videos on YouTube, it's where I'm getting all my ideas and advice. Sorry about the photos being in portrait mode, but they are upright on my phone.

[Silver-Haired-Hippy]

Good luck with the job Phil, I am sure you and your wife with get a lot of use out of it when it is complete, Stephen, (Drift) has not long bought a 'van' already set out but did do a couple of small jobs it needed doing, nothing like what you are doing! They have been now been on a couple of trips to Wales and Yorkshire, love it! Off to Cornwall July. Just been to a Van Fest which was only 15 mins from where they live but stayed the weekend, said it was brilliant chatting to other van owners, plus beer tent and a bit of music!! Have another one much further away but seeing things may not be opening up on the 21st, it could be cancelled as it is a big one. Love to see your finished van Phil, so put some photos on please!

Loretta

[BossHogg]

I'm going to go down the easy route, I can retire in 6 years, I'm thinking about using my lump sum from my pension to buy a ready made camper van. Then if her indoors gets on my nerves, I can drive off into the sunset!

[Bonesy]

Great photos Phil and a very interesting project.
I'd have thought with the bulkhead removed it would give you a more feeling of space.
Just curious Phil, I'm surprised that the extra cables for the electrics doesn't go in before the insulation is fitted.
Well done you for having a go though.


Keith

[Bonesy]

You might find this interesting Phil, Camper Kings based in Maghull.

www.camperkings.co.uk


Keith

[filsgreen]

Hi Tom, I'd have a good think about doing it yourself. Even if you don't do it all, you'll have input on what goes where.


Hi Keith. Yes, you do lose the light and feeling of space, but you gain on the security and insulation, the bulkhead provides. Plus, you don't have to put a curtain up or blinds on the cab windows at night.

Yes I've backed off doing the side wall insulation for now, but nothing is going under the flooring, so I've done half the sound deadening on the floor. I'll finish off tomorrow, it was very hot in the van.

My mate has just been down, he lives on the Mallory Estate. He said that all of the Maghull campervans were stolen recently and because they all had trackers in them, they were found in Fazakerley and Kirkby, trashed. The thieves ransacked them, looking for the trackers.

[BossHogg]

Hi Tom, I'd have a good think about doing it yourself. Even if you don't do it all, you'll have input on what goes where.

I've got 6 years before I decide on anything, that's a long time in this job, I'll have to reach it first.

[Bonesy]

Phil I knew about the Camper Kings theft.
Not nice hey.
They are now up and running again apparently.
£150 a night for a top of the range van.

My brother bought brand new transit camper van in 1972 from Skellys £1200.
Probably still holding its value looking at used prices.
Him and his wife spent one summer driving all over France and Spain.
He sold it when they returned for £1600.

Keith

[bjones]

Great thread thanks Phil - looking forward to watching your progress.
Also good to see exchange of info and views on here. Thanks Keith, for Camper Kings link.

When my best pal retired they spent a huge chunk of her pay-off on a motorhome which they were told would really hold it's value ....blah blah blah.
Over the following 5 years they had great use of that and the one they upgraded to but still expected to get a good price when they decided to stop "travelling". They were shocked by how little they were offered compared to what the same van would have been sold for by the dealer. The reason given was that the dealer could offer a warranty on the engine whilst a private seller couldn't.
So..... Tom, think long and hard about how you spend your money; perhaps Phil's option would be the best economically as well as to suit layout preferences.

[BossHogg]

It's certainly something to bear in mind.

[Bonesy]

Cracking conversion here Phil on Camptoo.

https://www.facebook.com/27429559973353 ... 432175142/


Keith

[filsgreen]

Yes, there are lots of great conversions out there, I just wish I could have bought a long wheel base van, Keith. However living where I do and having two vehicles, I had to respect the neighbours. The 400 mm makes a very big difference though.

[filsgreen]

The floor is in and I think this is where my contribution ends. I'm going to see the conversion company tomorrow and ask them if I can do anymore. I know I can do some insulation, but I don't want to get in their way.

[filsgreen]

Just attached some functional bling, they look good and provide a step into the van.

[filsgreen]

Hi Loretta, sorry I never replied to your post. Yes, I've seen some YouTube videos of Vanfest, it looked great and they got the weather. Tell Steve I was asking after him please?

I'm thinking I should have gone down the ready made road, as its going to be a long three months before we can use it. The only saving grace is that it would have cost me another £8000, if I did.

I put off going to going to Liverpool campervan conversions this morning as I wanted to fit the running boards, while the weather was good. I'm now going there on Monday so I'll post an update with the probable design. Here's a link to their website.

https://www.liverpoolcampervanconversions.co.uk/

[Silver-Haired-Hippy]

Will do Phil!

Loretta

[filsgreen]

Quick update on the campervan project. I'm not getting it converted by Liverpool campervan conversions now, I found out there was a firm called Liverpool Auto Care in Atlas Road, who specialises in campervan wiring.

Lewis the owner told me about Crosby campervan conversions based in Waterloo, who has been converting vans for about eight years. So after speaking to Kath, the owner of the firm, I decided it would be better to use local firms, not least because I don't like driving. Both firms are about a mile away as the crow flies.

I have lost the £200 deposit I gave to Liverpool campervan conversions, but I think its worth it. I have probably made it back on the advice I received from Kath about putting an inverter in the van, to convert 12v to 240v, not doing so has saved me £600.

So today I drove it to Liverpool Auto Care and I probably won't see it till September. As you are probably all aware, good tradesman are always busy, but Lewis and Kath both said they would workaround other jobs/conversions and start on mine.

They have worked on several projects together. The last being a long wheel base Mercedes, which included a washing machine.

Covid has affected the timescale and the rock and roll bed won't be supplied until mid August. I've asked Lewis and Kath to take photos of the project as it progresses, so I can post them on here for you.

The cost of the conversion is £10,300 and the van cost £28,650, but if you bought an off the peg van with similar specs, you'd probably add £10,000 onto that.

Here are the links to the companies I'm using, to give you an overview of their work.

https://autoelectriciansliverpool.co.uk ... nversions/

https://m.facebook.com/Crosby-Camper-Co ... rce=result

PS, hands up who knows where Atlas Road is?

[Bonesy]

Interesting read Phil. September is not that far away You'll soon make the money back on your first jaunt.
Sounds a lot of money Phil but they appear to hold there value really well. Never thought vans were so expensive.
Please explain the "don't like driving" remark and you are doing this project


Keith

[filsgreen]

Hi Keith, thanks for your support. My budget was 40k, so not much wiggle room from now on. My van is not new, it has 1700 miles on the clock and was registered in February this year, otherwise it would have been more, It's still a lot cheaper than an equivalent VW though.

Yes, paradoxically I detest driving with a passion during the day, people these days just make the car go forward. So much so that Rae wont get in the car with me during the day. The rationale behind the camper van is that we can leave about 9pm and drive through the night and whatever time we arrive I can get my head down and Rae can do whatever. We don't have to book in at say 2-3pm, which forces me to drive in the day.

As I've mentioned, it is a project and if I do lose interest or don't use it very much, I would probably get my money back. However, due to the scarcity of vans and campervans, my insurance is £1170 and I had to have a tracker fitted at a cost of £300 for the installation and £150 per annum for the subscription. To be fair, I had no, no claims, due to Rae using my full no claims on her car and my locale is not the greatest. I had three firms that would not insure me.

I'm hoping to visit dark skies sites, so that I can take up astronomy. The van will be ideal for wild camping in say, the North Yorks Moors or the Brecon Beacons in the depths of winter. The van will have a 2Kw diesel heater in it, so twenty minutes outside stargazing and then warm up with tea in the van.

[filsgreen]

Ok guys it's been about a month since I've posted and the van has been at Liverpool Auto Care in Atlas Road, a true Bootle firm. Anything to do with Auto electrics I'd thoroughly recommend them, Lou and Heidi have looked after the electrics on my van and they've completed the first fix. They were kind enough to take pics on the progress.

It's with Kath at Crosby campervan conversions based in Waterloo now, she has been converting vans for about eight years now. She will take about a month to complete her part, not because she is slow but because of the waiting time for parts. Once she's done, it will go back to Lou for the second fix and then Rae and I can try it out.

Anyway, here are the photos Lou took of his work. Needless to say I'm very pleased with his work.

The rear view camera, that wasn't standard on the van.



The business end of the electrics, located under the passenger seats.



Shore power hook up



Master isolation switch



2 Kw Diesel heater



Infra red rear view camera



All the components of the diesel heater prior to installation.

[Bonesy]

Coming on well Phil.
Great that it's all synchronised with yourself and the two specialists.
You'll be chomping at the bit to get out there with your telescope.

Keith

[filsgreen]

Cheers Keith. I'm using binoculars to keep it simple at first.

[bob. b]

Hi Phil, What a project that is would love to do something like that.
Keep us updated on your progress Phil
Got a cousin in Australia who just got a bus to convert into a camper van.

Bobby

[filsgreen]

Will do Bob but to be fair, I'm just paying for it to be done. It's at the fitter in Waterloo now, here's a few pictures she has taken up to now.







This is the design of the rock and roll bed

[filsgreen]

Just an update. I received a few more pictures of the progress from Kathy, I think I picked the right colour.

[Bonesy]

Looking good Phil. The second pic showing what I guess are the walls finished, looks almost molded to every nook and cranny. Amazing.


Keith

[filsgreen]

Thanks Keith. It's called Veltrim, it stretches in four directions and is applied using a double sided spray adhesive. In the hands of an experienced fitter, the end results are great.

[filsgreen]

Last look at the progress prior to the finished product, which will probably be next Friday. It's with Lew at the moment getting the second fix electrics done.

I'm getting a Victron leisure battery charger installed, which will charge the leisure battery when I'm on electric hook up. He is also fitting a dash cam.

[Bonesy]

Coming along nicely Phil, it's a cracking job.


Keith

[bob. b]

Looking good Phill you will have hours of pleasure in that van.

Bobby

[filsgreen]

Thanks lads.

[Silver-Haired-Hippy]

Looks great Phil! Where is your first outing to be?

Loretta

[filsgreen]

Thanks Loretta. We're not going too far, Croesus Abbey at Llangollen for a couple of nights.

[lily8]

It's looking smicko, Phil I used to work years ago as a financial controller for a caravan and camper company who did camper conversions the people who brought in their dreams of a happy retirement or whatever were a joy to deal with good luck with it and your travels.

[filsgreen]

Thanks Lily.