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Does anyone know a good place to look for camper vans?
It’s not an answer to the question you asked.
But... it might be worth considering buying a van and then getting it converted professionally, on the assumption you don’t want to DIY the conversion.
Aside from that, whereabouts are you based, might help others answer the question.
We converted our own. Had it done professionally, got the layout we wanted and still way cheaper than buying ready done. Love it!
Its all down to the dreaded budget ?
@foxy - if you list what you're looking for then we'll have more info to help you
We're based in Kent. Also considering the conversion option.
Looking to spend up to 20k...Sprinter long wheel base high top style or similar would be perfect.
Good luck
Converted my own. Sort of glad I did it that way - sort of! Don't underestimate how much time this will take if you want something remotely close to bought quality in terms of finish. Whilst usable much sooner I think I took over three years on mine and even now I would not call it actually finished. I'm not sure self builds ever are. Also cost - plenty of suppliers of new bits and bobs but the cost mounts up. 2nd hand components from a donor caravan can be found but to be honest the final outcomes often look shabby and compromised. My heating and and awning etc all came 2nd hand from ebay at good prices. Finally resale value - self build are practically worthless on the 2nd hand market.
With £20K I'd be looking at buying a good 2nd hand coachbuilt or A class van. Weirdly larger can be much better value. - actually cheaper sometimes than a similar quality, similar age campervan conversion style professional job. You just have to work out if the extra size is going to stress you out too much with parking and getting to remote spots. My parents had a niesmann bischoff arto A class (out of your or my budget sadly) that was brilliant to live in (full size garage for bikes to be rolled in whole but still loads of space inside - joy) and fine in the highlands where they lived but you did have to think ahead to where you were going to park up. Would have been a nightmare in Cornwall/Devon off the beaten track.
Sorry, can't help you where to look but this should be a good time of year at the end of the season. As a newbie I'd be going around showrooms to work out what you want in terms of style. Simple things like a permanent bed vs a bed you make up every night but have more space in the day can be fundamental to if you find the experience of living in it pleasurable or not.
Bigger is cheaper but often because you need your light truck licence
Use is important.
Having hired coachbuilts and owning a converted van the converted van is much less hassle and much more usable.
Caravan donor conversions often look shabby because people try to rebuild the caravan inside the van.
Throw the woodwork away use the windows and the cooker/fridge/heater and it can look good.
As above don't underestimate the time. Mines had the woodwork done and it still took 5 weeks of 14-16 hr days to (redo) the windows , plumbing ,electrics and gas work to standards instead of the bodges you often get when you buy a home conversion.
But top bit of advice above is visit a dealer and look at many different shapes and layouts see what you need/want.
Pay attention to payload or you can be in trouble quickly.
I'm on my second conversion. My advice would be to only convert your own if that is part of the challenge, if you just see it as a cheap way to get a campervan it will be a chore.
And your garage will be cluttered with all sorts of plywood and components for about 2 years, and your bikes will be neglected and covered in sawdust 🙂
But top bit of advice above is visit a dealer and look at many different shapes and layouts see what you need/want.
Definately this, I’d spent quite a bit of time looking at campers. My partner hadn’t and didn’t really understand why I wanted some features and not others. A few trips to dealers looking at vans really helped visualise things for her.
There are quite a few converters in Kent but most focus on VW T5/6 vans. As above go to as many dealers/ converters as you can to work out what you want.
There are often lots of vans on ebay with many photos so you can learn from them too.
£20k isn't a huge budget but you should be able to find something just right for you. Don't rush it, it takes time to work out what will work for you then finding a van is never easy or quick.
It's really worth renting one for a weekend to see if you can really live with it especially the size if you're set on a 7m Sprinter
Got to confess I thought only the very worst caravan donor conversions keep the woodwork - kind of thought ditching that was a given for any sane converter not absolutely on the breadline.
use the windows
This is one of my least favourite donor elements! Firm believed that window size should be proportionate to the panel they are intended for. A bit anal I know but windows in vans look best when an element line up with the crease lines in the van or to the tops or bottoms of two windows o the same side align. Small, oddly positions windows are the first indication at a 100m that the van is a lash up.
Then the internal components - if a caravan is worthy only of being a donor rather than resale in its own right it normally means it's old/worn out/neglected. Ive seen a few van conversions of friends with mint new woodwork and some shonky plastic tap from the 80's with worn silver coating or that dreadful brown plastic that they seems to love. Or ancient electric fittings that are quite literally out of the arc - both inefficient and shabby.
It's probably my anal attention detail and snobbery that made be a poor choice for self builder! Proud of what I created but it turned into a millstone around my neck that cost me more than I would have elected to spend both financially and time at the outset.
It's the Motorhome and caravan show at the NEC this week, could be worth going if you're thinking of buying new and want to see everything in one place or just want ideas for a self build.
https://mcshow.co.uk/
And convert confirms why some people should buy a factory van as scope creep and OCD set in and they spend a fortune.
My opinion is windows should line up with internal lay out.
Seen some howlers where the windows lined up looking mint outside and inside it's at chest level or such like when sat on the seats.
Bonded singleglazed windows have no place on a dedicated camper. While double glazed opening windows don't look nearly as good from the outside bonded windows are the mark of form over function.
Cheers Convert, that's good advice.
Based in Oregon, so no practical use for getting a build done, but this feature might give the OP some good ideas as to what can be done to a 4x4 Sprinter.
+1 Motorhome Show at the NEC.
Gives you loads of ideas and options under one (massive) roof.
Take a camera and notepad.
If you want the ultimate, go anywhere you damn well please camper, though...
https://www.motor1.com/news/262215/mercedes-unimog-camper-ultimate-rv/
How many people is supposed to carry? Self built ones are fine for a couple with one child but I would say they would be too small for a bigger family. Generally the fully intergrated ones (that look like the American campers) will only carry four people...even the huge ones. The coach built ones with the bubble over the driving cab will generally carry up to six people. We will be looking for a new camper next spring and are probably going to go for one of these.
But we are a family of six!
Nice
Passed my local car dealer yesterday, they've a big old 2002 camper, some big minging looking bedford type thing, 19 bloody grand!!
And folk moan about Transporter prices! 🙂
I currently have a 30yr old VW T25 and have been looking at going to a bigger white box on wheels but the prices are as such I have been seriously considering a caravan.
If I had the time skills and space self converting looks a great way ahead but I have none of them so will need to pay for the convenience of someone already having built something!
My van is in great condition and was imported from Germany in 2010 but I am looking for more comfort and space that the van currently offers. Fortunately my car has a tow bar and decent pulling weight so the caravan route may be the way ahead, more bang for ya buck is winning over at present
Good advice here, as usual. I take photos of vans parked up and research them online, the forums are brilliant for real life experiences. Thrown up some left field options, I actually feel i have owned one i have read so many threads. There is a reason there are so many fairly new vans for sale.